Exemptions killing our rights

Death by a thousand cuts. That looks to be the fate of Florida’s renowned Sunshine laws if state legislators continue on the path they are on. Each session, there is a further and further chipping away at were once the most effective laws in the nation in insuring accountability and transparency in government decision-making.

Perhaps the most egregious exemption is now making its way through the legislature: changing the law from mandating that citizens successful in court be reimbursed for their legal costs to making such reimbursement optional. Lacking an enforcement mechanism, the only alternative is for citizens to bring suit against jurisdictions violating the Sunshine laws. Without reimbursement of legal costs, is such legal action even possible? Wake up, Floridians. Soon your Sunshine state will be without a meaningful Sunshine law.

Charlotte Newton, Fort Myers

Rep show spectacular

Dear Robert, I want to thank you for the Johnny Mercer show at Florida Rep. First of all, the show was unamplified. Imagine having to write in praise of this rare phenomenon that allows performers’ sounds to blend naturally without the distortion that amplifiers inevitably introduce.

When the ensemble performed in harmony — a sheer delight — you could hear where the sounds were coming from, a pleasure amplification denies. Second, it was an ensemble production. The a cappella singing in “Moon River” was the highpoint of the evening for me, nearly matched by the clarinet/singer collaboration in another song. These versatile young performers threw themselves into their work so thoroughly that often you didn’t know where to look because each person had so much to offer.

The intimacy and simplicity of the production allowed an appreciation of details like the changes of lighting on the back curtain, the constantly inventive choreography, the stylish Art Deco radio station props and the neon cocktail lounge sign, the brief introduction of bongo drums, and the little bits of business here and there. This was pure theater, where less is more, and I loved it. Thank you.

Arthur Wenk, North Fort Myers

Give Hillary a pardon

Everyone agrees that Hillary Clinton made an error in judgment in using her private emails for potentially sensitive documents. That said, there is no evidence that any of the documents fell into hostile hands.

The whole affair has become a significant distraction in the process for the selection of the Democratic nominee for president. Unfortunately, there is no other viable Democratic candidate currently running, and it is probably too late for another candidate to launch a new campaign. I believe that President Obama should issue a blanket pardon for any possible crimes that may have been related to these emails, so that we could concentrate on who would make the best president, without the concern of a meaningless indictment depriving the electorate of a true choice in the next election.

Let the people decide if the error in judgment was serious enough to disqualify Mrs. Clinton from the presidency.

Leonard Zimmerman, Fort Myers

Questioning sheriff’s actions

The News-Press on Feb. 16 reported that Jeffrey Brown, a lieutenant with the Lee County Sheriff's office, was demoted to deputy for failure to maintain knowledge and performance of rules and regulations.

This is the second time that Brown has been demoted from a lieutenant to a deputy while employed with Lee County, both times under the monarchy of Sheriff Mike Scott.

Why is it when an employee (Shelley Bechtol) with our sheriff's office has a internal affairs investigation that is totally unfounded, she is fired?

A Civil Service Board hearing ruled that Bechtol was fired without just cause and Scott must reinstate her. Where was the media when that story unfolded? The voters of Lee County in our last election put in place term limits for our county commissioners to serve for only 12 years. Though not a county Commissioner, Scott is a constitutional officer and has served his 12 years.

Scott is the only person there with the power to hire, fire, promote or demote. So who can fire or demote a sheriff for failing to maintain knowledge and performance of the rules and regulations? The registered voters of Lee County. Its time to ask ourselves, should Scott be demoted to a civilian or reinstated?

Terry Eller, North Fort Myers

Republicans vs. Democrats

Very depressing reading mailbag recently with Mr.Young, Mr.Sivigny and Mr O'Brian all disparaging Republican candidates or praising Democratic ones.

They have two candidates. One is a known congenital liar and thief. The other is a bum,who never collected a steady paycheck until he was 40 years old and it was a government one. He advocates an economic system proven to make everyone like him, a bum.

Republicans have a billionaire real estate developer and a man who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard law school. What’s so depressing is knowing the aforementioned mailbag contributors will vote for the Democrat! Only God can save this country!

Jerry Geraci, Alva

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