Monitors at polling places
The handwriting is on the walls at the nation’s polling places, including some here in Florida, now that the Trump administration announced this week that the Department of Justice will be dispatching 1,000 “monitors” to the sites on election day this November.
It’s an ominous sign that trouble lurks.
To be sure, the Biden administration sent monitors to some balloting places for the midterm election 2022 and the general election in 2024, but they were there to aid the electorate and prevent suppression of voters. The Trump “monitor” troops are being posted to polls to deter, delay, or discourage people from voting, not to facilitate their casting ballots.
There won’t be enough Trump monitors to cover more than a miniscule percentage of the country’s 95,000 polling places. Not surprisingly, the monitors will in all likelihood be dispensed to Democratic-leaning spots, including ones anticipated in places with large Black and foreign-born populations, like the Miami-Dade and Tampa areas.
Additionally, the Trump administration has made no secret of its plan to send ICE agents to polling places.
Further, the president has intimated that he may send the military, either active duty or calling up the National Guard, to polling places under his “emergency” powers.
The prospective presence of all of these personnel – monitors, ICE agents, and military – at the polls evokes the observation of that political sage Yogi Berra, who discouraged teammates from going to a particular restaurant because it was “so crowded that no one goes there anymore.”
Ironically, all of these machinations might have a boomerang effect on the president’s desire to minimize, indeed eliminate, mail-in voting, like the kind he cast in the Florida primary this week. Aware of these intrusions, more people may be likely to vote early or by mail, both practices that tend to be Democratic leaning by about a 2-to-1 margin.
Voters faced with the alternatives of voting early, by mail, or navigating through the “monitors,” members of ICE, and militia crowds at the polls may take another piece of advice from Yogi: “If you get to a fork in the road, take it.”
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
Traffic rotary on Sanibel
I was reading “Your Turn” guest columnist Charles LeBuff regarding traffic signals or a traffic rotary on Sanibel Island. I agree with him 100% because I directed traffic at the intersection of Periwinkle and Lindgren Boulevard for a year. The amount of traffic between vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians is horrendous during peak hours and weekends and holidays. The volume of traffic from Periwinkle is insane and has to be coordinated with traffic from Captiva, Casa Ybel Road, Tarpon Bay Road and Donax Street. Traffic entering Sanibel from the Causeway entering Periwinkle flows pretty good. Traffic crossing Periwinkle gets backed up because of a pretty constant flow of traffic leaving Sanibel. The only way a traffic signal might work is if it was manned by a traffic control person. Motorists can get pretty testy with the traffic control person if they have to sit there for a short period of time. You might want to leave well enough alone especially when emergency vehicles are driving through.
Anthony Edwards, Cape Coral
Bonita Estero Rail Trail
Chris Corrie asks an important question in his passionate letter, Bonita Estero Rail Trail. What are we really voting on?
I have seen firsthand what these trails can do.
In Minnesota, I had the pleasure of designing the Rainy Lake Recreational Trail for the National Park Service in Voyageurs National Park, extending the regional trail system into the park. Minnesota has built an extensive statewide network of trails along old railway rights-of-way, connecting communities throughout the state.
International Falls is famous for fishing, boating, and camping, with amenities that serve nearly a quarter-million visitors each year. Many of those destinations are connected by the regional trail network. The trail provides a pleasant, sustainable alternative to getting around by automobile, connecting people to the places they want to go while also generating local economic activity.
That is what recreational trails can do.
Recreational trails are being threaded throughout Florida, and in time they will connect our communities in much the same way. They provide a way to experience the outdoors while giving residents another way to get around and access the places they live, work, and visit.
These trails are not simply old railroad corridors given a new purpose. They are viable transportation corridors.
David Driapsa, FASLA, Historical Landscape Architect, Naples
We need property tax relief
The Primary is over but we will still be inundated with political ads. Some will contain good information, some will be negative about candidates or the benefits of passing a referendum, etc. We are going to be told local government services would be drastically cut if the increase in homestead exemptions pass. Much like no fault insurance passed in the early 60’s and never increased in limits or broadened in scope the homestead exemption in Florida has not kept pace with inflation. But our appraised valuations have certainly roared forward. The “Save our Homes” helped some but that legislation is also dated. We need property tax relief in Florida and the few homes that will qualify for the increased deduction in two years from now will not decimate the local budgets as purported. School districts will not be affected, Waste pickup, water & sewer rates are unaffected, Municipal special taxing districts will not be affected, Mosquito Control will not be affected. South Florida Water District is not affected. Those in my opinion are essential services.
