Lake Okeechobee’s decline
Lake Okeechobee is more than a body of water — it is the beating heart of South Florida’s ecosystem and a source of drinking water for millions. Yet this heart is failing. Each rainy season brings renewed fear that toxic discharges will flow east and west into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, spreading cyanobacteria that release liver and neurotoxins. These blooms are not just unsightly; they are dangerous to people, pets, and wildlife.
The causes are well‑known: decades of nutrient overload from agricultural runoff, wastewater, and stormwater; weakened wetland buffers; and warming temperatures that supercharge algae growth. The result is a perfect storm of pollution and neglect. When the lake’s water is released to prevent flooding, those toxins travel downstream, threatening coastal communities, tourism, and public health.
We cannot continue treating this as a seasonal inconvenience. It is a systemic failure — one that demands full funding and completion of restoration projects like the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, strict enforcement of nutrient limits, and transparent monitoring of water quality. Prevention is always cheaper than cleanup, and the health of our residents should never be the price of delay.
Southwest Florida deserves clean water, safe recreation, and a future where Lake Okeechobee is restored to life rather than feared for its discharge. The time for half measures has passed.
Linda Lindquist, North Fort Myers
Presidential intimidation
Many of those in leadership positions in the American legal system scoffed at the handful of powerhouse law firms that caved into President Trump during his first few months in office this term when they agreed to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars of free legal services to support his causes in order to fend off threatened adverse actions against them and their clients by his administration.
But the elitists in the legal establishment showed their true colors earlier this month when the American Bar Association ( ABA), the venerable trade association for lawyers, announced that, in obedience to the Trump administration that has regularly trashed it, was abandoning its standards calling for law schools throughout the country, including the dozen in Florida such as Ava Maria here in Naples, to abide by modest Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) protocols in order to be certified by the organization as providing acceptable education.
Following lemming-like many other government organizations, academic institutions, and private sector business, the ABA abandoned support for DEI, notwithstanding that more than half of the currently enrolled law students, including some 5,000-plus here in Florida, are women, while students of color comprise another 15%-20%, resulting in at least two-thirds of incoming lawyers coming from traditionally marginalized sectors that have tended to benefit most from DEI programs in the past that are now eviscerated.
Meanwhile, those powerful law firms that surrendered without a fight to the Trump administration’s slaying of DEI more than a year ago are doing just fine, bringing in plenty of new, young lawyers, and continuing to represent their clients in major cases and other matters, including high profile litigation before the Supreme Court and other tribunals and administrative and regulatory bodies.
As a lawyer, I was saddened to see DEI take such a beating from the Trump administration. But it was equally lamentable to see the pillars of the legal establishment talk a good game but not walk the walk and, instead, lack fortitude and walk away from commitment to equitable values that they gave lip service to before swallowing their pride in the face of presidential intimidation.
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
Geese run over
Last night I watched on TV two geese with their two little ones between them walking on the side of a freeway. When they tried to cross, cars started to stop for them, as I watched many times in the past. Then I saw (an Arkansas) state trooper car approaching: Aimed and drove over them! My tears are not only for the innocent little geese family but for our new America.
Baerbel A.E. Munson, Naples
Here are my gripes
I am so tired of reading about how this Democrat hates this Republican and vice versa. So what I’m writing about are my gripes.
Tell me how a pro athlete can be worth millions and millions of dollars in his first year, second year, third year whatever contract. All of a sudden, they’re rock stars. In my opinion, he’s not worth it. What he does is make ticket sales so high that the average American family can’t afford to go to a football or basketball game. I looked at home tickets for the Buccaneers, and the nosebleed seats were over $200. Ridiculous!
What gives the Indians control over total gambling in this state? Is it because they give the state billions of dollars in revenue? That’s what they say. But if they would bring in real casinos in the state, they would probably double what they’re getting from the Indians. And these little arcades that are being raided, ridiculous. You go to a casino do you get drinks free? No. Do you get food free? No. But at these little arcades you get free beverages, hotdogs, sandwiches, and sometimes even pizza. So, you want me to drive an hour to go to the Seminole casino through the backwoods on a dangerous road. No thank you.
I don’t know about your cable company but when I can tell you about mine is that I’m paying one price and all of a sudden that price is doubled almost tripled. I called the cable company, and they tell me that my promotion has expired. What promotion! I was never told about a promotion. However, ha ha, they have a new promotion, and you get a special deal for two years if you sign that you will keep them for two years. What a racket. They have a monopoly and they know it.
