Letters to the editor for Sunday, October 30, 2022

Incumbents best for Collier schools

The contrast between the Collier County School Board incumbents and their challengers is stark.

Incumbents Jen Mitchell, Jory Westberry, and Roy Terry have over 75 years of combined experience serving Collier students as teachers, principals, SAC members, and/or school board members. They are true public education advocates who, as school board members, have leaned on their decades of knowledge to navigate CCPS successfully through the COVID pandemic, to steadily improve CCPS's academic quality, and to support a superintendent who was named Florida’s 2022 Superintendent of the Year, and was one of four finalists for the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year.

On the other hand, the candidates who are challenging the incumbents have barely more than a decade of combined experience serving in any official, public school capacity. One of them, by his own admission, only "started going to school board meetings last spring" (Candidate Town Hall, May 21, 2022).

What’s more? One of the other challengers makes the bizarre claim —in his platform(!) — that "children are being chemically altered, then experiencing radiation from consistent over exposure from technology" (jerryrutherford.com/campaign). And another challenger was a member of the social media group that encouraged a boycott of local businesses, as well as the Golden Gate High School cheerleaders, Lorenzo Walker Technical College, and the Naples High School Band (“Letter: The opponents,” NDN, May 18, 2016).

For the future of education in Collier County, I hope experience and commitment to academic success wins out over inexperience, conspiracy theory, and cancel culture.

Eric Otto, Naples

Compassion for lives upended

It saddened me to read the lack of compassion in the letter about the debris lining the streets of Park Shore, Moorings and throughout the Gulf coast is unsightly and dangerous to her. I suggest she give a thought to the losses suffered by those whose debris lines the streets. Those of us living in ground floor units, some year-rounders, also looked forward to life as we knew it but now with our lives upended, we’re left to mourn our loss and figure out where and how to move on. Only a magic wand could make it all better, so blaming Naples government is unfair. The kind thing to say is, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Lynn Fayter, Naples

Best candidates for Marco City Council

Marco Islanders will have an opportunity to vote for three candidates for City Council as the November election approaches. In my mind, there are three candidates who stand out as deserving of residents' support.

Councilor Greg Folley has consistently demonstrated his commitment to listening to all sides, even when it might otherwise seem impossible. His pragmatic approach to difficult discussions -- such as on workforce housing -- has earned him the appreciation of many residents. Furthermore, Councilor Folley has been very hands-on in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. He has been in touch with Comcast frequently, has worked to resolve broken condo elevators, and has distributed critical informational updates.

Councilor Erik Brechnitz, who has been twice elected by his peers to serve as Council chair, brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge to the City Council. Fulfilling one of his original campaign promises, he was instrumental in hiring an experienced city manager and ending the "revolving door" in the city manager's office. Councilor Brechnitz's focus on addressing traffic on the island is also critical, including his helping to get funding for a traffic study in the 2022-2023 budget.

Last but not least, Christine Dowell is a true citizen's advocate. She has been instrumental in bringing a voice to residents' concerns about the issue of short-term rentals, while also diligently attending almost every City Council meeting to discuss other critical matters like water quality and Caxambas Park. Christine is a true fighter, and I have no doubt she would stand up passionately for Marco Islanders as a City Councilor.

When you fill out your ballot for Marco Island City Council, I hope you will join me in supporting these three candidates who represent a strong future for our island.

Hayden Dublois, Marco Island

State in crisis needs federal help

As I watched Gov. DeSantis and President Biden tour devastated areas of Fort Myers, I was reminded of former Gov. Chris Christie and President Obama's joint visit after Super Storm Sandy. Not surprisingly, both Republican governors welcomed federal assistance for addressing these storms' catastrophic impacts. I would speculate that both governors recognized the necessity for a strong federal branch of government endowed with financial, logistical and human resources to help individual states return to a pre-disaster status. Clearly, no state, by itself, is equipped to deal with disasters of similar scope without outside aid. Ergo, a strong federal branch exists (and acts) for states in crisis. To paraphrase President Lincoln's biblical quote "A nation divided cannot  stand." I would suggest that a lone state cannot withstand widespread disaster.

James L. DeBoy, Fort Myers

Ukrainians or Floridians?

In an article on the GOP campaigning against the IRS, it states the IRS will use $46 million of the $80 million they received from the current administration to enforce tax laws. If that is true, the first thing the IRS should do is audit the current administration. I want to know how appropriately $30 billion a month is being sent to Ukrainians who pay no taxes, yet the hard working taxpayers of Florida who lost their homes in Ian can only receive a maximum of $38,000 from FEMA?

