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Letters to the Editor: August 18, 2008

7:01 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2008

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Letter of the Day: Can we do it?

Editor, Daily News:

As we prepare to welcome kids back to school it is time to find a focus.

Our Collier County school district has many budget and political issues to deal with. Those issues warrant and deserve attention — however, not the type of attention that could take away from our vital purpose. That would be “the education and advancement of our youth.”

Whatever “side” or “view” any of us have on the many pending issues, let us attempt to be solid role models of character traits and lead our youth in a way and direction that lets them know that whatever happens, they are and will remain our central focus!

May everyone — student, teacher, support staff, administration, parents and all who truly care — have a fantastic 2008-09 school year.

Richard Nichols, Naples

Letter: Feeling lucky?

Editor, Daily News:

Earl, leading character in our comic strip “Pickles,” read this to his wife Opal: “It says right here that it costs the government almost two cents to make a one-cent penny. ... I used to pick up pennies ... but not anymore.”

In the early 1930s my dad was transferred from Petersburg to Richmond, Va.

We moved across the street from Gov. Bill Tuck’s sister, Mrs. Buckley, whose son, Graham, was skillful at flipping cards.

The cards were enclosed with a 5-by-3½-inch hunk of chewing gum.

These penny cards preceded baseball cards. They featured cowboys (Will Rogers, Tom Mix, Smith Ballew, etc.), American Indian chiefs (Powhatan, Wahunsunacock, Massasoit, etc.) and fictitious outlaws.

I’ll never forget a card I won from Graham which was headlined “Wanted! Counterfeiter! Gaston the Gorilla! Gaston counterfeited nickels by the thousands at the cost of a dime each.”

Gaston’s card 77 years later would be worth many good nickels today.

Earl, I still pick up pennies. It’s for good luck — and luck is a terrific word if you put a “p’’ before it.

Buddy Eubank, Naples

Letter: Sickening

Editor, Daily News:

I was very upset when I read Thursday’s article about a Florida inmate’s staph-infection death at the women’s prison in Gretna.

They turn off the water in restrooms and bathing facilities for days and possibly up to a week at a time?!

How can the state allow this?

Are we still living in the Dark Ages?

Mary Popiolek, Naples

Letter: She serves with honor

Editor, Daily News:

Linda Abbott, Collier County School Board member, has been vilified in the press ever since former Superintendent Ray Baker was fired.

View the video of that infamous board meeting and you will hear a closing, spontaneous speech by Richard Calabrese in which he mentions all the reasons he, Abbott and Steve Donovan felt Baker should be fired.

Linda wanted to wait until Baker’s contract would come up for review shortly and that is why she was so undecided when asked to vote for his immediate dismissal. Donovan and Calabrese wanted the superintendent change in place before the new school term.

Linda has performed the best she could under very difficult circumstances. If she loses this election, she won’t leave with “her tail between her legs” (quoting one letter writer). She will leave with her head held high, having given it her all! She has my vote.

Lee Fisher, Naples

Letter: How low can they go?

Editor, Daily News:

It’s about time someone with some clout complains about the talking heads and the unusually distasteful celebrations after an athlete achieves what he/she is paid to do — make the big plays or the long putts.

Paul Brown, the famous Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns coach, was known to say to his celebrating football players, “Act like you’ve been there before!”

That’s what they should do.

Columnist Thomas Sowell is right. The self-acclamation, pounding of chest, dancing a jig, etc., are not necessary nor appreciated by many of us.

And the people who talk too much are legend. I simply turn off the sound when they cannot seem to shut up for the benefit of all.

You tell it like it is, Mr. Sowell.

I’ve played enough sports in my 84 years to know what is outstanding and what is just expected in the ordinary course of a game.

Seems the athletes should know this too.

Robert W. Engle, Naples

Letter: It’s a secret

Editor, Daily News:

For a true appreciation of the autocratic style of governing that has befallen Florida, one needed only to attend the scam of a “public” meeting held by the Florida Department of Transportation on Thursday.

This was a sad example of the effrontery embraced by public officials during this governor’s tenure.

This was billed as a “public meeting where a select panel of technical and financial experts will brief the Scoring Committee.”

Two “experts” sat at one table. Facing them sat six FDOT employees with no identifying name tags or placards. One placard would have sufficed: “Shill.”

No agenda was provided to the public. There was no public comment portion for this so-called public meeting. The two alleged experts referenced assorted pages from a report — a report that one can only assume was in the hands of the nameless panelists at the two tables. The report was not available to the public.

When questioned why none of the meeting materials were provided to the public, FDOT’s Edward McKinney responded that the materials had not been produced until that morning.

Curiously, the nameless panel of six charged with scoring the technical and financial strengths of six foreign companies bidding to lease Alligator Alley had no questions. Not one.

Very odd, especially when one considers this is the very first time in Florida that an attempt has been made to lease public assets to the highest bidder.

