Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8

Letter: Either way

Editor, Daily News:

At last the Democrats have shown their true colors to a worldwide audience during last week's State of the Union address.

When President Bush mentioned that Social Security was in trouble but that Congress had defeated his bill to rescue it, the Democrats all stood up and applauded and cheered.

Were they applauding about it being in trouble or that they killed the bill?

Either way, they are deservedly the minority party.

D.M. Miller , Naples

Letter: How long?

Editor, Daily News:

Construction on the Golden Gate Bridge started Jan. 1, 1933. The 4,200-foot span opened four years later on May 29, 1937! It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time.

When did the Imperial River Bridge start and when will it ever be finished?

Bill Zabriskie , Naples

Letter: White pants: The sequel

Editor, Daily News:

As I was reading the letter of the day of Feb. 2 in the Daily News, I had to chuckle. It seems the woman was quite upset with all the ladies in our beautiful town who wear white pants.

Well, dear lady, I have the answer to your problem. The next time you see a lady in white pants that you think does not look fashionable, you can go up to the lady and offer her $100 so that she can go and buy a new outfit that will be pleasing for you to look at.

That way, you will make yourself happy and also the lady in the white pants.

Hope you can now have a happy "white-bottom day."

Arlene Nasse , Naples

P.S. — I hope I am the lady you give the $100 to. I could use a new outfit. I will even send you a picture.

Letter: Everyone's best friend

Editor, Daily News:

Regarding having a trained dog in school:

I was in the Metro in Washington, D.C., and saw this young woman with her dog.

Suddenly I saw her lay down on the floor and the dog laid beside her. She had a seizure and the dog stayed right beside her.

I was attending to her and the dog allowed me to stay with her until emergency medical technicians came.

I had never seen a dog like this work.

I'm sure the child's room would quickly get used to the dog and forget he was there. The dog will be gentle and quiet and lay beside his master.

Please consider this, as it would be an advantage for the teacher, as she could get help and be prepared if necessary.

Doreen Lietzke, R.N. , Naples

Letter: Do the right thing

Editor, Daily News:

Federal law states that is OK for a blind child to have a service dog accompany him or her to school due to visual impairment; however, he can hear and reason.

The same goes for an autistic child who can see and hear but cannot communicate or reason in regard to danger.

Derek Hughes is autistic and epileptic. His school and the Collier County School Board have said "no" to his service dog and will not supply a nurse while he is in school in case he has a grand mal seizure.

The School Board is using my tax dollars while breaking a federal law.

It's time to let Derek back in school with his dog, and supply a full-time nurse.

Maybe after Feb. 20, when there will be a hearing, the School Board will agree to follow the law.

Glenn Herriman , Naples

Letter: Get this straight

Editor, Daily News:

In response to Mr. Paul Harmison's letter of Jan. 31: I suggest he reads Brent Batten's column which explains the problem with building in Riviera Golf Estates.

We do not have a problem with gap housing. There simply isn't any room for the proposed project.

If you had looked at the picture of Riviera Golf Estates as suggested by Mr. Batten, you would see how this project would be smack in the middle of our community — not next to it!

Our community would literally be divided into many parts.

What will happen when they fill in the lakes to build these homes? I fear there will be widespread flooding in adjoining areas as these lakes are all connected.

I am sure a more appropriate site can be found rather than in this already tiny community. This has nothing to do with golf!

Linda Hillquist Anderson , Naples

Letter: Why widen the gap?

Editor, Daily News:

Gap housing is good. So is senior housing. Riviera Golf Estates is senior gap housing with homes in the $125,000 to $400,000 range. Why destroy an existing senior housing community for the sake of gap?

We are concerned for the safety of residents walking and bicycling throughout Riviera. Will we be safe with an influx of younger working people, always in a hurry and ignoring our 25 mph speed limit?

The many lakes in Riviera are an integral part of the drainage system for Collier County. Removing these lakes will increase flooding. New units require additional runoff capacity, not less.

We are concerned about the effects of construction and the razing of existing senior homes. How many existing senior homes will have to be razed to gain entrance and egress to new units?

Eastern Collier has vast tracts of undeveloped land. Supposedly the Collier family owns the bulk of this land. Could they not be prevailed upon to offer gap land at reduced prices? Barron Collier Cos. donated land for the building of Ave Maria University and the future town of Ave Maria. How about it, Colliers?

We cherish the lifestyle that we have earned. We don't want to lose it nor do we want our neighbors to lose theirs.

We implore the commissioners to find alternatives and maintain a senior housing community that is as much needed for us old folks as gap housing is needed for younger people.

Donald A. Anderson , Naples

Letter: It's about time

Editor, Daily News:

The high school teachers have collectively and effectively voiced their concerns about scheduling and planning time. Having been both an elementary and middle school teacher for nearly 20 years, I can assure you that few teachers, regardless of what level they teach, have enough time in the day to do what is required.

I invite anyone to follow me for a day and watch how I spend my time as a middle-school teacher. My "non-student" time is consumed by parent conferences, staff/committee meetings, required duty, having to enter grades, do lesson plans, classroom/materials set up, etc.

