Support for families in need
Last week’s articles highlighting the true cost of living and the doubling of the hunger crisis over the last decade in Collier County were important reminders of the financial pressure many local families continue to face. When a married couple with two children needs more than $7,500 a month to meet basic expenses, it is clear that financial instability is not limited to households without income. Many working families are struggling to keep pace with housing, food, transportation, health care, child-related expenses, and other basic needs.
At Collier Resource Center, we see this reality every day. People often contact us when one unexpected expense, reduced work hours, a medical bill, a transportation issue, or a rent increase pushes an already tight budget into crisis. Our role is to help individuals and families understand what resources may be available, connect with appropriate community partners, and navigate complicated systems with support and dignity.
CRC does not replace the need for affordable housing, accessible health care, transportation solutions, or stronger safety-net resources. We help ensure that our friends and neighbors in need have someone walking alongside them as they navigate those challenges. Sometimes the most important first step is having someone listen, assess the full picture, identify options, and follow up.
The cost-of-living and food insecurity data should serve as a call to action. Collier County’s prosperity must include practical pathways for working families, seniors, and vulnerable residents to remain stable. When households can access support before a crisis, our entire community benefits.
Ashley Jones, MSW, executive director, Collier Resource Center
Marco Police Pension underfunded
There was a discussion at Marco Island City Council concerning the Police Pension not being properly funded. The 2024 Audit Document CAFR states that the Police Pension Plan was underfunded by $2.6MM. The Police Pension Plan has been underfunded since FY 2022. The city has an Ordinance 19-03 mandating that the Police Pension Plan should be funded 100%. How can this failure occur when the city manager, City Council, Police Pension Board and Pension Administrator are overseeing the finances of the Police Pension Plan. It appears to me they were all asleep at the switch.
One answer is that the previous City Council did not increase ad-valorem taxes for 8 years, for which Councilor Palumbo voted 3 years not to raise ad-valorem taxes. It is unfortunate that those city councilors did not comprehend the ramifications of their decision not to raise taxes.
Not only did the previous Council underfunded the Police Pension Plan, they also did not fund the Bucket Reserve Account for $5MM year for infrastructure replacement on a cash basis. Which now leads to a bond referendum for $23MM to cover infrastructure needs.
Marco Island deserves better!
Amadeo Petricca, Marco Island
MAGA Republicans
The MAGA Republicans trample the Constitution by persecuting those who try to uphold it.
Kathrine Hamilton, Estero
Naturopathic medical practice
The recent op-ed “Rebuttal to attack on naturopathic doctors” and the author’s spirited defense (while touting success in individual patents) must leave many readers wondering why mainstream allopathic medicine views naturopathic practices with intense skepticism and some would say they border on sheer quackery (see quackwatch.org). The author of the op-ed states that patient’s “deserve evidence-based recommendations.” A review of his website details his use of the following techniques that are far from evidence-based and not a part of medicine practiced in academic medical centers: “Hair mineral analysis to determine tissues mineral levels”, “Free radical calculation analysis” “Neurotransmitter imbalance testing” and of course the sine qua non of naturopathy, detoxification—the body must be cleansed of toxins before good health can be assured. An article: “Detoxification in Naturopathic Medicine” in J. Altern Complement Med. 2011:17:1175-1180 questioned the entire practice of detoxification when it stated: “There are no standardized clinical guidelines… in the field of detoxification.” If the patient “feels better” and other subjective impressions, then the practice pattern must be of value. The Harvard Health Letter labeled such practices as: “The Dubious Practice of Detoxification.” Perhaps the tell all sign of the credibility of naturopathy, or lack thereof, is despite lobbying and intense political pressure naturopathy is not covered by Medicare.
James F. Lally, MD, Naples
Trump and Iran deal
Based on the latest Iran peace deal, apparently Trump finds it easier to bully “illegal” immigrants in the U.S. vs the negotiators from Iran.
Jon Pipkin, Naples
Let’s protect self-government
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, we have a rare opportunity not only to celebrate our founding but to reflect on whether we are truly living up to its promise. The concept of self-government, where power comes from the people. When elections are dominated by unlimited spending and outside influence, that promise begins to erode. This is not a partisan issue. It is a question of whether our system still reflects the will of the people.
The good news is that there is growing support for a constitutional amendment that will restore the ability of Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on money in our elections. Twenty-five states, as varied as Vermont and Oklahoma, have shown their support by calling for such an amendment. In addition, Representative Tom Barrett of Michigan has introduced bill HJR 191 in the House that addresses the issue.
Urge your local elected officials in the Florida House and Senate to call for a constitutional amendment that would allow us to create common sense limits on the power of money in our election. And urge Representative Donalds to join his colleague in co-sponsoring HJR 191.
