Letters to the editor for Sunday, May 4, 2025

AI-assisted summary
• Readers share their opinions on various topics including I-75 expansion, water fluoridation, political silence, Naples Airport's impact, and water quality.
• Concerns are raised about the I-75 expansion plan, the need for additional access points in Bonita Springs, and the potential for increased traffic congestion.
• Local issues such as period poverty in Southwest Florida and the need for clean water are highlighted.
• Discussions arise regarding the proposed peace proposal for Russia and Ukraine, funding for Harvard, and the role of billionaires in supporting vital services.

I-75 expansion

The plan to expand I-75 to 8 lanes is taking shape now. This by itself will not solve the problem as traffic will only increase exponentially with time. Thus we should give serious consideration to how to make this an efficient means to further reduce congestion. Many other metropolitan areas in the U.S. have created HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes with great success. The new, added lane would be able to be used only by vehicles with more than one passenger, thus encouraging carpooling. Because we are in an area where public transportation is practically nonexistent, this makes carpooling here all the more attractive and necessary. Otherwise, we’ll see even more vehicles on the road turning I-75 into even more of a racetrack than it is today.

Another thing that I as a resident of Bonita Springs find baffling is that there is only one I-75 access point, Exit 116, for a city of almost 57,000! What’s up with that? At present just east of Exit 116 are several major residential and commercial developments under construction adding to the large number of developments already there. The back-ups from the congestion at rush hour are already daunting. I hate to think of the situation, if my hometown had to evacuate when in the path of a catastrophic hurricane! This expansion of I-75 ought to be the occasion to do something about that as well.

There needs to be some wisdom in how we approach the I-75 expansion!

Mary Ann Louis, Bonita Springs

Fluoridation of water

So let’s see, the average IQ in Massachusetts is 104.8 and 72% of the population have the advantage of optimally fluoridated community water and in Florida 70% of the population have access to optimally fluoridated community water and the average IQ is 98.4. Obviously this is due to the fluoride in the water. Maybe when the fluoride is banned in Florida, they will change the rules so that the poor can use their food stamps to buy toothbrushes, toothpaste and fluoride rinses to salvage their oral health.

John Fisher, DDS, Naples

Silence is complicity

First they came for immigrants, even those legally here, but I was silent and did not question, because I was not an immigrant.

Then they came for children born here of illegal immigrants, but I was silent and did not question, because I and my parents were born here.

Then they came for foreign university students who protested on campus, but I remained silent and did not question, because I was not a foreign university student.

Then they came for teachers who believed in teaching all historical facts or continued to speak up for gay and transgender students and others who were bullied and discriminated against, but I remained silent and did not question, because I was not a teacher, nor gay or transgender, nor felt that I was different.

Then they came for those who spoke up publicly and questioned what the president was doing, but I remained silent, because I did not want to get involved.

And then they came for me, because I was told I was different, but there was no one left to speak up for me.

To remain silent in the face of injustice and cruelty is to be complicit in a crime. Just like those in Nazi Germany or Mussolini’s Italy or Stalinist Russia in the 1930s who chose to remain silent.

Barry Fulmer, Fort Myers

Impact of Naples Airport

The Naples Airport Authority's "Sentiment Survey" has certainly sparked discussion.

While the survey showed community support for the airport, some commissioners raised concerns about its methodology and whether certain key issues — such as environmental and health impacts — especially NOISE POLLUTION, were not adequately addressed.

The survey, conducted by American Pulse Research, polled only 1,421 registered voters via phone interviews and texts. Some commissioners questioned whether the survey was designed to elicit positive responses, as it introduced new information mid-survey that boosted favorability ratings.

Regarding flight paths, the survey did not appear to focus specifically on residents living directly under them. With the supposed favorability of airport there should be no opposition to dispersing flight paths across the county so everyone may experience the "jewel of Naples." Residents argue that equitable distribution of flight paths would provide a more balanced perspective on the airport’s impact. The residents in flightpath 5-23 NE/SW should not bear the brunt of 93% of air and noise pollution.

As for the financial arrangement, the city reportedly receives $1 per year in rent, despite the land being valued at $1 billion. The lack of property tax or market-based rent raises questions about whether the city is receiving fair compensation for hosting the airport.

It seems that a more comprehensive analysis — including results by neighborhood and zip code — could provide a clearer picture of how different communities are affected. Transparency in sharing the full scope of the airport’s impact would allow residents to make more informed decisions.

