Nature of barrier islands
Looking at photos of the barrier islands up to the 1970s show islands made up of small seasonal houses, some retail, small bungalow motels, beaches and lots of mangroves. Jump ahead to 2025, the islands are now occupied by large four season houses, resort hotels, commercial and residential developments, beaches and every year fewer mangroves.
Barrier islands serve two main functions. They protect the coastlines from severe storm damage; and they harbor several habitats that are refuges for wildlife. They are not meant to be permanently inhabited.
Under the natural processes barrier islands form as waves repeatedly deposit sediment parallel to the shoreline. As wind and waves shift according to weather patterns and local geographic features, these islands constantly move, erode and grow. They can even disappear entirely. With the island’s constantly changing it is human hubris and a fool’s errand to keep attempting to rebuild them to suit human desires after every major storm.
People have the right to live on the barrier islands, but in so doing there are risks and responsibilities associated with doing that. The main driver for rebuilding beaches is not to maintain the barrier islands for their natural purposes, it is to protect a handful of people’s investments. It is time to stop spending Lee County taxpayer dollars to replenish beaches to save the investments of a small number of people. Let the barrier islands take their natural course.
Daniel Becker, Fort Myers
Celebrating seniors
Globally, the population of older adults is projected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050, universally shifting socioeconomic, cultural and health care systems in the process.
This October 1st, International Older Persons Day, let’s celebrate the richness seniors add to our lives and community while recognizing the need to address aging’s challenges and opportunities; advocate for improved inclusion and wellbeing for older adults; and create a safe world where seniors live independently in dignity.
For charities like Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate, where seniors are celebrated daily, October 1st helps us shine a light on the vibrant, diverse and caring place we’ve created for you to make friends, enjoy nourishing meals, receive caring support, learn something new and celebrate life.
It allows us to let seniors, caregivers and the community know about our direct financial assistance and mental health programs; seminars, fitness and art classes; enrichment and self-care offerings; holiday and birthday celebrations; medical services, research programs, advocacy and hurricane/disaster preparedness efforts. It provides us the opportunity to ask the community to support senior programs across Collier County by giving time, talent and/or treasure to ensure the wellbeing of older adults. And, to invite older adults to discover YOUR Collier senior center: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at 4898 Coronado Parkway. Membership is free and open to all Collier County adults 60 years of age and older. To learn more, call 239-252-4541, or visit CollierSeniorCenter.org.
Esther Lully, MSML, director, Collier Senior Center — Golden Gate
Visit to Canada
My wife and I just returned from six weeks in Canada. When asked how we were received, the answer was simple: Canadians still like Americans. It felt like visiting a recently divorced friend — initially cautious, unsure of what to say. But once the ice broke, their warmth poured out. In conversations we heard, “I’m so sorry for your loss,” or, “I can’t believe what’s happening,” followed by stories of their own U.S. ties and patient listening to our views.
The affection is genuine. Canadians respect the American people, even as they shake their heads at our politics. They believe most of us are trying to hold onto what matters, and many still hope we’ll find our way through this crisis. But friendship doesn’t stop the world from moving on. Where U.S. alliances have faltered, Canada is adapting — building its own capabilities so it can rely less on traditional partners, and welcoming new domestic and foreign players. Some of the marbles America dropped — EV and battery plants, solar factories, critical-mineral supply chains — are now being picked up by Canada and other partners.
So yes, Canadians still stand with us. But like the friends of a separated couple, they are learning to build new relationships too. If we intend to stay their closest ally, we must show up — with consistency, vision, and respect.
Charles McClinton, Cape Coral
Threat to free speech
If it’s true that Charlie Kirk’s whole mission was to promote free speech, then it is a dishonor to his memory to limit, police, and shut down the speech of those who differ. Dear Leader and his administration are afraid to debate, instead threatening those who disagree with them with law enforcement, legal actions and unleashing trolls. People are losing jobs because they dared to communicate facts. Television news teams, newspaper columnists, podcasters are having their speech silenced. If I start being harassed for writing this Letter to the Editor then I will know I’m living in China or Russia under an all-powerful dictator. Our constitutional guarantee of free speech has been the bedrock of our independence for 250 years. Are we about to lose it?
