Letters to the Editor: Nov. 15, 2003

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 — Waste management?

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I used to drive on County Barn Road often, and wondered who the awful people were who threw their trash beside the road.

Then one day I happened to be driving behind one of the Waste Management trucks when I saw cereal boxes, bottles, cans and paper flying out and onto the side of the road.

Some time later I was driving behind a WM truck on 10th Street in Naples and guess what? The same thing was happening.

Maybe we are blaming the wrong people?

Rush to serve whom?

Editor, Naples Daily News:

It never ceases to amaze me how much Collier County caters to so few.

During normal rush-hour times the working class want to do two things -- get to work and get home when work is done.

At so many intersections traffic becomes blocked, people disobey traffic-control signals and a myriad of other normal rush-hour tactics.

If we had more of our police on patrol during these times I am sure that we would all have a safer and more expedient drive to and from.

But naturally this never happens unless the sheriff can set up a sting operation for a time and then we do not see them in force until the next news release.

So my question is: Why is it that when a golf or tennis tournament comes to town, all of a sudden there are police controlling traffic at all the intersections and parking lots? Is this for the safety of the public? If so where are the officers the rest of the time?

Those are our tax dollars out there and I think we should all have the same treatment.

What should happen next

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I would like to comment on former Naples Building Department official Bill Overstreet and the current situation with the city.

First off I would like to say Mr. Overstreet is one of the finest gentleman I have ever met -- a true professional in his field and a valued asset to the city of Naples.

Second, the terrible disservice committed on this man's character by the Naples Daily News was totally uncalled for. The Daily News should seek out the truth, print this truth on the front page of the paper and try to mend this man's reputation.

Third, it is apparent that the current city manager, Bob Lee, is not fit for his position based on his recent witch hunt activities to get Mr. Overstreet.

I call on all the business associates of Mr. Overstreet and the citizens of Naples and Collier County to call City Hall and voice their support for Mr. Overstreet. The decent citizens of Naples should also request that Mayor Bonnie MacKenzie ask for the immediate resignation of Bob Lee.

Chartering a new course

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I want to thank Ben Bova for his fine column, "Voters need more ways to hold politician's feet to the fire."

As voters in Collier County, we now have an opportunity to change things for the better by signing the Petition for Charter Government. Eighty-seven percent of Florida has this form of government, including the city of Naples. It simply allows voters to have a direct say in decisions that affect them to assist our elected officials in legislative mat ters.

With charter government, never again will our commissioners be so misled by a handful of people about the wants and needs of a neighborhood, such as Naples Park, that they spend a quarter of a million dollars on an expensive redevelopment plan costing residents $10,000-plus per lot. Never again will they spend an additional $18,000 for a "push poll" designed to push residents needing drainage into approving parts of that plan.

(A community poll taken on Oct. 14 showed residents opposed by a 10-1 ratio).

At the Sept. 23 meeting, our commissioners said they would have welcomed better input on where to spend the $250,000-plus.

Charter government is their golden opportunity to work with the voters of Collier County.

Attend the county commission meeting on Tuesday at the courthouse complex. Contact Citizens for Charter, 352-0974, or at naples.net/presents/activist

Give yourself a say in how your taxes are spent.

A real beauty

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I read with great interest the letters from Mary C. Moran (Nov. 2) and Kathia Miller (Nov. 6) regarding the landscaped medians now being installed along Banyan Boulevard.

Obviously these ladies are not attuned to our city officials' concept of true beautification.

It seems that in the opinion of our leaders, real beauty can be found only through the elimination of as much paved roadway as possible from all major thoroughfares. Get those medians in quickly -- before too many people ask why sidewalks were not put in instead!

Our city planners have such remarkable wisdom and vision that we should share them with other cities in need of beautification. Take Paris, for example. Wouldn't the Champs Elysees look so much better with a landscaped median?

And all those wide sidewalks! They should be eliminated, so owners of large buildings can locate their garbage Dumpsters or private parking spaces right alongside the street, as they do here.

