Development without safeguards
The Lee County Board of Commissioners is holding a Zoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment Hearing August 19 at 9:30 a.m. A number of years ago, the state required counties to draw up such plans to address and hopefully reduce our natural resource destruction due to overdevelopment. Our Lee Plan was designed for the benefit of our citizens with environmental concerns a major requirement. But, as politicians do, they put the following loophole in it.This plan, including the Future Land Use Map, may be amended in accordance with Florida Statutes and administrative procedures adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in Lee County Administrative Code 13-6. All amendments must be based upon relevant and appropriate data and analysis.
The fact that the Plan was set up for the best interest of Lee County’s citizens and as a protection for the environment has meant little to the commissioners. In order to acquiesce to the developers, the commissioners, over the years, have continued to amend the Plan in accordance with developers’ wishes. These new amendments are designed to eliminate any/all bad press the commissioners get by doing an inordinate amount of tweaking via the amendment process to avoid bad press in the future.
I’m not sure why the public has been advised of this hearing other than it is probably a legal requirement. It seems a certainty that the public’s freedom of speech will continue to be curtailed. Don’t expect our three minutes to get a minute more. It’s those who petition the board for economic favors that have carte blanche. If you view videos of certain hearings, you will notice the County Attorneys’ Office aiding the applicants in composition and language as well as “take all the time you need.”
Bottom line, if you think development has been bad up until now, hold on to your hats. This opens the door to development without any real safeguards. Development to this point has been done with little common sense; there will be less in the future. Ultimately this falls on you and me; we elect these people time and again which ends up playing to the developer’s interests instead of our natural resources as originally intended and makes a mockery of the very reason for the Lee Plan. So, commissioners, why are you telling us about a “hearing” when it matters not what we say?
Norman Cannon, Fort Myers
Thoughts about rail trail
I have been watching this BERT deal for a while. I do understand we are paying a whole lot of money for a skinny strip of land but they are not making any more and we should preserve some of it while we can. Environmentally I see it as a wildlife corridor and a refuge for keystone animals like the gopher tortoise. I have a similar situation behind my house with the old Seaboard right of way, now FPL. I also understand it will present a recreational opportunity. I am sure there are gated communities who don’t want the public next to their fence, but they didn’t want a railroad there either and that was how we got here. That will be why any other rail operation would never get started. HOAs killed the Seminole Gulf dinner train. I used to enjoy hearing the whistle now and then, but everyone is not like me.
Grade crossings would stop any idea of a high speed train right away, even if they did replace all the track with something rated at more than 20-30 mph. I did suggest a commuter run along those tracks back when the trains were running but it got no traction. Those road crossings will be troubling for folks who want to run the whole trail, particularly cyclists who have a problem even stopping for red lights on US 41.
I assume some folks who want a little walk can just loop from big road to big road and call it a day. The real crunch may arise if the property tax amendment passes and the municipalities are stuck with bonds they have a hard time paying for.
Greg Fretwell, Estero
What democratic socialism is
Since Republicans and their political ads are calling democratic candidates communist, socialist, etc. because some candidates are democratic socialists, I am writing to let voters know what democratic socialism is and isn’t. Democratic Socialist countries are spread over the world and include all Nordic countries, western European countries France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the UK. In addition, South American countries Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay, and many Caribbean countries are Democratic Socialist. The difference between Democratic Socialist and Socialist countries such as China, North Korea and Cuba, is that Democratic Socialist countries have free elections, a multiparty system of government, maintenance of democratic institutions, civil liberties and strong labor unions. Democratic Socialist countries share a commitment to equality, social justice, and democratic governance, with a mixed economy, that is, capitalism and socialism. Progressive taxation and public control of utilities and natural resources pay for social security, universal health care, free or subsidized education, and other programs. Much more could be said about Democratic Socialism, but hopefully my letter helps clarify the subject.
Larry Ewert, Naples
Building on Fifth Avenue
My grandfather Wm. Riley Brack came to Naples in about 1932. He built the building on Fifth Avenue which now hosts a Persian restaurant. I believe it is the last remaining original building on Fifth Avenue. Will it be torn down with the coming reshaping of business on Fifth Avenue? In my childhood in the 50s in Naples, my father had a hardware store in that same building. And an electrical and appliance store for many years.
