Affordable housing for those in need

As a member of LIFE (Lee Interfaith for Empowerment), I attended the recent Fort Myers City Council workshop which focused on the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), its mode funding and its beneficiaries.

For three years, LIFE conducted extensive research and met with elected council members on the lack of affordable housing in the city of Fort Myers and called for the establishment of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). Now, Mayor Anderson’s AFH task force is recommending the drafting of an ordinance that has two major drawbacks.

The current proposal would provide assistance to those earning 120% of the median annual income (MAI). Our research shows that the greatest needs are those earning less than 80% MAI ($ 50,000). It is counterintuitive and morally wrong to have city resources to help those who make $ 90,000 a year.

The ordinance would also provide rental vouchers – which only help landlords continue to raise rents and make tenants dependent on help. What is needed is more incentives for developers to create new affordable rental units to meet the needs of those who work in the city to be able to live close to their place of work and fill the void of the near. 7,000 units needed.

I urge city residents to write to members of city council and the mayor to let them know that an order from the AHTF is needed to help those who really need it and enable the creation of new affordable housing.

Pamela May, North Fort Myers

The perfect Christmas present, an aging cat

I just received the BEST Christmas present ever. I lost my beloved 19 and a half year old cat, Jinx. It wasn’t a surprise. She fought a gallant fight. She had outlived her sister for nine years. So I was emotionally prepared. But it made me start to think about how I would really cope without a pet in my life. And to be honest with myself, not good. My house would be just an empty, lonely space.

There was a problem. I am not young. I couldn’t have a kitten. My conscience would not allow it. So I went to the main shelter of the Naples Humane Society and asked to meet the oldest cat in the shelter. They took me to one of the many cat rooms. And he was there. An underweight tabby old man with old man toes and a crooked smile due to a few torn teeth that would climb the tallest cat tower to be out of the confusion of much younger active cats. He was always the last to eat. Its meows were more like little mouse growls and its hind legs didn’t have the same spring as before. He had a very big name for a seven pound cat, Sir Huffington. Now, this seven pound (now nine pound) baby has several names. Besides his first name, I call him, Little Man, Baby, Baby Boy, Pretty Boy and he responds to all of them. When he hears my voice, he slowly prances and climbs up beside me or snuggles into my lap in a tight little ball. At night he smells when I go to bed. He still beats me there and settles on his pillow at the foot of the bed.

He is my Christmas miracle. I hope to have it for many more years. I will do my best to make this happen. And a big thank you to the Naples Humane Society for saving him and bringing him into my life. And as I finished typing that letter, he’s curled up in my lap, purring. He must know that this letter concerns him. He is just perfect.

Marie Rotonde, Naples

Shelter for single women

A recent “In Brief” article described the opening of a shelter for single homeless women without children, the first of its kind in the Fort Wayne area. Lee County also has one such refuge, Angel Wings of SW Florida, which has been open for three years. Angel Wings serves the same demographic as the new Fort Wayne shelter: single women without children who do not fall under the parameters of addiction / recovery, abuse and children. Angel Wings currently has space for four women and wants to expand their services. Please visit www.angelwingsflorida.com and donate.

Dr Helen T. Gierke, President, Angel Wings of SW Florida Inc., Cape Coral

It happened at the Ritz

It happened in the lobby of the Ritz Beach Hotel, to the right of the Christmas tree and the Gingerbread House, where a mean piano played and the shoulders of the seated listeners moved to the beat. Around the corner came a very old lady, pushing a wheeled walker and observing the scene, and asked, “Why don’t you all dance? A young man jumped in the air, dancing towards her, teasing her with his back and forth dance moves, until she started to match her moves, dancing, walking and all. It was pure joy, as everyone stood up and danced, without permission or top hats, at the Ritz. Merry Christmas.

Maureen Trerice, Naples

You cannot legislate on patriotism

I must react to the bill making the national anthem compulsory at sporting events. You cannot legislate on patriotism. By trying to do this, you are just applying for your political base. Plus, you show that you are no different from any third world autocrat who choreographs all events to show love for the leader and then the country.

Responding to Steven Petrow’s column in the December 18 newspaper. When an anti-vaccine dies from COVID, I mourn an unnecessarily lost life. I can feel the sadness in this family. However, when Life Lost is an influencer and major like Marcus Lamb, all reactions and comments are warranted. If you are responsible for the death of others, you must be held responsible even if the only possible avenue is in the court of public opinion.

Harold McFarland, North Fort Myers

Democracy may be dying

As our people die from the worst pandemic of our time, our democracy may also die. The signs are real and scary.

School board members are at risk because of students wearing masks – which have been proven to curb the spread of COVID.

A large television channel allowing a newspaper host to advocate a “kill shot” on our chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci.

The teaching of history – CRT – which isn’t even taught in Kindergarten to Grade 12 is vilified.

The book ban, remember Hitler? School librarians fearing for their jobs and their lives try to push back.

The “big lie” that our election was stolen has been totally refuted state after state, but touted day after day by many who know better.

Suppression of voters. Gerrymandering. Women’s health. There has never been a time in our history when the differences between our two main political parties have been so deep.

Don’t sit down. Get involved to save our democracy. Vote. Vote blue at the state and national level. Donate to candidates. Volunteer to help with their campaigns. It has never been more important.

Pauline Shea, Naples

Manchin shows courage

The editors of “Profiles in Courage” are expected to add a new chapter highlighting the courage of Senator Joe Manchin not to vote for the $ 5,000 billion Build Back Better bill.

William Lewis, Estero

Manchin a shame

Dear constituents of West Virginia, when Senator Manchin runs for re-election, remember what he has done and what he has not done to help you in your state! He left you and the whole country in the cold when you needed help, and worst of all, he probably ensured the Democrats would lose control of the Senate! It’s a shame !

Franklin Warner, Fort Myers