Letters to the editor: Nov. 14, 2003

Letter of the Day -- Strings attached

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I saw an interesting sign of the times at the Greyhound bus station on Davis Boulevard.

A sticker attached to the ticket window proudly declares, "Land Of The Free."

Just below the sticker is a notice in capital letters which reads, "Picture ID Required."

How our concept of land of the free has changed since Sept. 11!

Go ahead -- do it

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I find it very ironic that former Vice President Al Gore is pictured behind a podium that says "Move On."

Well, Mr. Gore, isn't it about time you move on?

You come out with a scathing speech against President Bush for exploiting Americans' fear of terrorism for political gain. What would you like the president to do -- dismantle homeland security, open our borders and let terrorism proliferate around the world? Can't you see how much safer our country is now?

In case you haven't noticed, there has not been a domestic incident since 9-11 and who knows how many attempts were rebuffed by our intelligence agencies.

I don't mind a little delay at the airport or the other inconveniences to ensure my safe travel. The economy is on the rebound, employment is starting to rise, consumer confidence is growing, and interest rates are at historic lows.

So, Mr. Gore, I love my country and feel safe under the current administration. You lost the election and your Democratic buddies are afraid of a Republican re-election next November fueled by a recovering economy and an end to terrorism.

Please do us all a favor and just "Move on"!

Are you kidding?

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Re: Collier County School Board salary increases.

Are you kidding?

You people really have the gumption to consider granting yourselves a 6 percent raise while you have the gall to tell the teachers -- those who deal with the education of our children every day -- that you will only offer them a one-half of 1 percent raise!

Is your leader Tinker Bell from Never-Never Land?

If you grant yourselves this raise while denying a commensurate one to teachers and staff, you will be held accountable. You will learn the meaning of the term "lame duck."

Gone

Editor, Naples Daily News:

For all veterans:

A wonderful thing happened to me at the Veterans Day service at Cambier Park.

A woman, a mother, I think, came up to me with three daughters. They were all dressed in white shirts with American flags on them.

The smaller girl gave me this message and said, "Thank you."

I said "thank you" to her and they were gone.

I read the message:

"A Tribute to Veterans"

"God bless America

"Our land that is free!

"God bless all veterans

"You protected her for me!"

Then, I cried.

Information flows

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Re: residential well water in Golden Gate.

In October 2002 the Florida Governmental Utilities Authority, the water utility for Golden Gate city, notified health agencies of high counts of fecal coliform in seven of its supply wells. The cause of the contamination was never determined. Since the utility's well water is treated, there was no threat to FGUA customers but the scare caused the Collier County Health Department to issue a boil-water notice and conduct a hurried and inaccurate water study in the community.

County testing originally showed 40 percent fecal coliform contamination in the 117 wells tested, but state labs failed to find any fecal bacteria in the county's samples. So all 117 wells were retested and only one showed signs of fecal bacteria in the water.

Ironically, a month or so after FGUA made known its contaminated wells, representatives of the utility attended a civic meeting during which they announced their intent to request 200 homeowners residing near the utility's water lines to connect willingly to the system. They noted that as a private utility, they cannot mandate those homeowners to hook up but Collier County officials can.

Creating an emergency situation to validate pursuing specific measures is a tactic commonly used by large agencies to push an agenda. We are thankful the county health department is conducting a complete water study of our community to measure the true status of our well water.

The world turns

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Some of you think that we, who regard Ronald Reagan as one of the greatest presidents, are overreacting to how he was to be unfairly portrayed in a CBS miniseries.

You liberal Democrats, just think how you would feel if someone did a movie about Bill Clinton, went completely against history and tried to portray him as someone who actually had morals and ethics.

I'm sure you wouldn't like it one bit, either.

Just what we need

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Re: dump trucks.

I feel the time change being proposed won't make a difference. I invite the commissioners to sit at the intersection of Randall Boulevard and Immokalee Road any weekday from 5:30 to 7 a.m. and count how many trucks are on the road before 7.

Many are loaded. How? Simple. They hit the pit the day before, right before 5 p.m., take the load home (yes, most trucks are kept at home overnight despite codes to the contrary) and deliver that load early the next morning in time to be back at the pit before 7.

What difference will there be if you change the hours? The drivers will be on the roads at 3:30 a.m. Then they will be tired drivers because they have to get up earlier to make the same amount of money they are now making at 5:30 am.

Just what we need -- a bunch of tired truck drivers, still on the roads when our kids are getting on the bus to go to school.

There may be no solution to this problem.

I believe that the safety aspect needs be addressed through equipment inspection, stricter enforcement of existing guidelines -- like keeping out of the left lane and following federal law that states a driver must speak English -- and making sure that every driver is qualified to drive the equipment he sits in. This will make the roads in Collier County far safer than a mere change in operating hours.

Where's the personal touch?

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I am a resident of Naples and I am in the hospitality industry.

We are not very hospitable to our tourists who come to Lowdermilk Park to see our beautiful beach.

The concession stand has a sign that says: No Change for Meters.