Mary Tatigian, RN, Quiet Florida/Quiet Communities, Naples

Right to Clean Water

My neighbors (and I) here in Cape Coral are currently very concerned about the water shortage and that we are limited in watering our lawns. But while we all should be concerned about these shortages we should also be very involved in our water QUALITY and be aware of the ways it is being impacted. Did you know: Eight hundred of Florida’s 1,000 springs are polluted; Nearly a million acres of estuaries and 9,000 miles of rivers and streams are contaminated with fecal bacteria; Blue-green algae blooms are common and can cause neurodegenerative diseases; Red tides have exploded in frequency, duration and intensity, costing local economies billions of dollars; No state has more acres of polluted lake water or has lost more acres of wetlands than Florida.

Please - Sign the citizen ballot initiative by the RTCW to strengthen and ENFORCE the existing laws that provide clean and healthy water AND waterways to Florida citizens. floridarighttocleanwater.org

Contact your state and local elected officials to let them know you are against any law that discourages voters’ participation in government by restricting citizen ballot initiatives (this includes the RTCW).

Carrie Cremia, Cape Coral

Thanks, Lehigh Post Office

My wife Linda uses a magnifier to help with her very limited vision. Due to the delicacy of the machine, 20 pounds, glass screen, I decided to go the UPS store in Lehigh Acres and was told $206. I said I will check out the post office. Great news! Blind rate no charge, Alkcan Smith informed me. Penny English confirmed, that is free. Penny went in the back came out with a perfect size box, free. Melissa Nadbau with her great smile took care of package making sure it was packed properly and had a return address. Thank you, Lehigh Acres Post Office staff, you made my day!

Cornelius Cahill, Lehigh Acres

A just war

On October 7, 2023, thousands of heavily armed Hamas troops, accompanied by thousands of “ordinary Gazans,” launched an unprovoked pre-dawn invasion of Israel by land, sea, and air.  In absolute violation of every known code of warfare, they murdered unarmed civilians in their homes, massacred teenagers at a music festival, gang-raped and mutilated girls and women, and incinerated entire families alive. They retreated to Gaza with 240 hostages/ human shields. Those hostages have been beaten, starved, abused and murdered.  No survivor has reported a single incident of human kindness from their civilian captors. Not one Gazan has ever revealed the location of any hostage or helped them escape.  

Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, was founded on racial supremacy and Jew Hatred.  Its charter states in part: “… liberation of Palestine is then an individual duty for every Muslim wherever he may be… The day that enemies usurp part of Muslim land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Muslim. In face of the Jews' usurpation of Palestine, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised.”

It built over 400 miles of tunnels in Gaza, but not a single civilian bomb shelter. It placed military weapons and control centers in schools, hospital, mosques, and UN buildings to generate civilian casualties for propaganda purposes.

Contrary to that propaganda, IDF attacks on civilians are exceedingly rare and unintentional; and various “humanitarian crises” have been shown to be concocted. The misery in Gaza is tragic but avoidable. It was brought on by an open act of barbaric aggression and would have ended the minute that Hamas released the captives and laid down its weapons; a fact acknowledged even by the Palestinian Authority.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition reflects reality on the ground and the consensus of its electorate. It is waging a just war against a racist, eliminationist enemy. No credible government could be expected to do less, and we should be doing everything possible to ensure its success.

Allen Menkin, MD, Naples

Abuse of power

Through ICE arrests, criminal investigations, firings and executive orders, the president has launched a sweeping campaign of retribution. One judge called his actions “a shocking abuse of power.”

Kevin D. Ryan, Estero

Period Supplies of SWFL

As president of the Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as a box of pads can change a life.

And yet, unlike hunger or childcare, Period Poverty (or the inability to afford period products) is largely unknown and unrecognized, even though it affects an estimated 25,000 girls and women in Southwest Florida - some as young as 8 or 9 years old. Also unknown is how devastating the impact can be: missed school, lost workdays, poor academic performance, lower wages and mental health issues, for about a week each month, month after month - serving to reinforce the cycle of poverty.

At the Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL, our mission is simple: ensure that no girl or woman in SWFL has to manage without period products due to the inability to afford them. Since our founding, we’ve distributed thousands of pads through trusted nonprofit partners, helping to restore dignity and opportunity across our community.

But we can’t do it alone. We need the help of our entire community to raise awareness of this shocking, hidden crisis and trigger action like donations and product drives.

May 12-18 marks Period Poverty Awareness Week. The Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL is calling on our community to take action. We invite individuals, businesses, and civic leaders to join us. Speak Up and Spark the Change! Help SWFL girls and women!

