Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Siesta Beach No. 1? Residents disagree
I will never again trust Trip Advisor and its reviews. It is astounding that Siesta Key was selected as the winner over all the other beach towns in the U.S.
We who are residents of Sarasota, more often than not, are no longer taking a trip to our beach. It could be the long traffic jams, the nearly impossible parking or the red tide visiting our shores and producing dead fish on our crystal white beach.
It is a sad sign, and smelly, and the air quality often produces breathing problems.
But never mind, we have been advised that Siesta Beach is No. 1.
That aside, after recently visiting the downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, it feels like we are already on overload, with too many people and all their cars filling our streets, and too much corruption allowing approval of new buildings in too small an area.
We residents miss how it used to be, but looking back and wishing it were otherwise is futile. All we can do is stay very aware so we can see what is unfolding with those telling us not to worry or fret because they are “Making America Great Again.”
Angelena Craig, Sarasota
Foolish bid to rename Tamiami Trail
State Sen. Joe Gruters wanted to change the name of Tamiami Trail to Gulf of America Trail.
Apparently, Florida is so flush with money that we can waste it on new road signs, maps, etc.
If Tamiami is to be renamed, I suggest something shorter and to the point. Maybe Tumputin Trail or Tumputin’s Tail.
The Florida Legislature (like the U.S. Congress) should focus on real issues, not ego-inflating foolishness like name changes.
Helen Lawrence, Venice
(Editor's note: Gruters has withdrawn his proposal to rename Tamiami Trail.)
Preserve road name, vestige of Old Florida
I can’t wrap my mind around why state Sen. Joe Gruters wanted to change the name of the Tamiami Trail. There’s nothing political about that name.
I grew up in St. Pete in the 1950s and lost my childhood home to the construction of Interstate 275. But even then, we had the Tamiami Trail.
The name was clever (Tampa to Miami), fun to say and unique in all the country. Why would you want to take away one of the few last vestiges of an Old Florida that’s rapidly disappearing?
We’re building new roads in Southwest Florida constantly. Please inflict your political shenanigans on one of them.
Candy Markman, Sarasota
Don’t let Luddites remove fluoride
My first job after college was with Proctor & Gamble, promoting the benefits of Crest, the first fluoridated toothpaste.
Dentists for 50 years have promoted the use of fluoride in our water as beneficial. My children have no cavities.
Disadvantaged children got the same benefit at no cost regardless of poor diet or oral hygiene practices.
Now our agriculture commissioner (who is jockeying to be our next governor) wants to take this benefit away from those who need it the most. Parents who are eking out a living are not going to be buying bottles of fluoridated water.
The USA is shamefully far down the health care list of developed countries despite our wealth. Children are now dying from measles, a disease that had almost disappeared.
Luddites are taking over our health-care systems under the guise of “freedom.”
We all have an obligation to say “enough.”
Norman Vaughan-Birch, Sarasota
Leaders show authoritarian impulses
If Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine, as President Donald Trump claims he does, it is really quite easy: Turn around and go home.
I am sick over the direction, decisions and behaviors of Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Their meeting Feb. 28 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shows their ability to bully and their inability to lead.
I pray that we have leaders out there who will stand up and put a stop to this administration's reach for authoritarianism before it is beyond recovery.
Dick Murphy, University Park