Collier growth, fluoridation, Right to Clean Water, Naples election | Letters

Destroying paradise

Unfortunately it has taken me awhile to comprehend the recent decision by our Collier County commissioners on growth in at a recent meeting which I attended. The proposal by our commissioners to limit growth along Immokalee and Vanderbilt roads was rejected.The legacy of these commissioners should be destroying the paradise we all so much enjoy. Hopefully Collier Country voters will select new commissioners when their terms are up. Immokalee Road is total gridlock for miles from 6:30 to 9:00 and 3:00 to 6:00. Over 4,000 additional homes have recently been approved in east Naples and current solutions will do little to resolve this problem. Voters deserve a solution!

Bill Mason, Naples

Fluoridation of water

As a former university professor of health sciences, I read with great interest (and disdain) The News-Press article "Collier to end fluoridation of water."  The county commissioners' decision to end fluoridation of county water was largely based on citizen allegations that fluoride causes brain damage and thyroid insult and that the fluoride practice violated the county's Health Freedom Bill of Rights ordinance. What these two forces share in common is a repudiation of sound scientific research.  The national recommended allowance of fluoride is .7 milligrams per liter (.7mg/L is equivalent to .000025 ounces).  To achieve fluoride toxicity, a 150 pound adult would have to consume 120 gallons of water at once − the man would surely die from the water overdose long before the mineral in trace amounts would have harmed him.

It is also worth mentioning that the county decision does not apply to either Naples or Marco Island − among the wealthiest and highly educated folk in all of SW Florida. If the oft-cited conspiracy theories of fluoride  neurotoxicity appearing on social media sites were indeed factual, why then are these influential, affluent constituencies left exposed to the alleged deleterious effects of fluoridated water?  I would suggest that this group is far more likely to take their nutritional cues from the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, National Institutes of Health, Mayo and Cleveland Clinics, et al.  Sadly, for those other residents of Collier County, its commissioners apparently place greater nutritional/medical trust in their local grocer/GOP committeeman.

What's next?  Parents and dental hygienists being charged with child endangerment when their children receive fluoride treatments?  But why stop with minerals in water? Many foods are fortified with vitamins and we know that fat-soluble vitamin overdoses can be harmful (stomach upset, nausea, headache, and even fatal).  Will vitamins be the next trace element to be targeted for removal by the Health Freedom Bill of Rights?

James L. DeBoy, Fort Myers

Benefits of fluoridation

The Collier County Commission should reconsider their decision to remove fluoride from the public water system. If they properly research this subject, they will learn that water fluoridation is considered one of the greatest advancements in public health in our country's history. Their decision will disproportionately impact the poor and most vulnerable among us. It will result in pain, suffering and absenteeism in schools for the children of Collier County. There are no widely accepted studies documenting adverse effects of water fluoridation and a multitude of studies documenting its benefits. There is 70 years of experience and over 210 million Americans that attest to the benefits of fluoridation.The COVID epidemic has left us disappointed and suspicious of the CDC and NIH. They misled and failed the American public. Don't allow those mistakes to fuel unsubstantiated conspiracy theories where we have decades of evidence and millions of examples of the positive impact of fluoridation.

Martin Wilhelm, DDS, Marco Island

Ignoring science

In spite of support for fluoridation of drinking water by the Florida Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Nurses Association and Department of Defense, Collier County commissioners have unanimously voted to end the practice.

The contingent of dumb people, led by Alfie Oakes, has again ignored science to the detriment of our citizens.Mark B. Cohn, P.A., Naples

Better government?

A recent article reported that Naples Better Government was proud to endorse candidate Gary Price for mayor and his three team members; a "slate," as council members.  It was a surprise to see the whole slate endorsed when there were so many other experienced candidates to consider including incumbent Mayor Teresa Heitmann, council member Ted Blankenship and former council member Linda Penniman, along with Nick Del Rosso. Of the eight candidates in the election, three candidates endorsed who have no experience! One member of the slate recently said he has never attended even one HOA meeting in his neighborhood, yet he wants to be a City Council member.  Is it a coincidence that all four members of the slate were endorsed and three of these, Bill Kramer, Berne Barton and Tony Perez-Benitoa, all live less than a half mile from each other? All appear to come from a neighborhood in Naples where Bill Barnett, former mayor and a member of Naples Better Government also lives, within half a mile of each of them. This seems to be a very weighted endorsement and we must ask ourselves if this is better or even healthy for our governance in Naples.

