Letters and feedback: Oct. 7, 2018

To boost lagoon, we need land

Possibly the most important single thing that has been done or will ever be done for the Indian River Lagoon concerns the acquisition of sufficient acreage of coastal and watershed lands to ensure the balance of the lagoon’s ecological systems and wildlife (fishery) populations. Without sufficient undeveloped, unaltered acreage of coastal and watershed lands, the lagoon can never properly function as a healthy estuary.

A philosophy of “buy now, manage later” is based on the premise that, if the land is developed, in all probability the acreage is forever lost from providing natural functions for the lagoon. Public land acquisition should be a top priority for all of Brevard County and the lagoon watershed. What currently is in public ownership and conservation easements and what is purchased/protected over the next 20 years could be the only portions of the “natural” watershed and coastal habitats remaining for the future. If such lands are protected from development (i.e., urban, agricultural, mining), then restoration and management will be feasible as funds are available.

Public and private land acquisition programs (Florida Forever, Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL), The Nature Conservancy, etc.) are critical to the long-term success of our current efforts for the Lagoon. Tell your commissioner that our Brevard EEL program (another sales tax we voted for) must return to aggressive land acquisition. Not all of these words are mine, but they tell it as it is.

David C. Botto, Indian Harbour Beach

Posey strong on environmental issues

Letter writer Ken Previti apparently does know that there are 28 estuaries in the United States and they are all having issues similar to our Indian River Lagoon. Suggesting that it is all Congressman Posey’s fault is a desperate attempt to simply point fingers, rather than addressing the problem as Posey has done.

Realizing there is strength in numbers, Posey worked across the aisle with Democrats to form the Congressional Estuary Caucus in an effort to get members of Congress from across the country to advocate for our estuaries. So far over 40 members of Congress have joined the caucus. When funding for estuaries was zeroed-out in the recent budget, Posey worked hard and succeeded, not only in having funding restored, but increased. He also co-sponsored and passed legislation for algae bloom research and established an estuary grant funding program.

Posey supported funding for Everglades restoration and to restore funding to the Marine Animal Rescue Assistance Program. He worked, too, to reduce federal permitting time for muck removal from 18 months to two weeks to avoid the risk of losing state appropriated funding through reversions.

Posey has personally discussed restoration of our lagoon with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, who pledged to work with Posey to help eliminate municipal infrastructure deficiencies that have resulted in raw sewage being dumped into our lagoon. Sanjay’s Patel’s proposed, overly simplistic solution of “properly requesting federal funds to help,” reflects a very weak understanding of what it takes to be an effective member of Congress. 

Dave Barton, Mims

DeSantis not fit to lead Florida

There seems to be a lot of agreement that the company one keeps says much about who that person really is. And even more is evident by what the person says about that company — how he aligns himself with their behaviors and beliefs. 

Given these “truths” we Florida voters can make some important judgments about who Ron DeSantis is and what he stands for. By his own admission, DeSantis enjoys his association with  David Horowitz and the others who participate in “Restoration Weekends” at the David Horowitz Freedom Center — conferences in which DeSantis participated several times (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017).

DeSantis lauds Horowitz for his “great work” and telling American people the “truth.” One such truth declared by conference speaker Mark Steyn in 2017 claimed that, "The more diverse you get the more stupid you get.” But more revealing are Horowitz “truths”: “The faculties of our liberal arts schools in America and England are dominated by communists and pro-terrorists.” “Obama is an anti-American radical and I'm actually sure he's a Muslim. " "… The country’s only serious race war — against whites — continues.”

Horowitz’s alt-right “truths” could fill a book but he is not running for governor of  Florida. DeSantis, an admirer, is. Yes, the company DeSantis keeps says a lot — it says DeSantis is not fit to be the governor of Florida.

Thomas Groteluescchen, Cocoa Beach

Get moving, get sleep, get healthy

Brett Molina's Oct. 2 column in USA Today was interesting but not broad enough. Enough sleep, exercise and a minimum of screen time (that includes television) is a recipe for success that covers people of all ages. Americans need to get on board.

Timothy Ellsworth, Melbourne