Water park impact
My family has lived in Pelican Bay for 24 years, and I want to express my concern — and my mother’s — about the significant impacts a water park would have on our daily lives and on the safety of our community.
The intersections at US 41 and Pelican Bay Boulevard and at US 41 and Seagate Drive are already heavily congested, especially during season. I drive my mother to regular medical appointments, and even now it can take far too long to move through those roads. Adding a high‑volume attraction will make it even harder for residents, particularly older adults, to travel safely and reliably.
Emergency access is an even more serious concern. I see ambulances and firetrucks in Pelican Bay at least once a week. When seconds matter, increased visitor traffic and gridlocked intersections could delay emergency vehicles entering or exiting the community. That is a foreseeable consequence of placing a regional entertainment draw inside a residential area with an aging population.
Safety also deserves attention. Burglaries increase every summer when many residents are away. A public water park would bring in large numbers of non‑residents, some of whom may wander beyond hotel property.
Pelican Bay is a unique, carefully planned community. Its safety and quality of life should not be compromised.
Elizabeth Hackett, Naples
Reject proposed water park
I have been a resident of Naples since 1998, and my patents were residents from 1978 till their deaths in 1994 and 1998. I currently live in Seagate, a community with multiple canals leading to the Gulf. I built my house in 2015.
The Naples Grande has proposed a 3.3-acre water park in a dense, environmentally sensitive neighborhood. It is on the Gulf of Mexico. A water park located within a half mile of a pre-school, an elementary school, two churches, and Clam Pass Park is unacceptable. Many residences are less than 150 feet away. A church memorial garden is less than 300 feet away. Dubbed “Clam Cove” by its private equity backers, including London-based, Henderson partners, the plan calls for a separate entrance pavilion with numerous lockers, three 25 foot slides, a large kids interactive splash pad with 4 slides, a lazy river (with a capacity of 390 people), a large bar, restaurant, 80 speakers, and several large pools. A few points:
Local zoning requires that any site plan be “customary and in harmony with the neighborhood.”
Thankfully, the Pelican Bay Foundation and a local HOA have appealed county staff’s egregious zoning interpretations. When the appeals are heard in the fall, our county commissioners should reject this absurd proposal.
Richard E. Beckman, Naples
Estero project concerns
My wife and I were at the April 17th meeting and were disappointed that the FDOT rep. never showed up. My conclusion: FDOT doesn’t care about us, our concerns, or the way the area is developing.
Engage Estero apparently sponsored the meeting. I’ve become convinced that they don’t care about our concerns over how the area is being developed. They don’t listen. A good journalist like Mark Bickel should look into them as well. The builders seem to always get their way, money talks, all to the benefit of groups like Engage Estero. We are really tired of the mismanagement of these projects. Why do they run over budget and over the original time frames they give us to get our votes on these projects? Why do some builders get around paying impact fees? What is taking so long with the improvements on Corkscrew Road? How can the builder of Kingston (on Corkscrew Rd.) build an access road faster than the state can widen Corkscrew? All of this makes no sense.
Please look into this.
Jeff Garn Bella Terra, Estero, resident 6 years
Who is really representing us?
In a 5/6/26 email sent to constituents, Jenna Persons Mulicka was bragging how wonderful it was that Governor Ron DeSantis came to Fort Myers High School to sign two draconian bills that reduce teacher union ability to collective bargaining, incentivized teachers who follow their dictates, and decried that the Teachers Union opposes the legislation.
However there is another story here. Eliminating teacher unions comes from Tallahassee, once again sticking its nose into local governance. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Republican state representative in the Florida, Legislature, has been involved in legislative discussions surrounding school governance, breaking unions, and who the school systems serve. Her dad Armor Persons is School Board chair who obediently follows Republican positions to not support public schools and promote universal school choice which is a thinly veiled term for promoting state supported educational options like private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling. So now not only is the state government going after home rule, we are being governed by proxy through political and family nepotism.
Daniel Becker, Fort Myers
Enjoy Pictures in Paradise
I’m writing to you to send a big thank-you to whoever is responsible for the many, many photos of mine that have appeared in the Pictures in Paradise section of Tropicalia in the Sunday paper. This has been something I’ve looked forward to for several years now. It’s very much appreciated and I’m glad you like my photos. I certainly enjoy looking for and photographing the wide array of subjects I find here in our beautiful part of the world.
