Letters to the editor for Wednesday, November 8, 2023

∙ Editor's note: Got a message you'd like to share in our Thanksgiving edition Nov. 22? The deadline is early so send it by Nov. 16. Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less. Include your name and city or community of residence. Guest opinions should be 600 words or less and include a brief summary of the author’s credentials relevant to the topic. Guest opinions may include a head shot of the author. For the Fort Myers News-Press, email submissions to mailbag@news-press.com and for the Naples Daily News to letters@naplesnews.com

Veterans Day

On November 11, Veterans Day, we honor and salute all past and present men and women for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to leave their families for long periods of time and fight for our country’s way of life. Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military – in wartime or peacetime.We owe them our thanks, but more than that, we owe them, our freedom.

Their service has allowed this country to continue to enjoy the freedoms and privileges that are so very often taken for granted, like the uninformed and ignorance of the demonstrators and protesters that we have in today’s America. Veterans never gave up on America and we shouldn’t give up on them. May our veterans find the honor and recognition they deserve.To all those who have served, there are not enough words of gratitude.

Lou Walker, Cape Coral

Veterans the mainstay

The oath given to each person entering into the military who later becomes a veteran; shares for the defense of the Constitution against all enemies foreign or domestic, allegiance, obeying the orders of the president of the U.S., and officers per the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

It was believed that WW l, 11/11/1918 was the war to end all wars. Armistice Day was changed to Veterans (Day) on June 01, 1954 through Congress. WW ll veteran Raymond Weeks assisted in reaching President Dwight D. Eisenhower to have Veterans Day as a national day.

Each person who does not give service to the country must remember the devotion, dedication, and sacrifice after the oath is taken, by those individuals now known as veterans. The U.S. veteran is a protector of country, as also protectors outside their country. We know war is far reaching and can spread globally. For those who wear, and have worn the military uniform we give respect. As a veteran of Vietnam with family WW ll veterans and after, I recognize the millions of civilians who have died in wars and after because their governments and some with threats have caused wars to escalate. I believe veterans need to awaken to the cause of peace in communities and find a way to continue their service. I believe our country must look to communication, mediation, and people coming together to resolve differences from the past, and the present. Remember, the commonality is human rights, liberty-freedom.  Veterans are the mainstay.

Louis Cohen (2nd V.P.) (Koltun), Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 23, Naples

Sunken boats, pollution

More than a year has passed since Hurricane Ian left a wake of destruction that caused extensive property damage and pollution concerns. One reminder of the storm's wrath continues to pose a visible yet hidden threat to Naples Bay: a boat, damaged by the hurricane, remains halfway sunken in the bay's waters. This seemingly benign wreckage carries a burden that goes beyond an eyesore; it raises pressing water pollution concerns.

Sunken vessels such as this one leach harmful substances into the water, posing a danger to aquatic life, recreational activities, and the health of the ecosystem as a whole. As the boat disintegrates, toxic pollutants such as oil and fuel harm the water quality.

Water pollution has long-lasting implications for both human health and the well-being of Naples Bay's ecosystem. Though such pollution is more common after extreme weather, this sunken boat serves as a reminder of the urgency of addressing these overarching water pollution concerns. This includes pollution from seemingly inconsequential sources, such as minor leaks from marine vessels in operation and stormwater runoff.

It is imperative that local authorities and concerned citizens take action to expedite the removal of this damaged boat and address the broader water pollution issue. Reaching out to policymakers and local authorities is necessary to invoke change that leads to a healthier ecosystem in Naples Bay. It is not every day that major storms result in obvious sources of pollution, such as a degrading boat in the bay. However, the impact of water pollution is a threat that must be mitigated appropriately.

Hannah Lofgren, Naples

Water reuse

The future of Florida’s water resources is a puzzling picture and one that is difficult to gauge. With booming population growth rates, our consumptive use of groundwater grows continuously without fail. According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, some 90% of Floridians get their drinking water from groundwater and 50% of all other water needs for industries such as agriculture, mining, and electricity generation also rely on our precious subterranean liquid reserves. The question becomes: where do we go from here? How can we continue to build a prosperous economic hub while maintaining the functional integrity of our natural systems without over-exhausting their stores and abilities to restore themselves? With 3.8 billion gallons withdrawn every day, there must be additional avenues of action to pursue hastily.With recent rulemaking on potable reuse, there are some hopes for reducing our dwindling supplies. Potable reuse is an important topic that requires more positive public presentation as it may become crucial to the survival of our state. By ushering in potable reuse, we can “close the loop” and create a cyclical system of consumption that is safe and affordable. It also will serve as the next milestone in our journey to safeguarding our shared natural resources from contamination and overconsumption. I recommend that we all do our part to keep in the know with current rulemaking and embrace and partake in the process. Collaboration and cooperation are the tools needed for today’s environmental challenges.

