Build differently on barrier islands
Hopefully after the latest pair of storms , Floridians will start making more rational choices about where to live. Barrier islands may still make sense for some things, but no longer for conventional, one-story residences.
Houses on stilts, beach shacks with no drywall, seasonal businesses built like shacks and multistory buildings may all make sense for a while yet if built right.
The change of mindset needs to happen soon. Mainland taxpayers are getting tired of subsidizing the islands.
Maybe Sarasota and Manatee counties should start offering some small cash payments for those who abandon their land to the county to reduce costs down the road.
David Towle, Sarasota
Divided by politics, united by storm threat
Hurricane Helene was horrendous.
But it was also a reminder that we are all Americans and neighbors. When an outside force threatens any of us, we join forces to help.
It’s who we are as a people. We are kind and help strangers. We are Americans and that is more important than whether we are Democrats or Republicans.
We need to remember this as we go to vote . What do we want America to look like in the future?
I like the America I saw responding to Hurricane Helene, not the one I’ve seen fighting over elections and calling names for years.
I want there to be a Federal Emergency Management Agency to help the people who lost everything.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 recommends cutting FEMA and eliminating the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency that flies planes into hurricanes to provide us all the information and warnings we need with these horrific storms.
If you think these agencies are important in these days of superstorms, preserve them – and the important work they do – by voting for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Christina Faulkner, Punta Gorda
Give huge ‘thank you’ to first responders
I know that there are many, many people recovering from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Some have lost everything.
The government is doing all that it can, including getting gas to us and free gas locations .
But we all need to take a breath for a minute, and while we are doing that, give a huge “thank you” to all of our police officers, firefighters, EMTs and truck drivers and all of our neighbors and friends who helped each other.
Those first responders and truck drivers are running on very little rest and still have their own homes and families to take care of.
We are all tired but we will get through this.
Gregory Sarra, Bradenton
Americans agree on many major issues
On Nov. 5, Americans will complete the voting to determine our next president.
We have been told this vote will be very close, given the extreme divide on the key issues. Really?
Gun laws: The majority of Americans (58%) support stricter gun laws, including requiring universal background checks, restricting gun access for those with mental illnesses and raising to 21 the minimum age to buy a gun.
Women’s choice: 63% of Americans favor the right of women to make decisions about their bodies in spite of the male-dominated Supreme Court.
Economy: Former President Donald Trump inherited a decent economy in 2016 yet managed to increase the national deficit by $8.4 trillion. President Joe Biden was handed a COVID-ravaged mess with all signs pointing toward inflation.
Immigration: The majority of Americans want an approach to dealing with our borders without sacrificing the intent of our Constitution. (According to Gallup, 55% want immigration decreased, 16% would like it increased and 25% chose the status quo.) So why can’t we get somewhere with all this?
Instead, we have Trump killing a bipartisan congressional agreement on immigration. Yes, the same former president convicted of 34 felonies who continues to deny the results of his 2020 election defeat. What a small man!
Steve Keenan, Lakewood Ranch
State shouldn’t legislate pregnancy
Pregnancy and childbirth have been dangerous to women’s health throughout history.
Things often go wrong with this very complicated process, at every stage of pregnancy.
There are so many issues that impact the process, such as the mother’s preexisting health conditions, the blood type of the mother and child, mistakes in DNA replication, genetic diseases, etc.
No law can cover all the possible outcomes and when they might occur.
The only sensible policy is to leave it between a woman and her doctor. If we try to legislate this, we take away lifesaving treatment for women who need it, which is cruel.
Please vote “Yes” on Amendment 4 . It will save lives.
Dawn Mann, Port Charlotte
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Letters: It's foolish to build one-story homes on Sarasota's barrier islands
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