Maria Mair, Naples

Right to Clean Water

I would like to draw attention to two significant nonpartisan amendments: Governor Ron DeSantis’s proposed amendment to create term limits for our Legislature, and the Florida Right to Clean Water Amendment. Both of these initiatives endeavor to play a role in maintaining accountability for our governing entities.Governor DeSantis is championing the cause of term limits to increase accountability. In a recent speech he stated, “It's not a tough sell, and it's not a partisan issue, and it has appeal across any demographic line or partisan line you can do. So, let's do it. Let's get this done." (Associated Press 1/29/24)Governor DeSantis, these are our feelings exactly! The Florida Right to Clean Water Amendment is totally nonpartisan. It has appeal across any demographic or partisan line. So let’s do it! We urge you to extend your commitment to government accountability and support the Right to Clean Water Amendment. Your support would give you the opportunity to underscore your commitment to the wellbeing of Florida’s waterways, a cause you have strongly supported since your first day as governor.Our state’s water resources face mounting challenges. The Florida Right to Clean Water Amendment can be a cornerstone in ensuring a sustainable future for Florida. While term limits undoubtedly will be crucial in maintaining accountability for our Legislature, the Florida Right to Clean Water amendment will do the same for our precious water resources.Kathy Greenberg, Florida Master Naturalist, Fort Myers

Limit new wells

If the City Council in Cape Coral wants to solve the water problem in Cape Coral they should temporarily stop issuing permits for new wells. People that are already on well water deserve help first. I know people have the right to live where they choose but it won’t be long before the new wells go dry too. We need to protect the aquifer.

Rose Marie Waite, Cape Coral

Walk, bike in bright clothes

While driving around Greater Naples, I am distracted by the number of bicyclists and pedestrians wearing dark clothing. At least 36 pedestrians were killed on our congested roads in 2023 and Florida reportedly leads the nation in bicyclist deaths with more than 110 annually. So sad.With our massive road congestion, it is easy to miss seeing people walking or biking wearing dark clothes.Pedestrians and cyclists be smart, be safe and wear brightly colored clothes: bright orange, yellow or white while on sidewalks, paths and roads.It is easy to do, and may save your life. This is really important and something we can all easily do to be safe, avoid injuries or even death.

Susan Reagen, Naples

Who do you trust?

Alfie Oakes says we “don’t trust the white coats” anymore. Just wondering where we should go if we have a heart attack.

Colette Diegel, Naples

Medicaid expansion

It’s a fair question to ask why the state of Florida is thumbing its nose at billions of dollars of federal money to expand Medicaid. One writer to mailbag referred to it as a “free program.” The answer is not complicated: Federal money is not real money. It’s debt that our children and our grandchildren will have to repay or the country will go broke.

Medicaid is a massive trillion-dollar federal welfare program that is fraught with fraud and abuse. But it is not paid with just federal debt-dollars, it requires state dollars as well. But in Florida, because we have a balanced budget, ours are not debt-dollars. Our dollars are real money out of the pockets of Florida taxpayers.

Remember when Ronald Reagan said, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help?“ Medicaid expansion is a perfect example.

Gary Marsh, Estero

Cashing government bonds

Have you done the patriotic thing over the years and heeded pleas to buy U.S. government bonds?

Do you have bonds now due after 20-30 years? Planning on going to your local bank to cash them?

Sorry, you are out of luck. The government now expects you to jump though hoops to get your money.

You now need a form which they will not supply under any circumstance. If you don't have a computer and printer you are out of luck.

If you get and complete the form you must get it notarized. Then you must bear the cost of mailing them which would be beyond regular postage as you are protecting them.

Don't feel bad, the government is there to help you and also please buy more bonds so they can blow the money.

James Cavanagh, Naples

Followed their conscience

Congratulations to the House Republicans on the vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.   No, I’m not referring to the 214 GOP congressmen who voted YES to impeach.  I’m referring to the three courageous Republicans who, finding a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing, bravely followed their conscience and voted NO.

Gail Hermosilla, Estero

Suspended license

Time and time again I have read about those drivers who have committed crimes while driving with a suspended license. Instead of suspending their license, maybe we should put them in jail.