James and Millicent Goodwin, Fort Myers
Reflecting pool ‘vandalism’
Jeanine Pirro, the former Fox News TV talking head legal analyst and now federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia is pledging to prosecute a television news reporter, a former Olympian canoeist, and handful of other passers-by who took a few paint chips and other residue from the green algae-infused $14 million-plus decrepit no-bid reconstructed reflecting pool on the Mall in the nation’s capital done by a donor to President Trump’s campaign. The ex-judge has boldly stated that she plans to charge them with vandalism, which must first be approved by a grand jury and then tried before a jury.
Her braggadocio recalls her ill-fated prosecution last year of a D.C. protester who tossed a Subway sandwich at a patrolling National Guard member, an indiscretion that resulted in a jury acquittal after deliberations that barely lasted longer than it takes to consume a sub.
Upon reflection, it’s dubious that these pool charges will hold water, either, because that offense requires altering, damaging or destroying property of at least some minimal value. But in this case, none of the flotsam taken from the pool was of any value whatsoever, other than in the mind of President Trump, who has made this project a centerpiece of his unilateral remodeling of the capital city. Altering federal property, however, is a serious offense, and is some desecration of government sites in that city occurring that might warrant prosecution. It’s the hanging of huge banners of the visage of the president in front of government buildings, reminiscent of Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984 or the symbolic fictional billboard face of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg hovering over the road in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” The one responsible for doing so could be accused of altering or denigrating federal property, the president himself. But the Supreme Court has ruled that he cannot be prosecuted for virtually any offenses he commits in office. Maybe he should throw sandwiches at the pool scavengers.
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
Alan Greenspan monetary policy
The death of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan invites reflection on one of the great ironies in modern economic history. Long before he became the nation’s chief central banker, Greenspan authored a remarkably insightful 1966 essay, “Gold and Economic Freedom,” in which he correctly identified the Federal Reserve’s easy-money policies as the primary cause of the unsustainable stock market boom of the Roaring Twenties.
Greenspan argued that central bank credit expansion and artificially low interest rates fueled speculative excesses that inevitably ended in the Great Depression. He also explained that the Federal Reserve enables chronic federal deficit spending by creating money and suppressing interest rates below market levels, allowing politicians to finance government expansion without immediately imposing the full cost on taxpayers.
Most importantly, Greenspan contended that a gold-backed monetary system would restrain government spending, prevent reckless money creation, and largely eliminate the destructive boom-bust cycle that has plagued modern economies. Gold, he wrote, protects citizens from the confiscation of wealth through inflation.
Ironically, as Fed chairman from 1987 to 2006, Greenspan pursued many of the same policies he had once criticized. His tenure was marked by easy money and below-market interest rates that contributed to the dot-com bubble and bust, followed by the housing bubble whose collapse triggered the Great Recession.
Had Greenspan remained faithful to the principles he articulated in 1966, his legacy might have been far different. Instead, he abandoned the wisdom of sound money. He would have been well served to embrace the insights of his fellow New Yorker, Murray Rothbard, born just four days before Greenspan, whose works, “The Case Against the Fed” and “The Case for a 100 Percent Gold Dollar,” remain powerful defenses of monetary freedom.
Murray Sabrin, Ph.D., Naples
Investigate Trump
So in DC, the reflection pool is turning green and filling with algae, while turning American Green? Paint peeling, while his projects and wars turn to crap, as he profits from his corrupt governance. Time to investigate, indict and prosecute him. Take away his Arab plane gift (which they couldn’t sell), his White House vanity projects, his family’s use of American funds and abused benefits all must be stopped, investigated and taken to task! Trump’s war is a monumental abuse of power and his love affair with Netanyahu is not a thing of beauty,
Kevin D. Ryan, Estero
Concentration of wealth
A trillion dollars is almost impossible to grasp. To make that much money at $55 per hour would take over 2 million years working 24 hours per day. That is the scale we are now talking about.
Elon Musk’s wealth? $800 billion, with some estimates pushing toward a trillion. He’s not alone. Trump’s current orbit represents the wealthiest ever assembled around a U.S. president. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and others bring billions into policymaking roles. By mid-2025, the combined wealth inside the administration reached roughly $450 billion — far beyond prior administrations.
Outside government: Miriam Adelson has spent over $215 million backing Trump-aligned efforts. Timothy Mellon contributed up to $165 million. Musk himself spent roughly $277 million in 2024. These are not symbolic donations — they shape outcomes.
What does that mean locally? The median U.S. household is worth about $192,000. Musk’s recent wealth gains alone could fund hundreds of millions of such households. Adelson’s political spending could cover a full year of Social Security for thousands. Mellon’s donations could pay annual home insurance premiums for tens of thousands of Florida families.
None of this is illegal. That’s the point. The same individuals funding campaigns often influence or directly oversee the policies that affect their industries and, ultimately, your cost of living.
So when someone says there is “no money” for Social Security, disaster relief, or health care, it is worth asking, compared to what?
