Fluoride in the water saved my teeth. Let Miami-Dade mayor’s veto stand | Opinion

Keep fluoride

I urge Miami-Dade County commissioners to please not override Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s veto. Let’s keep fluoride in our water supply.

To assume that fluoride is readily available for everyone, via toothpaste, is invalid. When I was growing up in the 1950s, my parents suffered from addictions. They died when I was 14 years old. As children, we usually did not have access to toothpaste. We were told to brush our teeth with salt.

I was 15 when I made my first visit to a dentist. I only lost one molar. Luckily, my other teeth survived, but with deep silver fillings. The only reason I still have my teeth was fluoride in the water supply. Additionally, as a child with a “survivor instinct,” I was conscientious enough to rinse after every meal.

Can anyone really assume that every adult has access to toothpaste and brushes? What about homeless people? Or workers, hurrying back from their lunch hour, who only have time to go to a water fountain for a quick rinse?

William Shakespeare, in “As You Like It,” wrote, in part, that in the last stage of life, one is “Sans teeth...,” but of course, that was written 450 years ago. They didn’t know the benefits of fluoride then.

Let’s keep our fluoride and save our teeth.

Karin Stahl,

North Miami

Second thoughts

Re: the April 13 Herald story, “Dade mayor issues veto on banning fluoride. Will commissioners override it?” I am not overall “anti-vaccines.” I have had almost all the recommended shots. And I haven’t been against fluoride in the water.

However, I now question why should the government put anything in our water. I understand the obligation to ensure our drinking water is safe, but why add anything to it? What happened to the “my body, my choice” arguments?

I have other opportunities to choose fluoride — in my toothpaste, at my dentist’s office.

What’s to say that the small amount in the water doesn’t push me over the acceptable limits? If the amount is so minuscule, how certain is anyone that it is helpful, not harmful?

Bonnie Hutton,

South Dade

Road rage

Miami driving is so bad that near-death experiences have become a common occurrence. I had such an experience Sunday when another driver illegally crossed over several lanes and drove directly in front of me to avoid exiting the Florida Turnpike. Other drivers and I had to slam on our brakes to avoid what could have been a fatal crash.

Self-centered, inconsiderate maniac drivers have become the norm in Miami. There are no rules for them. Obviously, these drivers believe their lives and time are more important than anyone else. They may want to risk their lives, but it is unfair to risk the lives of other innocent drivers.

I ask these drivers to slow down and think. Dangerous driving is not worth the risk. Certainly, if your risk results in a crash, you will not be going anywhere fast.

Fleta Stamen,

Miami

No art, just frames

Re: the April 13 story, “Art dealer led plot to sell forged Andy Warhol pieces at his Grove gallery, feds say.” As the owner of Frame Art, Inc., a frame and art gallery established more than 30 years ago in Miami, I would like to clarify various reports (in publications other than the Miami Herald) that suggest Leslie Roberts had any commercial transactions with Frame Art, Inc.

While Roberts purchased frames from Frame Art, Inc., he did not — and never has — purchased art from my business. As a result, any implication that the fraudulent art he allegedly sold was purchased from Frame Art, Inc. is unjustified and absolutely false.

Alfredo Zayden,

president,

Frame Art,

Miami

Beach rules

The purpose of committee hearings, public input and majority votes is to ensure that legislation is vetted and reflects the will of the people. However, when a single official can unilaterally keep a bill from advancing, the process breaks down.

That’s exactly what’s happening with Florida Senate Bill 1622, ”Recreational Customary Use of Beaches,” a bill allowing the traditional use of dry beach sand for public recreation, even on private property. This bill has passed three House committees, moved favorably through the Senate and received only three “No” votes. Two of those votes came from the Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, who now holds the power to decide whether SB 1622 even appears on the April 21 agenda. If it’s left off, the bill dies — not by democratic vote, but by gate-keeping.

This raises a critical question: what’s the point of public process if one person can bury a bill that so many support?

The state legislature owes Floridians more than silence. SB 1622 deserves a fair hearing. Let it be debated. Let it be voted on. That’s what democracy looks like.

John Dillard,

Santa Rosa Beach

Cuban trade

The United States has had in place an embargo on Cuba for almost 60 years and has attempted numerous regime changes without success. As long as Cuba can get its supplies from other countries, such as Venezuela, China and Russia, the U.S. is wasting its time trying to be a factor in Cuba’s future.

The only way to influence that future is to sit with Cuban leaders and work together to improve conditions. Cuba is one of our closest neighbors; trading with it would be a tremendous economic boon to both countries.

Art Young,

West Kendall

Acting out

Why does President Donald Trump incessantly say and do outrageous things?

Because he is an emotionally insecure and spoiled child and he demands constant attention. Though he may prefer positive attention to negative, attention of any kind is what matters. Without a qualm, he persists in his tariffs program despite the enormous havoc it’s wreaking.

To get maximum attention, he’ll destroy even his best toys, the most important things over which he has influence as president — the government and economy of his own country and the political and economic structure of the whole world.

Richard Lee,

Crestview

Salazar must go

I’m appalled by U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s betrayal of the very community she claims to represent. Last year, she declared that “Those who just came in and belong to El Tren de Aragua, we should kill them,” before walking back the remark. This extremist rhetoric dehumanizes and endangers all Latin American people, fans hatred and encourages vigilantism.

President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport lawful asylum seekers like Kilmar Abrego García to El Salvador’s CECOT concentration camp without due process — all while posting cruel memes celebrating this on Twitter.

Last week, Salazar was asked if she would support impeaching Trump for his authoritarian abuse of power. Unsurprisingly, she failed to respond. With her silence, she is complicit. If she can’t defend our community and our U.S. Constitution, she should resign.

Brock Sevilla,

Miami

Wither the tariffs?

We have been bombarded with rapid-fire decisions on tariffs, on the necessity of them, on the expected manufacturing boom and that it is now our time to do the ripping off.

Then, just as suddenly, it all disappears for the next 90 days.

Is U.S. manufacturing therefore pushed further into the future? Was there ever the intention of developing or re-creating manufacturing in our nation and who would get that ball rolling?

Can anybody provide answers? What are we really about?

Sonja I. Pantry,

Miramar

Loss of a leader

As the April 15 Miami Herald editorial, “Reyes was a powerful voice for the people of Miami,” points out, with the passing of city of Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes, our community lost a great leader.

Those who were privileged to know him for decades lost a great friend. We love and miss you, Flaco.

Emilio de la Cal,

Coral Gables