Chuck Ryntz, Naples and Washington, MI

UN should dismantle agency

UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) is the special relief organization created in 1948 exclusively to support approximately 700,000 Palestinian Arabs displaced when the fledgling State of Israel successfully repelled the invading armies of five Arab nations.With about 30,000 employees and an annual budget of over 100 million dollars it has become a quasi-government for nearly six million descendants of the original refugees in “camps” (urban neighborhoods) throughout the Middle East. The 35 million genuine refugees in the rest of the world are served by UNHCR, (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.)In Gaza UNRWA is indistinguishable from Hamas. Its schools indoctrinate children to hate and murder Israelis and are launch sites for Hamas and PIJ missiles. Its financial institutions launder money for Hamas. Its main office provided access, electricity, and cover for an underground Hamas command and control bunker directly beneath it. Its employees participated in the October 7 massacres, torture, rape and kidnappings. It is complicit in the murder of Israelis and the death of Gazan civilians.Most Western governments have suspended funding to UNRWA. It is time to demand the UN dismantle it, and the IRS revoke the tax-exempt status of American front organizations that support it.Allen Menkin, Naples, CAMERA/Naples Christians and Jews United

Hamas started this war

Intentionally and barbarically, Hamas, which runs Gaza, broke the ceasefire, attacking Israeli infants, children, teens, the elderly, indiscriminately killing and kidnapping civilians from the border communities.Hamas leaders knew terrorizing Israel would have payback! It’s how the Middle East operates.Remember these few facts. The tragedy unfolding in Gaza was started by their own governing officials. Returning the hostages, laying down their weapons and installing a new government is the only path with a future for Gaza.Hamas started this war. All deaths, destruction and tragedy now in Gaza is on their hands.Harvey W. Cohen, Naples

Stop Russia, send weapons

To everyone having a tantrum over Trump's comments that Russia will "can do whatever the hell they want" I have some news for you. Russia, right now, is doing whatever the hell they want. You want it to stop? Europe, send some weapons. U.S., send some weapons. NATO, act like you know. If not, blood. Murder. War. If you want to find a pro-Russian, look to those who don't pay. They'll bend over for Russia quicker than anyone. I've got to hand it to Trump. The man's got a point.

Alexandra Zakhvatayev, Cape Coral

Catch and release at border

Tfg (“former guy)” has repeatedly incorrectly labeled “catch and release” as a liberal Democratic law. But history shows it’s a collection of policies, court precedents, executive actions and federal statutes spanning more than 20 years, cobbled together throughout Democratic and Republican administrations, including his own.

The term entered the political lexicon during the ”W.” administration when during his tenure, and later Obama’s, (2000-2010) 14 million new legal and undocumented immigrants entered the country, their sheer numbers forcing the former president (“45”) to direct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release “parolees” on personal recognizance awaiting asylum hearings.

Figures show that in 2015 and 2016 better than 40% of released parolees failed to appear for subsequent hearings. These same figures didn’t decline throughout the 45th administration despite tfg’s January 2017 executive order to detain and deport more aliens as well as his Islamophobic “Muslim ban,” biases against emigres from “sh**thole countries,” title 42, and the separation of families and caging of detained migrant children. In 2019 the 45th administration was overwhelmed at the southern border and forced to employ “catch and release“ directives, much to the chagrin of the White House. So I ask my friends on the right who lament the lifesaving response of Texas National Guardsmen who see migrant children caught in razor wire in the Rio Grande, in the final iteration, what kind of country do they want America to be?

Jon St. Laurent, Naples

Iran, Russia and China

In a recent morning's WSJ, Daniel Henninger says Iran, Russia and China should not be mistaken for conventional opponents. Instead, they have become "messianic political movements;" Iran's fanatic religiosity (it is, was, and always will be); Russia's goal to recreate Peter the Great's expansion into all of Europe; and China's undying historical belief in its inevitable national rejuvenation and restoration.These goals are unappeasable, rendering diplomacy mute. All international agreements with these foes are temporary, seen as a strategic pause in their messianic march to primacy.We have the capacity to counter these messianic movements but not the current political capability to make it happen. Republicans, in the form of Lindsey Graham's recent statements, seem destined to deny Ukraine aid due to a reluctance to accept half a loaf of poison pill immigration reform in exchange for funding.Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to push repeatedly, failed diplomatic attempts that are still underway but will quickly wane as long-shot attempts to broker a peace deal evaporate, exposing the limits of U.S. diplomacy. Meanwhile, China watches and learns.Without significant political reform in America, we’re left dead at the starting gate — a pox on both parties' houses.

Bill Korstad, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Collier growth, fluoridation, Right to Clean Water | Letters