Not wanting to break any laws, the tourists ask and try to get coins.

There is a machine that gives change.

That's the least we can do for the tourists, who come to our beautiful city and spend money.

What's next?

Editor, Naples Daily News;

With no Turkish troops coming to our rescue in Iraq, I wonder if George W. Bush will ask Congress to start drafting our young men and women.

Great Britain should also institute a draft if the United States does.

Please look out for me

Editor, Naples Daily News:

As a participant in the 2003 New York City Marathon, I have had to train extensively.

Unfortunately, this training involves running up and down Immokalee Road between Collier Boulevard and Airport-Pulling Road.

It is amazing to me that as a westbound runner (or pedestrian) I am invisible to traffic turning eastbound onto Immokalee Road.

On an average run of eight miles, I am nearly hit and never seen three or more times. If I were to take an average, I would say that one out of 10 drivers actually make a complete stop behind the white lines which designate the crossing lane at an intersection.

Because Immokalee Road is a divided highway, the drivers must surmise that there is no reason to look to the east if they are making a right-hand turn to travel east.

Some of the biggest offenders seem to be patrons of McDonald's on the corner of Collier and Immokalee. I watch as they pull out of the drive-through (Big Mac in hand) and speed to the intersection only to run the stop sign and hurry off to the east, leaving their fresh tire tracks on the tops of my running shoes.

I am sometimes lucky in that there is a passenger in the vehicle who just happens to be looking my way and sees me, thereby notifying the driver.

Although I am writing this with some humor, it is actually a very serious situation.

My final plea to all drivers: Look both ways before pulling out in traffic even if the road is divided!

Ahem

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I just have one question to ask the people who publicize the holidays out there: What about us? Little is known of the upcoming Pagan holiday on Dec. 21. Some of us, myself included, choose to call it Yule, yet others have different names for it.

Although it represents different things to certain branches of Wicca and Paganism, some of us just can't help but feeling a little left out.

I am a student at Gulf Coast High School, and I can say that Pagan and Wiccan numbers are rising. So, with the upcoming holidays of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, please don't forget about Yule.

This way, future Wiccans and Pagans won't have to say, "What about us?"

Right this way

Editor, Naples Daily News:

My wife and I were in Paris the day the French law requiring non-smoking areas in cafes and restaurants took effect.

We entered a cafe on Rue St. Germain and asked for "non fumant."

You guessed it.

We were ushered to a table nestled in a blind corner between the men's room and the kitchen entrance!

Three strikes -- they're out

Editor, Naples Daily News:

A recent survey stated that Massachusetts has a negative population growth.

Reasons given are Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Edward Kennedy and the Red Sox -- losers all.

Enough said!

At last -- results!

Editor, Naples Daily News:

It was just under 10 years ago that an article in the Naples Daily News got my attention announcing that a "new approach" to traffic calming was about to go into effect, initiated by then-Collier County Transportation Director George Archibald. The concept sounded like a great one, and although somewhat apprehensive I jumped at the opportunity to do something about the excessive speeding traffic plaguing Estey Avenue -- aka "the East Naples bypass."

I contacted the department and a nice man named Russ Muller returned my call and we set up an appointment to meet. He would explain the "new concept" to me and the rest is history ... ancient history!

I have since that time been through three county managers, three county commissioners and God only knows how many "Russ Mullers." I have been promised to, lied to, laughed at, cursed at and beyond all that I have persisted -- and now thanks to Commissioner Fred Coyle, speed bumps have been installed and the difference in the amount of traffic, the calmness of the traffic and the safety of our streets is remarkable.

County Transportation Administrator Norman Feder and everybody else said they would never work.

Well, they are working. We are thankful to Commissioner Coyle for listening to us.

God bless America.

The message

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The war on terror is a global war and will last at least a generation. My own military career included three wars. This nation goes to war only when it is necessary for our own defense. Wars are a source of casualties and in this war on terror, the combat and pacification casualty rate is unbelievably low.

After a night enemy attack to retake the airfield at Guadalcanal, the nearest dispensary to the airfield had about 100 dead wrapped in blankets and as many wounded waiting on litters for treatment. I was there to get a fragment extracted from my arm. The dispensary was so busy that if the wound did not take you off duty, they didn't even record your name. One day, in taking the island of Tulagi, 90 casualties. The night battle of Savo Island, 1,007 casualties. The Battle of Bloody Ridge, 20 percent of the force. Taking the village of Kokumbona, 1,158 casualties. In the beachhead at Anzio, it took over two weeks to make progress against the enemy and 1,900 casualties. These were moderate casualty rates compared to those later in World War II.

The men in uniform always say stay the course, there is no replacement for victory. They take the crying of civilians -- with an ax to grind, to withdraw the forces -- as a criticism of the troops.

Go fish

Editor, Naples Daily News:

In reply to recent articles about sport fishing and illegal net fishing:

In 1995, Florida voted to ban gill net fishing. This ban was primarily due to pressure from the rod and reel guys (sport fishermen), who catch fish for fun, not for food.

