Property tax proposal
I write with concern about the proposed elimination of property taxes for homesteaded Florida residents. I appreciate the state government’s objective to rein in local government overspending and to provide relief for homeowners — fiscal responsibility and taxpayer protection are important goals. However, as written this policy risks shifting the cost of local services onto seasonal residents, many of whom are “snowbirds” ineligible to vote in local elections.
Local governments rely on property taxes to fund schools, public safety, roads, and utilities. If a large share of properties are removed from the tax base, municipalities will face pressure to make up shortfalls. That pressure will most likely fall on non-exempt properties — including homes owned by seasonal residents who pay for services while lacking representation in local elections.
This would create an unfair two-tier system: a politically advantaged class insulated from tax increases, and a vulnerable class that could shoulder rising levies or see declining services. It also undermines the principle of broad-based, equitable funding for shared community needs.
Before moving forward, lawmakers should preserve the state’s goal of fiscal restraint while ensuring homestead tax relief does not shift costs onto those who cannot vote locally. Consider revenue-neutral safeguards, targeted means-testing, or alternative funding mechanisms to protect fairness and municipal stability.
Florida’s communities thrive when all residents — year-round and seasonal alike — share responsibility for the services that keep our towns safe and welcoming. Let’s craft solutions that protect both fiscal discipline and fairness.
Bill Burns, Cape Coral
Lee school board candidates
In Lee County, public schools are the backbone, brains, and heart of your community. We get sports, we get music, we get drama, and we get places to exercise. Our civic leaders graduated from those schools. Public schools are a top economic driver, employing thousands and buying millions of dollars of goods and services. Most importantly, our public schools teach, train, and mold today’s students into tomorrow’s moral leaders, business entrepreneurs, and wonderful neighbors.
Why then are we letting politicians play political games with our children? It’s time to hold school board members accountable for their mistakes. We need to elect people who will put our kids’ social needs, physical well-being, and education first, not political allegiance or party affiliation. We have a chance to do just that when the polls open on Aug. 18.
Your choices aren’t that difficult. The status quo is failing our children and voting for the same people won’t fix anything. Instead, vote for the folks who support “kid friendly” policies.
Instead of voting for a political point-of-view, vote for neighborhood schools; child centered budgeting; teacher recruitment and retention; mental health support for students; accountability and transparency; respect for parents, teachers, and children; and an educational program that prepares young people for college, careers, and life.
It’s just that simple.
Candidates supporting those ideals are Debbie Jordan, Jennifer McDaigle, India Palencia, and Carline Saintilus. Check out their websites and see for yourself. They will put our children first.
Tom Beebe, Fort Myers
Evacuation problem
I am asking the judicial system to stop what is considered a major evacuation problem by allowing South Seas to add more units to their property. Stop it!
Jack Lomano, M.D. (retired), Fort Myers
Development in Cape Coral
Next time we have elections in Cape Coral, I’ll ask one question of the candidates:
“Are you FOR greater development or AGAINST ?
Jack Zinke, Cape Coral
Naples Airport governance
In Sunday’s Letters to the Editor one individual had a misstatement concerning the proposed Special District for the Naples Municipal Airport. She stated that the change from the current Dependent District (controlled by the Naples City Council) to a Independent Special District (controlled by the voters) would put the airport under county control. This is simply not true.
Currently the airport’s Board of Directors is appointed by the City Council with no voter input. In other words, handpicked to carry out what the Council wants accomplished. As an Independent Special District, the Board would be elected by the voters (two from the county and three from the city) to accomplish what the voters want accomplished. The new Special District would be no different than Greater Naples Fire, North Collier Fire, Collier County Mosquito Control and other special districts in our area. If you are not pleased with the Board, you can vote to change it.
The airport serves all of Collier County not just the City of Naples. So all of the residents of the county should have a say in the Board.
More information on special districts can be found through the Florida Association of Special Districts at FASD.com.
Jim King, Naples
Bullying works
A recent writer suggested that Trump’s bullying doesn’t work. It does work. Just look at the Republicans in the Senate and in the House. They’ve allowed themselves to be bullied for over a year as they abdicated their constitutional responsibilities to Trump who legislates his agenda and not the agenda of “We the People.” Time for voters to teach bullied Republicans a lesson.
Sally Lam, Naples
Trump’s face on currency
Isn’t it more appropriate for Mr. Trump’s face to adorn a three-dollar bill rather than the proposed $250 bill?