Louisa Clemmer, Estero
Control of the airwaves
Because of a recent FCC ruling under Trump man Brendan Carr, control of the airwaves is no longer limited to 40% for an owner or company. With no cap on ownership, this makes it possible for Trump’s wealthy supporters to own as many media stations as they want and create programming that supports Trump and his MAGA supporters. So if you don’t want multiple duplicates of Fox News on your TV or radio, call, email, or text lawmakers on the federal & state level to first block David Ellison’s takeover of Warner Brothers Discovery which includes CNN. You can also ask representatives to block purchases by Nexstar and Sinclair, Trump’s media allies that already control many stations. Decisions about acquisitions will now be made on a case-by-case basis by Carr and the five-member board of governors which is supposed to be filled with three representing the party in control of Congress and two the minority. However, there are only Republicans on it now. Anna Gomez’s term has expired, that of the lone Democrat on board & Trump is expected to fill that vacancy soon. Take action to protect our democracy.
Shirley Woolaway, Naples
Political ads
Political ads nauseam. Sunday morning and trying to watch the local news between the political ads. Painful, never thought I’d miss drug companies trying to tell me what medication for a catastrophic disease I may need to discuss with my doctor. I need to turn the news off until Wednesday. I have my ballot mailed to me, do some research, make my choices and drop it off at an early voting location. I know there’s a call to stop mail ballots, but Collier County’s election supervisor has a great team and I’m confident their system is secure. I’m also confident that our voters in District 19 have done their research and have chosen the only truly local candidate and businessman. If I’m correct, I’ll retire from election predictions with a perfect record.
Tim Winschel, Naples
New vaccine schedule
I am greatly concerned about the new vaccine schedule for infants with extra doctor office visits that are necessary. It is understandable to be concerned about the logistical and financial burdens associated with medical care for infants. Ensuring that children receive timely vaccinations is a significant public health priority and the complexities of scheduling visits can indeed be a barrier for families. The recommended immunization schedule is not arbitrary: it is carefully constructed by health organizations like Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) based on several scientific factors:
Immune System Readiness: Infants are born with an immune system that is susceptible to infections. The schedule is timed to provide protection during the period when children are most vulnerable to a specific disease.
Optimal Effectiveness: Vaccines are timed to be administered when they will produce the most robust immune response. Some vaccines require multiple doses (a primary dose followed by multiple boosters) to ensure long term immunity.
These schedules prioritize vaccinations against disease that pose the highest risk of severe complications, hospitalizations or death in early childhood, such as whopping cough, measles and rotovirus.
Post Research: Thousand of peer review studies are conducted globally examine the safeness of vaccines
If you cannot pay: the Vaccines for Children (VCF) program is a federal program that provides vaccines no cost to children who have not been vaccinated because of the inability to pay. Local health departments offer clinics with a sliding scale fee to accommodate the parent’s financial situations. In Lee County the Department of Health provides free childhood / infant immunization from birth to age 18. You must have an appointment, bring a picture ID for the parent or guardian and the previous immunization record. Stay healthy, my neighbors in Lee County.
Kathleen Callard, RNBS, North Fort Myers
Not traditional conservatism
Conservatives should be the first to defend the rule of law and Naples is full of people who love this country, respect the Constitution, and believe no one; not even a president, should be above the law. That’s why Todd Blanche’s appointment as Attorney General should concern conservatives most of all.
Blanche isn’t a neutral public servant. He’s the president’s personal criminal lawyer. Journalist Nina Burleigh calls him, “Trump’s Chief Epstein Coverup Officer,” citing his role in withholding evidence and protecting powerful predators. At his confirmation hearing, Blanche endorsed what civil‑rights advocate Sherrilyn Ifill described as, “the collapse of rule of law,” claiming the president should control federal prosecutions entirely.
That’s not traditional conservatism. That’s not small government. That’s not constitutional restraint. It’s personalist rule with the government redesigned to protect one man instead of the people.
Florida voters, especially here in Collier County, deserve the full picture. That means looking beyond Fox News and hearing from multiple sources. Our freedom depends on informed citizens, not filtered narratives. The midterms are our chance to slow this slide and preserve the checks and balances that keep any leader from claiming total control.
If you value accountability, separation of powers, and the Constitution itself, then your vote is how you defend the freedom our Constitution is intended to protect.
