Metropolis’s housing disaster will proceed
Now that Jacqueline McMiller has withdrawn, the mayor of Fort Myers is ready to maintain the job for 4 extra years with out an election — and our metropolis’s housing disaster will proceed.
Mayor Anderson’s marketing campaign web site guarantees that he’ll “enhance our neighborhoods in order that property values improve.” What does that imply for folk already struggling to afford housing? Most certainly, it would quickly be time for them to search out someplace cheaper to stay and transfer on.
The mayor touts formation of process forces to deal with reasonably priced housing and homelessness as two of his key achievements, however growing property values result in will increase in hire, taxes, insurance coverage and upkeep, which doesn’t assist affordability or homelessness.
Anderson claims that prime property costs “profit the home-owner, the encircling group, and the town as a complete.” Whereas the town actually advantages — greater property values imply greater taxes — and so do some house sellers, the advantages to householders and the group are much less clear. Taxes and insurance coverage are up, and the folks being displaced from Fort Myers by excessive housing prices embody valued group members who might be missed. There are additionally prices to each the group and companies attributable to employee shortages when low-wage workers can not afford to stay close by, making hiring and holding employees tougher.
Sara Goldstein, Fort Myers
No excessive THC pot retailers in Collier
I used to be horrified to listen to that some on the Collier Fee wish to take off the ban on merchandising THC merchandise right here.
Most are unaware that if the ban is taken off, localities can not restrict the variety of locations promoting THC laden pot.
Outlets in Collier can promote CBD (the non-high part with many of the medical properties) and provides out the marijuana playing cards. Then sufferers can get statewide supply of all pot merchandise to their houses, so nobody is being denied.
The issue is, many pot retailers in counties that shouldn’t have the ban promote as much as 100% THC – which known as “shatter” – essentially the most excessive drug vendor pot. Others promote Delta 8 excessive THC pot and not using a physician’s permission because of a loophole. Wild claims of security and cures are made with out proof.
We’re within the midst of an epidemic of teenagers vaping excessive THC pot, so now could be NOT the time to let in a limitless variety of excessive THC retailers in Collier. Let the state repair the issues with these retailers first.
Kate Ramsey, Naples
Our democracy is fragile
I taught authorities and historical past for over 30 years. Watching the Jan. 6 Capitol occasions unfold, I felt horror pondering this was the top of our democracy. Courageous Capitol Police have been outnumbered and pleaded for reinforcements that didn’t come for hours. Our Capitol was breached on 4 sides. The mob broke home windows, stormed places of work, trashed the Rotunda and Senate chamber. Trump and Accomplice flags and bear spray have been used as weapons in opposition to Capitol Police. Our congressmen and senators fled. A noose was erected. Chants to get Vice President Pence and Speaker Pelosi echoed by the halls.
My thoughts flashed again to the historical past of the 1933 German Reichstag (parliament) assault and hearth. Hitler and his Nazis then fashioned a dictatorship with horrifying penalties. That assault and this seemed shockingly alike.
After hours of mob violence, I used to be grateful for the braveness of our vp to name Congress again in session and resume the electoral certification. I used to be appalled by the legislators who voted in opposition to certification of the election. The blatant violation of their oath of workplace to our Structure was on full show.
Our democracy is fragile. How fragile it’s was illustrated by the terrorist occasions of Jan. 6. Solely by the braveness of those that upheld their constitutional oath, Jan. 7 dawned with our Structure and our democracy nonetheless standing. All of us have a duty to defend that democracy with our vote, voicing our issues to legislators, and permitting a free press to outlive.
Linda Russell, Lehigh Acres
Constitutional questions relating to abortion
Because the Supreme Court docket considers new restrictions on abortions, I hope they’ll contemplate solely the constitutional questions. Abortion legalization isn’t a non secular debate as a result of no faith has a proper to make use of the federal government to impose their non secular beliefs on somebody of a distinct religion. That’s the First Modification and the Fourth Modification particularly protects all individuals from unwarranted search or seizure of any type. The Fourteenth Modification ensures equal safety beneath legislation.
