Habitat grateful for Cars on 5th
Many voices have responded to the recent NDN article about Cars on 5th, and we appreciate the opportunity to share Habitat Collier’s perspective as this year’s Charity Partner.
When we were first invited to participate, we knew there would be a lot to learn. Thanks to the generous guidance of St. Matthew’s House, last year’s Charity Partner, we were able to navigate that learning curve and be part of a successful event. More than 400 volunteers gave their time and energy, and we are truly grateful for the role each of them played in making the day run smoothly.
We are also appreciative of the support this event generated. Approximately $300,000 in net proceeds will help make it possible to build a home for a local family, and that impact is meaningful.
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the event this year and are happy to assist the next Charity Partner. In the meantime, our focus will remain on our core mission: expanding access to homeownership for our local workforce. We rely on the community’s continued support and invite anyone interested in volunteering or learning more to visit HabitatCollier.org or call our office at 239-775-0036.
Janet Miller, Naples, Board chair Habitat Collier
Size of event manageable
I saw your article about Cars on 5th and I personally would not support eliminating that event from Naples. It is the best of its kind in this part of the State of Florida.
Is it too big? There are reasonable ways to reduce the event’s size to a more manageable level. A few ways: 1) Establish a limit on the number of cars a single dealership can bring to the show; 2) There are many tent exhibits and many of them are quite large. Restrict the size of the exhibits; 3) Eliminate bikes and skateboards from Fifth Avenue; 4) Eliminate baby carriages, especially those that carry dogs; 5) No dogs allowed. Many are on leashes that can cause real problems for pedestrians.
We paid $50 to participate in the street event. I find it difficult to believe that a portion of that fee goes to Habitat for Humanity and another part pays for security, trash cleanup, etc. It should be a moneymaker for the city.
Scott Healy, Naples
Reduce dependence on oil
Since the war started, I have realized how much a single country can control the global oil market. Even though the United States produces much of its own oil, we do not control the global price of oil. Right now Iran controls everything. If you are waiting for me to suggest a solution to the oil prices, don’t hold your breath. However I do have suggestions to relieve our global dependency on oil. Why are we ending so many benefits of having and using clean solar energy. Federal and state governments have enacted many anti-solar rules and regulations trying to make it less advantageous to get solar energy for your home, car and boat. Right now I will put my trust in the sun instead of our ridiculous government or those governments of other oil-producing countries. I have a solar array in my backyard which produces enough energy to run my entire home and business. Early in 2027 I will take possession of my totally electric Slate pickup truck which will pull my all-electric lawnmower and equipment. I also have an electric outboard motor for my deck boat and electric trolling motor for my canoe. I refuse to be controlled by a dirty energy which is destroying our Mother Earth and all of its inhabitants slowly but very surely.
John Mark Simon, Cape Coral
Perversion of Christianity
I’m a card-carrying practicing Catholic, former altar boy, proud to see that the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV, is standing tall against the DJT administration’s perversion of Christianity by trying to drag God into their war of choice. This Pope is not going to be silent like Pope Pius XII was with Hitler. I follow the Prince of peace. DJT follows the prince of profit. He profits from the sale of Gold Bibles. No POTUS in history has profited like DJT and his crime family. At best, he is bat excreta crazy and merits implementation of the 25th Amendment. He is not fit. In this day when man has never traveled deeper into space, it’s crazy that one man can be so destructive on a global scale. Sadly, our checks have been absent and failed to balance. Charlie Kirk was his evangelical apostle, preaching racist, sexist, hate. Slave holders during the Civil War are the sires of the Christian conservatism’s bastardization of Christianity. Slave holders found biblical justification to enslave and enrich themselves. Christ came from the proximity of Northern Africa: He was in the middle of the continuum of melanin; he was not Caucasian. If Christ were incarnate today in America, he would be an illegal alien, fleeing murderous persecution in his homeland, brown skinned, food insecure, homeless, eating in shelters. I’m a taxpayer, and unlike DJT come from a family who served in the military: WWI, WWII, Nam. I do not want my tax dollars bankrolling genocide for profit perpetrated by Israel or Uncle Sam.
Patrick Frawley, Naples
Will you defend democracy?
We are seen worldwide as a country with unchecked capitalism, taking democracy for granted. Can we afford to wait for midterms to impeach the criminal? This so‑called “president of peace” bullies the U.S. into violating law. Abroad, children are killed; at home, ICE deports people on the basis of quotas, killing defenders, suppressing peaceful opposition. Uncle Norbert defended democracy, giving his life July 30th, 1944; his father Joseph served in WWI, my father in Korea.
Why be silent? Remember past generations: sacrifices in the millions for democracy. Human rights were defended for all, not just some. Grandparents Katherine Walterbush and Joseph Mescher understood, giving their son, their German relatives, family who spoke truth against atrocities in the 1930s, truth against Satan’s destructive power.