Jennifer Walker, Naples
Misguided anti-vaccine rhetoric
There are currently 21 physician members of the 119th Congress (4 senators and 17 representatives). If any of these 21 Doctors of Medicine support the misguided anti-vaccine rhetoric and actions of Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., their medical licenses should be revoked. The Hippocratic oath pledges physicians to prescribe only beneficial treatments, refrain from causing harm or hurt, and live exemplary personal and professional lives. Specifically, the oath states “I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.” While it is my hope that all 21 doctors will honor their professional code, I fear that lust for power, prestige and influence (political ambition) may supersede medical ethics for some/many of these elected officials. If America experiences a resurgence of measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A & B, chickenpox and polio due to governmental anti-vaccine quackery, then those who knew best will shoulder the blame.
James L. DeBoy, Fort Myers
No malice in our silence
When news broke of Charlie Kirk’s death, my feed was flooded with grief and demands for respect. But the loudest demands were directed at people like me. Why were we not mourning? Why were we not speaking kindly of the dead?
For many white Americans, our refusal to perform that grief was unfathomable. But for those of us on the receiving end of Charlie Kirk’s bigotry, indifference is natural. Mourning someone who profited from demeaning us forces participation in our own dehumanization. Refusal protects our dignity.
Within 24 hours, HBCUs and minorities faced backlash for the audacity of feeling indifferent. It revealed a truth of White Supremacy: that white values set the standard for all. We are expected to cry when they cry and mourn men who never mourned us. But no one is required to grieve a man who spent his entire career trying to make our lives smaller and harder.
As so often happens, our refusal was twisted into accusations of cruelty. Those furious at our indifference are the same people who criticized George Floyd, mocked suffering migrants, and dismissed our grief when our communities were in pain. Yet now we are expected to weep for a man who openly despised us?
This double standard reinforces the belief that white lives, even hateful ones, deserve automatic sanctity while Black and Brown lives do not.
Charlie Kirk is gone. Our refusal is not cruelty or celebration. In our silence, there is no malice.
Jina Yi, Fort Myers
Widening the divide
We grieve for the senseless murder of Charlie Kirk and we condemn violence. The perpetrator was a political zealot with mental health issues who had easy access to a rifle. Trump and Vance and other small-minded people jump at the opportunity to blame the radical left, alleging that the preponderance of hate and violence come from the left. That’s a lie that tends to exacerbate the problem and widen the gulf between left and right. Many distrust, some even hate, those with whom they disagree. That’s on both sides.
Kirk was an extremely successful influencer. A prominent MAGA activist, he voiced opposition to abortion, gun control, DEI programs, LGBT rights, and immigration. He promoted COVID misinformation and election denial. On a positive note, he was a vocal defender of free speech. Unlike Trump, who would say or do anything that served his purpose or glorified himself, Charlie Kirk was a true believer.No matter how many or how grave our policy disagreements with Mr. Kirk, or anyone on the political spectrum, political violence is unacceptable. Unfortunately, it’s probable that we’ll continue to act with deadly foolishness. Unlike other civilized nations, guns in America are prevalent and accessible. We have our fair share of mentally unstable political zealots, and our differences of opinion are pronounced. Our president and his loyalist lapdogs widen the divide with their incendiary and inaccurate words. In our current situation, It’s tough to be optimistic.
Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs
Release Epstein files
There is wide outrage on both sides of the political sphere over Charlie Kirk’s death. I didn’t know Charlie Kirk so I can’t say that I didn’t like him as a person. I did however dislike intensely his words. He’s entitled to his thoughts and to express them publicly just as I am also entitled to my thoughts. I’m not going to add to the outrage but I will say one thing. Apparently, Kirk was on the side of demanding the release of all Epstein files. I think Trump owes it to his good friend to have ALL of the Epstein files released in honor of Charlie’s wish for transparency. Let’s demand from our GOP representatives in Florida and all through the country to get the Epstein files released… NOW.
Beth Summer, Naples
Most vicious vitriol
Can you name the national politician who spouts the most vicious vitriol and hate speech against the opposition party?
Tom Grier, Cape Coral
Unreasonable search and seizure
In a September 2025 controversial “shadow docket” decision, the Supreme Court lifted a lower court’s injunction that had barred immigration agents from stopping individuals based solely on ethnicity, language, job, or location.
