Tradeoff in Naples’ growth
The new Naples Beach Club is undeniably beautiful. The property is stunning, the service is excellent, and the Four Seasons has created a world-class destination that showcases the natural beauty of Naples.
At the same time, visiting leaves me with mixed emotions.
I grew up in Naples as a kid from Naples Park. We didn’t have much money, but the old beach club was one of those special places where locals could occasionally enjoy a drink by the beach, sit by the water, and feel connected to the community and the town we loved. It felt welcoming and accessible, even if it was aspirational.
Today, much of that feeling is gone. Beach access, amenities, and gathering spaces have become far more exclusive, reserved primarily for residents and hotel guests at prices that place them beyond the reach of many local families. Ironically, I can afford it now, but somehow it isn’t as enjoyable. What I miss isn’t the luxury — it’s the sense of belonging.
I understand that this is progress. Cities evolve, properties are redeveloped, and demand for beautiful places like Naples continues to grow. That’s simply how time works. Yet it’s hard not to feel a sense of loss for what once was. It makes me grateful for the memories I was fortunate enough to have, while feeling a little sad for today’s kids who may never experience Naples in quite the same way.
The Naples Beach Club is gorgeous, and I genuinely wish it success. But for longtime locals, it may also represent something else: the closing of a chapter when some of Naples’ most beautiful places felt a little more open, a little more connected to the community, and a little less reserved for those at the very top.
Perhaps that’s the tradeoff of growth. I’m grateful for the past, appreciative of the present, and a little heartbroken all at once.
Jacquie Crandall, Fort Myers
Great news about Kennedy Center
I am so glad that I heard on the news tonight that Trump’s name is coming off the Kennedy Center in D.C. Wonderful news. That beautiful performing arts center is a memorial to President John F. Kennedy and NO ONE ELSE. It was incomprehensible that it ever happened in the first place but the”powers that be” had the name taken off. Great news.
Jan Wolfe, Naples
Birthday wishes
An 8-year-old wants a bounce house for his birthday so his friends can happily play together.
An 80-year-old president wants a cage fight arena for his birthday so paid “friends” can fight no holds barred until one is beaten into submission.
Which is your birthday wish?
Nancy S. Fiala, Bonita Springs
Our differences are profound
I’m back in New York sitting at a boardwalk cafe on Long Island enjoying breakfast with my wife. The sun is shining, I haven’t fallen off my bike lately, the Knicks are champs, and the Mets are showing signs of life. All is right with the world. We’re joined at the table by another couple, Ron and Jan — mid-fifties, pleasant enough, can’t wait to get out of the Big Apple (where they’ve prospered), and retiring to Naples, Florida in a couple of weeks.
Ron tells me he can’t wait to exercise his Second Amendment rights in the Sunshine State. He’ll enjoy being around like-minded gun advocates. I mention that New York still allows for hunting and gun fondling. He smiles wryly. In short order, and unsolicited, he reveals himself to be a racist white nationalist, election denying, myopic right-winger. Thankfully, our interaction is brief. I stay composed and wish him well in his retirement. He replaces his MAGA hat onto his uninhabited dome, and says that maybe we’ll meet in the future at Seed to Table. I assure him that won’t happen. We have successfully communicated.
Our differences are profound and in many cases irreconcilable — racism, nationalism, women’s rights, voting rights, climate, ICE overreach, and political vengeance. It would be unfair to blame one unhinged reality TV star for causing our divisions. Rather, he has exposed them. We are an imperfect lot. In the good news category, we’re still allowed to disagree and be vocal about it. Let’s not lose that.
Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs
Failed policies harm Cubans
Monday’s USA Today headline: U.S. Blockade Hurting Cubans. It’s about time we, the people of this country, take responsibility for our nation’s actions. Cuba, a small island country, less than 100 miles from our homes in Naples, is being devastated by Trump’s blockade as well as economic sanctions imposed for years by both Democratic and Republican administrations.
The current blockade and sanctions prevent Cuba from obtaining oil, medical supplies, food and other necessities. These economic attacks on our neighbor have been going on since the 1960s. What has been gained? Why do we continue these failed policies that do nothing but hurt the citizens of Cuba? Sadly, we claim it’s for humanitarian reasons. Tell that to the elderly, the children and all other Cubans who suffer because of the brown-outs and gas shortages, the needed medical supplies, empty shelves in the grocery stores.
This current Trump administration has made a bad situation much worse! It’s a stain on all of us, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Sadly, the greatest stain is on the Cuban Americans led by Secretary of State Rubio, who have supported and demanded these policies. Their relatives in the island country suffer, year after year, while they enjoy the fruits of prosperous Florida.
