Money doesn't always make best candidates; protecting our local lands: Letters Oct. 26

Vote in in your own best interest

We should all vote in our own best interests; not what someone else or other sources tell us what is in our own best interests. What are these? Can they be controlled or affected by those we choose to represent us in Tallahassee and in D.C.?

Here is what is not: national defense. Why? The Founding Fathers in the preamble of our Constitution capitalized Justice, domestic Tranquility, general Welfare, and Blessings of Liberty. In providing for the general defense, it was precisely that — general defense was not capitalized!

"Big deal!" you say? It is because of so much rhetoric about "original meanings" and intolerance for Constitutional change. I have read so many times in this very newspaper, "the founders were so bright; so prescient; keep the Constitution as written originally."

So, vote in your own best interest and if two others vote in theirs, democracy will prevail and the majority will decide. How do you know which candidate will represent your best interests? The answer is simple: Which have the least money? The ones who cannot afford TV, newspaper, radio ads and billboards and yard signs.

Which has the least number of signs? Whose name have you never heard? Therefore, look for their names so you will have heard, read and seen. They will represent your best interests.

Why? Because the candidates with the most money get it from those who don’t care about your best interests.

Richard Silvestri, Fort Pierce

Our quality of life depends on protecting land

Voters will decide this election whether to renew funding to acquire and permanently preserve environmentally significant lands in Indian River County. The $50 million county bond can be found on the back of your ballot. Some voters have asked: Why is this referendum important and, how will it affect my bottom line?

It is no accident that Indian River County offers an unparalleled quality of life along the east coast of Florida. Over three decades, the residents and leaders of Indian River County have embraced the importance of preserving our natural lands. Land conservation bond referendums in 1992 and 2004 generated $76 million in county funds that leveraged $62 million in state and federal funds to acquire natural areas to protect our drinking water, preserve our waterways, and conserve wildlife habitat.

Why is this referendum important? Indian River County’s strong population growth is leading to a loss of natural areas, adversely impacting our water and wildlife resources. Fortunately, there are lands still worthy of conservation. However, these properties are often ground zero for developers. With the amount of natural lands dwindling, we must act now to preserve our last remaining natural areas.

Properties along the lagoon and the St. Sebastian River are in jeopardy. Lands above the deep-water aquifer that provides our clean drinking water must remain intact. Important wildlife corridors will be lost without protecting key habitats on picturesque ranches.

The bottom line: This bond will cost $44 a year for the average value home. That’s $3.66 a month to ensure that future generations will enjoy the incredible quality of life our natural lands provide today. Permanently preserving land protects our drinking water, wildlife, and the Indian River Lagoon. This election, vote “For Bonds" for our children and grandchildren.

Bill Penney & George Hamner, Vero Beach 

In defense of increasing voting rights

This is an opposing view to Joan Clark’s letter, “Defending democracy is the real issue in the upcoming election.”

Ms. Clark fails to cite the poll in reference to “preserving democracy” as a top priority. According to a poll taken on Oct. 2 by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, the top midterm issues are economy 59%, abortion 36%, health care 25%, immigration 24%, and government spending 19%.

Ms. Clark confuses “following the Constitution” and the Electoral College system of voting. Our founders so deeply feared a tyranny of the majority that they rejected the idea of a direct vote for president. For more than two centuries it has encouraged coalition building and discouraged voter fraud.

The popular vote robs states of their sovereignty. Currently, a presidential election is really 51 separate elections: one in each state and one in D.C. The “will of the voter” of each state, allows smaller populous states such as Wyoming and Alaska, to have a voice in the election of a national president.

Otherwise, large, populous states like California and New York, would almost always dictate presidential outcomes. Also, Ms. Clark’s remark that “Republicans want to restrict voting” is simply not true. According to the left, voter ID depresses minority turnout and is therefore a blatant form of racial discrimination.

But there’s a problem with this accusation: There’s no evidence to support it. Minorities are voting in greater numbers and at higher percentages than ever before. A recent Census Bureau report found that voter turnout in 2018 climbed 11 percentage points from the last midterm election in 2014, surpassing 50% for the first time since 1982.

Moreover, the increased turnout was largely driven by the same minority voters Democrats claim are being disenfranchised. Black turnout grew around 27%, and Hispanic turnout increased about 50%.

Bill Fredericks, Vero Beach

Why aren't there more sidewalks where pedestrian traffic is heavy?

I read the column by Larry Reisman regarding the installation of possibly redundant sidewalks along A1A. The issue should be why aren’t there sidewalks along roadways where pedestrians are forced to compete with large vehicles?

I have been at what’s now known as Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital since 1993. Then, Indian River Boulevard stopped at 37th Street and the intersection was controlled by a stop sign. The traffic along Indian River Boulevard was primarily used by patients going to the hospital or doctors’ offices. Currently, Indian River Boulevard goes to 53rd Street and is a major transportation artery.

There are two areas of concern. I know people who work on Royal Palm Pointe and Miracle Mile and have to walk from Gifford. There are sidewalks on the western side of Indian River Boulevard south to 37th Street. However, this becomes a no-go zone from 37th Street to the Barber Bridge. Once you get to the Barber Bridge the area south and east has an excellent network of sidewalks that are heavily used.

In addition, the approach to the hospital is dangerous for pedestrians. Numerous patients bicycle or walk to appointments. They are not doing this by choice but because they are poor. The north side of 37th Street has a good network of sidewalks. The hospital is on the south side and accessed via 10th Court. There is no crosswalk there to the hospital. There also are no sidewalks along 10th Court.  It is discouraging to see young mothers walking there while trying to keep their children safe.

How ironic we can provide state-of-the-art medicine to patients but not safely get them to the hospital. We just built a causeway to Sanibel after Hurricane Ian in a matter of weeks. Why not proceed expeditiously to serve our county’s residents?

John P Petersen, MD, Vero Beach  

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Always vote in your own best interest; protecting our land: Letters