Tax needed
If these were ordinary times, I would be opposed to an increase in the sales tax as regressive tax policy. These times, however, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “are not ordinary times.” Our school district is in a desperate situation; the normal funding sources, local and state governments, are not providing funds for the extraordinary growth in the Lee County student population.
Consequently, the schools are overcrowded, classroom space is inadequate, forcing the district to lease more than 70 trailers.
In addition to being inadequate learning spaces, separating students from the resources in the building, trailers are unsafe. Imagine the challenge for the security guards of protecting all these trailers in addition to over 700 regular buildings. And the Hurricane Irma damaged or destroyed large numbers of the trailers last year. Does anyone doubt the likelihood of more hurricanes this year?
Therefore, I am joining many others who urge a positive vote to increase the sales tax by a half-penny.
Please vote yes on the November ballot to provide decent and safe space where our children can learn.
Samuel B Stewart, Fort Myers
Strong candidate
Even in my relatively short time as a Lee County resident, I’ve been impressed by Cecil Pendergrass’ approach to job creation.
Through his work with the Lee County Port Authority, I’ve seen Commissioner Pendergrass help to not only safeguard high-tech jobs in aerospace, but also to create them. I feel that this willingness to work closely with local businesses is what makes Pendergrass such a strong candidate for re-election, as he can successfully balance fiscal responsibility with the pursuit of economic growth.
In addition to his work in the local economy, I also support Mr. Pendergrass’ initiatives to improve the quality of life in the county, especially his efforts to boost water purity and reduce traffic congestion. All in all, I feel that Mr. Pendergrass presents the best platform to continue nurturing Lee County in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
Jack Sheahan, Fort Myers
Bitter mind
Leonard Pitts’ May 16 article, “Let this troubling tale from 100 years ago serve as an important reminder,” gives insight into a once great, but now bitter mind. He relates a horrible event of “white-on-black” barbarism. I agree that telling this story as a reminder of potential evil is important.
Sadly, Pitts’ twisted wisdom tells this tale in the context of moral equivalency with the predominant “tribal hatreds” in the world – particularly in the United States.
Part of Pitts’ story dealt with setting a pregnant black woman on fire, and a racist white monster performing a “crude Caesarean operation” on that dying woman. Then “the heel of a stalwart man” crushed life from the child.
Pitts telling this story in the context of today’s race relationships does nothing but widen division and worsen hatred. He’s reached, apparently without personal regret, a dangerous level of hatred and racism. Pitts’ once insightful fight for social justice gains has begun to rot in the presence of his personal demons and racial hatred.
Sadly, Pitts is encouraging society’s hatred and violence problems. He frightens me as much as any other American whose ideas I read or listen to.
Steve Bakke, Fort Myers
Final warning
What Rex Tillerson, the former secretary of state, recently told graduates of a military school the other day is stunning. Not just because of the words, but because of who said them. Tillerson is generally soft-spoken and speaks thoughtfully. He is not given to exaggeration or sensationalism. So his words must be taken seriously.
Referring to our society and our politics, he said, “We must confront a crisis of ethics and integrity.” And he said we must do so “to preserve and protect our freedom by recognizing what truth is and what is not, what a fact is and is not,” and to “demand our pursuit of America’s future be fact-based, not based on wishful thinking, not hoped-for outcomes made in shallow promises.
“If we do not confront this crisis of ethics and integrity in our society, among our leaders in both the public private sector — then American democracy, as we know it, is entering its twilight years.”
Think about it. What’s happening in our politics, he said, is an existential threat to our democracy. That is more than a “take-home message” to a graduating class, but a warning to the nation. And it’s one that demands serious consideration.
Bill Johnson, Fort Myers