Paul Howard, Naples
Spineless sycophant Republicans
Our great country is suffering one deranged comment and action after another from our president. The latest include the threat to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age if they don’t do as we wish and the claim with no evidence that the reflecting pool has been vandalized. He makes these statements to absolve himself from responsibility for the messes he has caused. He could not even say it was the pool company’s error since that would imply an error in judgment on his part and our war with Iran was a huge mistake. In November we have the opportunity to put a lid on these types of errors by getting rid of a Congress led by spineless sycophant Republicans and start to force Trump to obey the law. Representative Mario Diaz Balart should be the first out the door.
Benjamin Glick, Naples
Appreciate conservative views
I am still waiting for that man who mentioned me by name to congratulate Trump on ending the war, lower gas prices, better tax plan, closing the border and so on. I am sure I will never get that apology because, you see, the hatred for Trump runs so deep and the culture that encourages that behavior is so deeply implanted in their heads that there is no room for anybody but them.
On to why I am writing. I am spending time up north, Chicago, and two things have been thinking about them a lot. First, as a conservative independent, I cannot thank SWFL enough for its conservative views. And second, I have had time to really look at Facebook and I get many different posts about Cape Coral. The posts are mainly junk and even the political stuff is too much but there has been a strain running through it and the little tidbits that get lost in daily browsing are important. Subjects like corruption, education, the mayor, the yacht club, and taxes can be very revealing. Most of it is discussions on performance, budgets, planning, roads, schools, kids and events.
I do not like the Internet for one reason. It is habit forming, tru-dat! But dig a little and learn a lot. And I am still waiting for my apology.
Jack Holt, Cape Coral
A day to remember
How refreshing! Four past presidents and their wives, standing together, celebrating one of their own.Their policies and politics may have been different, but their love of country and willingness to come together in a moment of clarity to show us all how they, and we, can celebrate together. We watched civility, which has been in short supply of late. History will speak to how each of them impacted our lives. Both positively and negatively. But there is one thing we can say about each, they respected the Constitution, the rule of law, and working at compromise to make us better. They didn’t accomplish all they had hoped, no one can, but they were able to bridge the work they did.
I don’t recall name calling, belittling those who were different, or much of anything we witness on a daily basis today. Between the four of them, I don’t recall “me, me, me,” but more of, “We the People.”I was able to smile and remember, we are a nation of differences. Politically, ethnically, spiritually. Diversity has improved the quality of our lives. Learning from others who are not the same. Bringing us to understand how our uniqueness has opened our minds and allowed us to embrace those whose color, sexuality, religion are what The United States of America is. 250 years in celebrating how hard it has been to get where we are. The battles have been hard, but I believe “We the People” appreciate the work. These past four presidents have given us a gift. Seeing them together was a reminder that we can do this and embrace the journey together. A day to remember.
Barbara Herstig, Naples
Obama Center opening
The Obama Center opening brought back memories of a relished time past. The similarities between Barack and our present disastrous orange custodian are non-existent.
To hear our former president and first lady speak was so enthralling and reminiscent of what our nation could have been had his policies been continued by not electing the current farcical occupant of the sickeningly gilded Oval Office.
The opening ceremony was attended by former presidents Bush, Biden and Clinton and wives while our orange-with-envy leader did not attend − not that he was wanted there in the first place. It was refreshing to see class personified with so many a-list attendees that would never have shown up for the cage fight on the White House lawn. Due to the many obvious infirmities of this poor excuse for humanity, maybe the 25th Amendment can rid us of this scourge.
Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral
Ugliest building
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago is the ugliest building on the face of the planet. So ugly that The News-Press didn’t even bother to put a picture of it in the newspaper when they headlined “Obama Center opens while Trump looms.” Had Donald Trump erected such a monstrosity the whole article would be about how ugly the building was with pictures on the front page condemning Trump for building it in the first place. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves for printing such a biased anti-Trump article in the news section of your paper knowing you would react the complete opposite way if it were Trump’s building instead of Obama’s.
Norris Clark, Fort Myers
Trump damaging U.S.
The master negotiator, Donald Trump, did one heck of a job with Iran. He negotiated a great deal for THEM. Read on MAGA and see what your president gave away and what he got in return.Iran gets: lifting of the blockade; U.S. withdraws our nearby forces; $300 billion in aid for war damages and reconstruction; remove all sanctions against them including UN and Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Iran gets to keep status quo on their nuclear program; Iran’s frozen assets by the U.S. will be released immediately; U.S. Treasury issues waivers for Iran to export oil and waivers issued on banking with Iran.
U.S. gets: 13 dead American military personnel; a bill for $25 billion the war cost; increased gas and food prices for the foreseeable future; being laughed at around the world for such a bad deal; no regime change.
Once again, Trump proved he is unfit for office. MAGA will try and make the deal sound like a win, but it’s an out and out loss for the U.S. It’s time to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove this man from office before he causes any more damage to our country.
E.A. Blair, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Families get support before need becomes a crisis | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Letter writers | USA TODAY Network
