Letters to the Editor: May 25, 2022

This package has been amended to correct the name of first letter writer.

Fix height loophole in city of Stuart

Everything is going up: home prices, gas prices, the price of food. There’s another thing in Martin County we don’t want to see increase — the height limit on new construction. Only two buildings in Stuart currently exceed the four-story height limit: the water tower and the hospital downtown.

This is our most treasured development rule. And to those of us who have lived in Martin County for any length of time, this trademark height limit is what makes our county so unique and attractive.

An otherwise sensible marina development just north of the Roosevelt Bridge was attempting to use a regulatory loophole for unoccupied structures. They had proposed to build an 83-foot fake lighthouse, painted red and as tall as the new Roosevelt Bridge. Whatever its purpose, the practical effect for all of us would have been a glaring, oversized symbol that we are losing our ability to control development in our community. Building this fake lighthouse and the character of Martin County would have changed and not in a good way. This empty lighthouse would have been destructive of what makes our city so charming.

I sit on the Local Planning Agency for the city of Stuart. Normally, all developments come first to the LPA for review and then go to the City Commission. But because this development is in the area covered by the Community Redevelopment Agency, the building plans did not come before us. They went right to the City Commission.

This is why I am writing this letter: While developers eventually withdrew their lighthouse proposal, the City Commission should close this loophole immediately. They need to send a clear message that such attempts to alter our skyline will not be welcomed or tolerated. If an 83-foot fake lighthouse could have been built, what’s next?

Campbell Rich, Stuart

Shameful display of racism on school grounds fueled by bad legislation

Every resident should watch the YouTube video of the May 17 Martin County School Board meeting. Pay particular attention to the hurt, anger and pain expressed by our neighbors concerning the shameful display of racism on school grounds at Hidden Oakes Middle School in Palm City. A group of six white boys standing in a row were holding large three-dimensional letters spelling out a racial epithet, and a seventh person was taking the picture that was posted on social media.

These boys were not born racist. Racism, like misogyny and homophobia, are learned in a toxic home environment that spews such ignorance. What makes it all the more shameful is the fact that our governor and legislature are fueling this behavior with legislation that promotes racism and homophobia. The Stop Woke Act is an attempt to whitewash history and the Parental Rights in Education Act is just another attempt to marginalize our LGBTQ community.

I’m calling on all of you to use the power of your vote to get rid of those in government, to include school board members, who pose a threat to social justice, inclusive of the rich diversity in our community.

Bill Smithson, Hobe Sound

The decisions on abortion law should be returned to the states

So we now are a country that saves turtles and at the same time kills its unborn babies. Are we listening to ourselves and realizing the hypocrisy in this? And so many say it with a straight face.

And others (many politicians) feel peaceful protesting in front of judges’ homes is okay, even though it is against the law to attempt to sway the court from performing their job while interpreting the Constitution to the best of their ability.

The court has not publicized its final disposition but if the leaked disposition stands, it does not prevent abortion but leaves it to the people of each state. Isn’t that what we were founded on? “We the people of the United States… .” The people should be allowed to make this decision.

Would I be afraid in the case of incest, rape, or a diagnosis where a pregnancy could cause my death? Absolutely. Should abortion be used as birth control? Absolutely not. But today it is being used in exactly that way. Many lawmakers allude to the use of abortion as a form of birth control. One such congresswoman from California said it is up to a woman to decide whether she can feed another mouth. In all due respect, Congresswoman, that is why you use birth control — not abortion.

It takes responsibility to use birth control. Sometimes it is inconvenient. Too bad. Abortion isn’t a birth-control method. I wonder how many babies that have been murdered might have cured COVID-19, or cancer.

And now the babies who have been blessed with life can’t get formula in the United States. Is there a pattern against babies?

I thought we were supposed to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Jo-Ann Scotto, Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Letters to the Editor: May 25, 2022