Linda Normoyle, Fort Myers
Republicans’ petty political games
Florida Republicans are trying to win elections by cheating, manipulating voters, and eliminating four Democratic congressional seats. This sneaky move, backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, is unethical, unconstitutional, illegal, and unfair. To steal this advantage, Republicans ignored the will of and Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment that passed with 63 percent of the statewide vote. That action will split communities and force people into new districts.
Here in Southwest Florida, Fort Myers and Cape Coral could be unfairly divided in ways that will reduce our representation in Washington. Non-competitive elections will reduce accountability and make it easier for incumbents to keep their good-paying jobs.
Cheating makes voters unwilling pawns in Republicans’ petty political games. That is something no voter — whatever party — should accept.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Right now, voters are being played for fools by the power politics played by Republicans in Tallahassee who understand they can’t win in fair elections and need to rig the maps and tilt the playing field.
It’s time to fight back. Talk to your neighbors. Make sure you pay attention to news about the Fair Districts Amendment. Keep an eye out for map changes in upcoming elections. Most of all, demand accountability. Write your state legislators, call them, or corral them in their offices. These are the folks who are ignoring you. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about fairness for all voters, Democrat, Republican, or independent. It’s about making sure all of our votes count.
Tom Beebe, Fort Myers
FCC misuses federal authority
I am troubled by recent actions by the Federal Communications Commission to review or threaten ABC’s broadcast license based on comments made on talk shows or by a late-night comedian.
Whether one agrees with the remarks is beside the point. The First Amendment exists to protect speech that some may find offensive, unpopular, or politically inconvenient. Government agencies should not pressure broadcasters because of viewpoints expressed on entertainment or opinion programs.
The FCC’s role is to oversee technical and public-interest obligations of the airwaves — not to police humor, satire, or political commentary. Once government begins scrutinizing licenses based on speech content, we enter dangerous territory where political power can influence who gets to speak freely.
Americans across the political spectrum should be concerned whenever federal authority is used in ways that may chill open expression. A free press and free expression remain essential safeguards of democracy.
Quentin Greeley, Naples
Real meaning of TDS
Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is uttered many times every day, usually as a pejorative for anyone who expresses even the most minor disagreement with Trump. While I do believe TDS is a bona fide psychological condition, I think the label is being applied to the wrong group. Let me explain by using 3 other phrases/concepts very common in today’s political lexicon.
Ask any MAGA what “woke” means and despite it being defined in the dictionary, they will profess not to know. It simply means to be aware of your surroundings & situation. For many years it was a common friendly warning from people of color for friends to “stay woke” in the white world. In the MAGA world of opposites it is used as an insult. I am and hope to remain woke.
The Cancel Culture is another misplaced label. Ask yourself who is still banning many classic books from schools and libraries (in many cases admitting they never read the offending tome)? What group boycotted M&Ms & Bud Light because of references to the LBGTQ community in advertising? What group urged boycotts of movies for the same reason and caused many Pride celebrations, parades, & shows to be cancelled. Hint: the answer is MAGA.
For decades Diversity Equity and Inclusion was touted as a principal of success and strength in major corporations, schools and universities, and the U.S. Armed Forces (and one political party). What group of people have decided that DEI is synonymous with discrimination against white men? Same answer as above.
I propose my own version of a cognitive test to determine the severity of an individual’s TDS infection with these questions. Do you promote freedom of speech (& literature) or support the book banners? Are you OK with freedom of expression in manner of dress or activity or are you with the anti-fun police? Do you believe in hiring based on merit or giving preferential treatment to the white candidate? Do you believe that every citizen should be encouraged to vote or only certain people should enjoy that privilege? Do you believe that politics is the art of compromise or do you prefer to insult and threaten your opposition into submission? Do you support a woman’s right to control her own body or do you believe all women should be subservient to men?
I’m afraid this is a self-graded test on the honor system. If you grade out as MAGA or are still a Trump supporter, you likely have a serious TDS infection.