Jim Meerpohl, Naples
Property tax and seniors
I have not seen the final language for a proposal for reduced property taxes, but a very simple solution was not in the cards. I suspect too many legislators and mayors claimed hardship if property taxes were tampered with. Let me explain my simple proposal which never made it to a conversation level. All of my emails to our legislators fell on deaf ears or more correctly, they landed in the “ignore” mailbox.
My proposal: Must be a U.S. citizen. Must have lived in house ten consecutive years. Must be homesteaded. Must be up to date with property tax payments. Must be of Social Security age. Must be up to date with any other liens or encumbrances on person and property. No rental or income producing properties are eligible. No company owned or private equity properties are eligible.
How it works. As of passage of bill, a one year buffer before implementation to allow local, and state governments to adjust their budgets. After meeting requirements, the property taxes will freeze for a period of ten years. After ten years, the property will adjust using COLA for two years, then freeze for another ten years. Then another two years of COLA and repeat.
Why this proposal. First, the local governments will not lose any tax money from inception. Second, the homeowners will get future relief but still pay toward cities’ needs. And finally, most people stay in their homes less than ten years, so turnover is key to maintaining tax bases and allowing relief for those who will benefit from tax increases, crazy valuations, and cities that spend like they are the federal government.
What do you think?
Jack Holt, Cape Coral
Biggest threat to honest elections
Trump claims he wants Congress to pass the Save America Act to protect the integrity of our elections.Who better to protect that integrity than the man who, in a recorded phone call, asked the Georgia Secretary of State to “find” 11,000 votes for him. Or the man who urged his minions to storm the U.S. Capitol to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. (All on video.) No one is a bigger threat to fair and honest elections than Donald Trump.
Daniel Graziano, Naples
No more wars!
Trump has now threatened Oman with war if they don’t go along with our plans for Iran. What happened to no more wars pledge? It was a lie just like all his other lies! This threat would expand the wars with no real effect. Everyone must be able to see by now what a threat he is to world peace with his erratic idiotic actions. Time to impeach!
Benjamin Glick, Naples
The man is out of control
This afternoon he said that he would “soon be declaring the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory.” Egads!
A year ago it was Canada, then it was Greenland, then he raved about how wonderful Norway is!
A recently retired White House doctor told CNN on their morning news that the country should be concerned about Trump’s health! The man is crazy! How can he stand in front a whole group of military personnel and tell them that he is going to take over the Strait? Today he said that gasoline price is equal to nuclear control when several months ago it was all about nuclear control!
The man is out of control − November can’t come soon enough!
Franklin Warner, Fort Myers
Voting by mail
If voting by mail is secure enough for President Trump’s third time use then it’s good enough for me. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Marie Rotunda, Naples
Saying goodbye to a pet
On August 12, our 13 year old Labradoodle, Bob crossed the Rainbow Bridge up to doggy heaven. He was being treated by the excellent veterinarians and vet techs at Angel Animal Hospital in Naples since he came into our lives at 11 weeks. And although he had been suffering recently from an assortment of issues, including chronic kidney disease, canine dementia disorder, and spinal degeneration, the folks at Angel did their best to make his last week pain free. But Bob’s last day and a half was very difficult for our sweet fur baby as he could barely walk or recline. His primary vet explained the options available to his human mommy and I. And after much thought, we decided humane euthanasia was the only choice. It was a most difficult one. But by opting for euthanasia, she and I stepped in and took his pain away choosing to carry it ourselves as grief.
Needless to say, saying goodbye to a pet is a very difficult and emotional thing. And any pet owner knows our fur babies are much more than pets, they are family. And the lack of normal human communication skills between them and us makes it imperative that we humans pay close attention to what they are trying to say. Bob told us it was time.
To the outstanding professionals at Angel Animal Hospital, we say thank you for making Bob’s last days pain free. They gave us as much time as we needed to say our final goodbyes. His mommy and I miss him tremendously, but some day we will once again look into those bright eyes, hold his sweet head, experience those precious face licks, and watch him fly through the green grass on strong sturdy legs never to be apart from us again.
Dave Grossi, Bonita Springs
False political rhetoric
Current ads want to connect Communism with the Democratic party but let’s see the real political connection.