Louis S. Erickson, Naples
Conservative views missing
As a longtime reader, I have become increasingly frustrated by the overwhelming imbalance in the opinions featured on your editorial and commentary pages. Week after week, readers are presented with a steady stream of left-leaning viewpoints, while conservative perspectives appear to be largely absent. A newspaper should serve its entire community, not just one segment of it. Yet the ratio of progressive viewpoints to conservative viewpoints often feels closer to nine-to-one than anything resembling balance. Whether the topic is government spending, education, energy policy, immigration, or cultural issues, readers are repeatedly exposed to the same ideological perspective.
I am not suggesting that liberal voices be silenced. Quite the opposite. A healthy public discourse requires a variety of viewpoints. What many readers are asking for is fairness and intellectual diversity. Why not make a deliberate effort to publish more conservative responses, guest columns, and letters to the editor? Why not allow readers to see both sides of important issues and decide for themselves?
Many of your subscribers hold center-right or conservative views. Their opinions deserve representation as well. A newspaper that values open dialogue should welcome thoughtful contributions from across the political spectrum rather than appearing to favor one side consistently. True journalism encourages debate, challenges assumptions, and reflects the diversity of the community it serves. I hope your editorial staff will consider taking meaningful steps to provide a more balanced exchange of ideas for all of your readers.
Pamela Collins, Naples
Trump with no guardrails
Some clueless voters actually chose our 80-year-old Orange Clown THREE fricken times. Are they getting the benefits from his occupation?
All his backers were warned about this guy having no guardrails and, as delineated in the Project 25 handbook, which nobody read, it’s provisions were not only fulfilled but have been happening faster than the Republiscums had hoped for. I’m sure many of his voters have been financially affected by his administrative actions which increased the costs of everyday needs − especially gasoline. Health insurance costs have doubled minimally as most of the enrollees have Affordable Health Care which is commonly called Obamacare and the sore loser hates anything with that name attached to it.
His party members could slam the brakes on this and it’s inconceivable what they’re waiting on.
The only ones who benefit from his dalliances are the well-off who couldn’t be happier.
Somebody please grow a pair- and fast.
Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral
Iran and Trump vs. Obama
There is supposedly a deal between Trump and Iran. Time will tell what, if anything, has been agreed. No matter what, you can bet that the mainstream media and the Left will criticize any deal made. Some will say that you cannot trust Iran and we would have to agree with that position, but these same people said nothing about trusting Iran when Obama made the nuclear deal (called JCPOA) effective 1/1/2016. In addition, what you will not hear is that the deal made by Obama had sunset clauses. For example, the JCPOA’s key limits lasted in stages: Most centrifuge and enrichment restrictions were for 10 years and many stockpile and enrichment-level limits for 15 years. In other words, Iran would have no limits on centrifuges or enrichment as of today. Whatever deal is made needs to be compared with these terms of the Obama JCPOA.
Ron Wobbeking, Naples
Untrustworthy negotiator
Iran is trying to negotiate with dozing don, a very untrustworthy negotiator. We can see with every negotiation that he uses difficult to pin down points in his deals to get around the crucial issue. An easy example is the Kennedy Center name issue: his name has been removed but the name area has been covered by a tarp so no one can see it. He might agree now to free up Iran’s funds but when it comes to actually doing it he could claim all kinds of reasons not to pay. They don’t trust us. Of course, negotiations are two sided and Iran is a difficult negotiating partner. It doesn’t help that we have two inept and inexperienced negotiators on our side and Israel working hard to undermine any deal. Hopefully this totally unnecessary war will be over soon before gas prices and inflation get worse.
Benjamin Glick, Naples
Florida executions
I have stood behind the glass and watched twelve men die at the hands of the state. On June 25, Florida intends to make Dusty Ray Spencer the thirteenth.
Spencer is 74. If the state kills him, he will be the oldest person executed in Florida’s modern history. Eight months ago, Florida set that record by executing Samuel Smithers at 72. Now it is ready to break the record it just made.
I will not excuse Spencer’s crime. In 1992, he murdered his wife, Karen. Her family’s grief is real. But the man on the gurney this month is old and sick, his body already failing, more than three decades behind bars. Killing him will not bring Karen back. It will not make anyone safer. It will only prove that Florida no longer needs a reason to kill.
When a state will execute even the old, the sick and the dying, the killing has become the point.
One man can stop this. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the warrant. The same hand can stay it. Governor, do not make this execution Florida’s next record. Make it Florida’s next act of mercy.
The Rev. Jeff Hood, North Little Rock, AR, spiritual advisor to Dusty Ray Spencer
Medicare plans
The article in June 12th’s paper re. Medicare Advantage plans should be a warning to folks who get these plans (rather than Original Medicare plan) that if they get very ill and require special treatments or extended care, PT, OT, etc. they may not get full care needed and must pay for needed care out-of-pocket. The government is pushing the Advantage plans and trying to eradicate Obamacare. It does cost more to get Original Medicare and a supplement, but health care needs to be a priority.
