Sunday's letters: Biden can't seem to get response to Maui wildfire right

Biden hits wrong note in Lahaina

Lahaina, Maui, suffered the worst U.S. wildfire in a century: It destroyed the town and killed more than 100 – and many believe the death toll will exceed 1,000.

The Lahaina locals have lost family members, friends, their homes, basically everything in this fire.

So, how does our president respond? Joe Biden waits almost two weeks before visiting Lahaina. He arrives and tells these poor suffering people that he can relate because he had a small kitchen fire in 2004 and almost lost his cat and Corvette.

No, I’m not making this up.

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President Biden and the whole of Congress just don’t get it. No, they can’t relate, because they don’t have a clue about what we average Americans go through on a daily basis.

Tom Allman, Sarasota

Anti-diversity stance could cost Florida

In my 40-year career working for public accounting’s Big Four, I saw diversity evolve into global commitments embraced by the culture of these organizations. There’s no going back!

These organizations support Florida university programs, recruit at Florida State University and other Florida schools, and provide career opportunities for graduates. But will they continue?

Gov. Ron DeSantis has devalued the educational experience of today’s students, making them less of a fit in an inclusive working environment.

I’m sorry that Walter R. Boot, a psychology professor at Florida State, has found no reason to keep teaching at FSU. There may come a time when there’s no reason for the largest employers to keep recruiting in this state.

Mike Rado, Sarasota

Biden plan funding rural internet

Thanks to bipartisan legislation funded by the president’s infrastructure law, broadband internet service is coming to rural DeSoto.

On the heels of an internet usage survey conducted by a DeSoto County Technology Planning Team, federal funds have been made available to install fiber-optic lines and other internet infrastructure.

It is noteworthy that the Biden administration’s commitment to residents of the DeSoto County area was not influenced by the fact that this part of Florida favored former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

We are fortunate to have a president who works for all of us, not just those who voted for him.

Crystal Evans, Port Charlotte

Support Trump, for Democrats’ sake

Although I am a lifelong Democrat, I am asking, no, I am imploring, my Republican friends to increase their rabid enthusiasm for former President Donald Trump.

The Donald Trump who was found liable for sexual abuse. Failed businessman. Serial liar. I know folks like to overlook these things, but facts are hard to ignore.

More importantly, however, I ask that his supporters continue to support him as he has never won an election by popular vote.

In 2016, Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes and got into the White House through the back door of an Electoral College perplexity.

And, regardless of the nonsense over an “stolen election,” Trump lost to old Joe Biden by more than 7 million votes. Trump has gone on to lead his party to defeats in 2018, 2020 and 2022 in congressional and statewide races ever since.

Democrats believe Trumpers are betting on the wrong felon to run for president. Keeping your enthusiasm for defeat at its peak is just in the best interest of Democrats and the country.

When this is over, we can say goodbye to Trump as the cell door closes behind him. Then, as we always do, we will move on together to a saner and more satisfying country to live in.

Robert O'Brien, Holmes Beach

Make owner/managers exempt from ordinance

I read the front-page article Aug. 22 on the vacation property ordinance. I’m an owner/manager of a property and have been renting it as a vacation home for 10-plus years.

I wish the reporter would have spoken to one of the many owner/managers who have vacation rental properties within the city to get another perspective on this “large-net” ordinance that will possibly be implemented for the entire city.

Speaking with upset neighbors on one hand and property management companies on the other, this article leaves a big gap in information that I think should be shared.

I understand the need for accountability, identification and fee schedules for these disruptive vacation properties and I back this portion of the ordinance 100%.

However, I believe the dolphin should be separated from the tuna. Owner/managers are on the radar, unlike out-of-state owners, who may have a manager for a dozen properties or more.

I take much pride, as many of us do, in my vacation rental. I am five to seven minutes away with contact 24/7. I make the beds, do laundry, restock and personally check in all my guests.

Responsible, attentive owner/managers should be included in the “exempt” category under this ordinance.

I believe the Sarasota City Commission will be voting on this in September. So, to those owner/managers out there, please attend!

Katherine Kelly, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: President appears clueless at site of wildfire