Our police are not ICE
Dear Editor,
My grandparents came through Ellis Island legally. Yes, I support immigration control. Even the MS St. Louis was turned away due to immigration laws of the time. What I do not support is asking (or in Gov. DeSantis case, demanding) that our local police act as ICE agents. Our police have their hands full with maintaining law and order in our growing state. Controlling immigration is a federal role. Let the legislators in Washington earn their pay, and substantial retirement, and deal with it. But leave our local law enforcement alone! They are doing a great job!
Camille Levee
St. Cloud
Poinciana traffic – what about Koa Street?
Dear Editor:
I have read multiple articles about the traffic congestion in Poinciana. There is something not right and the residents of Poinciana are paying the price.
The current widening of Poinciana Boulevard is going to make the problem worse. The bottleneck is where Poinciana and Pleasant Hill Road meet, the current widening project is going to bring more traffic to the same bottleneck.
KOA Street was built as an artery road. no one lives on KOA Street, it runs parallel to Cypress Parkway avoiding all the strip malls, and it already connects to Poinciana Parkway. It should have been connected to Poinciana Boulevard as part of the current project. KOA Street already has enough space to be widened in the future. It would have had an immediate impact and badly needed relief for the traffic on Pleasant Hill Road and Cypress Parkway – it will be years and years before the “Sky Bridge” is built in Poinciana.
So, as we sit in traffic during the coming years, we should consider who we can elect that can bring some common sense to our government and get this project done.
Brian Chapman
Kissimmee
Study: consumption of meat products increases dementia risk
Dear Editor,
Eating meat is no longer just about heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It’s about dementia too!
A study of 133,000 US men and women tracked for more than 40 years concluded that consumption of processed meat products leads to increased risk of dementia and reduced cognition. The study was published in the prestigious journal Neurology.
Another study that tracked half a million U.K. adults over eight years found that daily consumption of an ounce of processed meat was associated with a 44% higher risk of developing dementia and a 52% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. That study was published five years ago in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Ready relief is offered by our supermarkets in their rich selection of legumes, nuts, grains, soy products, and other natural protein-rich plant foods. The American Heart Association provides more details in their website heart.org.
Earl Prake
Kissimmee
A touchdown for compassion: plant-based wings
Dear Editor:
As Super Bowl Sunday nears, it’s worth considering the staggering number of chickens sacrificed for a single day of indulgence—an estimated 375 million, just for wings. This annual tradition, though beloved by many, comes at a great cost to animals, the planet, and even our health.
Fortunately, there’s a kinder and equally satisfying alternative: plant-based wings. Made from ingredients like tofu, seitan, potatoes, or even cauliflower, these options pack all the flavor without harm to animals. Homemade cauliflower “wing” recipes are easy, delicious, and crowd-pleasing.
This year, why not make your Super Bowl spread one of compassion and sustainability? By swapping traditional chicken wings for plant-based alternatives, you’ll score a win for animals and the environment, all while enjoying a healthier take on a game-day favorite.
Tony Wells
Kissimmee