Bruce Beardsley, Naples
FDR’s legacy on Netflix
As we approach the country’s 250th birthday we should reflect on the times of glory and turmoil as history repeats. The current FDR on Netflix originally produced as the three-part series by the History Channel illustrates the best attributes by a president.
A man raised in a wealthy family never lost sight of the common man. He enabled the country to rebound from the Great Depression by positivity and developing public works jobs and reopening the banks. In his prime developed polio but walked with heavy leg braces and led us through Pearl Harbor and the lengthy WWII and numerous meetings with Churchill and Stalin setting up the post war stabilization for the greatest generation who served their country, many giving lives from Normandy to Bataan. My Dad survived 804 days in POW camps in North Africa and Germany.
These are the stories to celebrate and always remember in today’s political environment where democracy is threatened by autocracy but remember FDR for ” the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Happy Birthday United States.
Glenn Mueller, Naples
Foot in mouth
I hear AOC has a bad case of Foot and Mouth Disease. Every time she opens her mouth she puts her foot in it.
Michael R. Adler, Miromar Lakes
Trump vs. Harris
In response to a letter titled “U.S. Direction under Trump,” no one I know who voted against Kamala Harris did so because of her race or sex. Those are so outdated issues. Everyone, apparently except for some Democrats, has moved on from there. The primary disqualification of Harris was her poor performance as vice president. A distant second was her purported corruption in California.
No one of that same group holds out Trump as a fair-haired savior. (God knows there is less and less of his hair every day!) His ego is bigger than most of the buildings he has built. His use of lawfare seems to be as egregious as his predecessor. But, he loves this country. He is as transparent as can be. That is enough to pick him over Harris.
Tom Tess, Estero
Trump’s legacy
Trump doesn’t have to brand everything in sight, as if the country is a can of peas or a resort. I can promise him he won’t be forgotten after he dies. And like all of us, he will die. Branding is not a way to establish a lasting legacy. Just consider all the sports arenas around the country and major urban buildings which have been renamed over time. We will certainly remember his turning the White House into Madison Square Garden, the DOJ building with the huge banner of his face on the front into one you would likely see in Tehran or Beijing, the Kennedy Center into a political statement instead of a cultural home, the Mall Reflecting Pool into a construction nightmare; and building a garishly decorated tallest-ever victory arch in the world. What’s next? Bridges? Airports (there’s one already in Florida)? All this branding is bound to not last much past his term. Of course, his ballroom will last until the public decides it’s a mistake and moves to return the White House campus to its proud heritage.
Jennifer Walker, Naples
Hypocrisy in LA
In real time a very amusing story is developing in Los Angeles California. It is well documented that the left and Democrats in general have an infatuation and adulation with Hollywood movie stars. It now appears there is one exception. His name is Spencer Pratt. He is an actor and well-known movie star. His home burned down in the horrible fires in which there appeared to be horrific negligence on behalf of the mayor and LA city officials. His platform is to clean up the city, enforce law and order, rid the streets of rampant drugs and seek solutions for homelessness. For this he is being vilified with hate filled vitriolic insults on a daily basis. Who has been seen predominantly interviewed sending out these hate filled messages? Other Hollywood movie stars who mostly live behind secure gated homes that typically cost upwards of $20 million to $100 million dollars. Another example of the ultimate hypocrisies destroying our once great cities.
John McWilliams, Fort Myers
Golden age of Trump
“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation − I do not think about anybody.” on PBS (This statement from the current president.) Okay! You don’t think about the cost of living, schools, citizens’ health, woman’s health, medical care, Medicare, Medicaid, the truth, diversity, housing, civil rights, education /universities, nutrition , LGBTQ rights, trans rights, green energy, electric vehicles, environment, FEMA relief, taxation for the working class, labor unions, farmers, soldiers, water, democracy, voting rights, justice, the rule of law, war, the national debt and weather/climate changes?
Is this the Golden age or your Golden era? Are you thinking about giving more money to the wealthier people in the world, your family, to the ballroom, to the arch you want to build in Washington, to the reflecting pool, to AI superiority, to strict immigration by pursuing more conservative principles, to energy/computer companies or just staying in power in the USA. Your ideas often make no sense, you jump from subject to subject and you love to ramble, spouting ideas that citizens believe.
A golden statue in a golf course, gold toilets, gold decorations in the people’s houses, and gold nameplates of your last name placed on buildings, theaters, or airports.
What is the future, citizens? What about the future our children, grandchildren or great grandchildren? Stay alert, believe in the future of all of us and VOTE!