Michael Graback, Bonita Springs

Thoughts on debate

During the debate on Monday, Gov. DeSantis made a point that all tolls had been waived temporarily after Hurricane Ian as a help to Florida's citizens. Most tolls had actually resumed on Oct. 15, but Pinellas Byway, Sunshine Skyway, and Alligator Alley remained waived. Isn't it amazing that those roads resumed taking tolls within HOURS after the debate? So much for the validity of talking points. I paid on the Alley Tuesday morning.

The governor, under direct questioning from Congressman Crist, also would not confirm whether or not he would serve a full term if elected again. He was just speechless (Imagine that!) and had a nervous smirk on his face. At least, Donald Trump would have answered. It may have been bull, but he would have answered. Mini-MAGA DeSantis could learn from that. Do you want a "second-stringer" (Ms. Nunez) governing you while mini-MAGA is out campaigning for president (and/or actually attaining same.)?

Raymond Brooks, Fort Myers

Take the long view

Remember bra-burning? Nobody does that any more, but it was a definite “thing” in the 1960s. That was a time when women were rising up. In the years that followed, women made a lot of progress and no longer felt the need to burn their bras. The pendulum swung back to the middle of a “new normal.”

Some folks on the left, whom Bill Maher calls “the Twitter crowd,” say and do some stupid, short-sighted stuff. But that’s because LBGTQ+ people are rising up. They’re finally coming into the sunlight after centuries in the dark. Once they are integrated into society, the extreme statements and behaviors will tone down. The pendulum will swing back to the middle of a “new normal,” just as it did for women.

Don’t vote Republican because you’re alarmed about “wokeness.” Wokeness is just bra-burning. The culture is changing — very, very fast. Peoples’ eyes are opening to new ways of seeing the world and themselves. This can be hard, painful and strange; remember how upset the adults were in the 1960s? But it’s all good. It’s all part of humanity’s drive toward openness, inclusion and freedom of choice.

So don’t vote out of fear. Don’t let them scare you. Social Security and Medicare are not socialism. Critical race theory is taught only in graduate school. Teachers don’t have the power to make a child gay, lesbian or transgender. The rule of law is not “tyranny.” Refusal to wear a mask is not a sign of freedom — it’s selfishness. Don’t be fooled.

If only white people could relax. If only we could trust democracy. If only we could take the long view and forgive liberals the silliness that doesn’t really hurt anyone and vote “no” to the authoritarians among us who value power above principle, and will do anything to win.

Melanie Chadwick, Naples

Broaden our political  perspectives

The worse may be to come. The Dems are truly desperate and Joe's cupboard of freebies is almost depleted. First, he cancelled college loans and now promises $200. hearing aids for all. The things we need most he doesn't address such as rampant crime, raging inflation, and an open border policy that allows fentanyl to flow into America unabated.

Conversely, after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Donald Trump is no longer a viable or desirable solution. His base is now splintered and his ego would be decimated if puppet Biden beat him again in 2024. Regardless of the Nov. 8 results, America will likely be further divided. Republicans will remain resolute, unwilling to embrace radical liberal concepts and double standards. So we remain at an impasse.

As a solution, suppose we split the national landscape and allow every citizen to live in either a liberal or conservative state. But how long before the Libs head for the other side as Californians and New Yorkers are already doing? Despite craving the benefits of police protection, a stout military, they refuse to relinquish their socialist values. Their brains are like lockboxes, accepting facts as truths only if they agree with what they already believe.

Regardless, this hypothetical solution is not not going to happen and for America to survive in today's topsy-turvy world we must all broaden our political  perspectives or consider more drastic options. After Ian New Zealand and British Columbia are looking more attractive with every passing day

Gerald Ponder, Cape Coral

Losing freedom in America

Lockdowns, vaccine mandates, stacking the Supreme Court, federalizing elections, FBI raids on political “enemies,” solitary confinement for months without trial, usurping parental rights, ESG, cancel culture, armed IRS agents, fossil fuel suppression – Remind me again. Which party has the tyrants?

Katie Cullen, Naples

Hollow rhetoric from Republicans

Republicans are enamored with  three signature issues in the current mid-term election season coming to a head in a couple of weeks: inflation, immigration, and insecurity or crime.

All of them are real, valid, and growing concerns. But, unfortunately, while carping about them, GOP candidates are not offering any responsible solutions to alleviate them.