What do Parisians know about city planning anyway? In most areas of their city, with the exception of cathedrals, monuments and the like, all the buildings seem to be the same height. How tasteless is that?

I guess we also need to send over our experts who are improving Pelican Bay and Vanderbilt Beach.

Bringing Neapolitans closer. Cars, trucks, bikers, joggers and pedestrians becoming as one. That's the goal. Wasn't it Bonnie-Antoinette who said "Let them walk in the street"?

Bad switcheroo

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On Nov. 20 WCI goes before the Collier County Planning Commission to request a "density exchange" in the Pelican Bay planned urban development. The south end, which includes Waterside Shops, is "built out," but WCI chose not to utilize its full density allotment when it built the north end, which includes Bay Colony.

Now, years later, WCI sees an economic advantage to increasing density at the already built-out south end. So, why not request to utilize the "unused" density of the north in the south end of the PUD (after all, folks in the adjacent Vanderbilt area to the north are concerned about density -- and wouldn't Waterside shoppers be drawn by the promise of a Bloomingdale's or Neiman's?)?

Yet, who really benefits from this proposed scenario? Will the children at the nearby Sea Gate Elementary School and park benefit? How about the residents of West Boulevard and Crayton Road, sure to see increased traffic on their already busy roadways? Will Waterside shoppers, who now enjoy a relatively tranquil shopping experience, plus easy access and exit to the center, benefit?

Waterside is already one of the highest income-producing retail spaces in the United States; will creating more retail and office space really make things better? Most important, what kind of practice are we encouraging by allowing already built-out areas within a PUD to be increased in density?

Concerned area residents need to make their voices heard. Contact the Collier County planning coordinator at 213-2948 -- and your county commissioners. Speak up on Nov. 20.

Ugly Gator tale

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I was traveling last Sunday from Gainesville to Clearwater on U.S. 441. Just after crossing Paynes Prairie, south of Gainesville, a Mercedes ahead of me struck a black dog that was crossing the highway. The Mercedes driver seemed to make little or no attempt to avoid the dog.

He hit it head-on and I saw dog and car parts flying. I immediately began to brake and looked to see if the Mercedes owner would do the same. Instead he, or she, tapped the brake lights and then swiftly left the scene.

I stopped, got out of my truck and went to the dog on the road. He was still moving and I, as gently as possible, pulled him off the road to the side. I think his movements were simply those of death retraction of muscles, but who knows? Surely not the driver of the Mercedes!

This individual should be aware that I have the front license tag holder. There are part numbers on it (I suspect there must be much more damage to the car's front end) and a plate from The Vineyards.

I am also going to look into the law on hit-and-run -- even if it is a dog.

If the driver is a graduate of the University of Florida in town for the football game, I urge you to turn in your diploma as you are a disgrace to everything the university represents and teaches.

I may not know their name(s), but God does.

Rescue them, us

Editor, Naples Daily News:

What's up with our Collier County commissioners? They said they will stay out of the Emergency Medical Services salary debate. Won't the arbitration process put it back in their court anyway?

They could save the cost and help keep the best EMS personnel.

Why is it that Commissioner Fred Coyle does not care what other agencies pay EMS professionals? Pay and benefits are what attract and retain any professional!

If you want the best you have to pay to keep the best in a profession like EMS; it is a life-and-death business. I know I would want the best available EMS if I had a medical emergency.

Get real and get tough

Editor, Naples Daily News:

What is happening to our young people? They are afraid to be given a pat on their heads or a boot on their rear ends.

It seems to me that this generation of kids is being brought up to be a bunch of sissies. Pretty soon, a boy won't want to play football or hockey because the players will tackle him on the field or bang him hard against the walls.

Watch out. Some player in your group will sue because he got a bloody nose or a bruise somewhere on his body. It seems a bit ridiculous for a coach to be suspended.

