Letter: Discontent with new city council

Editor, The Banner:

No party. Or is it the party of no? The new city council needs hearing aids. Maybe they could not hear the people at the May 17 meeting, because of Councilman Alex Grantt's constant blowing of his nose into the microphone. I could hear, so maybe they need listening devices.

The three new members and Councilman Grantt have shown little or no respect for the people of Bonita.

They were elected to represent their districts. Imperial Landing is Mr. Nelson's district.

Remember when we had public servants and they worked for the public? The pay was low, but they loved helping people. Then they became civil servants and separated themselves from the public. Now they are government employees and work for the government.

Some don't even work for the government anymore.

They work for the union. They money and benefits they receive from the taxpayers is far greater than the free market will pay them. If this were not true, they would get real jobs.

Lee County said go and become a city, because we are not going to spend any more money in Bonita to build roads. The county now has the $37 million. One mile of road may be built: Imperial Street.

So much for the bad news. The city has a chance to get back some of our tax money we spent on Bamboo Village. When built, the people who buy in that development will pay taxes — a lot of taxes — and most of that tax will go to Lee County, with about 5 percent to the city.

The party of no good, Mr. Grantt and the three new council members, are deaf, dumb and blind. Don't bother them with the facts, their minds are made up. I don't expect them to change, so a recall vote is what is in order. The people can do it. Read the charter.

Rick Steinmeyer Mayor of Survey Bonita Springs Gas prices are no coincidence Editor, The Banner:

Everyone is complaining about skyrocketing gas prices, but no seems to be able to come up with a short-term solution to the problem. We wonder what causes the sudden rise in prices since the refining, transportation, and cost at the well are relatively the same as last year. Even though there is an increased demand for oil, I'm told production is slightly ahead of demand. Yet every time there is a rumor of possible trouble in the Middle East, the price of gas takes an immediate jump.

I would suggest that speculation on petroleum futures has a lot to do with the increase. Note that when the price of oil closes higher on Wall Street, there is an almost instantaneous similar reaction in gas prices at the pump. Possibly cutting back on this speculation would aid the situation. In order to accomplish this temporarily, an immediate change to the IRS rules regarding the tax status of these futures might help. Tax any profit on these futures at 90 percent and allow claiming only 10 percent of any loss. Do I think 'W' and Congress would ever try this solution? Don't hold your breath, folks.

— Carl Hoke / Bonita Springs