a message from your publisher… Reg Buxton

VOTE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2024

This column marks the 4th time I have addressed voting or, rather, the lack thereof in Collier County. The voting record for the citizens of the City of Naples is abysmal— in the last 5 elections, less than 50% of eligible voters did so.

The right to vote is the greatest HONOR and DUTY we have as citizens. This I feel strongly on.

Many say: “Why vote? All the candidates are bad; they don’t care about the people who put them in office; they’re corrupt; they’re only in it for their own benefit, etc.” The media, which used to be regarded as neutral and trustworthy, has devolved in many cases into being one-sided, spreading untruths, skewing facts, and showing clear bias to the detriment of those who used to count on them.

It has been said: All politics are local. I believe this to be true. You must care about your local candidates and elections in addition to the state and national ones. After all, it is these local candidates that will have the most impact on your day-to-day life.

A great example of our own local politics is talked about in detail in a book recently published locally:
GUTTER POLITICS:
City of Naples 2024
by Nicholas G. Penniman IV

This book examines our recent local elections and how outside dark money, well known for its influence on national elections, made its way onto the local stage. It is an informative read meant to make you think and, as you read, you may very well see yourself or someone you know reflected on the page.

Above all, as we head into the November election, PLEASE VOTE. Make sure you have a say in your elected officials and the laws they make.