Noisy hot rods spoil neighborhood life
There is a new reality for owners and residents of housing near the Mall at University Town Center.
It has always been a busy neighborhood at night, but with motorcycles and hot-rod cars visiting our area the situation has now gotten completely out of hand. The police have totally disappeared, forfeiting the neighborhood at Honore Avenue and DeSoto Road to the loud muffler-loving crowd.
What makes it even more of a shame is that there are three assisted-living homes on that corner with elderly residents trying to sleep. And not a police car in sight!
We can’t afford to let neighborhoods like these decay because of wildcat cars and their cowboy drivers.
With the housing market collapsing due to the hurricanes and the escalating insurance costs, the mufflers are chasing people away from our quiet neighborhoods.
One Friday, Dec. 13, the muffler noise carried on until 10:45 p.m., past the time when most people are trying to go to sleep. We waited in vain for a police presence to join us and stop the tsunami of racket.
Please join us in making our neighborhood a place where people want to be at night.
Don DeMaio, Sarasota
Marty Fugate
Art critic a joy to read
Whenever I complete reading the illuminating columns written by art critic Marty Fugate I’m reminded of why subscribing to the Herald-Tribune is still worthwhile.
The Jan. 5 article focusing on Joe Fig and his exhibition at Sarasota Art Museum was a delight (“For the love of looking: Sarasota Art Museum exhibit captures art lovers gazing at art”).
Peggy Allen, Sarasota
Holiday messages reflect opposite leaders
President-elect Donald Trump’s holiday message sounded like it came from a maladjusted teen who did not get what he wanted for Christmas.
It showed that this former and future president is totally unfit to lead this country. He is a person who wants to divide this country for his own ambitions – not lead it.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., December 22, 2024.
Compared with President Joe Biden’s message, which talked about unity and compassion, Trump’s showed what a hate-filled and mean person he is.
Trump cares little for anyone but himself and his MAGA followers love it. Unfortunately, he cares little about them and he will prove it in the coming months.
If his followers really think that Trump and a bunch of billionaires are going to fight for the little guy, I have a bridge to sell them.
Joseph Marra, Venice
Capitol attackers betrayed Constitution
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump climb on walls at the U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021.
I was assigned to a post in the Pentagon on Jan. 6, 2021, when the Capitol was attacked by a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump in an attempted coup after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
On the fourth anniversary of the insurrection, I’m reminded of my oath to defend the Constitution – and I will never forget those who took a similar oath and betrayed it.
Nor will I forget those in power who refused to hold the oath breakers accountable.
“We are unique among the world’s militaries,” said former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley.
“We don’t take an oath to a country, we don’t take an oath to a tribe, we don’t take an oath to a religion. We don’t take an oath to a king, or a queen, or a tyrant or a dictator. And we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America –and we’re willing to die to protect it.”
I will never understand how this betrayal Jan. 6 wasn’t a deal-breaker for every American.
Kevin Stephens, retired Navy captain, Venice
Ford, other companies fund Trump’s party
I don’t begrudge the president-elect an inauguration celebration. But companies like Meta, Ford and Amazon pouring millions into it is exactly what is wrong with America.
We can’t shore up Social Security.
We can’t make good health care affordable to all.
We can’t provide enough affordable housing.
But we can spend millions on a big inauguration party.
Shame on us!
Kristi Kanellos, Sarasota
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Noisy hot rods don’t belong on Sarasota’s streets | Letters