'How disgusting!': Sarasota's sidewalks and streets are being ruined by gum-spitting slobs
Shame on you, gum spitters
As a walker, I am always disappointed to see so many “black spots” all over our sidewalks, parking lots, entrances to restaurants, etc.
Many of you are probably unaware that these round, sometimes big, black spots are gum! Yes, gum that people spit out instead of throwing in garbage cans.
Now that you know what these spots are, many of you may be disgusted, as am I.
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Many of these black spots have stretch marks. This occurs when the sun is so intense the gum actually melts.
Sharing this information with friends can only help improve our environment.
Lynne Croshier, Siesta Key
Consequences of abortion ban alarming
Since I am concerned about threats to services provided by Planned Parenthood for reproductive-related issues, I am alarmed by legislative and county developments.
On May 1, because of restrictions signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a six-week abortion ban took effect in Florida. As a result, has ceased providing abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
In addition, the mostly Republican Sarasota County commissioners passed a resolution to cut ties between United Way and Planned Parenthood. The commission resolved to terminate funding for any organization that provides abortion services and information.
I was raised by an ultra-conservative Republican surgeon who, in the days of illegal abortion, occasionally and regretfully found himself trying to mitigate the results of a potentially disastrous attempt at self-abortion.
He didn’t live long enough to rejoice over the passage of Roe v. Wade or express outrage over its overturning.
My mother never met a women’s cause that she did not join. Once, after she was identified in a local newspaper as a founding member of a birth control organization, someone dumped garbage on our front lawn.
I daydream that Dad might do the once-unthinkable for him Nov. 5 and vote for the Democratic ticket.
Grace Ann Mosher, Sarasota
Hamas, Vietnam protests cannot be compared
Feelings of déjà vu occur with each visual of college students protesting.
I protested during the 1970s for women’s rights and civil rights and against the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. These protests helped end the Vietnam War, advanced women’s rights and civil rights and reduced the voting age.
Many of those rights have been reversed by the current Supreme Court. Those protests also disrupted college campuses.
Many have said that today’s protests supporting Hamas are much the same. I beg to differ. Back then we were not protesting in support of Ho Chi Minh, the Viet Cong, the Chinese or the Russians in Vietnam. We were protesting an unjust war.
I do not agree with Israel’s indiscriminate killing of noncombatants in Palestine, nor the Israeli policies toward Palestine; that does not make me antisemitic.
But to support Hamas, a terrorist organization whose charter calls for the murder of Jews and the destruction of Israel is antisemitic and unconscionable.
Comparing these protests to those of the ’60s and ’70s displays ignorance. To support Hamas in any fashion is to support its charter. That is also ignorant and just wrong!
Christopher Laurent, Longboat Key
Longtime METV director retiring
We learned last week that Charles Clapsaddle is retiring as station manager at (METV).
The would not be where it is today without the support of Clapsaddle and METV. He has been on hand for 12 years, recording virtually all our events so viewers can see them on METV’s YouTube channel.
His tireless efforts and unwavering support have been instrumental in our growth and success.
Clapsaddle’s 25 years of service at METV are a testament to his hard work, perseverance and passion.
Dan Boxser, Boxser Diversity Initiative, Sarasota
Electric vehicles not living up to hype
This is in reference to the very pro-electric vehicle guest column – titled – which was published April 25.
I offer the following for balance:
- Both Ford and GM have cut way back on production of EVs due to lack of consumer interest.
- Four thousand auto dealers have written to President Joe Biden requesting that he reassess his mandate on cutting back production of gas-powered vehicles.
- A Herald-Tribune business article Dec. 21 was titled “Consumer Reports pummels EV reliability and praises hybrids.”
- Edmunds Automotive reports that the average price of EVs is $14,000 higher than gas-powered vehicles.
- The PBS ϲʹhour did an in-depth report on the high failure rate of EV batteries in cold weather.
- Hertz Rental Car sold off 23,000 EVs due to lack of client interest in renting them.
- Shortage and poor reliability of charging stations is a huge problem.
- A Herald-Tribune article April 27 was titled “UPS, FedEx transition to electric vans slows.”
This proves that the federal government cannot mandate consumer preference.
William B. Allen, Longboat Key
Editor's note to readers
As part of our ongoing commitment to engage our community, the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board is offering readers an opportunity to be members of our first Community Advisory Board.
The advisory board members will meet with Executive Editor Mark J. Rochester and Opinion Editor Roger Brown each month to provide feedback and perspectives on local issues, the Opinion page and the Herald-Tribune’s daily work in covering and reporting on our community.
If you’re interested in serving on the community advisory board, send an email to Opinion Editor Roger Brown at roger.brown@heraldtribune.com. Tell us a little about yourself, and why you’d like to take part in our monthly conversations.
We will announce the board members in the coming weeks and begin our meetings shortly afterward, so here’s your chance to get involved and engage with other citizen readers.