Letters to the Editor

causes of drowning are lack of swimming abilities and no barriers around pools.

The state of Florida and local facilities offer an opportunity to take water safety courses Some have free classes; you can inquire at your local YMCA or your city may have other programs available

There are two free water safety resources offered at www myfamilies com “Eyes on the Kids” and “Water Safety for Kids ” These resources have very helpful information for all ages CPR classes are also highly recommended for all Be safe!

Abiding

Accidental drownings occur primarily in home swimming pools The second-leading

Cindy Hubble

Love Preschool and Childcare Director Cape Coral

We want your opinion

This legislation is hardly a novel move Throughout history, tyrants on the left and the right as well as powerful Robber Barons have often moved to crush the press in order to control messaging And the easiest way to crush the press is to weaponize the law against commentators just as HB991 seeks to do

For those who doubt this could be the rationale of HB991’s supporters, look at recent rules by the state forbidding events that do not “align with the state’s mission” from taking place at the Florida Capitol This pre-vetting of purpose is another clear violation of Floridians’ First Amendment rights to gather and have their voices heard Looking at these measures, one can only conclude that free speech is under attack in Florida.

Contrary to what its supporters will say over the next weeks, HB991 is not good for Florida or Floridians It’s not good for Americans as a whole It would establish a dangerous precedent that impacts all of us by chilling the kind of free discussion that only takes place in free societies

Even conservative Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito noted this in a ruling a few years ago, writing: “The core purpose of the c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p r o t e c t i o n o f f r e e d o m o f expression is to ensure that all opinions on such issues have a chance to be heard and considered ”

So, please protect your freedom of speech by using yours to tell your representatives to throw out HB991

Bobby Block is the executive director of the First Amendment Foundation which was founded in 1985 to advance and protect Floridians’ rights to free speech, open government and public records

Fueling higher costs with record profits

To the editor:

Exxon oil corporation reported to its shareholders record breaking profit of $55 7 billion in 2022 Not problems with supply chain, just rapacious greed motivated the rise in cost at the pump Of course, the cost of gas rose accordingly with these higher pump prices This in turn, made all product from field to market rise in price to meet the additional cost imposed, seemingly without legitimate need beyond avarice You paid more for your gas, but also more for all foodstuffs, etc that rely on a gassed up truck delivering the good to market.

Tax policy can generate revenue, but it can also modify business policy Windfall

See LETTERS, page 5

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be mailed to: Fort Myers Beach Observer, 19260 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931; faxed to 239-765-0846; emailed to news@breezenewspapers.com; or posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www breezenewspapers com Letters are due no later than noon Monday All letters and guest columns must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes You also can comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: fortmyersbeachtalk com

Florida Highway Patrol searching for driver in multiple hit-and-run crashes

STAFF REPORT

The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver of a stolen Toyota Prius who was engaged in multiple hit-and-run vehicle crashes early Monday morning, first at McGregor Boulevard and other areas of Lee County with a 2017 Chevrolet pickup truck before allegedly stealing the Toyota Prius in one of the crashes

At approximately 5:56 a m Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a series of hit and run traffic crashes, first at McGregor Boulevard and later at Daniels Parkway and Interstate 75, the Florida Highway

Patrol stated in an announcement Monday

A white 2017 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by an unknown white male, was initially involved in a hit-andrun traffic crash on McGregor Boulevard The truck fled the scene after damaging another vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol reported After the collision, troopers determined the same Chevrolet truck began to follow and take aggressive actions in the area of Gladiolus Drive, toward a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 23-yearold female As the Chevrolet truck continued to follow the other driver for several miles, the driver used the C