While my own children as well as my students know I love what I do, I'm quick to advise them to look for a career that doesn't necessitate working without compensation, as mine does.

I am ashamed of how many hours I work at home, for free.

The middle school schedule this year (which includes an extra class) does not allow teachers the necessary time to do their job competently, within the work hours. I urge the School Board to re-examine the issue, and I also encourage middle school teachers to voice their concerns.

I want what is best for my kids, and under the present system, I'm not always able to do it.

Carol J. Williams , Naples

Letter: Belated thanks

Editor, Daily News:

Angels in Naples Estates:

Our home was totally damaged by Hurricane Wilma's wrath. The following angels helped us get through this ordeal:

• Juanita Kidwell, who went into our home, turned off power, recorded damage and took pictures.

• John and Carol Kujawa, who shared a gourmet meal, prepared with no electricity, and helped in too many ways for us to put in print.

• Bob Howell, who offered his phone for our many calls.

• Susan Setser, who made sure FEMA paid us a visit.

• Harry and Ann Brown, who took our mail, shared their phone and meals and watched over our damaged property.

• Bob St. Pierre, who gave us much-needed advice and help in the demolition of our home.

• Neighbors, who gave us much-needed hugs and their prayers.

• Our most generous angels, Paul Millonig and Juanita Kidwell, who so generously gave us a roof over our heads and much-needed help and support.

• We wish to thank Rich Hamilton, who made the demolition process go smoothly.

The Christmas spirit resides in Naples Estates all year long. Thank you.

Ron and Barbara Schall , Naples

Letter: Thick-headedness run amok

Editor, Daily News:

Yet another example of the lack of leadership in the party of the Democrats — and a missed PR opportunity.

There was no question that the Senate was going to confirm Judge Samuel Alito, in spite of the Kennedy/Kerry call for a filibuster. All of the Democrats knew he would be confirmed.

There was an opportunity for wise leadership by some of the clearer thinking Democrats to recommend a yes vote by all the Democrat senators with a publicized aim of lessening the rancor and the deep-seated ill will that pervaded the Alito hearings. The Democrats could have been heroes.

Steps must be taken soon to lessen the bitterness amongst the two major political parties otherwise little will get accomplished in Congress (read Social Security, bankruptcy, tax reform, health care, tort reform, peace in Iraq, etc.).

Gerry Cabot , Naples

Letter: Is the paper up to it?

Editor, Daily News:

What is wrong with this picture? Cleveland Clinic wants to come to Naples.

Naples Community Hospital loudly protests, saying enough beds exist. Clinic is allowed in.

NCH soon gets OK to expand beds. Clinic, world renowned for heart care and surgery, asks to add open-heart unit and gets turned down — a big loss to our area.

NCH suddenly and surprisingly gets OK on heart unit and keeps expanding. Other hospitals come in with beds, but NCH now has lion's share of health-care volume.

Clinic is bailing out. So-called "expert pundits" say Cleveland Clinic was losing money.

If so, could heart unit have helped, as NCH will surely make a bundle offering nowhere near the first-class expertise of Cleveland Clinic (to the detriment of our citizens)?

My point? Why didn't we get the best expertise available originally? One must wonder if any untoward politics took place locally and/or at the state level.

Nah! That couldn't happen, could it?

Daily News, how about some investigative reporting on the progression and logic of these decisions?

Charles H. Bernhardt , Naples

Letter: The thanks they get

Editor, Daily News:

We are writing in the hopes that the Collier County commissioners do not approve the rezoning of the Riviera Golf Club.

They must put themselves in the same place as the residents of Riviera Golf Estates and consider how rezoning and allowing these "speculators" to build on the golf course would affect the residents' lives.

There is still plenty of undeveloped land in the Naples area to build "affordable" housing without totally upsetting an established community. How could they even consider putting a new community right in the middle of an established, over-55 community? There must be a law (or should be) against something like this ever happening. Would the "almighty tax dollar" be the reasoning behind this action?

It seems to us that the Collier County Commission constantly approves land for multimillion-dollar homes and expensive golf courses but can never find undeveloped land for affordable housing and affordable golf courses for the everyday person who, by the way, helped to put the commissioners in office. Will their next action be to allow "speculators" to buy Lely Hibiscus Golf Club so that the county could collect more tax dollars?

The voters of Collier County helped to elect the commissioners. The voters put their trust in them to make the right decision for their well-being. The least the commissioners can do is thank the residents of Riviera Golf Estates by letting them keep the way of life they worked all their lives to live!

Bob and Carmen Mendralla , Naples

Letter: Oh, where is he now?

Editor, Daily News:

Back in the 1980s, Lee Iacocca became what many experts considered to be the most admired businessman in American. In 1979 he agreed to take control of a virtually bankrupt company and lead it back to prosperity. He had recently been fired by Henry Ford and considered rescuing the Chrysler Corp. as not only retribution, but an opportunity and a challenge.

How did he do it? First, he gathered together a large assembly of Chrysler workers and told them that he didn't have any $20-an-hour jobs. What he did have were $17-an-hour jobs, and if they would stick with him, they would keep their jobs with the promise of increases later.

