Letters to the Editor: June 4, 2006

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. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail at letters@naplesnews.com.

Letter of the Day: The lucky one

Editor, Daily News:

Re: Jeff Lytle's May 21 column about the homeowner in Golden Gate receiving a notice about leaving trash bins out for pickup three hours early.

She should visit Naples Park, where trash bins can be seen curbside 24/7, along with yard waste, appliances, etc.

Also, check out the half-dozen or so cars, trucks and boats on the lawns.

And don't miss the 19 to 20 people living in the single-family homes.

She is lucky at least she has code enforcement in her area.

— Larry Besson / Naples Park

Educate all of us

Editor, Daily News:

As we note high school graduations, we should remember that these students — far more than the well-to-do retired persons moving to this community — have the potential to shape the future of Collier County.

Time magazine's recent article on high school dropouts — nationally, fully one-third of all students — includes depressing statistics about what awaits early leavers in terms of unemployment, incarceration and welfare rates, not to overlook far lower income-earning capabilities.

How do our Collier County schools compare with that dismal countrywide picture?

Collier's current $821 million system, school by school, should be examined for performance levels, such as graduation rates in secondary institutions, preferably by ethnic groups.

In addition, it would serve the community's interest to know more about other measures of success beyond the FCAT for our nearly 44,000 students in the kindergarten- through-12th-grade system.

— James A. Van Fleet / Naples

Premonition

Editor, Daily News:

I refer to the May 25 letter indicating that the city of Naples Parks and Parkways Department cannot do the maintenance work on its medians due to the inability to hire 11 employees.

As a resident of Pelican Bay, I am grateful to the four City Council members who voted against continuing the annexation process, realizing that if the city cannot look after its own medians, how was it going to take on the responsibility of landscaping an additional 10 miles of medians, berms and parks within Pelican Bay?

— John Domenie / Naples

Comments misleading

Editor, Daily News:

As president of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, I would like to voice my concern about a syndicated column by Ken Harney about reverse mortgages.

Harney's article severely misinforms its readers by leading them to believe that if they are considering a reverse mortgage today, they might be susceptible to the type of situation that he outlines.

While Harney did make a minimal mention that loans with equity sharing features as described in his column are no longer available today, that point is largely lost in the context of his writing. Harney failed to disclose that all reverse mortgages with equity share features have been withdrawn from the market for several years.

The dangers that Harney warns of do not exist in today's marketplace. His misleading comments may unnecessarily dissuade elderly homeowners who would benefit from getting reverse mortgages from doing so.

I would appreciate Harney setting the record straight once and for all by presenting fair, balanced and up-to-date coverage of reverse mortgages so that readers will be better informed.

— Peter Bell / Naples

Making war

Editor, Daily News:

I find it appalling to have our current president compare himself with Harry Truman.

President Bush, in his remarks to the U.S. Military Academy graduates, defended his doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against our enemies. How different our world would be now if Presidents Truman, Eisenhower or Kennedy — or any other president during the Cold War period — took it upon themselves to wage a pre-emptive attack against the Soviet Union, with the ensuing nuclear war that surely would have followed?

His "shoot first, ask questions later" sounded tough to the cadets, but in reality it was highly irresponsible. You cannot bomb the Middle East, or any other area, into compliance.

In World War II we had the upper hand, the full support of the Allies and a nation fully behind us. In other conflicts since then, we have not enjoyed the same level of support. Today, we will only win when we gain the respect of the other nations on which we share this Earth.

Military force should always be available, but only used as a last resort. Once you set out on the military path, the outcome sometimes is not what you want or expect. Peace may not be "cool," but it usually comes after hard work and gaining the respect of other countries.

One thing's for sure: President Bush will never be called the prince of peace.

— Bob Elwell / Naples

Just wondering

Editor, Daily News:

Do teenage whales travel in I-pods?

At last, Naples' year-rounders are finished having guest implants.

Do you think Canadian drivers write "liters" to the editor?

I have a feeling Enron's convicted CEO is in for a long Lay-over.

Which do you think we'll find first — Jimmy Hoffa or affordable housing?

In her U.S. Senate bid, Katherine Harris is trailing by 30 points. Looks like Bill has her in a full-Nelson.

— Fred Tobias / Naples