Wilburn Reed, Fort Myers
Burning down our country
Our checks: SCOTUS and the Congress, have failed to balance the pyromaniac in our executive office and he is burning down our country while enriching himself in the process. It is impossible to celebrate our nation’s 250th bday from inside a crematorium. SCOTUS has shown no regard for precedent or the majority opinion of Americans. During confirmation hearings DJT’s three appointments to SCOTUS allprofessed to respect Roe v. Wade as settled precedent. Once appointed they all proceeded to disregard precedent and overturned Roe v. Wade. SCOTUS has now again disrespected precedent and gutted the Voter Rights Act of ’65 by affirming initiatives for partisan gerrymandering that will disenfranchise minority voters. Currently, we have 171 election deniers serving in Congress. These sycophants of DJT are not public servants. They believe it is self-serving to not challenge DJT… no matter how contrary to reality, our Constitution, or science that may be. Democrats have enabled Republicans to control the language. Diversity is an asset not a liability. Being woke in the conservative vernacular is an insult. We need to wake the hell up, DJT and his cult are burning down our country. We need to restore the functionality of our checks: SCOTUS and Congress, with serious reform, or subordinate to the new king that will rise from the ashes of our torched democracy.
Patrick Frawley, Naples
Wildfires have gotten worse
Wildfires have gotten worse in recent years in Florida and dry seasons are getting longer with lack of rain and droughts worsening. The seasons in some years have caused too much destruction like in 2007 with over 120,000 acres being burned and also burning through the border with Georgia. In 2008 on Mother’s Day a horrific fire happened and damaged a good amount of homes and needed the state’s resources to rebuild. The damage being 34 million dollars.
We cannot afford to rely solely on emergency response. Florida must invest more in prevention: expanding controlled burns, improving forest management, and strengthening community preparedness. Local governments should also reconsider zoning decisions that place more people in high-risk areas without adequate safeguards. There have been issues with more wildfires than ever to begin 2026 because the drought has gotten worse so fast and is the worst in decades. It’s due to La Nina and very dry conditions and also warming up fast now! Hopefully, we can restrict water and make sure not to start any new fires and get burn bans in place. We must be safe and take care of the environment where we live.
Residents have a role to play as well. Simple actions like maintaining defensible space around homes and adhering to burn bans can make a significant difference.
Wildfires may be a natural part of Florida’s landscape, but catastrophic losses do not have to be. With smarter policies and shared responsibility, we can reduce risk and better protect our communities.
Ashrith Varidhireddy, Fort Myers
Trump has no redeeming qualities
I am afflicted with a deeply rooted feeling of dislike for our president. Some would call it TDS and I wouldn’t disagree. However, I have many conservative friends, acquaintances, and family members who like the president, but I don’t dislike them. Truly, my dislike for the president has nothing to do with his political party affiliation. Honestly, I can’t find any redeeming qualities in this man! He’s like a giant python slithering through the Everglades looking for prey! Once he finds his prey, he will squeeze it until it submits to his will or he will eat it, if it doesn’t!
In fact, I have strived to avoid people of his ilk for my entire life just as I’ve also tried to avoid mosquitoes and no-see-ums after sunset! I also avoid venturing outdoors after sunset or during a full-moon for fear of encountering werewolves and vampires!
As scary as these possibilities may appear, I had the most terrifying encounter of my life many years ago. While checking out of the Trump Marina Hotel Casino, in Atlantic City, you-know-who walked past me. We exchanged greetings (yuck!) which I have come to regret. I can still recall the sulfuric odor wafting through the air as he passed!
Certainly, anyone who is obnoxious, narcissistic, vengeful, childish, bullying, dishonest, criminally predisposed, and lacking in basic morals and human decency is not difficult to dislike. Frankly, I have an aversion to anyone who would organize a violent attack upon the seat of our democracy in an attempt to overthrow said democracy! I know, call me kooky! In fact, he’s a walking, talking ad in support for birth control! Furthermore, he is a living, breathing, embodiment of embarrassment to himself and all Americans! It gives me a nauseating feeling to consider the probability that the people of Canada or any other country may view me and all Americans in his likeness!
In conclusion, I firmly believe that this odious humanoid, who holds the highest position on the planet, does not represent the values that I (and many others) was raised to respect – the same values that have made this country GREAT! Consequently, in my book, he’s devoid of any attributes that would deem him likable!
Jay Custa, Estero
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Water park would have negative impacts on residents | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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