Television apps are my next biggest gripe. I wanted to watch some of the playoff games but guess what you have to be a subscriber to the apparent app that they are showing games on. It used to be they were all on major networks ABC NBC CBS, not now, you have to pay to watch them as if they’re not getting enough money. It’s all a power-play and I hate to say it, but they’re winning.
Hospital bills come into mind. Last year I had a fall and because my head was involved, they took me to the ER by ambulance. They did a CT scan of my empty head and said everything was OK. I was not given any medication except for a saline bag. I received the invoice from my insurance company and lo and behold for one not even full day in the ER. The bill was $99,000. I could’ve fallen over. Is that outrageous or am I overacting? Thank God for insurance. Which is another high bill.
Well my list could go on and on but these remain in the top of gripes for now and my blood pressure proves it.
Maryanna Kleve, Fort Myers
No budget, no pay
We have a major issue concerning the budget. It has not yet been two years since President Trump has taken back that position and already twice now we have suffered from government shutdowns. It has been made clear that those in Congress are more then willing to threaten the livelihoods of the many federal workers in our nation if it means they can get a leg up in policy negotiations, clearly the system is broken and so to repair it, I suggest that those in Congress suffer the same consequences as others serving the government when a budget is not passed on time, they should go without pay. This is one of the main reasons I support Jim Oberweis in his run to be our congressman here in the 19th District, the “No budget No Pay” policy he has suggested embodies what we need exactly to stop this weaponization of the public’s paycheck and his past work in finance both as a reporter and as founder of an asset management company, he is plenty qualified to review and take part in refining these budgets. Overall, I heavily support the idea of the no budget no pay policy and I believe having Jim in our congressional seat will serve us well when the times of delayed budgets are behind us and the issue of rushed ones is upon us.
Collin Miller, Fort Myers
AI and our economy
While artificial intelligence is exceptionally effective at cutting costs — often by reducing manpower — the long-term health of the economy depends on consumer spending, which requires working people with disposable income.
Nearly 60% of jobs in advanced economies are exposed to AI, with studies estimating that 25% to 50% of tasks could be automated, primarily in white-collar roles. Large firms in tech, finance, and services are actively using AI to reduce headcounts, particularly in entry-level and administrative roles.
If AI leads to mass unemployment or significantly lowers wages, it risks undermining the very consumer demand necessary for economic growth. For the economy to thrive, AI must be managed as a tool to empower workers rather than merely a strategy to eliminate them. The transition requires a focus on reskilling and, potentially, new social frameworks, such as a 32-hour workweek, to prevent widespread joblessness.
Trump has tied the hands of his two Houses in Congress in regulating Artificial Intelligence.We need a Democratic Congress. Vote in the midterms before Trump totally wrecks our economy.
Joe Haack, Naples
Stronger border policies
One issue I care deeply about is illegal immigration and border security because I believe it affects the safety, economy, and future of our country. America is a nation built on opportunity, and I believe legal immigration is an important part of that. However, when immigration laws are not enforced and borders are left unsecured, it creates challenges for communities, public resources, and the people who are trying to enter the country legally and follow the rules.
As a young person, I care about the future my generation will inherit. I want to live in a country where laws are respected, communities feel safe, and opportunities remain available for hardworking Americans. Border security is not just about politics, but it is about maintaining order, protecting jobs, and making sure our immigration system is fair and effective. Many families are already struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty, and I believe the government should focus on policies that strengthen communities instead of creating more instability.
That is one reason I support Jim Oberweis for Congress. I believe he supports stronger border policies, economic growth, and practical leadership focused on protecting American communities and ensuring a stable future for the next generation.
Alexander Barnum, Fort Myers
Turning point approaches
We are fast approaching what could be a turning point in our political history and future. When Obama was elected president, he said in Chicago that he would fundamentally change the United States. Many took it as merely a catch phrase when in fact it started the leak in the dike that has protected our capitalistic society. Every new measure took away a small sliver of our freedom to choose. Obamacare bamboozled us into thinking “we could keep our doctor” etc., when in reality it diminished our level of health care and increased our costs.