Since no Professional-Life supporter can present direct private hurt, how can we then endure our authorities to resolve the non secular boundaries of a girl in search of an abortion? If the Structure says the federal government completely can’t inform anybody what they’ll hold of their gun cupboard, how is it then justified that the federal government completely should inform girls, and solely girls, what they’ll hold of their physique? To place the federal government in command of a girl’s womb is essentially the most unwarranted of searches and seizures.
Having seized the contents of the girl’s womb, will the federal government pretty pay the mom for her misplaced working time and labor? Will our taxes must pay the full life cycle price of elevating the kid in authorities custody? We are able to’t take constitutional rights away from solely girls, in some states, or at some instances.
Scott Lee Dozier, North Fort Myers
Our 401K is now a 201K
Domestically, the scent of a recession is upon us. Whereas not formally a recession, needing two consecutive quarters of damaging progress, the fuel stations, the grocery shops, the eating places, and the seashores inform us one thing totally different. Other than the seasonal folks leaving, the visitors is unusually gentle, the eating places are eerily empty and the seashore seems to be like purple tide is again. Memorial Day boating was visibly lacking, sure, boaters.
Whereas our native economic system leans heavy on vacationers, our progress ought to be shielding us from a slowdown however the guests have determined to remain house and the locals have determined valuable {dollars} are finest spent chasing child method and tampons. The inventory market seems to be like a graph from 1929 and even our nice climate can not carry the fog of a recession.
In my lifetime, the years of 1960, 1973, 1979-1980, 1999, 2009, and now 2019-2022, the recessions and down turns within the economic system really feel like a Roadrunner cartoon. Each time the coyote appears to get forward, an anvil drops on its head. After 2009, the sensation for retirees was we can not survive one other downturn. Retirees shouldn’t have the time to recoup misplaced investments, afford sky excessive fuel costs and empty cabinets.
Our authorities appears to have misplaced the need to create and maintain a wholesome economic system. We have now bought our souls to the Chinese language, and local weather addicts, we huddle from concern over Iran having a nuclear weapon however principally, we concern our 401K is now a 201K. We won’t take this anymore.
Jack Holt, Cape Coral
Due to Gov. DeSantis
To Gov. DeSantis, your dedication and energy to show round earlier inequitable water insurance policies have lastly come to fruition. Your veto of SB2508 required extraordinary braveness and a willingness to withstand a state Legislature accustomed to receiving monetary stipends from entrenched sugar pursuits. Sadly, when the problem of fresh water is at stake, these Sugarcrats persistently ignore the most effective pursuits of their respective communities and vote to symbolize their paymasters.
You, then again, have steadfastly remained true to your visionary Govt Order 19-12 that clearly spelled out your dedication to scrub water. Along with your veto, you could have ensured that science and customary sense will govern Lake Okeechobee administration and assure that the Military Corps and the SFWMD won’t be subjected to political interference and micro-legislative oversight.
My hope is that our native politicians lastly get the clear water message: toxic-algae-laden water is unhealthy for enterprise, group residents, wildlife and the vacationers that help native economies. Gov. DeSantis will get the message and has clearly acknowledged: “Water high quality on this state is a high precedence.” He demonstrated his dedication by vetoing SB2508, now it’s as much as us, the general public, to maintain a watchful eye on our errant politicians and expose the selfishness of the Sugarcrats.
Joe Orndorff, Sanibel
Minority rule in United States
Lately I heard an interview with a College of Texas Regulation Faculty professor relating to the present state of the U.S. Supreme Court docket. I now perceive that the Federalist Society and the Electoral Faculty have led to a really conservative U.S. federal courtroom system, beginning with the district courts and ending with the Supreme Court docket.
Anybody who has a good understanding of the Electoral Faculty in presidential elections already is aware of that two of the final 4 presidents took workplace with out having gained the favored vote. This allowed minority-elected presidents to nominate 5 of the 9 at present sitting Supreme Court docket justices. The present courtroom has six conservative justices and solely a kind of six was appointed by a president (G.H.W. Bush) who had the help of a majority of the voters. The typical age of these justices, when appointed, was 51 years, so it’s possible that almost all of those conservative justices will serve on the courtroom for 30 years. All six of the conservative justices on right now’s courtroom are present or former members of the Federalist Society.
