Insights

Robert Cacioppo: I would make time to be more involved in politics on a local level—attend city and county meetings, volunteer for a political party. Our area of the country is young and rapidly changing. The next presidential election may be our most important in almost half a century. The future is in our hands; I should try not to sit on mine. We should all get more involved and make our voices heard.

Suzanne Chute: Many roads have dangerous median openings. Cars protrude into traffic, and it is like bumper cars in an amusement park. Open medians should be eliminated on heavily traveled roads and replaced with well-marked turn lanes. Drivers should also be given more advance warning in construction zones and on narrowing roads that they must merge or turn.

Mary Susan Clinton: Now is the time to be conservative with one of our most coveted natural resources: water. With the current imposed water restrictions, I am trying to lighten up on this newly perceived decadence. Congress approved an Everglades restoration plan, but its crucial elements have not been implemented. We should call on local leaders to improve state and federal partnerships to protect water quality, provide drought and wet-year storage, and impose sustainable development.

Denise Cobb: We have some of the best weather in the world ... so what could make it better? If we could actually wear our summer clothes. When it is hot outside, restaurants, stores and beauty salons keep their temperatures low enough to hang meat! Who hasn’t shivered in a dressing room or wished for a sweater (or parka) while eating lunch? I have been wrapped in extra capes while having my wet hair cut and looked around at other mummies. A comfortable (and warm) customer is a happy customer.

Joe Cox: The water shortage is not going away. The Collier County Commission and Naples City Council should appoint a committee to work with the South Florida Water Management District to investigate building a reverse osmosis desalinization plant. There are several successful plants in existence that can be used as the baseline for deliberations.

Todd E. Gates: We are all blessed to live in such a wonderful place. In order for this quality of life to continue, we must focus on our long-term economic future. Healthy communities strive for economic diversity to survive the ups and downs of various markets. Relying on one economic engine, such as tourism, is not only poor financial planning, it is irresponsible for future generations.

Frank Haskell: Sept. 11, 2001 and Aug. 29, 2005 were days of infamy in American history, with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of these tragedies came a spirit of patriotism that was inspirational to all Americans. A few years later, we are faced with a failing economy, an unpopular war and a demoralized population. The time is once again upon us to revive our spirit and determination to overcome these adversities.

Sandra Hesse: People should be more cognizant of cars backing out of parking spaces. When I come out of stores, the smaller cars I parked next to have left and been replaced by larger vehicles. This makes it difficult to back out and to see if any cars—or more importantly, people—are coming toward me. Many people do not look for moving vehicles but instead act as if they have the right to walk wherever they wish. Fast drivers do not look for cars backing up unless, of course, they are looking for a parking space.

Jacke McCurdy: We are losing families to the lack of appropriate workforce housing. With the price of gasoline, firefighters, teachers and others who have to commute are moving away. Apartments could be the answer. In the past, you rented an apartment and didn’t expect to get a home until you could afford it. Some people never reached that stage, and it was all right. Local governments and developers could offer incentives for employees in certain fields. Businesses also must get involved to keep a viable workforce here.

Elliott H. Singer: The county and city should work together to create better traffic-light coordination. Also, additional cameras at lights have proven to be an excellent deterrent to red-light running, but for some reason, the state legislature will not put it into effect. The city and county should work together to put these in.

Sandra Stilwell: The health and education of our children should be our highest priority. We are not doing enough to prepare children for the steep competition they will face when applying for college. The process is stressful and shouldn’t just be for those who can afford the necessary preparation. It should be available to everyone and start in kindergarten. By high school, they should be well-equipped for the challenges ahead. The education they receive should compare to the nation’s top states and not be ranked at the bottom.

Bruce Yamron: I believe the community as a whole should "go green." This environmental issue is becoming more important on a national level. I do not believe Naples as a community has endorsed this issue, and we should. Also, we should always try to show our kindness as the community grows.