Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include name, a full address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Email submissions to[email protected].
Government’s attempt to destroy habitat at state parks was shameful
How encouraging that environmental groups including Audubon, 1000 Friends of Florida, Healthy Gulf, The Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Wildlife Federation, Florida Sierra Club, Florida Wildflower Federation, Florida Springs Council, Earth Justice, Friends of the Everglades, and statewide media to name a few were able to organize collectively and mobilize their membership despite the efforts of our state government to prevent them.
Only one week before public meetings were scheduled midafternoon on the same day at all parks did the government announce their proposal to destroy habitat at our beloved state parks by building golf courses, pickleball courts, and large hotels.
State officials do not seem to realize these fit municipal and county parks with similar sporting events, not state parks. Kudos to Francis Weston Audubon for having a handout for their members including the email addresses.
The attempt by our government to hoodwink us and push their proposal through is sad. Our governor said, “If people don’t want improvements, then we won’t do them. If only the funding for maintenance and staff was sufficient.
Can you imagine ecotourists’ experience with the bonk-bonk-bonk of pickleball courts in the background? Might this destroy an entire industry for much of our state?
Let us continue collaborating to protect our planet nurturing nature for everyone and our posterity to enjoy!
Elizabeth Major, Gulf Breeze
Readers don’t hold back:Letters: Kamala Harris is unfit to be president regardless of her race; Gaetz lacks appeal
Vance’s pageant attack reminds us of Trump’s Miss USA history
J.D. Vance tries to attack Kamala Harris by posting a video of a Miss Teenage contestant stumbling in answering question as a “joke.” Shaming the young lady again. He then refuses to apologize after knowing she had contemplated suicide because of the ridicule and harassment she endured.
Which reminds people of Trump’s comments about walking in on the contestants of this same pageant while they were dressing and saying he could get away with that because he owned the pageant. And yet, people still admire and are willing to vote for this unrepentant sexual predator and convicted felon.
Michael Gilbert, Jay
Jubilee hearings must be postponed until SRC seats new commissioners
The Jubilee development is a proposed amendment to the Santa Rosa County Comprehensive Plan coming before the Santa Rosa County Commission this month of September. Located in District 3, the development will heavily impact the infrastructure of the adjacent District 1. The development’s scale dwarfs anything tackled by Santa Rosa County in 35 years of comprehensive planning.
After reading this proposed amendment, I see significant and expensive challenges to an already inadequate network of transportation, water, sewer, and school resources. I do not see timely funding streams in place or contemplated to address these issues.
Even more disturbing and foreboding is that this proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan comes up for decision now – just after the incumbent District 1 and 3 commissioners were defeated following hard-fought elections – and two months before these same two incumbents will leave office.
Jubilee’s developers have a right to be heard, of course. But, at a minimum, any hearing and decision on Jubilee must be postponed until after new District 1 and 3 commissioners are seated and have time to familiarize themselves with the project’s many issues directly impacting the citizens.
William DuBois, Milton
Election too important to allow race and gender to hurt Harris
Each time I hear someone say that the upcoming presidential race is going to be close, I can’t help but wonder why? Why would this be when there is such an obvious contrast between the two individuals involved? Can it really be possible that so many Americans and self-described patriots could prefer such an obviously unqualified, inept, individual (Trump) to a superbly qualified individual (Harris)?
We, as Americans, should realize that the individual chosen will represent the United States around the globe. Do we really want to be represented by an individual who is so morally corrupt? An individual who communicates on such a low grade average? One who cannot put together a coherent sentence?
Is this really the image that we want to present around the globe? I would think that this would be a no-brainer. What does this say about us as a nation? I submit that it portrays America in a negative sense. It portrays us as a nation of idiots. Honestly, is there anyone out there who can listen to this man speak and not feel a genuine sense of embarrassment?
If you are one of these individuals who can do so, then you should question your own intelligence. Should the color of one’s skin or one’s gender be the determining factor in this situation? I submit that the situation is too dire for such a narrow view.
Carlton J. Charles, Pensacola
Hear from our readers:Letters: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump is a choice between democracy and dictatorship
Veterans must never forget the actions of Jan. 6, 2021
As a former veteran, I took an oath to defend the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic. On Jan. 6, 2021, a mob attacked the Capitol Building in our nation’s capital and killed five policemen and injured many others. The then president, as Commander in Chief, sat in his White House and did absolutely nothing for three hours.
Please consider this before casting your vote for the next president on Nov. 5.
Exner Craig, Molino
All voters must consider their country
1. Will you personally support an Illegal migrant in your home?
2. Will you hide a rapist or murderer on your property?
3. Are you sure our military is being adequately funded?
4. Do you like paying more for everything?
5. Can you truthfully offer a solution to the divisiveness of our country?
6. Looking at the past performances of the presidential candidates, do you prefer factual performances to “politicians promises”?
7. Do you want to depend on China, Russia, Iran and other foreign countries for medicine, fuel, and technology?
8.Are the personal lives of our elected officials that do not include us, our concern?
9. Is your hate for a politician morally satisfying for you? If so, ask yourself why.
10. If you are a citizen voting, ask yourself if you are helping your country.
Charles King, Pensacola
Animal sheltering is not a ‘game’ and we must get serious with legislation
Regarding the “‘It’s a Jenga game every day’: Animal shelters battling overcrowding crisis” article from the Pensacola News Journal on Sept. 9.
Animal sheltering is not a “game.” When shelters play around with policies to achieve “no-kill” status — including by turning away animals, re-abandoning cats outdoors, and warehousing animals in crowded cages — animals always lose.
Animals rejected by shelters keep breeding — creating even more with nowhere to go. Many suffer horrific fates, including being left in abandoned homes to slowly starve to death. After another Florida shelter refused to accept a kitten from residents, they dumped the kitten in the facility’s parking lot, where a car ran over her, crushing her skull. She died days later.
Cats who are re-abandoned outdoors aren’t “living their best lives”— they’re dying young and painfully. They are domesticated animals who depend on humans for protection, food, and everything else. Outdoors, they starve; succumb to weather extremes; languish with untreated infections, injuries, and diseases; are hit by cars, torn apart by dogs, tortured by cruel people; and more.
Warehousing animals is also cruel and does nothing to solve the animal overpopulation crisis. Dogs and cats need exercise, mental stimulation, and regular companionship to thrive. Stored away like old shoes, animals become withdrawn, depressed, hyperactive, or aggressive—and less adoptable with every passing day.
It’s long past time to get serious and stop animal homelessness at its source, by passing legislation that restricts breeding, bans animal sales, and requires spaying and neutering and responsible guardianship.
Teresa Chagrin, Animal Care and Control Issues Manager, PETA
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