Wednesday's letters: No beach money, 'Tank Man' on School Board, hardening schools, more

Public shouldn’t give a penny to fix beach

Oh, “poor” Casey Key beachfront residents. I agree with the woman in your June 5 story who came here over 15 years ago and laments the changes and erosion. But not for the same reason (“Casey Key residents are developing a plan to save their island’s beaches”).

I have been walking the Key for 40 years, but now I am refused entry unless I wade in the water. Rich residents have declared their high-water mark “rights” after alterations to the shoreline, and they have essentially excluded the public from the beaches.

No longer can I take the beautiful long walk north of Nokomis Beach that I shared with my wife for so many years without objection. At least I have my memories.

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So Casey Key residents, the beach is yours now – and it is your problem to deal with. Don’t you dare get public assistance for your beach renourishment unless it includes provisions for public access.

The idea that I would have to contribute one penny to a handful of selfish rich people sickens me.

Max Jackson, Venice

Ziegler stands up for conservative values

On June 5, 1989, in Tiananmen Square, one man stood up to the Chinese military. No one knows his name: He became known as "Tank Man."

On June 2 this year, in the Tiger Bay School Board debate, Bridget Ziegler did what she always does. She respectfully laid out her conservative values and policy stances.

About two weeks prior, her opponent dropped out of the South County Tiger Bay debate at the last minute. Unlike some of her colleagues on the board, Ziegler didn’t insult or resort to name-calling.

When an audience member demanded to know her personal choices regarding her children, she was brought to tears. She was booed and jeered at by the mostly Democratic audience.

Her parents were there, and it had to be difficult to endure. They have reason to be proud of their daughter.

Tank Man resides in every community. Bridget Ziegler is Sarasota's Tank Man.

Dan Miller, Sarasota

Work together to make schools safer

When our kids return to school in August, we should welcome them to a safe and secure environment, a happy place where they can learn and grow, with the confidence that they will be protected on campus at all times.

To ensure the above, we all must have a shared sense of purpose. 

Our school officials and law enforcement – together – should visit each school during summer break to reassess the hardening of each building and develop a seamless security plan.

Each principal will then report to parents/students/teachers that the school is secure.

Counseling services should be available for students of all ages, and referrals easily obtained. Students have had a few years of upset, and many need guidance.

The teachers also need support when students are rebellious or disrespectful, with specific procedures in place to resolve the issue when removing a student from the classroom.

Parents must be involved as well, informing their children that they must show respect for their teachers and abide by the rules. Counseling services should be available for parents as well.

We can go forward positively when we are interconnected.

Carole Nikla, Sarasota

Governor again shows where priorities lie

Are we crazy or just mean?  The state threatened to fine Special Olympics $27.5 million for requiring athletes to be vaccinated at the Games in Orlando.

The crazy part is believing that getting vaccinated does not reduce the chance of catching the virus or of getting seriously ill from it. The mean part is just not caring that it’s true.

Florida’s anti-vaccine stance has already put it in second place behind Texas in likely preventable COVID deaths.

Unlike most of the country, more than half of the 74,000 deaths in Florida occurred months after the vaccine was available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Our governor willingly traded illness exposure for economic activity and support of the MAGA base. He continues to do so.

In response to the governor’s threat, Special Olympics dropped its vaccine requirement.

Hopefully, the parents of these vulnerable children will make the right choice in protecting their health and safety. Many of the children will not understand the potential consequences the wrong decision could have.

Kyle Quattlebaum, Sarasota

Biden move eases suffering of Cubans

As a proud Cuba-born American citizen, I’m very happy that our president has lifted restrictions on travel and money sent to Cuba.

Still having relatives living in Cuba, I know firsthand how much they are suffering and very much in need of tourist dollars.

If Sen. Marco Rubio doesn’t like it, he can get over it.

To those who question why President Joe Biden has not done more for this country, your questions should go to the Republicans in government.

Maria Duprez, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Beach renourishment is Casey Key's problem, Ziegler is 'Tank Man'