Kathleen Callard, North Fort Myers
YES – but verify
I want to answer Jack Holt’s question in Saturday’s letter to the editor. My response is fully supported by my Friday morning “Old Guys” breakfast group, which is split equally among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans — though our traditional conservative members proudly clarify that they are the real Republicans, and that the MAGA crowd are the new “RINOs.”We frequently vent about recent attacks on our democracy. However, we all agree that even a deeply flawed administration, like a broken clock, can get something right occasionally.To answer Mr. Holt’s question: If Donald J. Trump ends the conflict, secures the uranium, and delivers lasting peace, will we give him credit?
The answer is a resounding YES. We will give him “full” credit, assuming those massive accomplishments are confirmed by an independent source.
Charles McClinton, Cape Coral
When is it enough?
I met a friend who defended Trump when I said he was the most corrupt president in history. It’s so easy to say, “Everyone cheats.” Some of Trump’s fans will excuse him of everything. His graft convictions, Trump University, his vanity projects, the 1.8 billion slush fund (now paused), his IRS immunity, his ballroom, his arch, his pool, his grifts, his cryptocurrency, his stock market manipulation — none of this matters to those who love him unconditionally. If we don’t remind our friends of the facts, or at least ask them to do their own research, then we’re complicit in the decline of our democracy.
If his corruption doesn’t sufficiently disappoint your friends, maybe there’s at least one other issue that could dissuade them. How about his dismantling of agencies like FEMA and USAID, the DOJ, and the FBI? Maybe your friends respect women and the Billy Bush tape would disgust them. Most people don’t like liars, and Trump tells whoppers. His vengeance rants are distasteful to most people. Maybe his dismissal of climate change would shock his people awake. Climate denial may ultimately be his most impactful blunder. Maybe his poor planning and mishandling of his Iran “excursion” will convince some of his recklessness. He’s a classic narcissist, who is offensive on so many levels. People who defend Trump’s behavior don’t deserve our votes in November.
Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs
We will survive Trump
Preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, the current reason given by Trump for the attack on that country, is a red herring. As bad as the Iranian regime is and has been, they have never publicly stated an interest in obtaining a nuclear weapon. Besides their belief that nuclear weapons are forbidden by Islam, they have always insisted on their right to develop nuclear power only for peaceful purposes. That’s why they were willing to commit in writing (the JCPOA in 2011) to never try to build a nuclear weapon. That’s the agreement that Trump tore up and that he is now desperate but unable to replicate.
That might have been a possibility had Trump not selected two corrupt real estate developers to negotiate on our behalf; their lack of diplomatic skills, conflicts of interest and ignorance of Iran’s history and culture meant the talks had little chance of success and in fact have made the situation worse. The real and only reason we are in this war is the unmitigated fear and hatred Benjamin Netanyahu has always had for Iran (not entirely unjustified). He took advantage of Trump’s general ignorance, gullibility, and limited mental capacity to convince him that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon (untrue) and only he (Trump) could stop them. Netanyahu hopes that conducting a hot war will keep him out of prison. That is also the motivation behind his genocide in Gaza and the bombing of Lebanon.
Similarly, Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela, the murder of scores of fishermen in the Caribbean, and threats against Canada, Greenland, Cuba, and others are Trump’s transparent attempts to keep himself out of jail and in power.
The negative results of the actions and official statements from the Trump administration are many and may be long lasting. We have shown that the United States can’t be trusted and our word is worthless; we are a racist nation; we do not believe in the sovereignty of other nations; we are not bound by international laws and norms; agreements and treaties are easily violated; we see no value in giving aid to those in need around the world; we see no value in economic or military partnerships with other nations; and we no longer promote democracy as a preferred form of government.
In addition, we have shown Iran (and others) that possessing a nuclear weapon is not necessary to defeating us or dragging us to the negotiating table (can you say Strait of Hormuz?) Nations that have looked to us for protection have seen that our military, while being the largest, most expensive, and superior to most, is not all powerful and is not a viable solution to most disagreements between nations. Now some countries see that the presence of, and dependency on, the U.S. military can actually be a liability.
History is replete with examples of the damage authoritarian governments visit on their own population and its demise when that population has suffered enough abuse to rise up and overthrow it. While some never fully recover, I believe in the resiliency of the American people and the strength of the U.S. Constitution. It won’t be fun but we will survive Trump.
Wilburn Reed, Fort Myers
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Plan shifts cost of services to seasonal residents | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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