Infrastructure neglected amid growth
The recent report on Bradenton’s wastewater overflow and the broader analysis of Sarasota-Manatee’s rapid development highlight critical issues demanding urgent attention.
On Jan. 10, an overloaded system caused 450,000 gallons of partially treated sewage to spill into the Manatee River − an incident emblematic of long-standing infrastructure neglect.
This follows millions of gallons dumped in recent years, underscoring the dire consequences of underfunded infrastructure amid exponential growth.
As our region welcomes vast development, we must question if our priorities align with preserving the very environment that draws us here.
Developers gain approval for projects once considered unfeasible, while our infrastructure − water, roads and utilities − struggles to keep pace. Without substantial investment and oversight, we risk eroding the natural beauty, water quality and livability of our community.
Bradenton’s $100 million commitment to wastewater upgrades, including a deep injection well, is commendable but insufficient alone. Sarasota and Manatee counties must also address the pressures of overdevelopment with smarter planning, stricter environmental protections and a focus on sustainable growth.
If we continue expanding without safeguarding our infrastructure and natural resources, we may destroy the charm that attracted us in the first place. Let’s balance growth with responsibility before it’s too late.
Rick Myerburg, Sarasota
DeSantis to curtail citizen petitions
Gov. Ron DeSantis, not to be outdone by President Donald Trump’s daily craziness, has come up with an idea even more fascist than those proposed by his idol.
The governor’s goal is to make it difficult, if not impossible, for citizen initiatives to be placed on the ballot for everyday citizens to vote upon.
That process is how Florida got its $15 minimum wage, legalization of medical marijuana and voting rights restored for some felons. It’s the reason why Florida’s governor and lawmakers have term limits.
New proposals from DeSantis would make it nearly impossible for the state’s residents to amend the Constitution.
Among the ideas DeSantis’ people have shared is a plan to overhaul how amendment sponsors can collect petitions to get initiatives on the ballot. No longer would they be able to use third-party organizations to collect signatures from people outside of grocery stores or similar venues.
Instead, DeSantis proposed that people could only complete a petition in person at an elections office, or by requesting a petition in a process similar to vote-by-mail, essentially eliminating citizen initiatives.
We the people need to rise up and revolt against something that is obviously against our collective best interest.
Steven Berry, Sarasota
Hegseth: political pick, political post
I’m not sure if statements made by Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law regarding his making her sister fearful of her safety are true. But I am sure that Hegseth will make our enemies fearful of their safety.
That’s what the secretary of Defense is supposed to do.
Generals in the Pentagon are political. It’s the nature of the beast. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t have gotten there.
Newly selected one-star generals and admirals in the U.S. military are often jokingly warned that pinning on their new rank means you will never again have a bad meal and you will never again hear the truth.
The end game for generals in the Pentagon is to be considered for SecDef once the party you are affiliated with comes into power.
President Donald Trump, however, has upset the apple cart once again by ignoring the “generals in line” and selecting an individual who was never a general!
Maybe being a combat soldier, and having plenty of bad meals, Hegseth will also hear the truth.
After all, he was never ever a general.
Lee Hoffman, Lakewood Ranch
Luck plays part in who wins presidency
If former President Jimmy Carter had added one more helicopter to the Iranian hostage rescue effort, the mission would have probably been successful, and he probably would have been reelected and Ronald Reagan defeated.
If George H.W. Bush had hammered Bill Clinton on Clinton’s sexual misbehavior, and Ross Perot had not entered the presidential race, Bush would probably have won.
If Al Gore hadn’t graciously conceded the presidential race to George W. Bush over “hanging chads,” W. would probably have lost in a Florida rerun.
If Gen. Colin Powell’s wife had not insisted he stay out of the presidential race, he might have been the GOP candidate and become our first Black president, and Sen. Barack Obama would, in all probability, still be a U.S. senator from Illinois.
Did Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton or did the American public just vote against her – just as it may have voted against Joe Biden by selecting Trump over Kamala Harris?
Reagan, Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump should consider themselves very, very lucky!
Thomas G. Moore, Bradenton