This kid even had a helmet -- on his head, no less. And, his rear end probably needed a boot a long time ago.

I am a mother of three rugged boys who played football, hockey and soccer. And yes, they got a lot of hits and bumps. But you know what? They are all successful men today.

Now and then

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Choppers down, 22 dead. My emotions are on a roller coaster between my hatred of the al-Qaida and the lack of respect I have for President Bush for the ill-conceived, pre-emptive war on Iraq.

When one attempts to sort things out, it becomes crystal clear the justification for the attack was based on lies, half-truths and an assortment of other reasons, none of which had any basis in fact.

Current justification is based on how Iraq's government treated its people.

They threw people off roofs as punishment. Big deal! I would suggest that if we implemented similar punishment, our crime rate would decrease, especially white-collar crime.

It has been interesting to observe how skillfully the American public was brainwashed to support the war, although in lemming land a simple rallying cry was sufficient. Now it appears people are realizing their mistake as evidenced by the shift in public opinion.

Now for the inevitable questions: Is the United States and the world a safer place, and is Iraq better off now than under Saddam Hussein? I say "no."

Unfortunately, the die was cast for the war in 1992. It has been reported Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowicz issued a report outlining the pre-emptive strike against Iraq. The business of the world always dominates, even if it takes time. Remember, Britain attacked Iraq in about 1920, presumably to free the Iraqi people. Sound familiar?

East heads west?

Editor, Naples Daily News:

It wasn't long ago that I can remember hearing about establishments in Florida, especially in Miami Beach, that wouldn't allow Jewish patrons.

As that changed over the years, probably because they liked the Jews spending their money with them, all was forgotten and it's now just a bad memory of years gone by.

Naples has its share of anti-Semitic people like the Richard Vlasics of the world. I have called Mr. Vlasic once, and I found him to be a crusty old man who looks to inject his hatred through letters to this newspaper.

Should he be taken seriously? Do people who read this paper believe him and what he says? I think there's a vast minority of people who do.

I believe the Jewish community of Naples should be very aware and alert of the Richard Vlasics of Naples and understand that this type of hatred didn't go away in Florida's past -- it has simply moved to this side of the state.

Home and history

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Some $87.5 billion is on its way to Iraq.

The lightning speed by which the appropriation was passed took political consensus, bargaining and determination. These same politicians have told us for years they are working on ways to fix our broken school system. We have heard their rhetoric about how they are working quickly to save our disintegrating health-care program -- one that a few years ago was a model for the world.

Yes, Washington has thrown money at these problems, much like filling in a pothole when the roadbed needs to be replaced to permanently fix the situation.

It's about time that the self-proclaimed patriots in Washington, who will spend money to fix anything outside of U.S. borders, learn that patriotism also includes taking care of our own people.

In the 2004 elections, we are crazy to vote for any candidate who has contributed to this continuing insult to America and our citizens, leaving us increasingly having to fend for ourselves. Support for Iraq is not the issue. The issue is that America's problems are not high enough on the "to do" list to insure the welfare of our citizens and the future of the nation.

History is repeating itself. We are following the same path as Greece, Rome, Spain and other empire nations. They lost their leadership position in the world by ignoring their national problems and their citizens.

Help for Haitians

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I wrote a letter to the paper a few months ago about meeting a group of Haitians living in Naples, lucky enough to leave extreme poverty and unhealthy living conditions behind.

One might imagine that all their problems were solved. Not so! Naples is not always an easy place to find work with pay related to what's needed for living here.

They struggle with more than one low-paying job. (I'm talking about each spouse holding two or more jobs.)

I mentioned they could use community support for their admirable literacy classes, and some of you responded with donations which were greatly appreciated. They still need help with their reading program, after-school care and HIV awareness.

If you've seen literature for an organization in town called Hope for Haiti, doing fantastic work for the island of Haiti, especially its children, please note they have no affiliation with our Haitian neighbors living in Naples. While aware of the Association for the Advancement of Haitian People, Hope for Haiti is not raising money for this local organization.

