The Naples Daily News welcomes letters of up to 250 words. We reserve the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, brevity, good taste and accuracy, and to prevent libel. No poetry, attacks on private individuals, or letter-writing campaigns, please. Writers should limit submissions to one letter every two weeks. Include a phone number and make certain you have signed your letter.
Letter of the Day: These nomads
Editor, Naples Daily News:
They're back!
Not only is the traffic heavier, but the garbage tourists toss on the roadside is awesome.
Along U.S. 41, beer cans, broken bottles, black bags filled with other garbage and even a mattress are tossed by these nomads.
Is it that they do this near their homes up North and can't break the habit?
Or, is it much more fun to toss it out along our roadways?
It probably won't do any good to print this letter. Litterbugs can't even read.
Other speeders love it
Editor, Naples Daily News:
I read the statement issued by Collier Sheriff Don Hunter in response to an incident involving deputies traveling at an excessive rate of speed and being caught by a representative of the local media. By employing excessive verbosity he's accomplished nothing but confusion and opens the door to discredit upon his department. Particularly, in this county, citizens have had quite enough of elected officials dodging legitimate questions and feel there is no alternative in a picayune situation such as this other than confronting it honestly and expeditiously.
Employing needless verbosity through issuance of a situation paper appears as needless, foolish, official fog which adds fuel to a fire that needn't exist.
Blowing this incident out of proportion causes the public to wonder if there's more to the story and makes a department as important as that of sheriff appear incapable of handling a simple situation and allowing it to bloat into a public relations calamity.
Properly handled, the deputy (or deputies) would be called in and warned, thus ending the matter. Instead the media has the story and it appears as if the Sheriff's Office, through the issuance of this lengthy statement, has developed a bunker mentality.
Deputies should set examples for others on county streets and roads, but too many times we observe the opposite. Speeders love it when the deputy skims along at 15 to 25 mph over the limit, because they feel safe in following the patrol car at that speed.
Take Bova's word for it
Editor, Naples Daily News:
Ben Bova's Sunday column headlined "Voters need more ways to hold politicians' feet to the fire" truly hit the nail on the head. He comments that "people are angry with city councils and county commissions that bend zoning rules in favor of builders ... and fed up with bureaucrats who do favors for developers."
For this reason, he says, "People are putting up referendums for charter amendments that, once enacted, place strict limits on the politicians' ability to bend, break or subvert the will of the people." He further points out that politicians hate the referendums and charter amendments, but he defends these processes because, he believes, the people don't trust elected officials who pander to their campaign contributors.
Mr. Bova's defense of referendums, unfortunately, applies only to governmental entities which enjoy charters, like the city of Naples, that allow citizens greater participation in government. It is noteworthy that more than 85 percent of all Florida residents enjoy charter government, but Collier County is in the 15 percent minority, and has not yet acted to allow charter government. Doesn't this say something about the Collier County commissioners?
Citizens for Charter, a local grass-roots group, is conducting a campaign to educate people about charter government and is scheduled to request the county commissioners on Nov. 18 to appoint a charter commission to study and draft a charter for Collier County. More information is available by calling any of these numbers: 352-0974, 352-1558, or 353-4919. It is time to get involved!
Why so cheap with workers?
Editor, Naples Daily News:
Collier County Public Schools support workers have been without a contract since July 1, 2002. An offer to increase salaries by 1.28 percent has been rejected.
The Collier Support Personnel Union says the offer is an insult and a morale buster. The administration claims money is tight and cannot offer more. Which party is being unreasonable?
The offer is less than the inflation rate. This amounts to a pay cut in real wages. A salary increase nearer the current inflation rate costs $396,087, an average of $466 per worker. This easily can be absorbed in the $55 million general fund increase for 2003-04.
When it comes to district finances, the judgment of the School Board and district officials is questionable, with a half-million-dollar golden parachute for Dan White, a 4 percent average pay raise for other district workers, exorbitant school construction costs, millions of dollars spent on failed reading programs and $4.9 million returned to the state, supposedly without harming student learning.
