Can new housing withstand future storms?

On reading that Sarasota County approved a new Lakewood Ranch development, I wished that it had first studied why Babcock Ranch in the Fort Myers area weathered Hurricane Ian so well ("Lakewood Ranch plan OK'd," Oct. 26).

Why approve more housing without thoroughly vetting it for durability and safety? Why spend millions of dollars recovering from disaster after the fact rather than prioritizing environmentally resilient projects?

Having demonstrated in many ways a commitment to market-rate and high-end residential development, I also wonder if Sarasota County could consider new ways of enlisting developers in bolstering a workforce that can actually afford unsubsidized housing.

For example, if there is a shortage of construction workers, this is an ideal time to organize apprenticeships for people in areas with median lower incomes. Cultivating potential skilled labor with an eye to inclusion is one way of demonstrating that development can proceed with elements of principled concern for the larger community.

What is best for the physical environment and for people who want to protect open green spaces do not appear to be compelling for developers or Sarasota County officials. Can they somewhat counterbalance what is being taken away by supporting the common good in other ways?

Mary Childers, Bradenton

Floridians count on 'big government' aid

Republican leaders in Florida sure hate "big government," until they need help.

Thank goodness that "big government" will pay most of the expense of emergency aid to our state, helping to recover from the overwhelming devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.

You and I should not be punished for Gov. Ron DeSantis' negative view of government aid, and his failure to acknowledge Florida's climate crisis and its impact on our state's precious environment.

We've known for some time that hotter oceans contribute to more powerful storms and that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, creating more instability.

Conservative politicians refuse to accept the scientific evidence that climate change is real and is happening now. All of us suffer from their refusal to acknowledge the truth.

It's time that elected leaders make climate change a central focus and take action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Democratic candidates for office will do just that.

It's well past time to put them in charge of Florida.

Joe Pennisi, Englewood

Reaganism won't save Republican Party

I read Chris Schlak's opinion piece celebrating his belief that a productive future for the GOP is possible if only the party returns to Reagan-era optimism ("I'm a disaffected conservative, but I recently found reason for hope," Oct. 26).

Schlak, of USA Today, went to Dan Crenshaw's annual Youth Summit, where Trumpism was seen as something to put aside.

I have news for him. The only way to purge the GOP of Trumpism and election-denying, fearmongering conspiracy theorists is for the rest of the GOP to stand up and denounce them publicly. The Republicans must also vote against anyone or any issue the Trump supporters champion and stand with Democrats and independents until they are defeated.

Just as Ronald Reagan's economics never did actually trickle down from the rich, traditional conservatism won't trickle down to the rest of the GOP without a fight.

Jane Conrad, Sarasota

Survive by focusing on reality, not fantasy

Scientists, including myself, study and describe reality. To do so, we use our five special senses to look, listen, smell, taste, or touch what we are investigating.

In contrast, too many politicians think their opinions, beliefs, fictions, and even fantasies, are more important than reality.

For 3.5 billion years, life has survived by learning how to respond to reality (when to run, what to eat, etc.). While focusing on opinions, beliefs, fictions (lies) and fantasies, politicians neglect that kind of response and, therefore, neglect survival.

Don't be fooled by politicians who "protect your freedom" (often by helping you fight problems that really don't exist) while neglecting real existential threats like air and water pollution and global warming.

Learn which politicians deny or neglect reality, and don't vote for them. Survival depends on your doing so.

John Darovec, Bradenton

Vote for candidates who back gun control

In the aftermath of yet another tragic mass shooting, you may be asking yourself, what can I do to help protect my community from unnecessary gun violence?

One step you can take is to go to the website https://gunsensevoter.org and register to vote and find candidates who support common-sense gun regulations.

Also, remember to vote in the upcoming midterm election.

Donna Euston, Lakewood Ranch