Trump praises Kim Jong Un a dictator who killed thousands including his brother to reach power. Trump talks of “love letters,” calls off military maneuvers with South Korea strengthening China and North Korea and it’s dangerous morally to talk about friendship.
Trump always seems to defend Putin. Remember in Helsinki in 2018 when, against the findings of 11 USA security agencies indicated attempts by Russia to interfere in the 2016 election, he stated, ” I don’t see why they would.” He stopped financial support of Democratic Ukraine against Russia. All of his meetings and calls with Putin are not recorded. He stated he would end the war on day one of his administration, but all signs point to hands off of Russia and Putin.
So when the right wastes money on Communism ask why Trump is such good friends with Communists! It’s only false political rhetoric when you have failed Americans for almost two years.
Glenn Mueller, Naples
A sycophant on steroids
So, with the ever increasing cost of essential goods and services applying a Full-Nelson to the neck of my budget, I’ve decided to rejoin the workforce to help relieve the financial pressure! With no employment experience for over 30 years, limited formal education, shrinking brain, and declining eyesight, who would hire me? Well, there was one obvious choice − the Trump administration!
So, I completed an online application. After asking for my name, address, and citizenship status, a short true or false quiz followed − see below.
With my financial future on the line, of course I answered all questions in the affirmative. Next, up popped the following oath: “The president has now and will always have my unwavering support even in the unlikely event that he were to discharge a firearm on Fifth Avenue resulting in the demise of a person who most likely deserved it!” Of course, I signed it!
Two weeks later I received an employment offer. My title would be Communicable Diseases Junior Research Scientist reporting directly to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.!
Jay Custa, Estero
Public health oversight
Since May 2026, the U.S. has recorded over 10,460 confirmed and 12,000 probable cases of Cyclospora infection across 46 states, including two deaths in Michigan. Florida alone has reported over 400 cases. A typical U.S. summer yields just 50. Despite this massive surge, response efforts from the CDC and FDA remain sluggish, leaving the public vulnerable.
This systemic lag stems from administrative rollbacks. Budget cuts, reduced staffing, and scaled-back surveillance have severely degraded public health oversight. Under the current administration, the CDC downgraded the FoodNet program, removing Cyclospora and five other pathogens from mandatory tracking. Coupled with decimated inspection teams and reduced FDA lab capacity, outbreak tracing has slowed to a crawl. Cyclospora contamination in produce is part of a broader crisis, joining Salmonella in jalapeños, Campylobacter and E. coli in raw milk, measles, and leprosy (FL). To protect your family right now:
Systemic failures demand policy solutions. Contact your state and federal representatives to demand restored funding for the CDC and FDA, full reinstatement of mandatory FoodNet tracking, comprehensive food traceability, and stronger and more frequent FL Dept. of Health communications regarding Cyclospora status. Without public pressure, these outbreaks will only grow more frequent.
Kim Finer, Ph.D., Naples
Reign of incompetence
Our brutal president got us into an endless war and, in keeping with the philosophy of his mentor Roy Cohn, he actually said “I will never apologize” for the war or the effect it has wrought in not just our country but the economy of the entire world. He keeps raving about his A++ economy while even his clueless voters suffer along with citizens who live paycheck to paycheck with the cost of living and health care skyrocketing. Additionally, we no longer have a stockpile of weaponry which makes us much less secure. With Kegsbreath running the Defense Department, we expended our very expensive missiles haphazardly and the Strait of Hormuz is STILL not open to free usage. None of this would have occurred if our conceited president would have left well enough alone and kept Obama’s plan but no, he can’t stand to see or hear his name because he knows Barack was a much more capable and likable president. So, what do we do now? In November we can end his reign of incompetence and try to stop his wasteful spending on vanity projects. He alone isn’t to blame for this predicament as his spineless cohorts in Congress went along with him and voted yes to all his Cabinet choices and the big ugly bill. Maybe, depending on the size of November blowout, we can initiate the 25th Amendment in lieu of impeachment.
Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral
Trump and Iran
Whereas I believe that President Trump is mostly correct with the handling of Iran, I also believe that his making a deal with the fanatical Supreme Leader and Revolutionary Guard is folly. You just cannot surrender to trust a fanatic. Harsh as it may seem we must kill down to the more realistic leaders who have conceivably the best interest of their countrymen. Those leaders whose goal is to seek and keep the peace deserve our understanding and our pledge of peace and friendship.
Kevin McGowan, Naples
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Plan to send monitors to polls an ominous sign | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Letter writers | USA TODAY Network