Democracy depends on shared respect for each and every other, the law. When we tolerate its violation against others, we’ll find its violation against ourselves. A society cannot endure such disregard for human rights.
Will you defend democracy? Call and write, to remind politicians of their oaths, to care. It’s past time for No Kings and White House puppets. It is time to insist upon a courageous U.S. Congress, saving democracy and people of other countries. Impeach.
Ann Mescher, Naples
Immoral, criminal, despicable
We’ve temporarily dodged disaster in Iran with a tenuous ceasefire. We shouldn’t be too elated because Iran is still a repressive regime and our president is still Donald Trump. Neither side is trustworthy. Our reactions to Trump’s words may vary from revulsion to wonderment to fear. It’s an understatement to characterize his vile rant as unpresidential, and certainly un-Christian, eerily spoken on Easter Sunday. Hegseth’s boastful and sycophantic rhetoric is creepy and unhelpful. These guys are nuts and they represent us. This is not a game show or a Saturday morning Fox “right wing rant” show.Trump points to Kim Jung Un, Putin, and Orban as his trusted buddies. Privately they laugh at his gullibility and stupidity. They know how to stroke him, how to pacify the baby so he won’t whine. At this critical juncture, Trump inexplicably continues to babble about Greenland. His stated plan is to obliterate bridges, railroads, power plants, the energy infrastructure. Clean water supply will be compromised. Thousands of innocents will die, real people, not pieces on a game board. He’s comfortable threatening to “wipe out” a civilization. Shouldn’t we worry about someone whose favorite words are obliterate and devastate. Aren’t his words immoral, criminal, and simply despicable? His scatter-shot approach warrants our skepticism. Maybe he’s mentally incompetent, and that could lead to escalation. The effects would endure for years.
Is it too much to ask that our military leaders and our presidential advisers, if they exist, demand diplomacy over devastation? Not likely. Spines are in short supply in Washington.
Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs
Disdain for democratic values
The election interference being engaged in in America by the supreme leader and the GOP lapdogs, is metastasizing into Hungary in Europe as VP Vance has been campaigning on behalf of Viktor Orban. Orban, the undemocratic dictator of Hungary for 16 years, the pro-Putin puppet, with his disdain for democratic institutions and values, is running against a center right candidate who appears to be gaining in the polls. Orban is the first European leader to endorse Trump. So what does our supreme leader do? Support the dictator, of course. What would you expect from someone threatening to destroy an entire civilization.
The culture of Iran, of Persia, is one of the oldest and among the most influential in the world. Iran (Persia) is widely regarded as one of the cradles of civilization. Reminder − a democratic nation like America should not be threatening to kill tens of millions of innocent civilians to remove an evil regime. By the way, making such threats appears to violate international law and may constitute war crimes under existing treaties which America has signed.
Bob Geltner, U.S. Air Force veteran/captain, North Fort Myers
Is there a grownup in the room?
The rhetoric coming out of the White House and the Pentagon is alarming: we are conducting a holy war, we will wipe out a civilization if they don’t do what I want, the rescue of the downed airman was like the resurrection of Jesus, and more. Isn’t there any rational, experienced individual left in this administration or Congress who can help stabilize our government and get America out of the mess created by a president who doesn’t listen to experts and had no plan for dealing with an enemy who hasn’t capitulated. When our president is reduced to foaming at the mouth, ratcheting up threats on an hourly basis, you know he’s a wounded bull and very dangerous.
Jennifer Walker, Naples
Unorthodox endorsement
When was the last time that a high-placed elected leader in the United States went abroad to campaign for someone in another country? Never, until now when Vice President Vance hit the hustings in Budapest to urge Hungarians to re-elect their far-right nationalist leader Viktor Orban. To add to the unorthodoxy, President Trump called in to an Orban rally before this Sunday’s hotly contest election with his unqualified endorsement. While unprecedented, the support is hardly surprising given Orban’s posture near the pinnacle of the list of authoritarians who have been repressive and suppressive of human rights and freedoms. If re-elected, as is expected, Orban will probably be eager to come Stateside and return the favor if Vance and other MAGA candidates are hungry for him.
Marshall Tanick, Naples
Negative Trump letters
Several frequent contributors, attempting to allay their acute TDS by writing negative letters to this newspaper about Republicans and our president, don’t seem to comprehend that each of these rants is an admission they voted for Obama, Biden and Harris, perhaps the most destructive presidential candidates in American history. They also apparently support their pathetic congressional leaders that shut down the government and are refusing to vote for a national ID card that 85% of the population supports. Congressional Democrats seem to care only about reelection and must believe Donald Trump cannot be defeated unless they can cheat; while stupidly creating legions of voters who won’t forget being negatively impacted by these ludicrous shutdowns. These writers also excused open border policies allowing millions of illegal aliens into our country, which is ridiculously incongruous because these teeming masses are now competing with them for the near-bankrupt government subsidies Democrats so revere.