The AAHP needs sponsors and I'd like to organize a fund-raiser that can become an annual event to help this group work towards helping themselves, and Naples as well.

My e-mail address: dashmurro@aol.com

Contempt for women, per se

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The inhumane treatment of unwed mothers advocated by Joseph Casamento in his letter of Nov. 6 is sickening.

Calling them "promiscuous alley cats who have no concern for human life" indicates a deep-seated contempt for women, per se.

His statement, that rape, incest or saving the life of the woman are "lame and ridiculous excuses" for use of abortion, is chilling.

In his entire diatribe against "selfish and spoiled women who won't take responsibility for their actions" to "the pro-death crowd's lust to kill," one looks in vain for a single mention of the men who play a decidedly prominent role in making babies, both in and out of wedlock.

Is it fair to indict all unwillingly pregnant women as prostitutes, while giving carte blanche to the men involved, thereby lending credibility to the myth of immaculate conception? I don't think so.

It was a relief to find common ground with Mr. Casamento with his question, "Why not adoption instead of abortion?" How many babies has he adopted? How many have his anti-abortion friends adopted? It would be nice to know.

This is not written by one of those god less "liberal Democrats," but by a registered Republican with a naive belief in justice for all creatures, great and small.

What's his problem?

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Richard A. Vlasic's letter says "Why is any question of Israel automatically branded as anti-Semitism?" While that may be the case, that would not be an accurate description of Vlasic's letter.

Anyone who writes of the threat of Jewish conspiracies and Israeli Mossad agents controlling our government might be more confused with a card-carrying member of the Nazi party rather than simply an anti-Semite. It's bad enough that this garbage was published in the 1930s and it's beyond me that Vlasic's malicious diatribes are continually allowed to pollute this section of the Daily News.

According to a past Vlasic communiqu, "the root cause" of al-Qaida's terror threat against America is our support of Israel. How then can Vlasic reconcile this view, with the recent al-Qaida attacks on Saudi Arabia? Last time I checked, Saudi Arabia had no diplomatic relations with Israel.

Furthermore, the Saudi kingdom does not permit Jews as citizens or the practice of Judaism within its boarders. So I ask, are Jews and Israel the problem, or does Richard A. Vlasic have a problem with Jews and Israel?

Perhaps if Vlasic would learn to keep his divisive opinions to himself he would stop getting the hate mail he complains about.

Gems among the Dems

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Others have written about the Democratic rally in Bonita Springs on Nov. 2.

I was there and so were many others. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Riverside Park. The bandstand was festively adorned with red, white and blue bunting.

There were candidate booths, food booths and general information booths. There were families with kids as well as some of us older folks. Casual dress and camaraderie were the order of the day.

The event provided a nice mix of entertainment and speakers. The afternoon was topped off with watermelon for all, thanks to some nice folks from Immokalee. A good time was had by all. It was a fabulous bit of Americana and grass-roots politics in action, a cross-section of real people participating in a time-honored American ritual.

Missing were bejeweled women dressed to the nines and men with Sulka silk ties, mandatory pocket-handkerchiefs, and checkbooks in hand. It would be nice if some of those folks would join us. Jewels, Sulka ties and checkbook can be left at home; your hearts and your minds are all that's needed. Of course, a few bucks would help if you're so inclined.

Our dialogue is impassioned, as was Patrick Henry's. We neither bite nor spew venom. We simply extend a hand along with some good, old-fashioned, common sense and lots of caring for our fellow Americans.

Reality check

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Your article on Pfc. Jason Moore should surely convince people how biased the reports of the media are.

Jason wants to set the record straight about the Iraq people and he does. He says, "Contrary to media reports, many Iraqis love the Americans and are glad they are in Iraq."

Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings should hang their heads in shame. CNN goes out of its way to make us believe that all is doom and gloom in Iraq.

Let's have more stories about our returning servicemen and let them tell us how it really is like in Iraq.