So much for Gov. Charlie Crist’s Sunshine proclamation. There was no sunshine in Plantation on Thursday.

Gina Downs, Naples, Director, Citizens Transportation Coalition

Letter: On the roads again

Editor, Daily News:

It’s our rainy season now. The sky grows dark and the rain comes down in torrents. The law states that headlights must be turned on when it’s raining.

Not the case in Naples.

The only way to get people to turn on their headlights is to hit them hard in their pocketbooks.

Have the police set up a checkpoint and have them pull over all the cars that drive through without their headlights on.

This must be too hard for the Naples police, as I’ve been living here 10 years and not once have I ever seen this law enforced.

That’s probably because the police would have to put on their rain gear and stand the chance of getting wet!

Meanwhile, as our economy grows sour, people with limited funds are letting their cars go without maintenance. There are unsafe cars with no mufflers, bald tires and bad emission systems on the road.

Funny, though, I still see these people at the 7-Eleven buying cases of beer every night.

Eric H. Gross, Naples

Letter: Sunscreen and a jetty

Editor, Daily News:

Clam Pass is in bad shape.

While fishing Monday at the pass, I noticed a large amount of eelgrass floating out.

It looks sick.

The pass is almost closed, which results in poor flushing in and out.

A lot of sunscreen from the north and south beaches might cause a lot of these problems on the eelgrass and mangroves.

I still think the best solution might be a stone jetty, 300 to 500 feet, with a deep channel. It might solve a lot of problems.

Maybe I’m not that smart, but I’m not that stupid.

Hans Meier, Naples

Letter: The next steps to take

Editor, Daily News:

It will take years for any actions undertaken now to produce more oil or electricity. We must reduce usage. We need a bridge to long-term solutions. Wouldn’t it be great to move toward less foreign oil dependency while recognizing drivers who drive efficiently? Here is an approach that would do just that. It imposes a fuel surtax but returns collected surtaxes to efficient drivers.

Let’s assume that if all cars averaged 30 miles per gallon we would have OPEC off our backs. Few cars on the road today will realize this mileage when exceeding posted speeds, waiting at stoplights and with the air-conditioning running.

Here’s my plan:

1. All drivers report annual mileage driven.

2. A temporary $3 gas and diesel surtax (high enough to get everyone’s attention!)

3. A 30-mpg national target.

4. Surtax rebated in proportion to average mileage experienced. Some get it all back by achieving the targeted mileage, those who don’t get back only a part of what they paid. Others receive more by exceeding the 30 mpg average.

5. Those who use alternate fuels receive a mileage-based surtax rebate assuming they had used gas or diesel. A nice financial inducement.

6. This is painful, but will awaken us to the problem of excessive oil dependency. It’s also self-financing, with the surtax collected certainly exceeding payouts in the early years. With reduced demand the price of fuel should fall.

Victor S. Oakes, Naples

Letter: Just not so

Editor, Daily News:

Victor Ortino is misleading the public in regard to his qualifications for the office of Collier County sheriff.

Claiming a “federal government background” of four years in Air Force security is ridiculous. Ortino touts his 24 years as a private investigator as equating to law-enforcement experience. Working as a PI does not qualify as law-enforcement experience. Ortino’s Florida Highway Patrol tenure really adds up to about 18 months since a portion was in fired or suspended status. Ortino’s lack of law-enforcement experience and basic business skills continually is demonstrated in his budget plan.

I can tell you as a current law-enforcement officer, Ortino’s ill-conceived and nonsensical plan to cut $37 million will result in the loss of 400 deputies. That’s not safe.

I am a retired Marine Corps colonel currently serving as the chief of investigations for the Sheriff’s Office.

Jim Williams, Naples

Letter: Keep the good ones

Editor, Daily News:

We have great Lee County commissioners. Since 2001, a quiet struggle has been going on about the future of east Lee County called the density reduction/groundwater resource area. It is the last frontier for preserving the future quality of Lee’s clean drinking water. It also preserves the remaining endangered wildlife.

There has been a threat to this whole working system since 2001 when large mining companies “eyed” this land for their “heavy industrial” dreams.

My neighbors and I joined hands and gave our money (about $170,000 so far) in opposing these “giants” who out-gunned us like the biblical Goliath out-gunned David.

Our commissioners (Bob Janes, Ray Judah, Frank Mann, Brian Bigelow and Tammy Hall) unanimously voted to deny any more mines in the DR/GR twice in a row, and preserved Lee’s future.

William J. Lytell, Estero, Pastor, Gospel Baptist Church of Bonita Springs

Letter: They just don’t get it

Editor, Daily News:

OPEC, without firing a shot, is waging an economic war against Western civilization. Its impact is felt immediately at the gas pump for tourists, airlines, truckers and cargo ships, who are being impoverished by this cartel. Home heating oil will bankrupt thousands in the coming winter.

The only glitch to this scenario is a new, large source of untapped petroleum coming to the market.