Salary schedules present another issue. District officials, staff and teachers get salary increments depending on pay level and length of service. Support personnel do not. School Board members Dick Bruce, Pat Carroll and Kathleen Curatolo voted against a salary schedule for support workers. Why is this group of workers discriminated against?
The School Board needs to show leadership. Wage and benefit policies that are fair, based upon objective surveys and shaped by honest fiscal constraints are a must. Arrogance and injustice do not belong in our school system.
Capital idea
Editor, Naples Daily News:
The article on the Business page on Monday is misleading, and unintelligible to a chemist. This is because perc (also known as perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene) is a hydrocarbon (i.e., consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms) and the article merely says it is being replaced by "hydrocarbon."
It would have helped if she had explained that "Hydrocarbon," sold by Exxon as DF2000, is longer chained and is much more unlikely to contaminate ground or surface water because it is rapidly degraded in all media.
You could also have used quotes or a trademark symbol after the name and capital letters to denote it is a proper name, not a generic chemical term. The replacement of perc, which is slow-degrading and a known human carcinogen, however, is to be hailed as a positive environmental step.
Salute our vets
Editor, Naples Daily News:
It is my honor and privilege to invite all veterans to our Barron Collier High School football game this Friday night (7:30 kick-off, national anthem at 7:20).
During our halftime show, we will recognize all veterans and current members of the armed forces in attendance, according to their various service branches and the wars and conflicts in which they served.
We have performed this veterans salute show annually for the past 10 years and it has become the favorite of our crowd.
In addition, we want to remind the public of the annual veterans ceremony next Tuesday, Veterans Day, in Cambier Park. Please join us in honoring and showing our thanks to those who loved us enough to pay for the freedoms we so enjoy.
We hope to see you at the game!
Imagine ...
"Cheney thanks local Republicans" said the headline in Saturday's Daily News.
Here are some remarks that could have been made at the gathering:
Mr. Cheney thanked the Republicans for not asking why he claimed that Iraq was connected to 9-11 or that Iraq was linked to al-Qaida.
Cheney was especially grateful that no supporter questioned why he had stated prior to the war that "We know Iraq has chemical and biological weapons." The head of the Bush Defense Intelligence Agency has stated that "U.S intelligence never had hard evidence that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and the intelligence was exaggerated."
Cheney was not asked why his boss tried to eliminate overtime for 8 million workers and why Haliburton received a $2 billion no-bid contract in Iraq.
The affluent Republicans expressed their gratitude for a political system that does not require sons of the rich to fight in wars.
Finally, Mr. Cheney expressed deep gratitude for conservative Republicans questioning pre-war lies as rigorously as Saddam Hussein's Cabinet questioned Saddam.
Not automatic
Editor, Naples Daily News:
On Thursday the Collier County Planning Commission will consider a proposed rezone of the Wiggins Pass Marina property from existing commercial to a residential planned unit development (PUD) dubbed Coconilla.
As this controversial project moves through the process, there are key points to remember.
A developer is not automatically entitled to a rezone simply because he/she asks for one. Specific criteria govern rezones, including whether the proposed rezone is the "highest and best use" for the property. The "highest and best use" criterion does not automatically translate into "tallest and most dense," although some developers would have you believe it does.
The proposed 102 units in a 225-foot-high building on 10.45 acres is both tall and dense, and is only marginally better than the 112 units in a 250-foot-high building originally proposed one year ago. The developer is correct in pointing out there is no guarantee that Wiggins Pass Marina will remain a publicly accessible marina if the rezone to residential PUD is rejected. However, there is an absolute certainty the marina will not remain a publicly accessible marina if the rezone to residential PUD is approved.
The Property Owners Associations of North Collier County (POANCC) is opposed to this proposed rezone on a number of levels too numerous to detail in a short letter. We urge the Planning Commission to consider the rezone carefully, and we trust the members will reach the same conclusion we have: It is the wrong project in the wrong place.
Minor suggestion
Editor, Naples Daily News:
Re: Naples City Council to consider law inspired by lemonade-stand flap.
