Readers sound off about recent columns and stories

(Note: Periodically we offer the observations of readers — those who agree with the columnist and those who don’t, or those who simply wish to comment on a story. We invite conversations with our readers about any subject or story.

Here is a selection of recent letters about stories or columns that have addressed the destruction of wild places, the Calusa Nature Center, Alzheimer’s and the firing of two long-time Fort Myers city employees by the city manager.)

Hello Mr. Williams,

I never agree with what you write about, but today during lunch I read your piece about the scrub forests that surround us in Lee County and you did a good job.

I do work in that area, and destruction of that environment happens every day, but today really got me by surprise when I drove between Buckingham and Lehigh on Kittyhawk, and 58th Street West. Acres of palmetto forest bulldozed. For what reason? Nobody is building anything on those properties.

Is it just a wrong idea about clean properties? Is it just plain ignorance? Or worse? Just plain stupidity?

I have seen a lot more wildlife lately, due to less people around, due to less traffic, and less noise. But it was very disappointing to see so little respect for plants, animals and the environment in general.

There are not authorities around that can see all that pointless destruction?

Thanks again for your opinion,

Roberto Delcid

Mr. Williams,

Thank you for your commentary in

the Oct 7-13 edition of Florida Weekly.

Mr. Mitchell’s goals are obvious. Who would take a chance negotiating with the city when Ms. Leonard was treated so unfairly?

Twenty firefighter positions have been cut by the same management style, yet the department has maintained a public information officer.

Matt Galewski,

Secretary Local 1826

Mr. Williams,

Thank you for giving attention to the people diagnosed and affected by Alzheimer’s. I hope your article hits many in the face and encourages them to seek help — for themselves or their family members.

What is often misunderstood however is the ENORMOUS cost of caring for dementia patients in their homes or in special-care facilities.

That includes the full list of needed medications. Twenty-four hour in-home care is not covered by Medicare because ALZ and other dementia sufferers are not considered disabled.

Patients in the mid to late stages of ALZ are anything but abled. Most ALZ patients, too, suffer from many other complications, including behavioral disturbance, agitation, aggression (even violence), skin breakdown, sleep problems, nutritional deficits...the list is endless.

I know all this from first-hand work experience (15 years). What is most upsetting is that dementia care sites are currently under MINIMAL regulation. Most state regulations simply say, “none specified,” or “must meet client needs.” These centers are poorly understaffed, and confused clients are prescribed dozens of drugs to manage and control their behavior: Depakote, Seroquel, Aricept, Namenda, Ativan, Ambien, Haldol.... Sedatives are easier and cheaper than hiring an onsite geropsychiatrist or nurse practitioner who understands the complexity of neuropsychiatric disorders and their treatment.

Each patient’s regimen is often different from another’s (by the way, there are 75 different causes for dementia and numerous diagnoses)....

I must also correct you by saying that Aricept, Exelon and Namenda (the medications for ALZ that you allude to in your piece) are not known to significantly slow progression of the disease. These, in some patients, have been shown to delay the nursing home placement by six months, according to current studies. The benefit is difficult to assess and minimal. In Europe these drugs are not used or prescribed at all.

I am a geropsychiatric home-care nurse and have worked in this field for a number of years. What I’ve learned most in working with seniors disabled by ALZ and other like diseases is that a calm, peaceful routine with steady, caring caregivers is most important to their day. Along with love and a SLOW life.

Good music helps, too.

Which brings me back to why public radio needs classical again.

Thank you, sir, for your ear and your eye.

Jill Haughie

Mr. Williams,

Your column was so refreshing and gives me hope that the Silent Majority will eventually speak out...

Gayle Cook

Mr. Williams,

Thanks for your article on the Calusa Nature Center. I sent a donation and will try to get there next month when my niece and nephew come to Fort Myers. It would be nice if a follow-up article with their phone and address included regarding their status could be done.

Elaine H. Green

(Dear Ms. Green: You can contact the Calusa Nature Center at 275-3435 or go online at www.calusanaturecom. The Calusa Nature Center is located at 3450 Ortiz Ave., near the corner of Colonial Boulevard and Ortiz.)