Obama’s presidency allowed the emergence of a more dangerous politician to rise to prominence: Bernie Sanders, the avowed socialist, communistically leaning senator from Vermont. At first little of what Sanders preached made any inroads until some empty minded people like Ocasio Cortez won her seat in the U.S. House. She immediately damaged her community by stopping Amazon from opening a warehouse in her district that would have created thousands upon thousands of jobs. This was capitalism and she was against it.
The current anti ICE issues in New Jersey are furthering the cause of destroying our democracy. To see Jerry Nadler lead the protest was almost comical in appearance but in reality illustrates how deep a gulf is widening in our society. Professional protesters paid for by domestic and foreign anti-Trump oligarchs have joined the fray. All dressed alike. Not like the 60s when it was a moral conflict, this conflict is one of hatred and violence.
Michael Zubrow, Naples
U.S. direction under Trump
Under the heading of “What’s the alternative?” a recent writer said the reason people voted for Trump was that the Democrats gave such “a terrible alternative.” Why was that candidate such a terrible alternative? Because the candidate was 1) a woman, and 2) a woman of color. However, I can tell you what she wasn’t. She wasn’t a 34-times convicted felon, adjudicated sexual assaulter, self-proclaimed pedophile, and first-class con artist and grifter. But I know those things don’t bother the MAGA/RINO/CINO/FASCISTS, because that’s who they are, or would be given half a chance.
I’m sure, however, they can find solace in the report in the same day’s paper that Trump is raising the refugee admissions ceiling by 10,000 for this year to allow more white South Africans to come into the country. They are South Africans of Afrikaner ethnicity. You remember them, right? The folks behind Apartheid.
Then, back in March, Trump doubled down during an Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is Black, by holding up a printout of a photo while leafing through conservative blog articles, claiming it showed the “burial sites” of white South African farmers who had been murdered, while in fact, the image actually depicted humanitarian workers lifting the body bags of victims who were killed in a clash between M23 rebels and the Congolese army in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
It’s not hard to see in what direction Trump and his MAGA/RINO/CINO/FASCISTS are going, is it?
Ken Brindle, Cape Coral
Hegseth needs to go
The more I know about Secretary Hegseth the more afraid I get about continued America democracy. Secretary Hegseth by his actions is a racist, a misogynist and a law-breaking religious fanatic. He is transforming our military into a weapon for a right-wing takeover of our country. He pushes Christian nationalism on our troops and has fired all the senior military he feels oppose him at Trump’s guidance. He has stated over and over he thinks Democrats and any who oppose him are un-American. He and Trump are unsuccessful in the Iran war at a cost of 25 billion $ and the using up of our missile and drone arsenal. For our country’s sake he needs to go.
Benjamin Glick, Naples
Progressive groupthink
Just a few quick questions to all the RINO’s and progressives in Collier County. From Obama to Biden, each man has verbally sparred with the leadership in Iran, and without exception, Iran was a country that was dangerous to the world. Obama’s answer was to bribe them. Release frozen assets, send pallets of cash, and reduce the relationship with Israel, all for a promise not to make any nukes. Question #1 – Iran just recently bragged they have uranium and it is almost weapons grade nuclear material. They also were supposed to limit missile ranges to under 1,000 miles. Looking back, how would you grade them?
Iran was allowed through a back door negotiation to sell oil on the open market. Sanctions still in place yet sale of oil to China and India went unanswered. Question #2 – Iran openly cheated and the Biden and Democrats turned a blind eye much like its border policies, allowing the Iranian regime to spin more centrifuges, enrich more uranium, and sponsor terrorism through the Middle East. What is the answer to keeping Iran in check?
Many will disagree, but if you are truly looking in the mirror, you can’t lie to yourself. Question #3 – and it is a whopper. If the Iranian war ends, and the uranium is secured by the U.S., and the peace deal brings a promise of lasting peace and prosperity, will you give Donald J. Trump any credit or will you move to another subject faster than ice cream melting on a hot day?
Trump could save the world, bring peace to a region in turmoil for generations, secure our country’s future as the leader in AI, tech and energy, and reduce crime in our country, but no. As Hakeem Jefferies said, 100% full blown resistance at all costs. Are you really going to make a bad decision even if good things happen? You don’t have to go along with the progressive crowd, you could think for yourself.
Jack Holt, Cape Coral
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lake Okeechobee’s decline a public health issue | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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