Letters to the editor for Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Cochran for Lee Commission

If you're happy with the increasing traffic congestion, a county commission that regularly disregards the Lee County Comprehensive Plan, and who represents the interests of the construction industry by consistently approving higher intensity residential and commercial development, then vote for the developer's candidate Mike Greenwell. Obviously increasing development intensity exacerbates our traffic problems. If you want a commissioner who will work with and represent the citizenry, then vote for Amanda Cochran (commission District 5).

The literature I've received from Commissioner Greenwell touts his support for the sheriff's office, as if Amanda Cochran wouldn't. Of course she will. Commissioner Greenwell doesn't talk about the bulk of his campaign funds coming from the construction industry, and his votes to increase development intensity despite major opposition from the public. As just one example, look at his vote to increase development intensity for South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island. Does it make sense to increase development intensity on the barrier islands, within the Coastal High Hazard Area, making traffic worse and increasing evacuation times? Ask yourself, why did he vote that way?As a former member of the Local Planning Agency and the Land Development Code Advisory Committee (appointed by Commissioner Frank Mann) I can tell you that our current commission represents developers, contractors, construction companies, and related businesses who supply the bulk of the support for their campaigns. They talk a good game in their campaign literature, but they don't represent the interests of the people.The same situation applies to the District 3 commission race. Candidate David Mulicka, owner of Honc Destruction, Inc., described as the leading demolition contractor in SW Florida, has received the bulk of his campaign funds from the development industry. Who do you think he'll represent? And why did he donate the maximum amount allowed to Commissioner Greenwell? David Mulicka's opponent, Matt Thornton, is a grassroots candidate who comes to community meetings and listens to the residents.We need to take back our county with commissioners who will represent the residents. If you're a registered Republican, vote on (or before) August 20th for Amanda Cochran (commission District 5), and Matt Thornton (commission District 3). Steve Brodkin, North Fort Myers, 49-year Lee County resident

Support Bennaroch

I met Yvette Bennaroch through her hard work improving education in Collier County. I can’t vote in Collier, but I support her 1,000%.

Yvette has helped her community for 20 years − serving others with no thought to personal gain or recognition. That dedication carries over to seeking election as your District 81 state rep.

I’ve heard Yvette and her opponent in debate venues. She’s the candidate who passionately speaks of serving the citizens − something we don’t often see in politics. Folley tends toward self-aggrandizement every time. It’s clear who wants to serve − and who wants ego strokes.

Folley claims he’s a veteran − if attending and playing football at the Naval Academy − but never serving the country makes you a vet − so be it. Yvette is an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm.

Yvette’s campaign donors are people who value her honesty, her selfless service, her accomplishments with legislators in Tallahassee. Endorsements speak volumes − she has leaders with her − Byron Donalds, Rick Scott, law enforcement, community principles. Greg has businesspeople with no ties to District 81. Folley has largely self-financed his campaign − and other donations from those who play tit for tat. Glaringly apparent was his vote allowing developers to butt up against a cemetery − a sacred resting place. He denies a huge contribution was involved − there’s also a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.

Yvette stands for the ethical, the principled, and the will of the people. Her opponent will sell out to the highest bidder.

Yvette will serve you − Greg will cater to the whims of donors.

Mary Ellen Jones, Bonita Springs

Ribble for Lee schools

As a concerned resident and grandparent of four students in Lee County, I would like to publicly endorse my choice ofBill Ribble for Lee County School Committee District 3.

I have known and worked along with Bill for various projects when Bill was mayor of Estero. Together, we started the “Jaws vs Claws” football rivalry along with Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons and also encouraged and supported the Estero Culinary Department as they vied for the Taco Cookoff Challenge.

With Bill’s encouragement, I stayed involved with both the school district and FGCU’s School of Entrepreneurship.

With the size of the School District’s budget, Bill will work diligently to address financial issues, pay issues for the teachers and help create a better learning environment for their students.

Please consider voting for Bill Ribble for the District 3 School Committee board.

Bill Daubmann, Fort Myers

Reelect Lucarelli, Carter

Voters for school board candidates this year have a one-time opportunity to reelect two incumbent candidates, each with eight years of experience. From here on, school board members will be limited to two terms.

Those candidates are Stephanie Lucarelli (District 2) and Erick Carter (District 4).