As to the former, the three main proposals the party has advanced are illusory and, worse yet, injurious. One is lowering gas prices by tapping stockpiles from the Strategic Oil Reserve. So, when President  Biden did so, the Republicans wailed that he was making an unwarranted  political gesture.

Another proposal, championed by Florida Senator Rick Scott, head of the GOP campaign arm in the Senate, would eviscerate Social Security and other federal  benefit programs, imposing  severe hardship on the elderly in this state and elsewhere. The other, reducing income taxes on high income earners, is similar to the disastrous plan  that upended the six-week reign of Liz Truss, the departing British Conservative  prime  minister.

On immigration, besides the ineffectual wall brandished by ex-President Trump, the Republicans’  plan seems to be, as here in Florida, to wash their hands by shipping  immigrants to other states, magnifying the problem rather than mollifying it.

For insecurity, or crime, a particularly vexing difficulty here in southwestern Florida, the GOP solution seems to be limited to calling Democrats ”pro criminal” and broadcasting Willie Horton-type dog whistle racist ads.

Voters deserve realistic responses to this trio of “I” problems and others, too. But with early voting  beginning  all they are getting now from Republicans is hollow rhetoric.

Marshall H. Tanick, Naples

Political pandering

I had to chuckle when I read the article entitled, "Local Sheriffs Pandered to National Media." Naturally, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno was mentioned in the article. Although I am a Florida resident, I spend my summers in Pennsylvania. While still up North, I closely followed the news reports of the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. On one occasion, I was watching a press conference conducted by Sherriff Carmine Marceno. I was interested in what he might say regarding the situation of the aftermath of the hurricane. Unfortunately, more than half of his vocalizations were pure effusive praise of Gov. DeSantis. It was so overboard in that regard.

Pamela Maza, Cape Coral

Tilting at windmills

After watching a commercial for Marco Rubio, it's apparent that he has also drunk the Kool-Aid from the trough of Republican lies and conspiracy theories. Rubio and his ilk are the real threat to democracy. He should be ashamed of himself for caving to the Republican demand of being all In, win at any cost, even if it's your self respect and integrity. It's party over country and the fear of losing an election. Shame!

If you have just moved to Florida and have viewed the expensive political commercials for the re-election of Ron DeSantis for governor; you may feel like running right out and casting your vote for him. A very well educated veteran, former Florida congressman and current governor, with a beautiful family.

However, the longer you're here and the more you read about him, it becomes apparent that the Don Quixote of Florida had spent the last two years campaigning by tilting at windmills of non-existent social issues for the purpose of appealing to the 30 percent of the far right of right Republicans, that FOX depends on for the bulk of their advertising revenue.

The facade that Ron DeSantis has created is one that gives the illusion of protecting the children from being taught things in school that aren't taught anyway, but provides the parents a level of comfort that a teacher will be dealt with if an attempt is made to groom their child, or teach them what is the real history of slavery in this country.

The governor loves to tout Florida as a "Free" state and after he has imposed his will on his "rubber stamp" administration to create the laws that he wants to arouse his base, you are then "free" to "adhere" to them.

Roger W. Quagliano, Estero

Women's rights in jeopardy

When the U.S. Constitution was adopted, women did not have the right to vote. It took 130 years for that right to come into existence. For that right to happen, it took a constitutional amendment in 1920.

Now we are looking at a woman's rights over her own body -- her right to health. We need another constitutional amendment or at least federal legislation protecting women's rights.

If any woman believes such legislation will happen with the Republicans in power, she isn't paying attention. Pay attention; this may be your last chance to preserve your rights.

Vote Democrat: Vote for Charlie Crist (governor), vote for Val Demings (Senate) and vote for Cindy Banyai (House of Representatives) -- they will protect women's rights.

Mary Taylor, Naples

Educate yourself on candidate’s beliefs

After reading the letters section in Sunday’s paper, it reminded me of what is important in the Nov. 8 elections. We have conservatives and progressives. The terms Democrat and Republican seem to mean little in today’s environment. What are the key differences between conservatives and progressives?

Each has a different view of individual and community. Conservatives look at they can do for themselves, their family and the community. Progressives ask what is unfair; what am I owed; what has offended me; and what can the country do for me.

Conservatives and progressives have a different view about diversity and choice.  Progressives believe different ethnicities and genders are welcome but uniformity of opinion is expected. A variety of opinions and ideas are not. Conservatives believe in choice, whether it's school or health care. They believe in religious freedom and the ability to make decisions that do not interfere with their religious beliefs. Conservatives believe in choice and progressives believe one political solution fits all.

