Elderly are cautious, courteous drivers
In a letter Dec. 27, the writer wants the state to require that elderly drivers be tested yearly after age 79. He states that this “would keep unsafe drivers from potentially killing themselves and other innocent people.” He suggests a special license plate identifying elderly drivers.
It has been my observation that those disrupting safe traffic flow by zipping in and out of lanes without signaling; speeding, then braking suddenly; running red lights, and otherwise creating dangerous situations on the roads are not the elderly. It is not the elderly who are texting while driving.
As I observe it, the elderly drivers are the ones obeying the speed limits, and being patient and courteous. Yes, perhaps more cautious, but is that a bad thing?
Sarasota should be proud to be a haven for the elderly. It is they who contribute a tremendous amount to the well-being of all those living in Sarasota. To infringe on their ability to get to restaurants, cultural and community activities and force them to remain home and inactive because they might be slowing down a bit is a selfish, thoughtless idea.
Unfortunately, many of those reckless, youthful speeders — who get frustrated when the elderly driver in front of them makes a slow right-hand turn — will likely not live long enough to know what it is like to be elderly.
Will DeLong, Sarasota
Caring people change homeless man’s life
Kudos to Carrie Seidman for an inspirational column, “After decades, a bed to sleep in” (Dec. 28), the story of Michael Smith, a man I have seen wandering around Sarasota for the more than 20 years I have lived here. Smith now has a bed, shower, TV and toilet, thanks to Judge Erika Quartermaine.
Quartermaine ordered a full evaluation and turned to Steve Seidensticker for help. Seidensticker, owner of Libby’s and Louie’s Modern and board chairman of the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast, agreed to serve as his guardian.
A few people have made an enormous difference to an individual and paved the way to continue developing policies and practices to work with the homeless.
Nancy K. Schlossberg, Sarasota
Visitors to Siesta stuck in traffic
My daughter and family just arrived for a one-week stay on Siesta Key after driving 24 hours from Wisconsin. During their lengthy drive south, they encountered no traffic problems, until just before noon they reached the intersection of Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Boulevard, in Sarasota, where it took them more than half an hour to get across the south bridge.
The fact that our county commissioners are even considering granting permission for construction of a massive commercial/residential complex on the northwest corner of this already-overburdened intersection is a true outrage. It’s high time that they start considering the best interests of the local residents and reduce what appears to be the unlimited influence of the developers!
Besides, if visitors to Sarasota keep encountering more and more traffic congestion, they will rapidly start looking for other vacation destinations (my guess is that they may already have started doing so) and then what will happen to our much-needed tourist revenue?
I should add that my family came to Sarasota during the very same week last Christmas. While the traffic was noticeable, it was nowhere near as miserable as it is this year. Conditions on our roads are definitely getting worse.
Wendy Stinebaugh, Sarasota
Christmas season lasts way too long
Thank goodness! Christmas is over!
It started in the summer with the “Christmas In July” sales. It resurfaced at Halloween, when the Christmas tree tents went up.
The Christmas lights were everywhere. Holiday fireworks vendors appeared on the side of the roads. A sign at Westfield Sarasota Square mall announced that Santa had arrived.
Uber advertised that it could deliver your favorite cooked Christmas dinner from your favorite restaurant. Fake trees full of lights were on sale and could be assembled in minutes. You could even buy cans of pine scent that made them smell real.
The market for toy batteries surged. Toys “talked.” Dolls blinked their eyes. Alexa could answer all your questions and play your favorite carols.
What happened to the good old days when the Christmas “season” was celebrated on Christmas Day?
Nell Martin, Sarasota
Did Obama comments constitute collusion?
In 2012, President Barack Obama was overheard, on a mic that was supposed to be turned off, whispering to then-Russian President Dmitri Medvedev that he would have more flexibility to negotiate on issues like missile defense after the November presidential election. I wonder if, by today’s standards, this would be considered “collusion.”
Bill Cahill, Sarasota