Scrub jays need help
To the editor:
Thank you for the article on the Florida scrub jays (Feb. 25). This beautiful and curious bird needs very specific habitats to maintain its family groups. As your article stated, scrub habitat is limited to begin with and then is further reduced when controlled burns are not done as needed. When the burns do not occur, the vegetation continues to grow, covering the ground and growing too tall for scrub jays. Alternate methods are sometimes used to limit scrub growth, but controlled burns produce the best result.
One scrub jay habitat that your readers might enjoy visiting is Lyonia Preserve in Volusia County. Lyonia Preserve, a remnant of ancient coastal sand dunes, is an excellent example of scrub habitat favored by scrub jays. Natural fires have burned off the top of the vegetation, leaving root systems that can be hundreds of years old. Oaks about 20 feet tall, abundant acorns and sandy soil all make for a safe and productive environment for the threatened scrub jay.
As Florida continues to experience an amazing population growth, we need to keep in mind wildlife habitat needs. We experience a richer life when we have natural areas that allow Florida’s wildlife to continue to flourish.
Dee Mertz
Kissimmee

Stop it now
To the editor:
Yesterday I attended a tea party protest in front of the Hilton on International Drive, where the supporters of the rail system(s) were meeting.
The black limos were parked everywhere with the drivers waiting patiently for the “powers” to come back to their taxpayer-paid-for transportation.
It actually sickens me to see the elitist and the elected powers scrambling to spend our money on rail system(s) when we in Florida are suffering a multi-billion-dollar deficit that the powers have put upon our taxpaying backs.
Yet, Obama plans to send another billion dollars to Florida that is also taxpayer money, and look at our deficit there!
How can this be justified? How can anyone without a personal agenda support such a huge spending spree when we already have a huge deficit?
What is behind this? Who are these people? What is their goal? Can it only be to line their own pockets?
Don't tell me that it is to create jobs. The private sector creates jobs, not our tax dollars. And the powers do everything they can to stop private business.
Isn't it called socialism?
If you (elected official) voted for this rail system(s) knowing the deficit we already suffer, I'll find you, and you will receive my deficit tax bill and my rail system(s) tax bill that you created without my permission! You will not receive my vote.
For all the reasons you voted for this, none could be because it’s good for Florida, so therefore neither are you.
I'm mad, and conservative politicians with the American taxpayer in mind, being elected, is my goal, and will be the only thing that can bring America back to good judgment and common sense.
Let us end the elitist and power-bending reign, and let us end the era of the politician without a backbone that bends to the elitist will.
Donna Sykes

Osceola County Supports Smith
To the editor:
I would like to commend all of the Osceola County commissioners with the exception of Brandon Arrington.
It is about time we as America, stood up to the attackers of our freedoms.
The First Amendment reads as follows:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
This says that the federal government cannot tell people where to worship.
Perhaps the county should sue the Madison, Wis.- based Freedom From Religion Foundation for threatening a government office.
I am in full support of Commissioner Ken Smith, that we have done more than enough to please the atheist movement.
Harmon Austin
St. Cloud