Monday's letters: Unpopular zoning decisions, Putin's plan, diversity of opinion

Shining light on zoning decisions

Kudos to Herald-Tribune reporter Derek Gilliam for providing an excellent synopsis of density and intensity zoning changes affecting Sarasota County in the Sept. 18 article titled “Siesta Key hotel developers convinced Sarasota County planners to reverse key island policy.”

Questionable recent interpretation of standing 1989 zoning guidelines sidestepped proper procedure and due process. These interpretations started with county staff who were swayed by one-sided arguments from builders and attorneys.

Giddy with the prospect of more tourism, more population and more tax revenue, these officials swatted away citizen-led rebuttals as a mere annoyance. High density hotels, here we come!

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I sat in those meetings when the decisions were handed down. It seemed like Sarasota County was acting like a small-town government that had not yet grown into its burgeoning-city obligations.

I was shocked, appalled and dismayed with the decisions.

Without zoning caps, the county commissioners paved the way for density and intensity changes that will ripple from our fragile barrier islands to Bahia Vista to east Sarasota County.

Our local government failed to hear its citizens, but we can take heart that two lawsuits are making progress. We hope that the judges and the higher courts are not so easily swayed.

Jann Webster, Siesta Key

Officials ignore opposition to density hike

Confounding, disappointing, maddening: These are words that come to mind when learning about the latest attempts by local officials to fast-track the city of Sarasota’s Comprehensive Plan to allow redevelopment (read “more density,” aka traffic) on U.S. 41 and 301 and Fruitville Road in the name of affordable housing (“City leaving public out of major rezoning,” Sept. 17).

This “blinders-on” action makes no sense given overwhelming opposition from all the neighborhood groups in the city.

Maybe creating more roundabouts to go along with our new roundabouts will help ease already overwhelming traffic tie-ups. (Not!)

Now add to the mix the public policy craziness of Sarasota County officials who have taken the side of developers in allowing massive increases in density in Siesta Key, despite overwhelming opposition from the residents there.

Whether these changes are technically legal or not, I’m left wondering why local government decision makers are ignoring the clear opposition to these changes by the residents they represent.

What’s their endgame? Don’t they see the permanent negative impact this massive growth is having on our area?

Stop the madness!

Bart Russell, Longboat Key

Putin moving to recreate Soviet Union

I believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan is to reorder the world and pit China and Russia – along with their proxies – against the Western-style democracies.

Putin realizes the time has arrived to carry out this plan, given his age and his perception that the Western democracies are weak.

The Western world, with United States as its leader, should move slowly and methodically, with the help of its allies, to prevent this from happening. I believe we can.

Putin wants to recreate the Soviet Union through fear and threats. He believes that by threatening a world war, including the use of nuclear weapons, he can carve out China, India and many smaller countries around the world to set up this new world order.

I believe the allied powers can thwart this effort, but it probably will be a long struggle.

Edward Carlstrom, Sarasota

Learn to respect diverse opinions

It used to be in this country that we were allowed to have our opinions without being persecuted.

It used to be that if you voted for this guy and I voted for that guy, we were still friends who just had different opinions. Not so much now. My neighbor has not talked to me for three years because of whom I voted for.

Instead of ridiculing others, why not engage them and respect their beliefs? And why not do so without expecting others to share your beliefs?.

Our politicians have successfully pitted brother against brother, so the division is deep.

Let’s try not to let shallow politics end friendships. Let's try to agree to disagree, and to get on with our lives.

I bet things would be a lot better.

Sandy St. John, Bradenton

Abortion decision personal, individual

Here's my response to the letter writer who wrote “Abortion immoral, regardless of legality”:

Get off your moral high chair. Do not judge until you have walked in someone’s shoes.

Abortion is a decision that only the pregnant woman can make. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly – nor is it one that should be decided by the state government.

Priscilla Doulton, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Paving the way for greater density on Siesta, Putin's plan