Anna Maria Island’s recovery from Hurricane Milton continues on October 17
Hurricane Milton recovery continues on Anna Maria Island.
Developers make money when mobile homes disappear
My heart breaks for the working families who lost everything to Helene and Milton. They are already facing an extreme shortage of affordable housing throughout our area as a result of local government decisions that promote other interests.
But one family’s tragedy is an opportunity for a developer or a real estate fund. That’s good for the economy, but not for the community.
Valuable, long-coveted land will be acquired when mobile home owners are no longer allowed to rebuild.
An Oct. 20 Herald-Tribune story reported on a town meeting in Bradenton Beach on Oct. 17: “Bradenton Beach officials stopped short of fully condemning all trailers and mobile homes in the Pines Trailer Park and Sandpiper Mobile Resort communities…Nonetheless, informed they residents could not rebuild their homes.”
I don’t see anyone telling someone with a McMansion on a barrier island that they can’t rebuild.
I see continued uncontrolled development that is putting pressure on current infrastructure and having serious consequences for current residents.
The negative impact of these hurricanes will go far beyond the actual destruction of physical property and loss of life. I don’t want the same people making decisions about rebuilding that are making decisions about development in Sarasota County.
Elections have consequences. We need a new direction. That opportunity is before us.
Max Jackson, Venice
Storm communication reassuring
A big round of applause for the excellent crisis communications provided via social media by the Sarasota County Emergency Management team.
While other forms of communication were unavailable during the brutal passage of Hurricane Milton, a dedicated provincial staff conveyed facts to the public with quiet reassurance. They tirelessly conveyed unvarnished, realistic messages through various media throughout the emergency.
Help for storm victims: FEMA opens disaster recovery centers in Sarasota and Manatee counties
Particularly useful were the ‘stick to the known facts’ updates provided regularly by Sandra Tapfumaneyi, the head of emergency management services.
Her calm, factual presentation of information was in stark contrast to the undermining messages of our Republican Congressman, Greg Steube, who spared no time in criticizing federal government agencies.
George Arfield, Sarasota
Netanyahu defends freedom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the Churchill of our time, perhaps even greater.
He is charting a course to eliminate the most despicable and heinous threats to freedom and humanity since Hitler (Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and others).
Netanyahu courageously stood up to the advice of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who sat like an albatross around his neck.
He stood up to the useless United Nations, which condemned Israel for its response to one of history’s most horrific acts of terror. He stood up to protesters in his country and many US universities who supported Hamas terror. He stood up to many great leaders and citizens in his own country.
I’m sure the Biden-Harris administration will try to take a victory lap around Netanyahu’s success, but they should be ashamed of themselves for riding the fence and pandering to the Palestinians to get votes.
Now Israel, a country the size of New Jersey, is perhaps the world’s greatest defender of freedom and democracy.
Every democratic nation, every Jewish person, and every citizen of Israel and the United States owes a debt to Israel for showing us the way to defend freedom. God bless Israel and God bless Benjamin Netanyahu for his leadership, strength and courage under fire.
Lieutenant Colonel Duff Smiley, Air Force, Retired, Osprey
Trump has no respect for the military
Last weekend I saw a bumper sticker that said “Veterans for Trump.” You can’t be serious.
Former President Donald Trump called Americans who died in the war “suckers” and “losers.” Why on earth would a veteran vote for someone who has such a low opinion of our defenders?
My husband is a veteran. I can assure you that he is neither a loser nor a loser. He served with dignity during wartime and was honorably discharged, like many before and after him.
Donald Trump is a one-man negative recruiter of the armed forces.
Anyone who shows disrespect to the US military is not the right choice for America.
Monica Streacker, Sarasota
Photo of Harris, Walz misplaced
On the jump page of your article, “Medicare enrollment now open, ends December 7,” on October 18, I was quite amused and baffled as to why you showed a photo of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz.
Aside from the subliminal influence of including a photo of the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidate with an article about open enrollment for Medicare, which is now clearly a hot topic here in Florida, what purpose did this serve?
You are not serving your readers with this underhanded tactic.
Carole Bernard, Lakewood Ranch
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