What this means: Our right to “NO unreasonable search and seizure” guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is no longer a right. The ruling allows broad generalizations that groups can be targeted by ICE based on their skin color, language, or type of employment. Justice Sotomayor condemned the ruling as a violation of the Fourth Amendment, warning it enables racial profiling and undermines constitutional protections.
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: ´The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause supported by Oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place of search and the persons or things to be seized.”
Are any of us safe now from unreasonable search and seizure? U.S. citizens now need to carry their passports with them!
Linda Lindquist, North Fort Myers
Pro-life contradictions
Are we pro-life? I don’t understand the administration and pro-life people who are against vaccinating children, stricter gun laws and releasing the Epstein files that expose violence against children.
Among children born during 1994–2023, routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths, resulting in direct savings of $540 billion and societal savings of $2.7 trillion. (Source: CDC).
This year alone there have been at least 44 school shootings. There was outrage and horror over a recent political figure’s death. On that same day, a shooting occurred at a school in Evergreen. No national outrage. Hardly a mention of it at all.
What other country has as many shootings? None. They don’t carry guns and they aren’t any less free.
Over one thousand young girls sexually assaulted by prominent, wealthy men. All being groomed by Jeffrey Epstein.
Life is sacred. The Declaration of Independence says that all men (humankind) are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Why is there a push to end mandatory vaccinations for children? Why does a shooter have rights over the life of an innocent child? Is life only sacred in the womb? Why can’t files be released to bring to justice those who imposed themselves on young girls?
Are we pro-life? Aren’t we pro-birth? Life extends beyond the womb. We have inalienable rights.
Lorelei King, Fort Myers
America’s nightmare
Imagine if you will a time and place where things are not what they seem. A place where scientific norms and decades of advancement are tossed aside and delusional loyalists are installed to undermine the public health and greater good. Where lies are truth and truth no longer matters. Where women have little rights of choice to decide what’s best for themselves and dictated by the authorities. Where religion, but only the “correct” religion, is allowed to post beliefs. When brown and black skin color is of no longer equality and separate drinking fountains and toilets are only a year away. When criminals and fraudsters are routinely pardoned to “own” the other political party. Where debasing and abusing underage young women by men in power is covered up, where debasing and abusing any woman is what they asked for. Where 1984 and the Twilight Zone have collided. America is sick and growing up with George Carlin, he was right about everything. This is America’s nightmare, look out the window, chances are you see yourself.
Laurence Jacks, Estero
Affordable health care
In 2023, an estimated 4.7 million small business owners and self-employed workers relied on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace for health insurance. In 2021 Congress raised the income levels of people who could receive enhanced tax credits which was driven by the Biden administration to help the unisured. The Inflation Reduction Act extended subsidies until December 2025. It was a hefty price tag of 335 billion over 10 years but in 2024 more Americans had affordable health insurance than ever before. Nonprofit research organization KFF has determined half of the recipients are not aware their health insurance is subsidized with federal dollars. Many of these recipients are Republicans, 56% of ACA enrollees live in districts represented by Republicans and 76 % of ACA enrollees are in states won by Trump in 2024. Neither the Trump White House nor Republicans in Congress have plans to do anything before December when these credits expire. When they end states will see $34 billion disappear, they will also see 286,000 jobs primarily in hospitals, doctors offices, and pharmacies furloughed. The hardest hit states will be those who didn’t expand Medicaid so residents depend more on the ACA marketplace and subsidies. Those states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The impact will be immediate, and painful as out of pocket costs will increase by an average of 75% by KFF Health System Tracker. This increase will force many to go uninsured. “There’s not a lot of gray area here,” said the CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. “We will see our uninsured rate increase significantly for individuals who are largely working.” “Congress needs to set aside polarizing politics of the ACA and realize that small business are in better shape now than 15 years ago,” the CEO stated. It’s looking like millions of working Americans who live in congressional districts that vote Republican will lose access to affordable health care and the current White House and Republican-held Congress could care less about them.
L. OBrien, Fort Myers
Think before you act
In reflecting on the murder of Charlie Kirk I am struck by how often people treat thinking and acting as two separate activities. Yet the old saying “think before you act,” has never been more relevant.