Landon Reigelman, Lehigh Acres

Waterways impaired

During the month of August 2023, the Marco Island waterways were technically impaired for low oxygen with an average oxygen saturation level of 41%. The official oxygen impairment limit for Marco, as established by FDEP, is 42% Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % (DOSAT%). This is a low point in the health of the Marco waterways and is the first time in recorded history that the waterways tested below the oxygen impairment threshold.Oxygen is an essential component of the aquatic environment. The most important and commonly used measurement of water quality, it indicates a waterbody’s state of health - that is, the ability to support aquatic life.Excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) delivered to a waterbody can lead to both overgrowth of algae and eutrophication. As dead algae decompose, oxygen is consumed in the process, resulting in low levels of oxygen in the water. Because there are increasingly more people living in coastal areas, there are more nutrients entering Florida’s coastal waters from wastewater treatment facilities, runoff from land in urban areas during rains, and from farming.It is interesting to note that all impaired sampling locations on Marco are in areas where wastewater sewage reuse water is heavily used for landscape irrigation: Condos along the beach and two golf courses.This does not mean that the Marco waterbody is “officially” impaired. FDEP will only put a waterbody on the “impaired list” when it has been fully impaired for two consecutive years. If the current trends hold, Marco might be officially declared impaired for oxygen in 2027. What will be the impact to property values and our tourism-based economy?

Eugene Wordehoff, Marco Island

Marco advisory committees

Are Marco Island advisory committees a sham? The Marco advisory committees can serve valuable purposes. Relaying the needs, wants and priorities of residents to city government; lending technical expertise at no cost, and defending against decisionmakers running amok with tax dollars in dubious spending. Recently, three Waterways Advisory Committee members resigned in frustration leaving three openings. Since I have written to the City Council on waterway matters to no effect, I applied for those openings. With a background of 42 years in Marine with 22 years in waterway, coastal and ocean project management and engineering, I am on a par with any marine consultant. Surprisingly, I have not been selected for any opening. It appears they are looking for "yes people." It bodes the question, is this the same for other advisory committees leading to questionable expenditures such as the consultant for a management plan for the city’s park system? There appears to be a culture/attitude of city staff that advisory committees are a waste of their time. Staff leadership has been vocal to residents of their desire to dissolve or consolidate certain committees. I understand that staff cannot dissolve the advisory committees as City Council appoints members, and committees’ missions are by City Council resolutions that are voted on by City Council. Perhaps City Council members feel the same as staff? An effective advisory committee is a boon to the city and getting it right starts at the top.

Captain Ralph Rohena, Marco Island

Conflict of interest?

Florida Rep. Joe Gruters is attempting to raise money to capitalize a new property insurance company. He, and most other legislators, voted to change the law by making it more difficult to sue an insurance company. He has solicited his fellow lawmakers to invest in this venture and has prepared a prospectus projecting a 165% investment payout in five years. He sees no conflict of interest.We already saw this property insurance movie in about 2012 and know how it ends. A robbery is being planned in plain sight, folks.

Suzann Smith, Cape Coral

Best we can do?

Out of 340 million people our process is coming up with Biden and Trump. Just a thought!

