Phillippi Creek work remains undone
Nearly a year ago Phillippi Creek overflowed its banks, flooding dozens of homes, causing hundreds to evacuate and forcing others to be rescued by boat.
The creek water level also rose over bridges at Bahia Vista and Webber streets, south Tuttle Avenue and other areas. Some residents were even stranded in their homes.
This might have been prevented if proper maintenance of the creek hadn’t been ignored for decades.
So it’s 2025 and another hurricane season is here.
But what has been done to prevent this from happening again?
The latest word is that Sarasota County has a plan and the money, but it is waiting for the proper permits. Therefore, the county doesn’t even have a start date for working on Phillippi Creek.
I just have to wonder if projects like the Panama Canal, Hoover Dam and Brooklyn Bridge, would have ever been completed today with all the red tape and permits now required.
Tom Allman, Sarasota
Keep animals out of circus
I am disappointed to learn that a circus with elephants, “wild jungle cats,” zebras, camels and other animals is coming to Sarasota.
And in August no less – which means dragging the poor victims around in the unbearable Florida heat and humidity.
Children have a natural affinity for animals and if they knew about the cruel training methods used to force animals to do stupid tricks, they would be very sad.
I hope that all parents thinking about taking their kids to this circus will first take the time to learn about the cruelty – and that they will reconsider supporting it with their hard-earned dollars.
It’s been almost several years since Ringling stopped using animals. Numerous states ban or restrict the use of wild animals in traveling exhibitions, as do many cities, counties and countries.
I hope that one day we will have a national ban.
Future generations will wonder why we ignored the terrible suffering of animals for the sake of some cheap “entertainment.”
Karen Ankerstar, Sarasota
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Phillippi Creek remains a flooding risk When will we act? | Letters
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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