Since its founding within the early years of the Reagan administration, the Federalist Society has performed a serious function in figuring out conservative legislation college students on the prestigious legislation colleges which are the coaching grounds for future Supreme Court docket nominees. The Federalist Society, with funding from among the most conservative foundations within the nation, has performed a key function in each district and Supreme Court docket nomination put forth by Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Trump.
Additionally in the course of the Reagan administration, Congress handed a legislation eliminating the automated proper of attraction to the Supreme Court docket of sure circumstances. The remaining avenue to have a case pleaded in entrance of the the Supreme Court docket is thru a writ of certiorari, which means a minimum of 4 sitting justices must conform to put the case on the Supreme Court docket’s official docket.
Till President Trump nominated and Sen. McConnell rushed by the affirmation of Justice Coney Barrett to fill the open seat following the dying of Justice Bader Ginsburg, there was a five-to-four, conservative-to-liberal break up on the courtroom. That meant that both the liberal or the conservative justices may grant a writ of certiorari in order that the plaintiffs would have their day in courtroom.
At the moment, with a six-to-three conservative-to-liberal break up, the conservative majority can fill the docket with circumstances that permit the Supreme Court docket to search out in favor of conservative positions. When coupled with the conservative, and in some circumstances radical, agenda of the Federalist Society to litigate circumstances that extra firmly transfer the authorized equipment of the U.S. authorities to the fitting, the prospects for shielding voting rights, marriage equality, civil rights, gender equality, cheap gun security laws, entry to contraception, and educational freedom (simply to call just a few areas) is in extreme jeopardy.
In 5 of the final six elections the Republican Social gathering has misplaced the favored vote but the Republican minority-elected administrations have appointed two-thirds of the present Supreme Court docket justices. It’s time to rethink each how we elect the president and the lifetime appointments to the federal courts.
John H. Wolfe, Fort Myers
Representing, advocating for kids
The Guardian advert Litem Workplace is grateful to have obtained funding to realize the objective of 100% illustration of kids within the Florida dependency courtroom system. The Guardian advert Litem Workplace represents and advocates for these kids using a staff strategy mannequin that features an legal professional, educated employees and volunteers. The staff works collectively to symbolize the kid at each courtroom listening to and advocate for the kid in all areas of the kid’s life, comparable to medical, schooling and normalcy. We do that with the general goal to maneuver the kid to permanency, whether or not by reunification with the kid’s dad and mom or, if not attainable, with essentially the most acceptable, secure, loving house for that little one. Our educated advocates spend high quality time with their kids and get in touch with all crucial individuals within the little one’s life: their caregivers, lecturers, and medical suppliers. They take heed to the kid’s expressed needs. Typically the want is to go house, which might not be of their finest curiosity. Different instances, we will facilitate the want, comparable to sibling visitation. Typically, the relationships with the Guardian advert Litem Workplace advocates are among the most secure, secure and constant relationships with a trusted grownup these kids have. As a employees member and a former volunteer, I can say that I’ve cried tears of pleasure at each reunifications and adoptions of kids – celebrating that they’re now protected and residential.
Stephanie Burns, Naples
Greatest strategy for illustration
As a Guardian advert Litem legal professional, I’m compelled to touch upon the failings of the opinion items revealed by the Tallahassee Democrat and the Tampa Bay Occasions. On June 14, each these papers revealed misguided op-eds deceptive Floridians in regards to the illustration of abused and uncared for kids. The Florida Guardian advert Litem (GAL) Workplace represents abused and uncared for kids by the GAL Multidisciplinary Staff. This strategy was discovered to be the most effective illustration strategy for kids concerned in abuse and neglect proceedings in a research commissioned by the US Congress in P.L. 100-294, 102 Stat 102 (April 25, 1988).
Truth: Florida kids have the bottom common size of time in foster care.
Truth: Florida has the bottom share of kids in foster care over 5 years.
Truth: Florida has the best share of kids adopted from foster care by kinfolk.
Truth: Florida has the bottom size of keep in foster care for kids ready to be adopted.
The Florida Guardian advert Litem Workplace achieves these outcomes utilizing finest practices together with:
• Early appointment of a Guardian advert Litem
• Attorneys at each listening to
• Ongoing coaching for attorneys
• Reporting the kid’s needs to the courtroom
• Professional Bono partnerships with a whole lot of attorneys across the state.
Why is guardianship illustration finest?