Ron Decker, Fort Myers

Property tax bills

As I begin my annual rite of passage that involves the mystery of my local property tax bills, I stopped to contemplate what exactly do these detailed bills really represent.As a a retired person and owner of several Lee County properties including my own residence, I noticed the never ending increase in the final tally of these property tax bills. Some simple math computations helped me calculate that my residence tax bill went up 7% and the tax bills on my single-family rental homes went up between 7% and 18%. Of course, my local government entities will argue that their cost of services have increased due to inflation and they need more money. This argument will not recognize that two of the largest contributors to our inflation rate are increased real estate values and cost of borrowing, neither of which my local governments should be subject to with balanced budget restraints. It seems that it isn't hard to argue that my local governmental entities are enjoying a revenue tax windfall at the expense of the taxpayers. The fact that is easily ignored is these increased tax amounts are actually taxes on unrealized value gains on our property and that the property owner can only realize their profit if they dispose of the property. In other words, it represents a tax on unrealized profits. The size of the government grows with these increased surplus taxes. Unfortunately, once real estate values start to go down which they always do at some point, the size of government stays the same and you can feel pretty secure that your taxes aren't going to go down with reduced property values.We, the taxpayers, would be wise to pay attention when voting for our representatives that control our local governments and elect politicians that promise static property taxes, controlled government spending, and aren't comfortable with the never ending assault on the taxpayer's wallet. The taxpayer's income doesn't necessarily go up at the rate of inflation.George W. Hoover, Cape Coral

Antisemitism on campus

The fuse has been lit and to some it is clear who struck the match. It matters because if the unspeakable brutality unleashed on innocent Israelis is not wrong, then nothing is wrong.

Yet I am flummoxed by the breadth and public nature of campus demonstrations, and the ardor with which many students blame Jews for the October 7 massacre.

The proliferation of hatred appears to have no bounds. Latent antisemitism has surfaced and exploded onto everyday campus life at many universities. No one seems reticent to say out loud or to post on social media that Israel is at fault.

And cooler heads are not prevailing. College administrators and especially professors are loathe to take a stand and intellectually challenge this collective ignorance. The difference between free speech and hate speech seems lost on the cognoscenti. History will remember those who stood up and those who remained silent.

What’s more, these faux moralists would be up in arms and calling for civil rights investigations if other minority or ethnic groups were being targeted.

No other cause in my memory has gripped the younger generation or has gathered such a full head of steam and no one, it seems, is inclined to jump off the train.

Many Jewish college students feel as though they are prisoners in their own dorms, branded as they were in the 1930s in Eastern Europe.

Here again if this isn’t wrong then nothing is wrong.

William E. Leggiero, Jr., Naples

Humanitarian mess

What a heartbreaking and humanitarian mess. Can’t we just all get along? Obviously not. Israel: If you treat people like animals they become animals. Hamas: You are a bunch of animals. Another generation of hate has been born. It’s so sad.

Marc Bellagamba, Fort Myers

Rally for Israel

I want to applaud the many Christians and Jews who rallied for Israel this past week at famed "public square’’ of Airport Pulling and Pine Ridge Roads intersection. This gathering spoke to the quality of people here in Naples. Whether people gathered moved by faith, moved by outrage or by history, this show of support for Israel is greatly appreciated especially by your Jewish neighbors who struggle to make sense of the barbarian butchering, alone. I thank the Naples community for yelling out their truth, waving American and Israeli flags, making and displaying personal signs for the Holy Land.

Allow me to correct false information about the occupation of Gaza. In 2005 all Jews living and buried in Gaza left, hoping to make a peaceful border. Cemeteries we’re exhumed and over 10,000 Israeli citizens wandered again but into Israel, a needed safety zone for Jews. Valuable agriculture land and industries were turned over to the people of Gaza. In 2007 Gaza people in a majority vote elected Hamas to be their government. Hamas has never allowed another election. Its school, mosques and media demonize Jews, Christians and especially Israelis.

When it became clear to Egypt and Israel that Gaza was importing war-making infrastructure both land and sea access was severely limited. While I’d like to think the people of Gaza are innocent and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad the sole bad actors, that’s naive. Immediately following the October 7 barbaric massacre of Israelis and Americans in border villages we saw the videos of Gazans’ celebrating this violation of the ceasefire (and they want another ceasefire) with soulless slaughter of infants, children, women and men. The level of inhumanity is heart and stomach turning.

As much as I applaud those who gathered in support of Israel. the one small Jewish land on planet Earth, I am appalled how quickly our collective memory of the heinous and horrifying terrorism has evaporated to be replaced by denigrating Israel’s right and responsibility to eradicate Hamas and make their borders safer.

Sadly we know that war is sloppy and unfair. Remember the Allies bombing of Dresden or the two U.S. atomic bombs on Japan speak to the tragedy on those who start wars must later suffer. It’s time to steel ourselves for a lengthy and painful war in Gaza to remove evil actors of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (holy warriors) and Hamas who started this war and thereby brought all this injury and death to their people and their land.Harvey Cohen, Naples

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Wednesday, November 8, 2023