Before taking any action, it is worth pausing to ask: What is my true motivation? What do I hope to accomplish? And, just as importantly, what unintended consequences could follow?
If more of us, including the leaders of our country, embraced this simple discipline, perhaps we could foster more understanding and reduce the kinds of tragic outcomes that stem from impulsive and unchecked action.
Patricia Howard, Naples
‘Conservative’ misnomer
Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be slain. He should be out and about in his campus tour today. As the creator and leader of Turning Point USA, he was an extremely important, iconic, and influential force in social and political movements. The perpetrator deserves, as Utah Governor Spencer Cox urged, the “full measure” of the justice system.
But describing Kirk, who was a victim of a heinous and an unjustifiable killing, as a “conservative” is a misnomer and a gross injustice to true conservatism. There is nothing “conservative” about his racial tropes. His oft-stated misogynism is not “conservative.” His frequent expressions of homophobia is not “conservative.” His anti-Muslim rhetoric is not “conservative.” No, Kirk was, for all of his ingenuity, enterprise, success, and impact, not a real “conservative.” Rather, the positions he espoused were those of a right-wing extremist whose views degraded, demeaned, and hurt many marginal and vulnerable individuals.
To call him a “conservative,” is like referring to his alleged killer as a “liberal.” Neither deserves that designation.
Marshall H. Tanick, Naples
Wake up, citizens
Prior to the election last November, voters were warned about DJT having no guardrails. Little did they know or care to know what this free rein would metastasize into. All his department heads are woefully unqualified but solidly loyal to their leader. Kash Patel, for instance, has released many top-tiered, very experienced supervisors either because they wouldn’t pledge loyalty or take a polygraph. RFK Junior has no medicinal background and relies on his instincts or conspiracy theories to recommend health guidelines which could kill many Americans. The latest fiasco involves sending National Guard, military personnel and soldiers to cities governed by Democrats under the guise of crime control when many Republican-led cities have much worse statistics.
And all this has transpired in eight months and no Republican lawmakers have expressed their displeasure. The near-term elections and midterms will render him powerless if the numbers change as predicted.
Wake up, citizens, and smell the stink.
Glenn Chenot, Cape Coral
Legitimate medical mandates
A recent column praised Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo for opposing medical mandates, declaring that in a free society “there is no place” for them. While the sentiment appeals to our love of liberty, it oversimplifies history, law, and the balance between freedom and responsibility.
“In a free society, there is no place for medical mandates.” Not so. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld such measures. In Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the Court sustained a smallpox vaccination law, affirming that states may require vaccination to protect public health. In Zucht v. King (1922), the Court confirmed that schools may mandate vaccines for attendance. Liberty matters — but it is not absolute when one person’s choices endanger others.
“The Constitution protects unalienable rights.” Correct — but rights have limits. Even free speech cannot be exercised in ways that cause harm, such as shouting “fire” in a crowded theater. Similarly, bodily autonomy does not extend to exposing vulnerable neighbors to preventable disease. The Constitution has always balanced individual rights with the common good.
“The 9th and 10th Amendments leave no room for federal mandates.” In reality, these amendments are the very source of state “police powers,” which include the authority to protect health and safety. State and local governments have long exercised these powers during epidemics, and the courts have recognized this authority for over a century.
“Florida’s Patient Bill of Rights makes mandates illegal.” That statute guarantees informed consent in the doctor–patient relationship. It was not written as a blanket prohibition against public health rules. Florida law itself authorizes quarantines and emergency health measures. If mandates were inherently unlawful, such statutes would not exist.
“This is not about vaccines; it is about freedom.” Freedom is vital — but real freedom requires responsibility. Just as we accept traffic laws, building codes, and food safety standards to protect ourselves and others, so too must we accept that some public health measures are necessary to prevent outbreaks from spiraling out of control.
The truth is that medical mandates are not unconstitutional. Courts have long affirmed their legitimacy when tailored to protect the community. Whether they are the best policy tool is another debate. Reasonable people can argue about effectiveness, fairness, or trust. But to claim that mandates have “no place” in a free society misrepresents both history and law.
Liberty and responsibility are not enemies. They are partners. Protecting public health is not an intrusion on freedom — it is what makes freedom possible in the first place.
Michael Troop, Naples