Naples Grande concerns
The Naples Grande in Pelican Bay near Clam Pass Park has proposed to build a water park on the east edge of their property. They may refer to it as an enhanced pool facility but it is a water park. It will consist of a triple water slide, a lazy river, a children’s pool with four slides, 19 interactive water toys, a splash pad, a restaurant with a bar and associated seating, a retail shop, a service road running parallel to Crayton Road, electrical hum from all the equipment to support this 3.3 acre facility. Besides what is mentioned above, there’s a huge patio area with piped in music, lighting, about 500 chase lounges, 26 cabanas and lots of space for people to mingle. All of this, in close proximity to several residential areas in Pelican Bay and outside of Pelican Bay such as the Seagate, Naples Cay and areas of Park Shore. There are major concerns with added traffic and parking in an area that is already too busy. How Pelican Bay can even allowed this to be considered and planned in a residential area leaves us bewildered. The Naples Grande owners assume since it’s their property, they’re going to do whatever they want. Not very neighborly. They will never fully conceal the view, sounds or food odors. The next hurricane to hit the area will destroy the foliage and fully expose the park and depending on the severity, we’ve all seen how long it can take to recover.
Kirk Grones, Naples
Single-member districts
We are a little less than a year until the 2026 elections where voters in a state sponsored referendum will have an opportunity to express their support or rejection of Lee County commissioners being elected from single-member districts.
The Lee County Code of Ethics 206:1 states: “No Local Officer as defined by Florida Statutes… shall incur any obligation of any nature which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest.”
The Code also says under 206:6 POLITICAL ACTIVITY & UNLAWFUL ACTS PROHIBITED: “It is unlawful for the authority of his position to secure support for or oppose any candidate, party, or issue in an election or affect the results thereof. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from county employment.”
Under Florida Statute112.3145 a “local officer” is defined as an elected official. This definition specifically includes those elected or appointed within municipalities, counties, and other local government entities.
I am not an attorney but sure looks like by state and county laws and regulations, Lee County commissioners cannot use their positions to endorse or oppose a voter referendum. They certainly can and should express their position as private citizens. In the past they have ignored these requirements, this time a lot of people will be watching, so hopefully they will act appropriately.
Daniel Becker, Fort Myers
A charity to support
At Golden Gate High School, I coach hardworking cross country athletes who give everything they have — but many come from families who can’t afford the running shoes they desperately need. For some, the cost of a quality pair of shoes can equal an entire day’s wages, making it simply out of reach. Yet every year, without fail, Laces of Love steps in.
This incredible local charity provides our athletes with sturdy, reliable training shoes — gear that protects their health, builds their confidence, and gives them the dignity of showing up prepared. Their generosity isn’t just about footwear; it’s about opportunity. It’s about telling young people, many of whom carry heavy burdens at home, that they are seen, valued, and worth investing in.
I’ve watched students stand taller, run prouder, and push harder because they finally had shoes that fit and functioned. I’ve seen parents brought to tears, relieved that someone cared enough to help shoulder a weight they couldn’t lift alone.
If members of our community are looking for a charity that makes a direct, immediate, and meaningful impact, I urge them to consider supporting Laces of Love. Their work changes lives — one pair of shoes, and one young athlete, at a time.
Pamela Pierre, Naples
Vindictive, childish behavior
Trump was asked by a female reporter about his name being in the Epstein files. Trump doesn’t like being questioned about anything that paints a poor image of him. He casts himself as a victim. Instead of answering the question, he turns on the reporter by calling her piggy. He wagged his finger at her and said, “Quiet, quiet piggy.” Source: Fox10 news
He brought this on himself. He was a friend to a trafficker and predator of young women. They were children.
I was sad for the reporter who didn’t deserve this insult. I was insulted being a woman myself. I am sad for America that we are represented by such vindictive, childish behavior.
We were told during the 2024 election that immigrants in Ohio were eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs. Now we’re being told by Treasury Secretary Scott Bissent that the reason beef prices are going up is that immigrants were bringing diseased cows to America. Source: Newsweek
This inept administration promised lower prices. Trump recently said the Democrats were pushing release of Epstein files because they don’t want to acknowledge improved economy. Source: Fox News 10 Truth is this inept administration only blames everyone for their abject failure. A serial bankruptcy artist will never make anything great. Never!
Lorelei King, Fort Myers
Hiding truth doesn’t work
If there was ever any doubt that the Fox (you can’t handle the truth) network is anything other than a rightwing propaganda arm, it was patently clear this week. While a bipartisan group of congresspeople and the survivors of the Jeffrey Epstein child sex ring scandal spoke on the Capitol steps in advance of the almost certain overwhelming House vote to release the Epstein files, Fox “news” was broadcasting a segment on an immigrant truck driver. It must have taken all the energy the Fox talking heads could muster to put on their best poker faces and pretend the actual story of the day, about which the MAGA godfather himself has raged on a daily basis, was not important enough to show their audience. Instead, Fox continued adhering to the mushroom theory which is to keep your audience in the dark and throw a healthy heaping of manure on them to keep them growing ideologically pure. As the motto of one famous newspaper so accurately states, “democracy dies in darkness.” As Mr. Trump and MAGA know, truth threatens autocrats and want-to-be dictators and the state media that support them, thus the concerted effort to feed their supporters a healthy diet of manure, or maybe, Trump wine.