Robert A. Strohaver, Naples
Focal point for chaos
The presidency has traditionally been a stabilizing focal point of consistent propriety and balanced assurances for all Americans when domestic and world events become tragic or uncertain.
Regardless of the individual personalities and political parties of those who have sat behind the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk, each president has risen to and embodied a wise, empathic, steady-rudder, unifying role model image that defines us as Americans. Sadly, that was true until now. We can no longer mentally retreat to the stabilizing, White House focal point when chaos arises anywhere in the country and world because now the White House itself has become the focal point for chaos, divisiveness and crude brutishness that currently defines us as Americans.
J. Cant, Naples
The art of the deal
In spite of Donald Trump’s initiative to remove the stigma of TACO from his image, he has failed again. The art of the deal is to bully, to badger, to threaten, to retaliate and if that doesn’t work, to give in and declare victory. We are witnessing the art at this moment in time. Trump ineptly initiated a war, cornered himself and now is attempting to extricate himself from his mess by agreeing with the Iranians’ conditions for reopening the Hormuz Strait, a card which he dealt Iran by initiating the war.
TACO served ala Trump.
Joe Haack, Naples
Oral Cancer Awareness Month
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month; please be certain to pay attention to your oral health. Although all cancers are awful, head and neck cancers are also especially horrific and can change your life in an instant.
Kimberly Clements, Fort Myers
Affordability a growing crisis
For Floridians, the cost of living rises by the day. Food, housing, and health care prices continue to climb, while global conflicts have driven gasoline prices higher. As diesel costs increase, so too will the price of food. Across Florida, affordability is a growing crisis. In 2026, State Representative Alex Andrade and Senators Don Gaetz and Carlos Guillermo Smith introduced legislation aimed at lowering electricity costs. Senator Smith’s proposal, for example, would cap utility company profits and promote efficiency standards to reduce energy use. Yet while families struggle to make ends meet, state lawmakers ended the legislative session without passing a single measure to improve energy affordability. None of these bills were even brought to a vote. Instead of prioritizing relief for residents, legislators sided with powerful utility interests. Lawmakers are now back in their home districts. This is the moment for constituents to speak up. Call or email your state representative and senator. Urge them to make energy affordability a priority and to support reforms that lower electricity bills and hold utility companies accountable.
Eileen Briening, Naples
Unhinged, demented, delusional
Easter Sunday is one of the most important Holy days for Christians because we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which means the conquering of life over death, love over hate, good over evil, forgiveness over retaliation, and peace over war and despair.
Our American president’s message to the world on Easter morning was a filthy and vulgar rage at Iranians, threatening to commit war crimes against them if they refuse to open the Strait of Hormuz which, of course, was open before he began his illegal war of choice without consulting with Congress or allies.
It has become increasingly clear that Trump is unhinged, demented and delusional. Our former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vin Gupta, has observed (as we all have) that Trump is erratic, can’t finish sentences, is often confused, has an illogical train of thought and has word-finding difficulties. Gupta sees these symptoms gradually increasing over time, concluding that the president is exhibiting signs of dementia. His constant lying and the creation of his own reality to satisfy his ego are character qualities of a deeply unwell person who should be nowhere near the nuclear code.
The 25th Amendment was ratified and added to the Constitution in 1967. It establishes a process through which a majority of the Cabinet and the vice president, or another body Congress designates, can remove a president deemed “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
Since Trump chose his Cabinet members based on their fealty and loyalty to him, rather than their qualifications or loyalty to the Constitution, chances of the 25th being invoked are slim, although former loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene’s complete about-face gives one hope.
Newsweek reported that on the prediction market platform Kalshi, which allows traders to buy “yes” or “no” shares on the question, “Will the 25th Amendment be used during Trump’s presidency?” “yes” has moved in recent days from 28.6 to 35.1 percent.
Gloria Kauls, Estero
Financial pain increasing
It would be reasonable and accurate to assign responsibility for the high cost of living to the current occupant of the White House. War, tariffs, indiscriminate firings of essential government employees, flip-flopping policy decisions, constant chaos, and The One Big Beautiful Bill Act certainly provided a major contribution to our financial pain. By the way, who came up with the childish name for that bill − a child?! Or, maybe someone who isn’t a child, but acts like one?!
Today, I drove my Mini Cooper S to the petrol station to replenish the contents of the fuel tank. This vehicle records outstanding fuel economy (and it’s really cute, too!) however, the high-compression gas engine requires premium petrol to perform optimally. Well, I’m not easily shocked but, the price of a gallon of said petrol ($4.70) was sobering, to say the least! Fortunately, the Mini has a rather small fuel tank, consequently, I was able to apply the cost to my credit card without exceeding my credit limit!