Health care in America is the best in the world, but if you cannot get access to it, it becomes a failure to the patient.
Contact your congressman to address these issues.
Elaine Traxler, Naples
Who owns our republic?
Who owns our democratic republic? Well…. if the Preamble of the Constitution is worth the paper on which it is written, then “We the People” pretty much says who “owns” our government. Lincoln reinforced this at the end of the Gettysburg Address with, “…that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” So… why is it that We the People/Owners with a combined wealth of over $150 trillion have hired “servants” whose job it is to take care of our collective and individual well-being, are more beholding to wealthy donors who contribute to their job application campaigns than to We their Bosses… and why, when it’s apparent that a majority of We their Bosses disagree with a decision they make, can we only complain but not overrule that decision, via regular and emergency referendums?So… back to the original question: Who owns our democratic republic?
J. Cant, Naples
Misguided immigration policy
$187 million a year of taxpayer dollars are being spent to run an immigration center in Dilley, Texas. This for-profit prison company is collecting guaranteed revenue from the government while people inside – parents, children, babies – endure food shortages, no schooling and a little to no medical attention. Many of them have asylum claims or possess legal status.
There are between 220 and 225 immigrant detention centers throughout the United States at this time. Now, ICE plans to spend $38 billion of taxpayer money for expanded and additional detention facilities in 2026.
Our government is spending this kind of money while it is in the process of losing what immigrants contribute to our economy, namely: $2.1 trillion of economic output; 652 billion $ in federal state and local taxes (undocumented immigrants alone pay taxes of $90 billion annually); $290 billion in consumer spending.
Aside from the moral implications of our treatment of immigrants, Trump‘s destruction of the American economy is just beginning. And our tax dollars are being victimized along the way.
Sally Lam, Naples
Elon Musk’s achievements
Elon Musk has just achieved what no person in history had ever been able to do. He created a company that will take us to heights of discovery only imagined in fantasy. By creating SpaceX and Tesla and Starlink and other companies he has given hundreds of thousands of people careers that afford their families higher standards of living. These efforts should be praised and commended. But, no sooner does SpaceX become public that Elizabeth Warren condemns Musk and his financial worth. She had tried to prevent the SpaceX IPO and said that the net result would be disastrous. Probably because she couldn’t acquire inside stock. Of course, members of the Squad condemned him. And yet none of these people ever signed the front of a payroll check. Rugged individualism has gone by the wayside. Democratic endorsed mediocrity is the pathway to failure.
Success is now a curse, says the Democratic Party and its talking heads. The Democratic Party, beginning with Obama, initiated the downslide of our educational system and brought about the averageness that Democrats praise. Rather than look up to the Musks of the world, the Democrats would rather see the dumbing of America so that they could control the weak minded that they created. Look at the condition of major cities in the U.S. that were once viewed as meccas for all. Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York etc. are all being run by Democrats and the only rise they see is drug use, crime and massive number of homeless citizens. This should never be tolerated. This is the America that the Democratic Party wants. Failure brings more failure and gives the politicians control.
Michael Zubrow, Naples
Unsupported claims
I was somewhat surprised that the recent letter, “We Will Survive Trump” exceeded the guidelines limit of 250 words. That wasn’t the only problem as the letter is riddled with misstatements and unsubstantiated facts and opinions. Let’s look at a few. The statement: “their belief that nuclearweapons are forbidden by Islam” deserves a more in-depth and nuanced answer. The consensus among Islamic scholars is that nuclear weapons are permissible as a deterrent (Halal) but their use is forbidden; hence, Pakistan, a largely Muslim country, has nuclear weapons (SSRN-eLibrary). The opinion “that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon” is untrue is more than belied by the facts. From 2019 to 2021 Iran began enriching uranium to 60% (Center for Arms Control). In late 2024 Iran could produce weapons grade uranium (90%) in less than two weeks, enough for 5-6 atomic weapons (Arms Control Association). What did anyone think all those centrifuges were doing in Iran’s nuclear facilities for all those years? Besides, Iranian negotiators boasted to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff that Iran had 460 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium (CBS News). And, who really believes the opinion that: “Netanyahu hopes that conducting a hot war will keep him out of prison.” This “Wag the Dog” scenario from the satirical movie is unsupported. I could go on, but to stay fair to other letter writers who may have something important to say I’ll stay within the 250 words guideline.
James F. Lally, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Changes as Naples grows inspire mixed emotions | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Letter writers | USA TODAY Network