Valerie Armstrong, Naples
Compliments to Lee Health team
Recently, I had the great good fortune to be in the care of the Lee Health System. The Cardiology department took me in, assessed the problem and came up with a solution, open heart surgery.
The prospect was a little daunting to me at first. But, I knew that I was in the hands of well-trained and gifted professionals. So, I said “Let’s rock and roll.”
From the admin clerks, through the OR staff and up into the rehabilitative units, I was in the hands of skilled, capable professionals. They led me on a successful journey that I will long remember.
And then arrived the true angels of the medical battlefield, the Nursing staff. Caring and well-trained professionals, these admirable angels of the wards dispensed rehabilitative services with a care and aplomb that much eased the journey for me. Thoughts of them now, and all of the interactions I had with them, bring both a smile to my face and a mist to my eyes, for the magic that they brought to the healing process. Thanks Angels.
My compliments to the Lee Health team for running a well-trained and helpful organization that brings health and happiness to our entire community.
Joseph Xavier Martin, Estero
Democrats and the economy
It is interesting that the Democrats think they will be better on the economy, while their party, according to your August 16 newspaper, is $15.1 million in debt with monthly interest payments of $71,000, while the Republicans are holding $128.5 million in cash and carry no debt. Doesn’t that make one think?
Marilyn Doherty, Naples
Why I vote Democratic
The first time I ever voted, I chose all Republican candidates. Growing up, I was deeply influenced by my conservative (and loving) grandfather. However, the Republican Party in those years was very different from the party it is today.
The leaders of the Republican Party have evolved into individuals who put self-interests over what is best for our country, starting decades ago with legislation that continuously lowered taxes on the rich. Federal income tax rates for the top earners in 1965 were 70%. Today the top rate is 37%, and the top corporate rate is 21%, a decrease from over 50% in the 1960s.
Furthermore, the vast majority of Republican leaders have shown a complete lack of backbone, refusing to stand up to the most corrupt president our country has ever seen.
Conversely, Democratic candidates offer practical solutions that invest in working families. They protect Social Security and Medicare, defend voting rights, and expand access to affordable health care and education. Democrats also champion policies that create American jobs through infrastructure projects, clean energy investments, and domestic manufacturing growth.
Voting is not just about party labels. It is about choosing leaders who believe the government can work for ordinary people, and who are committed to protecting freedoms and opportunities for everyone. I encourage voters to support Democratic candidates who are working to build a fairer, more inclusive, and more hopeful future for our country.
Ron Sadler, Naples
Graft and grift
The corrupt MAGA king masquerading as president is now selling advance access to his official government announcements on his Truth (a lie in and of itself) Social media platform for those who are willing to pay $100,000 per month to gain an edge in stock trading and investment decisions. This is happening after the stock loss of $238.1 million for the second quarter of 2026 and overall Truth Social stock has lost about 49% of its value over the preceding year. Mind you, this is information that belongs to you and me as voting citizens, not select groups of oligarchs who support MAGA. The corruption has become so commonplace and so accepted in this administration that it does not even evoke a yawn from the public anymore, part of Mr. Trump’s goal to normalize every aspect of his and MAGA’s own corrupt, immoral, and unethical approach to everything. November is the opportunity to let MAGA, to include Mr. Trump’s local acolytes, know the overwhelming voting public will not allow this blatant corruption to be normalized and that accountability is coming. In plain language, throw the bums out!
Thomas Minor, Bonita Springs
Echoes of Vietnam War
President Trump last Friday finally acknowledged that the war in Iran is likely to be prolonged with continued high gas prices indefinitely. This comes after he initially promised that it would be a “skirmish” lasting a few weeks, signed with great flourish a Memorandum of Understanding that fell apart before the ink was dry, repeatedly stated over a dozen times that a peace deal was a matter of days away, and members of his administration including the chief economics adviser and Treasury secretary cheerily assured that gas prices would descend to pre-war prices or lower by “this fall.”
These various representations that are either baseless or mendacious, or both, are sounding a lot like the views expressed by the administration of President Lyndon Johnson and the military of “light at the end of the tunnel” during the Vietnam War, a prophecy that substituted blind loyalty for reality.
Regretably, the Trump administration has the same kind of tunnel vision in the conflict in Iran, which if unabated is likely to lead to a similarly disastrous outcome.
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Opening the door to development without safeguards | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Letter writers | USA TODAY Network
