We must choose between sugarcane and our health: your say

Health hazard

Here we go again. Algae season in Southwest Florida. All the pundits show up: we need agriculture, it comes from the north, sugarcane is clean, send it to the coasts to protect life (really to protect property, called sugarcane), nothing we can do, septic tanks, etc., etc.

Not all sugarcane is the problem. The problem is that some of the sugarcane fields occupy the area just south of the lake that blocks the way south to the Everglades. It needs to be swamps and marshes. That area has subsided due to soil and muck oxidation, caused by sugarcane farming, and is a natural low area and mini basin. It would be perfect for marshes that would clean the water of excess nutrients before heading south; and as a side benefit, become a sportsman's paradise for hunting, fishing, and exploring. 

Or, we can keep sending algae/fertilizer water to the coasts, causing poisoned water and air. Poison people, and save some sugarcane. Human health sacrificed for sugar. It's not just about the money anymore. 

Tom Grier , Cape Coral

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Massive hole

Kudos to Amy Bennett Williams for her article on the Florida Department of Health,  “Emails show health department struggled to manage water crisis”.  This is local journalism at its best.  We now know that our information safety net has a massive hole.

Williams’ reporting on emails between concerned citizens and government agencies documents a culture of inaction. The agencies' choices: send emails to others, deny responsibility or just ignore.  My taxes are paying for bureaucrats to be unresponsive; my votes go to elected officials who look the other way. What happened to leadership?

Research findings on the public health risks of toxic algae are now coming in. Is there anyone in county government we can trust to give us a clear understanding of the threats we face, if any?  As the article so brilliantly reveals, that trust is broken.

My question:  in this crisis of trust, where is our Lee County Board of County Commissioners?  John Cassani puts forth suggestions for change.  Our Board of County Commissioners owes it to us to take action and not wait for some state bureaucrat to kick the can down the road.  It’s time for our county’s elected leadership to step up. 

Charlotte Newton, Fort Myers

Worthy activity

Along with the April 7 article, local section, 3A, you wrote about the LGBT parade on April 6, I was disappointed that there was not also an article about another important event, also on April 6 in Cape Coral.

It was called "Touch A Truck". It was a fundraiser  and awareness raiser about Fragile X. Fragile X is a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability and autism.

Many local vendors, companies and county vehicles participated. They allowed the children to see, climb on and experience large vehicles.

There were also local performers that contributed their time and talent.

It is a very worthy activity that was not given the publicity it deserved.

Sandra Strausser, Fort Myers

Stay out

For the readers who feel like the mullet  toss is "inhumane." I see the readers are from Cape Coral.  

Please focus on your city's encroachment into Matlacha, or better yet keep your city from removing boat lock barriers or there won't be any mullet to toss. Focus on your burrowing owls or something.

Stay out of our traditions and and we'll stay out of yours.

Darren LaGrave, Matlacha

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More coverage

Thank you for covering more news about the Lee Country schools.  Although it is interesting to read about the friction among the school board members, the fraud involving manipulation of test scores, paying for college entry, success of high school athletics, "potty patrol" in the restrooms, etc., it is rewarding to read that the House is planning to strengthen civics education (March 12) and the accomplishments of middle school students in a recent News Press.

A quality education involves educating the mind, body, heart and soul of all students. All taxpayers want to be assured that their money is being spent educating the whole child.  The acts of kindness among students, the academic achievements, and the importance of English proficiency, are all very important to your readers. Let's hear more about the students.

Myrna Sanner, Estero