Each has a very different view of the Constitution and its significance. Whether it is the Second Amendment, immigration, abortion, gun ownership, minimum wage, plastic straws or historical monuments, if legislation is passed that progressives don’t like, they turn to judges, executive orders and government bureaucrats to overturn the will of the people. Conservatives believe voters closest to the issues should make the decisions for their state and communities, not lawmakers in Washington, DC or far-away judges.

Nov. 8 will be an interesting day in our history and the future of our republic.

Nick Blauwiekel, Naples

Val Demings will get things done

While in the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio has never acknowledged that there should be gun controls. He has never acknowledged that women lost rights and will continue to lose rights as the result on Roe v. Wade being overturned. Rubio has never acknowledged that climate change is an imminent, destructive force aimed at Florida’s coastlines. On Sept. 5, 2022, Sen. Marco Rubio demonstrated his loyalty to Trump when he referred to Trump’s theft of classified documents and mishandling of those documents as “a fight over storage of documents.” Rubio is the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee who cannot acknowledge intelligence breaches.

One cannot get things done, if one does not acknowledge or recognize the real world.

Val Demings backs legislation addressing climate change, backs legislation addressing women’s rights (including their right to birth control) and backs legislation addressing gun control. She gets things done because she acknowledges what is happening in the real world. Vote for Val Demings as Florida’s new senator. Poor Marco Rubio is a lost Cuban immigrant descendant in search of an authoritarian solution -- a lost soul afraid to acknowledge reality.

Sally Lam, Naples

Releasing balloons is littering

What is the difference between littering and balloon releases? There is no difference obviously. Have seen deflated balloons with their strings in the Estero Bay Preserve and CREW on several occasions and in one instance the string was over 50 feet long all entangled around a tree. Releasing balloons has no reason whatsoever! Just plain littering!

Richard Quist, Estero

Driving factors in election

The enthusiasm of the voters in the upcoming mid-term elections has exceeded all previous polls. So, what are the driving factors for this happening?

Of course the Republicans are pushing inflation, which is in fact a worldwide phenomenon and easy to pin on the sitting office holders due to voters misunderstanding the issue but feeling the effects in their own pocketbooks. Unemployment is the lowest ever but the prices at the pump and the grocery store are key factors in overcoming apathy. Never mind the fact that the previous administration helped fuel this with tax breaks for the rich and their ambivalence toward COVID.

Rampant crime is the next subject the right is complaining about but they in fact helped propagate this with their refusal to pass common-sense gun laws. I’m looking at you Marco.

Abortion is another key issue after the Supreme Court abolished Roe v. Wade. This, however should be a unifying occurrence for the left. There are far more voters on the pro-abortion side so you don’t hear the right expounding on this enormous voting driver.

So, in summation, these are the points for the upcoming very important elections. The majorities in both the Senate and the House are in play so, if you’re unsure about whether you’ll vote or not, please get off the sofa or mail in your ballots ASAP.

Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral

Military weakened by woke agenda

When President Obama called to fundamentally change America, military leaders were picked that advanced that agenda. Today, that wokeism agenda professes America is fatally flawed by race (whiteness), ethnicity and sex. It’s the new norm military leaders must promote.

When a military study concluded that in “gender-integrated combat formations” women would suffer more combat injuries than men it was shelved because it didn’t achieve combat equity. Physical tests were required to be gender neutral and when that wasn’t achieved the tests were eliminated. Before leaving office, Obama ordered transgender acceptance in the military but President Trump reversed that order. However, hours after President Biden’s inauguration, he opened the military to transgenders.

Military personnel are now trained to use proper pronouns and inclusive language. Traditional training of inclusiveness is replaced along racial and gender lines. Black Lives Matter and critical race theory are part of the curriculum at military academies and race quotas drive military promotions.

The climate change ideology, not China, is now considered the greatest threat facing America. Biden imposed significant environmental goals on the military including zero emission standards. In 2023, $3B will be spent to comply.

A recent Heritage Foundation study says the “U.S. military is only marginally able to defend America’s national interest.” General Jack Keane reported that in U.S./China Pentagon modeling exercises the US would be defeated. Is there any wonder why military retention and enlistments are falling behind? Our military’s readiness has been weakened by our leaders. Where’s the press? That should frighten everyone.

Frank Mazur, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Sunday, October 30, 2022