Periods are a normal part of life. Let’s ensure access to period products is too.

Dustine Beaubien, Estero

Accept peace proposal

President Zelensky of Ukraine has rejected the Trump administration's peace proposal for Russia and Ukraine. In general, the proposal states that Ukraine will recognize Crimea as Russian and allow Russia to take the territories in Ukraine that they now occupy. Putin said if Ukraine accepts the proposal the war will end immediately. But Zelensky vehemently rejected the proposal. 

Since Ukraine is not a NATO member, European nations and the U.S. are not obligated to help Ukraine. NATO countries should not get involved in this war. And they should not think that if they do not help Ukraine Putin will invade Poland next. Poland is a member of NATO. It's a totally different situation.

If NATO nations do not help Ukraine there is no way Ukraine can defeat the Russians. Putin will take Ukraine.

Someone should ask Zelensky: Do you want three-fourths of Ukraine or none at all? Zelensky should accept the peace proposal. 

R.T. Becker, Fort Myers

Billionaires should step up

I have been watching with concern, President Trump and the DOGE attempts to reduce the bloat and overreach of the federal government, and the news media concern over the resulting loss of vital services.  I have on the whole been supportive of making our government less bureaucratic and more efficient.  However, I have become particularly concerned about what is happening to the NIH, the CDC, and the USAID programs, which I believe are critically important to our national health and welfare and safety.  And I have a potential solution.  We have a lot of multi-billionaires in this country.  Why don't some of them step up to the bar and fill in with support of these agencies to compensate for the loss of some of these apparent critical services?  Efficiency might be improved, and our country would be better for it.

Wayne Sherman, Naples

Higher ed accreditation process

Accreditation in higher education seems an abstract concept that doesn’t seem to impact most people, but in reality, it does. The accreditation process protects both the students and the public at large. It provides proof that program graduates have the required skills, knowledge, and professional dispositions to practice their profession. The standards are developed by groups of experts of the profession identifying the most important skills, knowledge and dispositions necessary to do the job. It is how you know that your doctor, nurse, lawyer, or teacher has passed a rigorous program of study, and has demonstrated the necessary skills and shows the professional judgment to practice their profession. It also protects students because accreditation also indicates to prospective students that the program meets the highest standards delivering a quality education. Many professions require licenses and certifications before they can practice their profession. These licensing bodies require that all licensed practitioners are graduates of regionally accredited colleges and universities. This safeguards the unwary public from fraud, and in the health profession, it saves lives. This is why accreditors should be left to do their job without political interference.

Abbe Finn, Fort Myers

Pay for having a baby

Need some extra income? In order to meet population growth needed for economic growth, the Trump administration is working on a $5,000 grant to women for having a baby.  I would hope this Big $5,000 is going to the women who would be doing the “heavy lifting." Wow. $5,000!  That’s 77 cents an hour for a 9-month chore, a far cry from the minimum wage.  Trump should also be factoring in child care since the mom will have to work when the dad can’t bring home enough bacon - something like $100,000 for those early years.  And education.  College tuition today runs at an average cost of $153,000 for four years. Trump needs to knock up the ante.

Sally Lam, Naples

Democracy for everyone

A dear friend suggested praying for Donald Trump to have a “Damascus Road” experience, referring to the Apostle Paul’s conversion from persecuting Christians to becoming their leading advocate to the Gentile world. Do I believe God can change anyone? Yes I do. But a person has to want to change, has to have a heart and mind open to a power for good greater than themselves. Paul was an extremely devout Jew dedicated to serving God; he just hadn’t yet recognized that God’s character was revealed in Jesus.

In the Book of Acts, as a light suddenly blinds him, Paul hears a voice, “Why do you persecute me?” He asks, “Who are you, Lord?” The answer: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Near the end of his life Jesus proclaimed, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.”

I suggest the likely candidate for a life-changing insight is not Trump, but rather the devout Christian who has lost sight of the heart of Jesus and mistakes fear-based Christian nationalism with the promise — and command — given since the time of Abraham to be a blessing to every tribe, tongue, and nation. It is the enemy of the Good Shepherd who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, whose native tongue is lying, who wants to obliterate the image of God implanted in every man, woman, and child.

Join us every Friday 9-10 a.m. on McGregor at Shell Point Blvd. to protect democracy for everyone.

Debby Topliff, Fort Myers

Ukraine peace talks

Under the present administration, the poor folks of Ukraine have been sold out with Russia being the big winner in the present peace negotiations. 

