Letters to the Editor

+ Gas station would fuel the north end of Longboat Key
Dear Editor:
I wish Keller Williams good luck at the former Chevron station, but what Longboat Key residents need is another gas station — not another Realtor office.
Charles Resnick
Longboat Key

+ Kudos to parade volunteers
Dear Editor:
I would like to thank all of the volunteers who made our Veterans Day parade a beautiful outpouring of love for all of us.

I would also like to acknowledge the Jewish temple (Temple Beth Israel) that hosted the crowds after the parade.

Kudos to all the volunteers.
I. Bert Spiegel
Longboat Key

+ Parade was touching tribute
Dear Editor:
I am a Korean War veteran and decided to participate in the inaugural Veterans Day parade sponsored by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key Nov. 11.

I am close to 86 years of age and feel that the parade and subsequent recognition program held at Temple Beth Israel constitute one of the nicest events that I have ever participated in.

The parade grouped the approximately 125 veterans by the era in which they served, such as World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

I estimate the turnout of viewers at 300, and they lined both sides of the street, waving flags and cheering for the vets.

Both the vets and viewers entered Temple Beth Israel, which resulted in a standing-room only crowd of more than 400. Sydelle Pittas, president of the Longboat Key Rotary, was the emcee of the hour-long program and did an excellent job. Several vets were interviewed, one of whom was 101 years of age and spoke of the liberation of Auschwitz, which he participated in.

A reception was held after the program with the beautiful music of the Glen Miller Orchestra playing in the background.

Rotary members, Temple Beth Israel and any others involved deserve kudos for a job well done.
Bill Allen
Longboat Key

+ Bandshell would enhance park
Dear Editor:
Referring to the recent gathering at Bayfront Park, I would like to add the following proposal:

In line with our cultural development, the construction of a bandshell at Bayfront or Durante Park would be a great addition to Longboat Key. Coupled with our cultural goals, a performing venue will attract fine musicians and performers to our area that abounds with a wealth of talent from all over the planet.

Well-known local performers such as Al Hixon, Larry Elgart, Eddie Tobin, etc., are part of our heritage and classical music, opera, and guest appearances exist year-round in our area.

This bandshell will become a special trademark of our wonderful island we call Paradise.
Cal Boehme
Longboat Key

+ Republicans need strategy
Dear Editor:
I am a committed, conservative Republican. With that said, I must be clearly critical of the behavior of the Republican Party.

First, since 2010 many establishment Republican leaders have done their best to rubbish adherents to the Tea Party movement. I just heard a commentator on TV saying that the expanded House majority will enable Republicans to ignore the Tea Party. Make no mistake, without the quiet support of the Tea Party at the polls, I expect the congressional majorities would be looking very thin or worse.

I got sick of the endless “sky is falling” emails filling my inbox every day for many weeks ahead of the election. There was not much about great reforms to come and never an appeal for a landslide!
The election proved beyond doubt that the “Democrat light” strategy is a loser for the Republican Party. It has been thoroughly rejected, and Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, who seems a decent man, should step aside immediately.

We need a strong leader as we prepare to win the presidency, and there are many great candidates in the party. In the meantime, we can look to Heritage Foundation President, former Sen. Jim DeMint, to help us to be brave and resolute.

My wife and I spent our entire election day at our polling station. We were there to encourage people to petition Dr. Ben Carson to run for president in 2016. It was an uplifting experience to chat with Americans who are proud of their country, yet worried about the problems plaguing this great nation because of poor leadership by the Obama administration.
Jack Wilson
Longboat Key