• All details about the kid is given to the courtroom
• Acknowledges the kid’s limitations and advocates as an inexpensive father or mother would
• Common communication with the kid leading to established relationships
• Higher outcomes for permanency, schooling, and get in touch with with legislation enforcement
Why is child-directed legal professional illustration dangerous?
• It doesn’t acknowledge the constraints of the kid and requires the kid to make grownup choices
• Solely the data the kid agrees to launch is given to the courtroom even when sharing the data would stop hurt to the kid
• Attorneys are merely advisable by the American Bar Affiliation to work together with the kid as soon as each 4 months
• Youngsters usually tend to work together with legislation enforcement and spend extra time in foster care.
I thank Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his ongoing dedication to Florida’s most weak kids. Gov. DeSantis has permitted over $400 million in funding for the well-being of Florida kids and their households together with Title IV-E funding to extend Guardian advert Litem Workplace illustration to 100% of all abused and uncared for kids.
Alicia L. Guerra, B.C.S., Fort Myers
Conscience, widespread sense not the problems
Within the wake of the latest mass shootings, Joe Biden mentioned, “The problem we face is certainly one of conscience and customary sense” as he strikes for extra gun restrictions. Conscience and customary sense most likely have a distinct which means to individuals who expertise violence of their cities every day. Voters discover that within the cities with excessive every day gun violence even have among the strictest gun legal guidelines. Criminals don’t take note of these legal guidelines. Black folks have seen this too.
Gun gross sales have surged in recent times, however blacks have been the leaders in shopping for weapons. A survey performed by the Nationwide Capturing Sports activities Basis signifies that retailers reported that they bought 58 p.c extra weapons to black prospects within the first half of 2020 than in the identical timeframe in 2019. Private safety is a key purpose why folks purchase a firearm. In a 2021 Gallup survey, 88 p.c of respondents mentioned they personal a gun “for cover in opposition to crime.”
Violent crime is up, homicides in main cities have reached ranges not seen in years, misdemeanor crimes usually are not prosecuted and liberal politicians have handled the police like criminals. These actions have added to the numerous societal points we face and low-income black folks particularly have been essentially the most affected. They imagine that the flexibility to guard themselves is as much as them.
The president want to ban sure weapons, elevate the acquisition age to 21, and improve background checks. Will these actions sluggish mass shootings or every day gun violence? Perhaps, however the actual situation is authorities’s failure to deal with the societal points which have contributed to elevated gun violence.
Nick Blauwiekel, Naples
Cease this tradition warfare and educate
Republicans and Democrats alike learn books which are written and revealed. Books which are usually segregated by society groupings. Groupings created by college boards, dad and mom, the reader’s ethnic background, governments, non secular views and educators.
In Florida, lecturers don’t wish to threat offending dad and mom and their college board. They’re strolling a high-quality — typically invisible — line between what’s truth and what’s acceptable. When details usually are not acceptable, it’s not possible to teach. They will solely indoctrinate.
Books written previous to about 1970 appeared to have a distinct view of life and values. Though removed from excellent in execution, American values of fact, justice, equality, truthful play, honesty, and integrity have been just about acknowledged and accepted by all.
Sooner or later it grew to become clear to me that the 2022 values have turn out to be subjective to political bias. Historical past should be whitewashed to not damage emotions. Books, professors, curriculum, programs, and extra should be modified to suit a prescribed political doctrine and mind-set.
There are over 100 books now banned! That is bleak; college students want age acceptable and correct books. We should always by no means concern fact. Open minds and mental curiosity are good issues, not one thing to be banned from public schooling. Let’s cease this tradition warfare and educate, not indoctrinate, our college students. Our world wants a technology outfitted with details, figures, and important pondering expertise.
Kathleen Callard, RN, North Fort Myers
Not Fox Information worthy
Starting Thursday night final week the key information networks have been pre-empting their common programming to broadcast stay protection of the Jan. 6 Investigations: ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC. All besides the Fox Information Channel – which hosts the highest 10 most watched cable information exhibits within the nation (Nielsen information). Not newsworthy? I’m certain Carlson, Baier, Hannity, Angle and Co. desire their viewers tune in to their common programming devoid of this stay protection. Why? For concern of studying one thing new? Isn’t that what “information” means?
Paul Shedivy, Fort Myers