Jupiter's Suni Sands is a natural wonder. Why desecrate it with development? | Letters
Suni Sands should be preserved
I’d like to add some additional reasons why Suni Sands should not be developed. The article mentions desecration of Native American graves and the destruction of archeologically significant sites but, what about the destruction of the views for the people of Jupiter?
Do we really need to look at another tall white building instead of an amazing inlet? Also, the water just at the shores of Suni Sands is a significant turtle nursery. If Charles Modica, the developer and others would open their eyes a bit wider, they might see that beyond dollar signs and buildings is a most beautiful natural area.
Myles Gordon, Jupiter
More: How Jupiter is growing: Suni Sands' future in mediation; talks to continue through Dec. 31
Hypocrisy amid Suni Sands ire
“I got here first; everybody else stay out” is rearing its ugly head in Jupiter’s Suni Sands brouhaha. Folks living near the water and whose houses and condos are almost certainly built on top of the sites of Native American dwellings and sacred places, are now protesting the development of Suni Sands. They cloak the usual whining with a hypocritical plea to preserve the sanctity of Native American heritage. They want a park instead of homes. They want to drop picnic tables, ball fields and boat ramps on top of a cemetery. Let’s make a deal. If archeologists find indigenous artifacts under Suni Sands, preserve the area as a monument. Then, dig under every other waterfront structure in the area. If significant indigenous artifacts are uncovered, demolish the structures and erect historical markers (or maybe some playground equipment).
Bill Manikas, Boynton Beach
Mandate safer alternative to cane burning
It is well known that sugar cane burning drastically affects the health of people downwind. However, it is not widely known that vegetation burning puts large amounts of phosphorus into the air and eventually undergoes wet and dry deposition downwind.
A 2022 study presented to the American Association for Aerosol Research covered 15 years of PM2.5 chemical speciation data and showed quite clearly that vegetation burning elevated atmospheric phosphorus levels up to 50,000 times normal background. Air mass trajectories further revealed downwind deposition of phosphorus. As South Florida undergoes nutrient pollution, it leads to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) as well as disruption of the normal algal flora and bacterial fauna in the Everglades. Sugar cane burning needs to be stopped. Green harvesting is performed by most of the other sugar cane growing areas and it needs to be legally mandated here as soon as possible.
Dr. J. William Louda is a professor of Environmental Chemistry at Florida Atlantic University.
GOP needs to get out of its cult
When are the Republicans going to realize that they are supposed to be representing the people who put them in office? If they would get together, they could do a lot of good for the country. They seem to want to be extremist against the conservatives. Needless to say, this doesn't work and never will. If they work with the Democrats as a team, so much could be accomplished for the good of the United States. It is time for all Republicans to stop listening to Donald J. Trump and start thinking for themselves. They would be much better off. The whole country would benefit. The Republicans could be what they were meant.
Melvin Weinbaum, Boynton Beach
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter's Suni Sands area must be preserved for its natural beauty