I then proceeded to drive to the nearby Publix to pick up a few ancillary items that had been depleted. To my consternation, the total cost of the apples, bananas, grapes, and peanut butter was more akin to that of my first leisure suit! Consequently, I immediately completed an employment application for a position applying those annoying stickers to the produce!
Upon returning home, my wife asked me how it went. I showed her the credit card receipts, at which time she jumped into the Mini, drove to Publix, and promptly completed an employment application for a position applying wax to the apples! She’s always had a knack for shining things!
With almost three more years remaining of this presidency from hell, I can only imagine our financial pain increasing exponentially. Therefore, we have taken in several boarders from Quebec to help alleviate the pain of this totally unnecessary financial fiasco. However, our tenants have been advised that they can’t pay us in loonies and must provide us with a weekly ration of crepes and squeaky cheese!
Jay Custa, Estero
False claims, fear of immigrants
We must try not to be deceived when someone points to one or two incidents of crime by illegal immigrants to try to support the false impression that they are more responsible for criminal acts than U.S. citizens. This claim has been debunked by many studies including one in 2024, by the United States Department of Justice which said: “The study found that undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes and a quarter the rate of native-born citizens for property crimes.” False claims of higher crime rates have been used to create fear of immigrants throughout our nation’s history. Included were Chinese, Italians and Irish legal immigrants. How sad to learn such backward thinking persists in the 21st Century.
Daniel Graziano, Naples
Don’t sweat the small stuff
I got quite a chuckle out of the article written by the 70-year-old guy who was complaining about people saying he looked good for his age. He didn’t think people should be stereotyped by their age and thought they were being condescending when they did. When I turned 70 my sister got me a hat that said, “It took 70 years for me to look this good.” While wearing this hat I had perfect strangers approach me and say “You’re 70? You look like you’re 90.” While riding to Good Friday services with a 55-year-old friend she said, “You look good for 70.” People who say this aren’t being condescending. They are being nice to you. I took it as a compliment as it was intended to be. You are going to look the way you look and you are going to last as long as you’re going to last. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Norris Clark, Fort Myers
When will MAGA learn?
Kristie Noem is gone. Pam Bondi is gone. In case anyone missed it, both are women serving in a Cabinet among the likes of Trump-worshipping, clueless, frenetic, incompetent FBI Director Kash Patel, the Epstein challenged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the scandal ridden Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer (husband barred from the Labor Department headquarters amid sexual assault allegations) and last but not least, the national security risk and want-to-be Warrior For Jesus incompetent Secretary of Defense Hegseth. Let’s not even bother to mention their convicted felon of a boss who sees everything through the lens of a carefully staged reality TV show, which he now understands does not work when you commit our men and women in uniform to war, which defies scripting because the enemy has a pen too. Not surprisingly, Bondi and Noem have left the Trump administration with the usual hang dog look we have become accustomed to seeing in those who have lost their usefulness to the MAGA king and been dismissed by the usual grammatically incorrect tweet. Despite Mr. Trump’s lifelong history of “me first in all things,” one-way loyalty and blame shifting onto subordinates, both Bondi and Noem, like so many others in MAGA, were drawn to his snake oil spiel, and allowed themselves to be lured up the proverbial high mountain of politics by MAGA’s Lord and Savior, attracted to the potential toxic spoils of his political kingdom. In typical Trumpian biblical fashion, Mr. Trump preaches to all of MAGA, “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” Both Noem and Bondi did, and like so many others in the MAGA king’s first administration, are now reaping the rewards of professional disgrace, potential civil penalties for unethical acts while in office, and loss of self and public respect that comes whenever any of us choose to sacrifice our personal integrity, our character and our honor in the service of a someone without personal integrity, without character and without honor. When will MAGA learn? Meanwhile, the rest of us need to keep this image of incompetent, dangerous governance front and center as we head toward voting in the mid-terms.
Thomas Minor, Bonita Springs
Down the escalator
Trump on the escalator: amusing. Trump as a viable candidate: concerning. Trump’s first term: worrying. Trump’s second term: frightening. Trump at war: terrifying. Trump with the nuclear codes: You tell me. I don’t have a word for that one.
Geremy Spampinato, Naples
Impeachment is the answer
How could Trump say he is going to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age, this is a definite war crime. They have not attacked us and their enriched uranium is gone. These are human beings he is talking about. We have overwhelming military superiority, so this is a form of bullying. I love our country but how could anyone support his outrageous policies. We only pick on weak defenseless countries.His policies have not helped our country, instead everything is in worse shape. A few very wealthy insiders are profiteering, everyone else is losing. Inflation up, employment down, food and energy costs up. No one except his hardcore 30% believes a word he says. Impeachment is the answer.
Benjamin Glick, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Habitat grateful for support from Cars on 5th | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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