It has been nearly nine years since the net ban, and what has it accomplished? Nothing!

Byron Stout, Kris Theomke and the Florida Conservation Club all stated that the net ban would restore the snook population to plentiful numbers. Did this happen? Nope!

The ban has accomplished many negative effects:

1. It has made criminals out of people trying to put food on their table for their family.

2. It has put many hard-working people out of work.

3. It has taken away many people's pride and culture.

4. It has led to many cases of depression, drug and alcohol abuse and even suicide.

What the authorities should be doing is investigating the out-of-control, illegal sale of sport fish to restaurants by sport fishermen and guides.

In my opinion, the state and proper authorities should open limited and regulated net fishing. If they can spend enough time and money to bust a fish house for buying illegal fish, they would certainly be able to monitor and regulate the amount of mullet bought from legal fishermen.

Other side of litter

Editor, Naples Daily News:

This is in response to the letter on Nov. 4 about nomads coming from up north and littering our roadsides.

My husband and I are not nomads. We have been homeowners in Bonita Springs for over 16 years. We do spend the summer months up north.

While we are here, we participate with our church, Christus Victor Lutheran of Naples, in a once-a-month litter pickup on Old 41 Road. I think that at least part of that litter is from full-time residents. I don't mind picking it up because I like to see my city of Bonita Springs nice and clean.

I am also an active member of the volunteers at North Collier Hospital and my husband is a volunteer at the Bonita Health Center.

Let's say something good about these people who do come down from up north and volunteer in so many ways.

Go, Jesse

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Hooray for Jesse Hardy of Southern Golden Gate Estates, a man of principle who will not be "bought"!

Having had the privilege of getting to know Jesse over the past few months, I can tell you he is plain spoken, intelligent and down to earth. I have come to respect him and will do all I can to help him keep his home.

If property rights matter to you -- and they should, since all our rights emanate from them -- please get involved by writing the Florida governor and Cabinet in support of Jesse. His courage and determination are a breath of fresh air in a time when greed and power seduce most and it's no wonder he was one of the first Navy SEALS.

This kind and compassionate soul just wants to provide a wholesome and safe home for his adoptive 8-year-old son, Tommy.

Isn't that what we all want -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the American Dream?

Please join Property Rights Action Committee on behalf of Jesse's private property rights by writing the governor and Florida Cabinet. A Web site with addresses and more information about Jesse has been created at www.jessehardy.com

As Jesse says, it's not about the money. He just wants to live where he feels he belongs.

God bless Jesse -- a neighbor who is a hero to all.

Just think about it

Editor, Naples Daily News:

False truths: Ticking time bombs, foreign oil, hypnotic brainwashers, conspirators, a one-world government, war, plagues, death, oppression, rocket-propelled grenades, apocalypse, conquerors, occupiers, false peace, destroyers, extinction, enforcers, deception, hypocrites, shredded security, false treaties, "Blackhawk Down."

The real truth: Do your homework, form your own opinions, form your own conclusions.

By the way, if anyone is interested there are Democrats amongst the Republican wonderland of Southwest Florida. I am affiliated with an extraordinary group of very insightful individuals who are supporting former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean for president. We meet the first Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting will be held on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. The location can be found on the Internet site, www.deanforamerica.com

Just think about it. As the proverb says, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Prescriptions and profits

Editor, Naples Daily News:

In connection with the "prescription drugs from Canada" discussion, I just don't get it. Have never seen an explanation to my satisfaction.

The main reason given for Canadian drug retailers offering medications at prices lower than are available in the United States is price control. But these retailers stay in business and apparently are making profits. So it must be that they are getting American-made drugs at less cost than American drug stores.

How can this happen? Are pharmaceutical companies guilty of "dumping"? Are they simply ignoring the U.S. distributors and stores that have made them viable over the years?

I can understand the FDA's reluctance to permit importation of foreign-made drugs for health and safety reasons (they might be "pirated" formulas too!). But no one has provided me with a complete justification of the low cost in Canada of American-made drugs, price controls or not.

The stores there must have some sort of mark-up, however small. And I don't think Eckerd or Walgreen work on too high a margin. Some data is missing, and I, along with many others no doubt, would like to see it.

Problem solved

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Your Nov. 4 article, "State looks at dog track in Bonita after two injuries," reports the Department of Business and Professional Regulation "doesn't generate enough money to support proper regulation."

It seems to me that since "violating state racing laws can carry fines up to $5,000 per violation," according to state officials, imposing such fines would be a simple way to generate enough money to support proper regulation.

Let's write a charter

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On Tuesday, the Citizens for Charter Political Action Committee will present its petition to the Collier County Commission to establish a commission to study and write a charter document.

As a citizen of the county I support this form of government. I feel that we should have the same rights and privileges of initiative and referendum as our neighbors in our cities now enjoy. I also believe that this commission should have a majority of its members chosen from representative citizens of the county who, in my opinion, would create a document to give us back a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

If you would like to have more input in how you are being governed, join us in the commissioners' conference room at the Collier County Government Center at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.