The lack of any experience by their two opponents shows every time they make allegations. For example, Pam Cunningham claims that “each new student since 2016 is costing taxpayers and additional $279,913.46 per year!” That is a ludicrous number on its face. Check for yourself; the Tentative Budget Book for FY 2025, page 12, shows that the cost per student is $22,456. Or consider that both contenders assert that the school board did not vote to keep Lorenzo Walker Technical High School open. Of course. Walker in not going to be shut down and there is no proposal to do so. A proposal affecting freshman and sophomore students concerning efficiency and opportunity seems too much for these two to comprehend.

I have invested much of my time going to most school board meetings and getting to know the budget process, as well as numerous other issues. I have made it a point to meet with and get to know each of the five school board members personally. After many individual meetings, numerous emails and phone calls, I can attest firsthand as to their expertise.

I hereby endorse Stephanie Lucarelli and Erick Carter for reelection to the Collier County School Board.

Edwin Thompson, Naples

Choose Benarroch

I’m writing to address the recent misleading and defamatory attacks against Yvette Benarroch, a candidate whose integrity, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our community are beyond reproach. The truth is that Affordable Landscaping Service and Design, a company owned by Yvette and her husband, has held the City of Marco Island contract for Medians and Roadways for many years, and continues to do so today. Over the years, this company has saved the City of Marco Island millions of dollars, demonstrating Yvette's commitment to fiscal responsibility and community service.What’s particularly telling is that her opponent, a sitting member of the Marco Island City Council, voted along with the rest of the council to renew these contracts in both 2022 and 2023. Only in 2024, due to the race for the Florida House in District 81 did he suddenly recuse himself. This kind of duplicity shows the true character of Yvette’s opponent — a person who is willing to manipulate the truth for political gain.We do not need a leader who deceives the public and resorts to dirty politics to win. Yvette Benarroch, on the other hand, has been a pillar of our community for over 20 years. She has tirelessly dedicated herself to service through numerous nonprofit organizations, including Rotary, Kiwanis, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, and many others. As a Gulf War veteran who held top security clearance, Yvette understands the profound meaning of sacrifice and service.Yvette is running for office not out of self-interest, but from a genuine desire to continue serving the community she loves. She understands the blessings of the American dream because she has lived it — raising her family, building her business, and contributing to the betterment of our district for over two decades. Yvette Benarroch’s record of service speaks for itself, and it is this record that makes her the leader we can trust to represent us with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to every family, senior, and veteran in our district.Don’t be misled by the unfounded attacks from her opponent. Yvette Benarroch is the leader we need, someone who embodies the values of service, integrity and community.

Amparo Cruz, Marco Island

Questions for Giovannelli

Lee County School Board District 2 Candidate, Melissa Giovannelli: Received your advertisement by mail and have questions. (1) You wrote "I will continue to shake up the establishment if necessary...") Who, may I ask is "The Establishment"? As a school board member, you are part of an "establishment." (2) Were you for or against a recent removal of many volumes of books from our school libraries. I never saw the list of titles of those books or reasons why each was on the removal list. The Diary of Anne Frank was a book removed by many libraries in our country. Anne Frank, a young girl, died in the Holocaust after hiding in an attic with her family for months from the Nazis, (3) "What tough calls" that you wrote, do you believe have been made that you support?The Lee School Board administration presumably confers or is made up of teachers and administrators who are also parents. Why not emphasize "work with" the establishment instead of a boast to "shake up." Be positive?

Joel Hersch, Fort Myers

Support Chester for schools

Being a resident of North Fort Myers, I live in District 7 of the school board.I support Sheridan Chester.She was a teacher for 23 years in the middle school and GED programs.Her platform includes: access to quality education for all students, empowering teachers, engage with parents, safety, learning with support, innovative educational tactics, and community communication.She is a catalyst in the community. She participates in "Dress for Success," "Footsteps for the future at the African American Center."Her efforts have been acknowledged in community, she has been awarded "Teacher for the year for Middle School," American Business Women's, Royal Palms chapter "Woman of the Year" twice.Support a great teacher for school board, District 7.

Kathleen Callard, RNBS, North Fort Myers

Vote for Melissa Blazier

The endorsement of Melissa Blazier by Jennifer Edwards should be sufficient to get all principled Republicans voting for Melissa as Supervisor of Elections for Collier County.