I'm not sure if I'm the first person to say this, but has anyone stopped to think that maybe a law allowing minors to "engage in occasional sales or perform casual services on private property with the owner's permission ... without a business license" might actually be dangerous?
I'm sorry to say this, but we all know that we do not live in a perfect world. Some people, including children, may not have the best intentions in mind. For example, Halloween has just passed. How many warnings have been given to children and adults about the dangers of tampered candy? How many times had my own parents sorted candy with me, throwing out ones with holes in the wrappers or that were obviously unwrapped? Adults are not the only people who can be devious.
I'm not saying some innocent 5-year-old girl is planning on hurting people, but maybe a 17-year-old is. In the eyes of the law, however, this 17-year-old is considered a "minor" capable of selling pizza, candy, anything he wants on his own property.
I think it's a wonderful idea to let children have a little business like selling lemonade or baseball cards, but here's some advice: I would revise that law being considered and make sure it's only children starting a business. "Kids 10 and under" might be a nice addition.
Rx for health care
Editor, Naples Daily News:
Democrats and Republicans, please express your opinions regarding prescription drugs. Many seniors and handicapped people are forced to get their prescriptions filled in foreign countries. This is because of the high cost of drugs in America. I feel this would not go on if the drug companies gave the American citizens the same break as they give these countries.
Pharmaceutical companies contribute 80 percent of their campaign funds to the Republican party and 20 percent to the Democratic party. This practice should be eliminated. I believe it is a conflict of interest.
We, the American people, pay all elected officials' salaries. Why then are these special-interest groups allowed to influence Congress?
It just blows me away when I hear the hypocritical debates going on. These same drug companies are interested in the safety of the imported drugs? Right!
If they were, why not lower their prices? Why does the FDA allow imported beef from countries that have mad cow disease? How about fruits, vegetables and other food products from countries which have lower health standards? It is all a big farce.
There are a lot of Americans who are not wealthy and need some compassion here.
Remember, we all have to answer for our actions someday. Be fair, not political. God bless America and please let us keep civil rights.
They do wonderful work
Editor, Naples Daily News:
I am a longtime supporter of the Immokalee Child Care Center and an admirer of the quality of care and education the center provides. The Immokalee Child Care Center is a subsidized preschool early education center, and the Foundation for the Immokalee Child Care Center is a managed endowment fund for the Immokalee Child Care Center.
Next year will mark the 40th year of operation of the Immokalee Child Care Center, founded by Church Women United. Since 1964 the center has been providing child care and early education to the children of Immokalee. The majority of funding received for the center during its 40 years of existence has been community-based and every dollar makes a difference.
While the Immokalee Child Care Center specifically serves the children of Immokalee with child care and preschool education, the Immokalee community also benefits from additional community-based organizations. The Immokalee Friendship House caters to homeless families in need of shelter, and the Immokalee Foundation supports numerous scholarships and community organizations through grant requests. Each of these organizations is a separate entity, and support for each organization is important.
The people of Collier County can be proud of the support they have shown to the many deserving organizations that benefit the people of Immokalee. I look forward to seeing many of you at the anniversary celebrations in March marking 40 years of child care and early education through the Immokalee Child Care Center.
Almost perfect
Editor, Naples Daily News:
I would like to know where letter-writer Jane Varner was on 9-11 when we were attacked. And where was Jane when President Clinton lied to the American people?
Jane is a Republican just like I can grow wings and fly.
I thank God we have a man in the White House who is honest and courageous.
Jane is like most Democrats -- very negative and unhappy. They don't see good in anything or anyone.
Our president now is not perfect -- but he is not far from it.
God bless President Bush.
Time ticking away
Editor, Naples Daily News:
One has to wonder: if George W. Bush had fought in Vietnam instead of hiding in the National Guard, would he have involved our country and especially our young men and women in this Vietnamisian debacle in Iraq?
It's too bad the election is a year away. He can do a lot more damage in that time.
Where would they be?
Editor, Naples Daily News:
I have a question for those who favor partial-birth abortions:
Where would they be today if their own parents had also supported abortion of fetuses? 'Nuff said.
Collier County arrests 05-23-2012
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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