Thomas Minor, Bonita Springs
Gender issues
Scientists agree that modern man / woman evolved, on Earth, about 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. Man was man, woman was woman. Boy was boy and girl was girl. Over the past few years some ultra off the track thinkers are claiming that there are more than the two genders, male and female. These people in question argue that there are more than two genders. But they are confusing psychological tendencies to physical ones. Just because a person thinks that he or she is a him or her does not make them physically what they think they are mentally.
An individual’s sexual organs identify them as male or female. Of course these can be medically and chemically changed when and if approved by a competent physician and qualified psychologist. Recently, a school board member was questioned in Congress as to how many genders there were, and she would not answer. Seemingly suggesting that male and female were not the only genders. It is alarming to think that educators would have this inane and unreal view of the world. To allow these people the power to influence our children is appalling.
We must open our eyes and realize that facts are facts and that when someone reaches maturity both in terms of age and psychologically, they can choose another identity. But these choices must be their own, not influenced by some singer, dancer or actor whose wealth and far progressive thoughts are out of reach of the vast majority of people. Parents, in some cases, are at fault as they do not educate their children in a reality-based world rather than some fantasy, be it the Wizard of Oz or Platoon.
Michael Zubrow, Naples
More effective, humane approach
ICE’s budget was increased $20 billion for operations and $45 billion over four years for building detention centers. Wouldn’t a more effective humane approach be to take a portion of this enormous amount into increasing the legal and administrative process to provide a path to citizenship to our great country?
I’m not talking about criminals who should be deported through our due process legal system. I’m talking about the overwhelming 80 to 90% of undocumented immigrants being arrested, incarcerated without access to family nor legal representation. Most are hardworking people contributing to our society as farm workers, landscapers, construction workers etc.
This approach is not performative for political reasons but reflects far better who we are and who we want to continue to be as a country.
James Keough, Cape Coral
Use our voices, votes
Aren’t we all so proud of our president when we see him dancing in public like Elaine Benes of Seinfeld fame. There is an actual dance named after Twinkle Toes Trump — the jerk. How about when he creates a video in which he, a king’s crown atop his orange locks, pilots a fighter jet dropping feces on peaceful “No Kings” protesters. It should sicken even his staunchest supporters. Watch Dr. Trump and conspiracist RFK Jr. opine, with no reliable evidence, on Tylenol, circumcision, and autism. Then there’s Trump’s wildly inaccurate comments about the number and size of infant vaccines. He’s the same guy who suggested that ingesting disinfectant may cure Covid. How about his $2,000 tariff dividend proposal meant to distract us. Do the math (approx. $600 gazillion). It’s phenomenally implausible. But he’s more than recklessly ridiculous. He reveals himself as a vindictive autocrat when he bullies, fires, indicts, and intimidates judges, law firms, universities, legislators, political foes, and even comedians. His goal is unrestrained power. Did you ever meet a bully who wasn’t an insecure mental midget?
We have to outlast this guy by using our voices and our votes. Point to the ill effects of his policies on people’s lives: discontinuing USAID, jeopardizing SNAP benefits, ignoring people’s health care needs, his hurtful tariffs, I.C.E. overreach, and the overuse of our military. The narcissist isn’t wired for empathy or kindness. Laugh at the buffoon but take the cold-hearted autocrat very seriously.
Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs
What can we do?
I read so many letters and opinion and most are against ICE and detaining immigrants. I agree with all of these comments but I feel helpless. Is there nothing we can do to help? Writing letters and protesting on the side of the road is showing our support and dismay but ultimately achieves nothing. Writing and calling our congressman? I don’t think they care about people anymore. Yes, I will vote them out, but it may be too late by then. Is there anything we can do! Now?
Nancy Sanders, Fort Myers
Women in military
Trump has replaced a large number of federal managers. In a recent letter a writer used sloppy logic by ascertaining that the end result of the military having no women in the four star general or admiral position reflects a purge of women. This conclusion demonstrates the corruption in our society due to DEI.
James Cavanagh, Naples
Nation’s public lands
I am one of millions of Americans who love our nation’s public lands. These are places where we go to breathe fresh air, to enjoy time with our families and communities, and to learn about our history, culture, and the natural world.
For far too long, extractive industries like oil and gas, mining, and logging were prioritized for most of the 245 million acres of public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Then last year, the BLM finalized its “Public Lands Rule” to make clear that conservation – including access to nature, protecting cultural areas, and safeguarding wildlife habitat – is an essential use too. Now the Trump administration is seeking to repeal the rule and eliminate conservation as a use of these lands altogether.
More industrial development will mean less places for the people to use and enjoy. We must act now to ensure our public lands are accessible for future generations.