Joe Haack, Naples

Vote yes on Amendment 4

The headline (“Amendment 4 will increase risk to women…”) of a guest editorial (NDN: 7-28) is blatantly false.  For almost 50 years, U.S. citizens had legal access to the full range of reproductive medical care, including abortion. During that time, studies were done, data was analyzed and conclusions published. Research shows that pregnant persons are 14X more likely to die of pregnancy complications than individuals who terminate their pregnancy through induced abortions. Pregnant individuals (especially women of color) who carry unwanted pregnancies experience adverse health outcomes and increased mortality for both patient and offspring. Recent studies of states with restrictive abortion bans show an increase in both maternal and infant mortality rates when compared to states with no restrictions. OBGYNs are fleeing these states creating reproductive health care deserts and women are suffering physical harm because they can’t access necessary medical procedures in a timely fashion. Forcing a patient to carry an unwanted or nonviable pregnancy is not “good medicine”; it’s barbaric. Physicians have a choice to not perform abortions, while pregnant individuals have minimal reproductive choices in over 26 states. The 60,000 physician-member American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advocates for “good medicine” and unequivocally states that it “supports the availability of high-quality reproductive health services for all people and is committed to protecting and increasing access to abortion.” The ACOG firmly opposes abortion restrictions and backs “overturning efforts that restrict abortion access.” Unfortunately, religious and political opinions in Florida are preventing the practice of comprehensive, evidence-based medicine by qualified physicians. It’s time to end this tragedy. Restore abortion access and Vote YES on Issue 4 this November.

K Finer, Ph.D. , Naples

Political ad misses the mark

What an inspiring two weeks watching these talented, hardworking, patriotic young American athletes compete for their country, so many of them Floridians or training here in our state. They one after another stood on the podium as the national anthem was played with tears in their eyes, and then the network cut to Rick Scott’s political ad over and over again telling us how our country was a dumpster on fire. No medal for you. Senator, your timing was off the mark.

Mary Davies, Naples

Vote for people with character

Voters should be impressed by candidates with class and the ability to stick to the issues. The amount of negative campaigning says more about the candidate than their opponent.

Recent mailings from people who want to lead, show the shallowness of their character and lack of class. In fact, the negative mailings are an act of desperation for failing campaigns.

My vote is for people with character, depth, and integrity.

Ed Brandt, Naples

Support Harris, Walz

I do believe VP Kamala Harris has picked the right candidate for our future vice president.  Governor Tim Walz had been a teacher for 20 years, served 12 years in Congress, also served 24 years in the National Guard.  He is in his second term as the governor of the great State of Minnesota.

Donald J. Trump has just showed his stupidity and racism again.   He was invited to an interview with female Black journalists at their national convention.  He tried talking over them, that didn’t work as he looked like a fool that he is.

Trump is up to his old tricks, he is trying to make something out of our VP Harris, is she Indian or Black. Of course she is both, it does not matter at all.

I just hope Trump is dumb enough to debate VP Kamala Harris, she would eat him alive.  She has had 20 years as a state prosecutor.   Trump has had a lifetime of being a cheater and the world’s greatest liar.  No contest.

E. L. “Bud” Ruff, Naples

Booth to support Ukraine

To celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day 2024 on Saturday Aug 24, I will be launching a booth at the downtown Cape Coral Farmer’s Market. The booth will be a fusion of Ukrainian-American culture and have a central focus on freedom of country. There will be homemade sweet Ukrainian donuts known as Ponchiki and Pampushki.

All proceeds raised on Ukrainian Independence Day will go toward my August campaign to raise funds to purchase protective gear for the military battalion led by my dear friend Commander Yuri of the Presidential Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Commander Yuri leads a platoon of 20 men on a mortar battery for combat work on the intensely violent frontlines of Luhansk, Ukraine. This campaign is a collaborative effort with Ukraine Defense Support, a 501(c)(3) led by Carl Larson, a U.S. Combat Veteran of Iraq and former commander in the International Legion for Defense of Ukraine.

All are welcome who want to learn more about Ukraine’s fight for freedom! The booth will be located at the Club Square at SE 47th Terrace and SE 10th Place, South Cape 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday August 24, and ongoing Saturdays, for which proceeds will continue to be raised for Ukraine’s military.

Alexandra Zakhvatayev, Cape Coral

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Wednesday, August 14, 2024