Unified rally/protest falls short
To the editor:
I know this may sound irrelevant, out of date, anachronistic, Etc., But our forefathers, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benji Franklin and ALL the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, would hang their heads and be ASHAMED of US now, nationwide, and particularly here on our little island of Fort Myers Beach.
For many months, I have heard many a shop/retail business owner here on the Island complain about the problems and unfairness of all the rules and regulations and permitting processes imposed on them by Town Hall. I DID attempt to do “Something” about all this, in past Letters to the Ed, in this very Paper.
I tried to organize and rally a response from these same business owners with such complaints, so as We Together could stand up in, protest and attempt to CHANGE what is unfair and debilitating to their businesses here.
And, did I get a response from the Local Business Community? “NO.” Zip, Zero, Nada, Nothing!!! This dismayed and depressed me.
Democracy and “change” these days means MUCH MORE than just voting at a booth. You’ve GOT TO vote with your voice. You’ve GOT TO vote with your FEET and presence IN THE ROOM!!!! Otherwise just watch as your RIGHTS erode. The rules and regulations get TOUGHER and TOUGHER on you, and the permit fees STEEPER and STEEPER.
By being apathetic, and by NOT getting involved, this is EXACTLY what you’ll get in the future, I promise.
Our forefathers would truly be ashamed if We, the current generation, threw away ALL they fought so hard for, some 200 years ago. Happy 4th of July.
Happy Jeff
Artist/Musician/Islander