LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Harborview Road not good location for Buc-ee’s

Editor: Charlotte County is facing a moment that will shape our community for decades. While residents were under strict one-day-per-week watering rules due to severe drought and aquifer depletion, a massive Buc-ee’s development is being proposed at Harborview Road — directly beside the Peace River, the drinking- water lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people across Southwest Florida.

The Peace River is not just a scenic backdrop. It is a sensitive ecosystem and a federally recognized nursery for the endangered smalltooth sawfish. Any increase in runoff, fuel residue, or stormwater contamination from a mega-travel center threatens a species already on the brink of extinction. The surrounding uplands also support bald eagle nesting territories and gopher tortoise habitat, both protected under state and federal law. A 24-hour commercial hub with nonstop lighting, noise, and traffic is incompatible with the wildlife that depends on this corridor.

Traffic is another major concern. Buc-ee’s is known for drawing thousands of vehicles per day — RVs, trucks, and tourists who treat it as a destination, not a gas station. Harborview Road and the I-75 interchange already struggle during peak hours and hurricane evacuations. Adding this level of congestion puts nearby neighborhoods and emergency responders at risk.

Charlotte County residents are being asked to conserve water, protect wildlife, and prepare for stronger storms. Approving a project that increases water demand, threatens the Peace River, and overwhelms local roads contradicts those goals. This is not the right project for this location, and the long-term costs far outweigh the short-term economic appeal.

Lisa Barth

Punta Gorda

Editor: Yes, gas prices are way up. But you reply that it is because of the war. If you believe Trump started the war then OK, rising gas prices are on him. But if Trump was forced to defend against an imminent nuclear attack by Iran, well then, that’s different.

So, what is the imminent nuclear threat. First of all, Iran needs a nuclear bomb which they don’t have. Second, they need an ICBM delivery system which they don’t have either. Missiles, they have plenty, ICBM’s they have none. Third, even if they had both the bomb and an ICBM, MAD (mutually assured destruction) kicks in. Success through suicide is a hard a sell.

If you remember Bush II’s reasons for the Iraq war; uranium cake, mobile bio-weapons labs and yes, nukes on ICBM’s, then hooray for you. Nine years later, about 4,700 dead soldiers and about $2.5 trillion later, we pulled out of Iraq. “Disaster Accomplished.”

In conclusion, Iran’s nuclear capability went from “obliterated” to “imminent threat” in 9 months. We had another “Mission Accomplished” moment, three days into Iran. Which means we won already. Therefore, higher gas prices are a hoax of the radical left-wing liberal media. Unless you are standing in front of a gas pump. Where is the hoax if it is your own lyin eyes

Mike Deignan

Punta Gorda

I support Prummell and other state sheriffs

Editor: I also support Sheriff Bill Prummell and officers for recognizing and having the courage to speak out about what’s really happening to the criminal immigrants who are not criminals.

Trump, DeSantis and Scott are all committing crimes of racial profiling every day. Why aren’t more Americans outraged by these crimes? People who support them and ICE are blind to the lying, cheating and stealing and dirty wheeling and dealing going on to profit from these disgusting policies they have engaged in.

It’s just another money machine in our corrupt government run by the biggest criminal in history. The same people who are stuck on stupid also object to SNAP recipients buying soda and chips with the measly few dollars they receive.

You aren’t concerned about human decency... just want to enforce your MAGA agenda and there’s nothing decent about it.

That is the real crime!

Paula Semack

Port Charlotte

Steube votes against bill that helps us

Editor: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) reports that our Congressman Greg Steube voted for H.R. 4758, the “Homeowner Energy Freedom Act,” which repeals and defunds the federal High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program. SACE explains that the program Steube voted to repeal saves participating homeowners over $1,300 on their energy bills per year.

The program he voted to repeal and defund is for low-and middle-income households– families that are struggling the right now with unaffordable energy bills.

The program helps residents improve the comfort and safety of their homes while reducing their energy bills, by offering incentives to replace old, inefficient HVAC systems, water heaters, and appliances with high-efficiency units. Our state government’s energy office has already put substantial work into this program, and homeowners are hungry for programs to help reduce their energy bills.

Steube’s vote makes clear again that he doesn’t vote with the interests of regular Americans in mind. Another recent example is Steube won’t answer a call about the closing of the Murdock Post Office (March 6 Editorial, “Post Office closing hard to swallow”). He is not responsive to our needs.

This November we can elect someone new to fill the FL 17 house seat- someone who will support our needs.

William (Coty) Keller

Port Charlotte

We must vote out do-nothing Congress

Editor: The President of the United States does not have the authority to declare war. The United States Congress has that power. Once war has been declared by Congress then the President, the commander in chief, will execute that war.

I don’t expect you to take my word for it. I invite you to read the U.S.Constitution, Article I, Section 8. Our Founding Fathers clearly wanted the power of declaring war in the hands of the people (Congress), not one single person. They had witnessed first-hand wars being fought because of the whims and egos of kings.

Which brings us to the war on Iran. Our president has charged into a war he had no authority to start and worse, he has no ability to stop. In addition, he now realizes that he needs more money to support this war. Because our Congress has done nothing to stop his blatant disregard for the Constitution, he will continue to get us into quagmires that could drag on for years, cause needless sacrifice of our sons and daughters, and stress our treasury beyond repair.

This is happening because our representatives and senators have surrendered to the whims of this president. They now serve his ideology at the expense of the Constitution and people they swore an oath to serve.

This really is the most important midterm election we will ever face. We all need to show up this November and vote these people out of office.

William Tucker

Punta Gorda