Presently, the cartel has little to worry about. It has friends in high places. Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are against drilling almost everywhere in the United States, the largest known source of untapped petroleum in the world. Whose side are they on? Does anybody know?

Yes, we do need an all-out effort on alternate sources. Nuclear, solar, coal liquefaction, wind, bio-fuels and conservation. But it must start with drilling.

Preston Harding, Naples

Letter: Going back, baby

Editor, Daily News:

I was invited to dine at the new Chili’s in North Naples on Immokalee Road as part of a training period before opening. I was surprised to find out that there were many healthy choices on the menu. The food was great.

Also during this time, donations were accepted for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. I was told that during September donations are accepted at all Chili’s for St. Jude’s.

I will definitely be back. Go in September and donate to a great cause.

Anne Lawrence, Naples

Letter: From the dead

Editor, Daily News:

I say “amen’’ to William Conklin’s letter of the day explaining that there is only one Arlington National Cemetery.

Also, that John Riccio’s “Arlington South” is more than a political gimmick. It is a disgraceful, despicable display dishonoring our fallen troops who fought and died for his freedom to write trashy letters and organize a display to debase Arlington National.

Hopefully, John will hear the dead from their graves express their resentments.

Rex Ruther, Naples

Letter: Not spotless

Editor, Daily News:

Kevin Rambosk knew, or should have known, smoking marijuana in 1976 was illegal. He did it anyway.

Rambosk said it was wrong and stupid to use drugs. But he did it.

Rambosk was Naples city manger, Naples chief of police, Collier County Sheriff’s Office undersheriff and executive officer. Rambosk violated the Hatch Act. Given all his law-enforcement experience, how could he not know he was in violation of the law?

Bill Clinton said he smoked marijuana, but never inhaled. He also said, “I never had sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky.” He lied!

John Edwards denied he ever had an affair. He lied!

Rambosk should have a spotless record. He does not!

He should not be elected to the office of sheriff.

Robert R. Gibson, Ph.D., Naples

Letter: Teamwork, dedication saved him

Editor, Daily News:

Attention, doctors!

I understand that there are hundreds of people all over the world who have this awful illness known as Hashimoto’s encephalopathy and are in sanitariums and nursing homes.

Perhaps they either did not have the means for the required tests (terribly expensive) or did not have a doctor who cared enough to find the right diagnosis.

My husband, Augie, was gravely ill for two months and almost died. Now he is now about 100 percent recovered.

My gratitude and thanksgiving first to God, then to all medical professionals at NCH Healthcare System Downtown Naples Hospital for their knowledge and care, the Briggs Rehabilitation Center and to our friends and family for their loving support and prayers.

His illness mimicked a stroke, malaria, dementia and worse. After weeks and weeks of negative test results, his condition worsened. It was the dedication of his neurologist, who after many hours of work and research was finally able to diagnose a very rare auto-immune disease. Since 1995, there are less than 20 cases recorded in the U.S. and 34 in the world. Fortunately, it can be treated with steroids.

Within four hours of his first dose he showed signs of improvement and rapidly returned to health. To us it felt like a miracle!

We pray that others who may have HE will be as fortunate to receive the correct diagnosis.

To all who helped, thank you and may God be with you.

Mercedes Russo, Naples

Letter: A big vote for them

Editor, Daily News:

Kudos to Collier County Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards and her staff and volunteers for making early voting such a joy.

My family and I participated in early voting at the Headquarters Library located on Orange Blossom Road in North Naples. The polling place was well-organized, the poll workers were efficient and well-spoken, and the entire process took just minutes.

I was concerned that the process would be more time-consuming than in the past, particularly in light of the changes to our voting system mandated by the Florida Legislature in the past year.

I should have known better. Once again Jennifer, her staff and team of volunteers have risen to the challenge and hit a home run for the voters.

Thanks to everyone who works so hard to make voting so easy for all of us.

Joe Foster, North Naples

Letter: ’Midnight sunshine’

Editor, Daily News:

Re: The ongoing push to lease Alligator Alley.

From what I read in the Daily News, the purpose of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Aug. 25 Collier County meeting is to unveil the short list of teams for the contract to lease the alley — after the FDOT will have had a briefing of the six teams in Broward and after the FDOT will have scored the statements of each team, and after having forwarded the scoring to a procurement panel. It is said that this is not a done deal?

The time and place for the Collier meeting have yet to be announced.

Why is this program so hell-bent to close so fast?

What was the minimum value that FDOT expected in advance of the bids being received?

Where is the math on this whole, shortsighted scheme for the public to review?

Again, the questions have been asked, but the information is being withheld under what appears to be FDOT’s “midnight sunshine.”

The truth needs to be told.

If you can help me to have Gov. Charlie Crist answer these questions for the citizens of Collier, Broward and the state, I would appreciate it. We all want to know.

W. James Flanagan III, Naples