War is hell; Returning soldiers need our support
OUR POSITION: Soldiers and Marines returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve a better system for mental health screening. Read more...
Gottfried Village an opportunity for smart growth
OUR POSITION: The Gottfried Village proposal makes sense for South County. Read more...
High interest in the credit card industry
The Federal Reserve Board has a bead on credit-card industry practices that blindside consumers already strapped by job losses, high medical bills and mortgage troubles. Read more...
911 center is understaffed
Editor:
With all the publicity surrounding the legislation concerning training of dispatchers I offer this, no matter how much training is provided unless you have adequate staffing to implement the training, then the training is for naught. Your sheriff's communication center is woefully understaffed. The training already in place is rigorous and washes out many "non-hackers."
It was only a matter of time before a tradgedy occurred. Call around to the surrounding county's agencies yourself and ask them, "How many people staff your dispatch center?" How many are on duty at one time? How many of those are calltakers? How many are radio dispatchers? What is your minimun manpower per shift? Does it vary depending on the time of day or night? Are your fire and or LEO radio dispatchers required to answer phones?
You will be amazed at the numbers. Then call 639-2101 and ask them the same. I can tell you that extra training is not the real answer, just the cheapest. Also be aware that Charlotte County dispatches fire and ambulance along with LEO unlike other agencies that have seperate centers for fire and ambulance and another for law. Read more...
Parking lot ticket didn't make sense
Editor:
In response to Mrs. Kitchener's letter, I find it very refreshing to see that the Charlotte County Sheriff's gestapo is still bravely serving the county and giving tickets to vicious seatbelt criminals while they're letting their kids off at school. How much probation time will Mrs. Kichener get for this heinous crime? If all the common sense possessed by the whole Charlotte County Sheriff's Office were put in one deputy's head and detonated, it wouldn't blow the wax out of his or her ears. Read more...
Pass sales tax, boot out board
Editor:
In light of the fact that the county commissioners have shown poor financial decisions in the past, I suggest a resolve to the impending vote for the sales tax extention. The county commissioners should all resign, pledging not to run for re-election. In turn, the voters will agree to vote in favor of the extention. Hopefully, the newly elected slate will show more financial responsibility in future decision making. Read more...
Did the developer have the votes?
Editor:
I was watching Channel 20 and what I saw reminded me of some of the political hash years ago in Chicago. That's where you were expected to vote early and often, if the vote was on the right side of what the boss wanted. Read more...
Paul still worthy of consideration
Editor:
The question of morality regarding the candidates has been a frequent topic lately and it is one that needs to be considered. We know that Hillary fabricated her story of ducking bullets in Baghdad and Obama recanted under pressure when it came to Rev. Wright. Regarding McCain, there are rumors about what happened when he was a POW and we know that he wouldn't mind keeping troops in Iraq for a hundred years. So far the cast of characters isn't too impressive. Read more...
Balance power to protect people
Editor:
There was another letter in the April 28 Sun bashing the GOP and John McCain, even going as far as to say that "GOP lovers are dismayed the McCain is" the elected nominee of that party. Later in this letter, written by someone who clearly shows that his intentions are to vote for a Democrat, no matter who it might be, lives up to his own standard as one who will "choose to be stubborn."
I have never voted party line, as it will never work out to be in the best interests of the people. Especially in this day, with the votes and the best intentions of our governments being bought by big money interests, it is extremely difficult to choose the right person for each political position. And it has to be done on an individual basis, not a party line vote as the writer implies. Read more...
CHAPS board thanks supporters
Editor:
Charlotte HIV/AIDS People Support (CHAPS) board of directors want to thank the volunteers that made up the 2008 Charli's Angels Golf Tournament committees for their hours of behind-the-scene work and to the benefactors (the "Unseen Angels") for their commitment to the tournament. Read more...
Don't pass buck for 911 mistake
Editor:
I, like most Charlotte County residents, appreciate our deputies and the work they do, day in and day out, sometimes under dangerous and difficult conditions. In his April 24 column regarding the 911 call, Sheriff Davenport states the department went above and beyond the call of duty. Let's agree that they did a good job? It is commendable for the sheriff to stand up and defend his personnel, however, mistakes were made in the 911 call, and he should not try to blame it on the media. Read more...
Profiting from global warming
Editor:
Has anybody seen Al Gore? I want to thank him for boosting my retirement income. You see, I own a small royalty interest in some Texas oil and gas production and thanks to good ol' Al and his fellow traveling "warm mongers" things are looking up. Read more...
'Sin' taxes too high already
Editor:
This is in response to Peggy Lee Zink's May 2 letter regarding taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. I don't disagree at all with your figures of grief caused by alcohol. I do disagree that alcohol and cigarettes are not taxed enough. Read more...
Goodwill appreciates residents' support
Editor:
You might think, as many do, that Goodwill Industries is simply a place to donate those blue jeans you can't squeeze into any more or the books your children have outgrown. You figure it's a worthy place to donate your gently used things so that others might be able to buy them at an affordable price, and you're right. But that doesn't begin to scratch the surface of how Goodwill is changing lives here in Charlotte County
Goodwill sells your donations and uses the proceeds to fund job training programs and other services for people who are disabled or otherwise disadvantaged. Goodwill offers career development services, provides housing for people with disabilities and for senior citizens, sponsors a transportation assistance program, and runs a charter school for students with developmental disabilities. Read more...
Hurricane impacted more than Punta Gorda
Editor:
In the May 1 editorial, you indicated where all that property tax windfall money went, namely Punta Gorda. I couldn't believe what you had to say in the last paragraph: "We hope our county would do the same for Port Charlotte or Englewood if they were ever so unfortunate as to be hit by a Hurricane Charley."
You really should let those writers out of there cages more often, or at least give them something to read that updates them about what really happened on August 13, 2004. Read more...
Thanks to Frontier Days supporters
Editor:
Thanks to all who made the 12th annual Florida Frontier Days and inaugural SteveFest such a success, sponsors, participants, vendors, attendees and volunteers, particularly the cabbage cutters. Hope to see you all next year. Read more...
Editor:
Ground is being broken for a new house in Cape Haze. In this economy that might be news in itself. But the real news is how it's being done. Read more...
Gorverment workers earned benefits
Editor:
This is in response to Patricia Krafft's March 17 letter. I am a retired government worker and a Vietnam War veteran. I am also president of North Port Chapter 1713 of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Workers. Ms. Krafft obviously doesn't understand the system she is suggesting be cut. Read more...
People appreciate dispatchers' work
Editor:
I am writing in response to to Sue Rusch's April 12 letter, "Dispatchers are Unsung heroes,"
Who am I? We are the ones that thank you, for all you do when some think you have not done enough. Read more...
Bush was not AWOL from Guard
Editor:
Mr. Alphonse De Filippo wrote another letter bashing our President. This time he tried to write a cute tongue-in-check article humiliating George Bush. He bombed on his liberal-leftist effort. Now, I certainly understand why left-wingers spew out nasty attacks against straight-thinking conservatives. However, when these attacks vomit lies against our president, then all good women and men should rise up and demand honesty and integrity. Read more...
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