Wendy Welsh, Port Charlotte
Mid-term elections risk
The most disturbing, but hardly surprising news of the past weekend was the report that the Trump administration is contemplating federalizing the various mid-term elections next year under the pretense of a “national emergency.” It was even more stunning than President Trump’s sudden reversal of his resistance to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, after months of opposing disclosure. The shocking electoral preposition is not new, dating back nearly five years to January 6, 2021 to be precise. But the sweeping Democratic victories in the off-year elections two weeks ago give new urgency to the plot. The undertaking, known informally in MAGA circles as Plan B, would include restrictions on voter registration and identification; stationing military troops at or in polling places; confiscation of vote tabulation devices by the military; and culminating in the counting of votes by Trump administration appointees; among other matters.
Many of these features were urged by Election Denier operatives in the aftermath of the 2020 election but were not implemented at that time due to lack of time, ultimately loss of control of the levers of power, and restraining guardrails in the inner circles at that time. But there’s plenty of time now, plenary power, the restrictive rails are no longer in place, and the administration has had dress rehearsals with the deployment of troops in a few major cities in the past few months.
After years of planning, the MAGA cabal now has the opportunity to effectuate the plan, subject to the inevitable litigation that will probably reach the Supreme Court, which has been unduly accommodating to President Trump and his administration, especially in response to any proferred “emergency” proclamation.
If this comes to pass, it will be the crowning blow to the demise of democracy in this nation, much to the pleasure of those who are creating this monster and chafing to turn it loose on the country just in time for its 250th anniversary next year.
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
Cursive writing in schools
The Science of Reading has become a vital educational framework, emphasizing evidence-based methods for teaching reading. This approach, developed by a congressional panel of reading specialists in 2000, highlights the importance of phonemic awareness, systematic phonics instruction, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. An interesting addition to this literacy instruction is the practice of cursive writing, which engages distinct brain circuits and boosts cognitive function. Research shows that cursive writing activates brain regions differently from print writing and typing, improving brain connectivity, memory, and learning. This increased brain activity is essential for learning. Cursive writing also stimulates electrical activity in the brain, which is key for encoding new information and enhancing cognitive abilities. In the 2026 legislative session, Florida may be adding cursive writing to the elementary school curriculum. Stay tuned.
Joyce Rankin, Naples
We are better than this
Donald Trump reverses his decision, now he wants to release all the Epstein files. Marjorie Taylor Greene says “I’m sorry” for all the toxic politics I have used in the past. She is committed to “put down the knives” and try to be kind in the future. Donald Trump is rolling back tariffs on food items like beef and coffee coming in from other countries. Donald Trump is importing more beef from Argentina. Donald Trump is stopping China from buying American soybeans through high tariffs. China in turn is buying soybeans from Argentina. Both policies severely hurting American farmers, which he will eventually bailout with our tax dollars. Alleged drug traffickers in boats out of Venezuela are being blown out of the water with no “due process.” Military Intervention is being threatened against Venezuela and Nigeria against all America First policies. University of Indiana professor was suspended because one student complained that the professor was teaching a lesson segment on white supremacy. Immigrants are being pulled off farm buses on their way to the fields, leaving wives and children at home alone. Donald Trump is building golden ballrooms and bathrooms, while many Americans are struggling to put food on the table. Scott Bessent says immigrants coming over the border with their cattle are bringing beef screwworms into our country.
Most disturbing about all of the above facts is that this is just what was reported on Monday morning. We are the United States of America; we are better than this. We are the richest country on the planet, we should be able to provide affordable food assistance and affordable insurance to all. Due process is law.
Get ready for a blue wave to wash over our country during the midterms of 2026, so batten down the hatches, rough season ahead.
John Mark Simon, Cape Coral
Anti-Trump letters
It took no more than five minutes to go through today’s (Sunday 11/16) letters to the editor. It used to take much longer than that, and I was a sometimes contributor. It’s not that they are mostly anti-conservative or anti-Republican, but they are overwhelmingly and viciously anti-Trump. They reek of hatred of a single man, and I have no doubt that that hatred is shared by the editors.
Gary Marsh, Estero
Most proficient liar
Last week, one of our regular MAGA/RINO/CINO/SOCIALISTS was at it again, under the title of “Democrats Caused Crisis.” The writer whined that the government shutdown was all the Dems fault because of their wanting to fund the ACA going forward rather than have millions of Americans lose their health care. It’s typical MAGA thinking, particularly among Naples millionaires, no doubt like the writer.
What’s interesting is that these MAGA/RINO/CINO/SOCIALISTS are always against things, but they never seem to be able to come up with alternative solutions, probably because they don’t want there to be solutions. The writer referenced above has no answers; they never do. And their dear leader in the White House has been claiming since he first started running for office in 2015 − that’s a decade ago, people − that he would have a better health plan “on Day One.” Well, it’s ten years later, and the silence is deafening! Actually, it was one of his first “big lies,” followed by 30,000+ more, just during Trump 1.0 (documented by the Washington Post). The number now must put Trump at the head of the list of the most proficient liars in history.
Ken Brindle, Cape Coral
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Naples Grande plan impact on nearby residents | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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