After three years of bombardment, their sovereignty is now in serious danger by a pact whereby Putin would keep the territory illegally taken and Crimea − another ill-gotten land. Additionally, the country of these down-trodden people must agree to never be assimilated into NATO. Now, our president (ugh) is castigating Zelensky for not agreeing to this deal. In other words, after losing so many people − both civilian and military − not to mention infrastructure, he is under fire for not acceding to these terrible conditions. Russia has not made any concessions in these “peace” talks. I always thought that a compromise between signatories was required. These talks are so lop-sided, and I don’t blame Zelensky at all for standing his ground. Thanks again to our president and his enablers for doing his authoritarian pal the favor of standing in his corner. 

Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral

Funding for Harvard

Who knew billions of our tax dollars were going to Harvard, whose endowment fund functions like an untaxed hedge fund with over $53 billion in assets? It's listed as a private university "not funded by the government." And I guess the inclusion part of DEI includes antisemites in the student body and faculty.

John Beck, Estero

Trump seems to favor Russia

There is a word for what Trump and Vance want the Ukrainians to do. It’s called SURRENDER! If the U.S. recognizes Russia’s illegal seizing of Crimea, what’s to stop Russia and other countries from illegally seizing other lands? When Trump says “I have no favorites” that is simply not true. Here are the actions he has taken to favor the Russians:

1. Halting Counter-Russian Hybrid Warfare EffortsMultiple U.S. national security agencies have suspended coordinated efforts to counter Russian sabotage, disinformation, and cyberattacks. This initiative, established under President Biden, involved at least seven agencies and was designed to monitor and disrupt Russian hybrid warfare operations. The Trump administration's decision to halt these efforts has eased pressure on Moscow amid ongoing tensions.

2. Disbanding the Russian Oligarch Asset Seizure Task ForceThe Justice Department under President Trump has disbanded a Biden-era task force aimed at seizing the assets of Russian oligarchs. This program was part of broader efforts to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine by targeting the financial networks of influential Russians.

3. Shutting Down the State Department’s Disinformation OfficeThe Trump administration has closed the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, which was responsible for countering foreign disinformation campaigns, including those from Russia. Critics argue that this move undermines U.S. efforts to combat propaganda and misinformation.

4. Halting Offensive Cyber Operations Against RussiaThe administration has reportedly ordered the Department of Defense and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to stop offensive cyber operations targeting Russia. This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. cyber strategy and has raised concerns about the country's preparedness to counter cyber threats.

5. Curtailing Investigations into Russian War CrimesEfforts to hold Russia accountable for alleged war crimes in Ukraine have been scaled back. This includes unwinding initiatives aimed at investigating and documenting such crimes, which has sparked criticism from human rights advocates and international law experts.

6. Reducing Support for U.S. International BroadcastingFunding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees outlets like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has been cut. These platforms have been instrumental in providing independent news to audiences in Russia and neighboring regions.

Now-tell us again whose side Trump is on? It’s enough to make you believe the “golden shower” rumor.

Scott Nichols, Fort Myers

Overdue resistance

Finally, a Florida Republican state legislator has mustered the courage to rear up on his hind legs and speak plainly (or neigh, pick your choice) in calling our good governor a liar. Long past due. He might have said bald faced liar and would have still been out of defamation territory in telling the truth. Most Floridians were beginning to believe both the Florida House and the Senate had lost the use of those hind legs after being on their knees in the servile position to Mr. DeSantis for so long. This all came about when Mr. DeSantis threw one of his standard issue public temper tantrums after the Florida House dared to finally engage in oversight (their job, by the way) of one of MAGA’s and Mr. DeSantis’s typically duplicitous underhanded power plays, always at taxpayer’s expense, of course. Typically, and totally MAGA, our well-educated governor did not address the substance of the accusations. Oh no, that requires evidence and proof, kryptonite for MAGA. And as with all things MAGA, it is a case of follow the money. Mr. DeSantis could have made the entire affair disappear by clearly explaining to his constituencies under what legal authority money given to the state as part of a legal settlement ended up going through his wife’s charity and ending up in funds used to combat the two recent citizen-initiated referendums that Mr. DeSantis opposed. Simple, right? Does anybody hear a reasonable explanation from Mr. DeSantis? You will not. Too busy flailing about against those evil Democrats while MAGA does all kinds of sleight of hands with your money.

Thomas Minor, Bonita Springs