Everyone in the company took a pay cut except the secretaries, whom he considered indispensable and needed to be retained above all others. He agreed to an annual salary of $1 with future stock options when the company became solvent again.

Then, he persuaded the government to provide a substantial 10-year loan to get started, which he amazingly paid off in three years. What a success story.

Today, General Motors and Ford are facing a similar fate. Will their workers accept pay decreases to save their jobs? Has this offer even been made to them? And will the corporate heads of GM and Ford agree to dispense with their large, obscene salaries and bonuses to save their companies?

Only the future will tell.

Hershel Niquette , Golden Gate

Letter: Solar-powered safety

Editor, Daily News:

The powers that be have stated that electrical lights are not feasible to remedy the problem of cars leaving the road and ending up in the Golden Gate Estate canals due to the cost. May I suggest installing solar-powered lighting?

As the picture on the Daily News editorial page showed, there is plenty of open space near the water's edge to generate enough Florida sun to power such lighting.

Many states have solar lights next to emergency call boxes on interstates and highways to assist stranded drivers with flat tires, etc.

Of course, any person destroying such lighting through BB guns, rocks, etc., would be prosecuted the same as if it were a stop sign, crosswalk, etc.

Maintenance and cost would be nil — perhaps even donated as a form of advertising.

What do you think? Just an idea!

John B. Collett , Naples

Letter: What did they expect?

Editor, Daily News:

Once again the people of the Western world are being held hostage by Muslim extremists. The cartoons exhibited by these groups include two offerings that seemed to come from nowhere. They were never published or even seen by anyone in Europe or the rest of the world. They were also the most insulting. They were then shown by our less than noble Al-Jazeera as being "Western depictions."

So now the politically correct people of the West begin their knee-bending mea culpas and start looking for someone to blame.

How can you explain freedom of the press to people who have never had freedom of the press or freedom of any kind? When are we going to finally get the picture that we cannot win any kind of conflict with the Muslim world by inhibiting ourselves with our own morality?

Our reluctance to stand up and act in kind is viewed by them not as a sign of temperance but a sign of weakness. This temperance will eventually cost the Western world a lot more casualties than the conflict in Iraq.

Brian Kenedy, Bonita Springs

Letter: Making their point?

Editor, Daily News:

I don't claim to be an expert on world affairs or world religions but let me see if I got this right:

Some European newspapers and magazines portrayed a deity as being a violent being. Followers of this deity naturally became offended and (again, naturally) in an effort to show themselves as being nonviolent and peaceful individuals, immediately went out and burned down an embassy building of one of the offending countries.

Why, yeah, who can't see the logic of these peaceful, religious individuals!?

Raymond Axberg , Naples

Letter: Furthermore ...

Editor, Daily News:

I commend you on publishing your special report on slavery in Southwest Florida. This is an important issue which needs to be exposed, explored and abolished once and for all.

However, there are a few problems I had with your report. The report tended to position the traffickers as the sole group responsible for these crimes. However, both the companies that grow produce and the companies that buy produce contribute to trafficking in humans by refusing to follow modern practices in labor relations and by demanding the cheapest product possible despite the human costs. But the report generally didn't examine this.

For example, in the first part of the report, you highlighted the successful prosecution of Abel Cuello but in the third part you commended Ag-Mart for the steps it has taken to prevent trafficking even though Ag-Mart employed Cuello recently.

I am not suggesting that growers want slavery to exist, but they set the stage for traffickers to control workers' lives when they refuse to guarantee workers' basic rights such as overtime pay, the right to organize, or steady, secure employment. Slavery will not end with prosecutions of traffickers; it will require a change in the larger economic context.

The only group in Collier County which is confronting this larger context (in addition to doing the important work of helping prosecute traffickers) is the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Unfortunately, your report largely marginalized their work. The first part of the report mentioned the CIW only in passing. The third and fourth parts both had great reporting about the CIW but relegated that information to the end of the articles.

All who are contributing to ending this problem deserve fair recognition of their work.

Robert McGoey, Immokalee

Letter: Sending us a message?

Editor, Daily News:

To the residents of Riviera Estates and Foxfire:

Let me see if I understand your position.

You want us when your car needs repair, to fix and maintain your telephones and computers, or repair the broken water line in your wall, but otherwise you don't want us around.

You want us when we are attending to you in the ER at the hospital, but otherwise you don't want us around.

You want us to extinguish the fire in your kitchen, or resuscitate you when you have your heart attack, but otherwise you don't want us around.

You complain there are not enough of us to quickly renew your driver's license or to patrol your streets and protect your freedom, but otherwise you don't want us around.

You want us to preach at the funerals of your friends and families, and sing for your weddings and parties, but otherwise you don't want us around.

You barely tolerate the fact that we are here to educate children, but otherwise you don't want us around.

We are required to pay for your Social Security although we will never see ours, but otherwise you don't want us around.

If I understand you properly, we are welcome only when it's convenient for you.

It's a good thing the generation before you didn't have that posture; otherwise you probably wouldn't be here.

Don't worry; you've made your point.

We will be gone soon.

Greg Barrett , Naples