All of us pay for Citizens insurance, so it's flush; Vero Beach Theatre Guild show a 10

Vero Beach Theatre Guild's '9 to 5' production rates a 10

I wanted to compliment the Vero Beach Theatre Guild for putting on what I thought to be one of their best shows this season, and within the past year, with the musical '9 to 5'. The production was thoroughly delightful.

It moved along so well and was executed to the highest quality. The audience members around me were loving it, and the show rightfully deserved the standing ovation it received.

The direction of the show is to be commended as everyone in the show was perfect in their roles, and the way that the scenes moved along were so impressive. The show was colorful, energetic and never felt long.

I've seen a lot of shows there, and recently they have all been great. However, this one felt like it was in a league of its own. It was a different level, in my opinion.

If you missed the show, then you missed out on one of the guild's best. It's amazing that we have such great local talent in our area. I'll definitely be seeing more there and shows directed by the director of this show, for sure. I'll be watching.

Liz Arnold, Vero Beach

Citizens Property Insurance CEO: Spin or ignorance?

Gov. Ron DeSantis is 100% accurate in stating that Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is "not solvent." The current Florida statute requiring Citizens "to levy surcharges on its policyholders and assessments on non-Citizens policyholders to eliminate any deficit" is proof positive.

This statute, which needs serious legislative revision, enabled Citizens President and CEO Timothy Cerio to state the insurer "will always be able" to pay claims. Perhaps we'd have more property insurance companies doing business in Florida without Citizens.

Rick Chambers, Fort Pierce

A refrain for some Americans we all should thank

As I thought about the last two lines of our National Anthem, "O'er the land of the free. And the home of the brave," some thankful thoughts occurred to me.

For parents and grandparents who watch and guide their children to a happy life: We love you, brave.

For our health care providers who repair, build and make our bodies stronger: We love you, brave.For our mechanics who repair, build and make our things stronger: We love you, brave.

For our mental health providers who work hard to keep us balanced: We love you, brave.

For our law enforcement, legal and military community that strives to protect and serve (in the face of adversity): We love you, brave.

To all teachers who are educating our children and the world in these times of ever-changing technology: We love you, brave.

You get the idea. And above all else, as we all are now moving at such a fast pace ... be patient ... as fast as you can.

I encourage all! What say you?

Guy Dockerill, Palm City

Critiquing naysaying columnists' views on Biden, Trump

I read March 10 two columns side-by-side in your publication.

On one side, guest columnist Carl Golden presented a good argument why President Joe Biden should step aside due to health reasons. He encouraged the president's handlers and confidants to press that viewpoint also. He listed reasons for the decision and offered that’s it is the right thing to do.

On the other side, guest columnist Dace Potas just did not want anyone to vote for former President Donald Trump. He listed no reasons I could see for not voting for Trump. He did say Nikki Haley would be better, citing “a recent poll” that had her beating Biden in a head-to-head contest.

Potas said Haley, having won the District of Columbia and Vermont primaries (both entities leaning to the left), placed her “better poised to win a general election against Biden than Trump is.”

In his piece, he gave no evidence how she could beat Biden, except she’s not Trump. Her whole campaign was anti-Trump and so, for that, she won D.C. and Vermont.

Potas lamented countless principled Republicans, such as he, cannot vote Trump, no matter how bad Biden might be. He rattled on and on with statistics why Trump will lose, but failed to compare the records of each man.

Surely, if Biden wins, he will exit stage left before his term ends.

In my humble opinion, in this election cycle, you are really voting for the vice president on the Biden ticket, or Trump, to be the next president of the United States.

Just a thought.

Jim Grant, Jensen Beach

Taking steps to stop squatting

Until I resided in a Central American country part time, I never was aware of the concept of squatting.

It's an action whereby individuals may observe an unoccupied residence and thereby gain access to it, whether or not it is otherwise actively lived in.

This means whether you own or rent a property, should you be on a vacation or recovering from an accident or surgical procedure in a hospital, when you return home, you may be locked out.

Immigrants here illegally are already aware or are being groomed to take this proprietary action throughout our country. Recovery from medical issues may take protracted periods of time. Where are the legally entitled residents going to live?

In our beloved state of Florida, are we protected from such activity? Under the Right of Personal Protection Act, as I understand, may force be used with or without law enforcement endorsement?

Perhaps our residents and citizens need this type of information clearly defined prior to any potential mayhem.

Hopefully, our current legislators in Tallahassee shall define and reveal this as a public preventative issue.

Gary S. Weiner, Port St. Lucie

World must be proactive about population control

The population of the world is now 8.1 billion, which is 73.5 million more people than last year. Scientists say that the Earth can probably maintain 8.7 billion. So that means adding 600 million people will take about 8 years.

We all have to sign the HIPAA agreement when we go to the doctor. According to cdc.gov, "the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was made into a federal law to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge."

This is a privacy rule for those who seek care and healing and to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of this law. HIPAA does NOT stand for Hack Into Privately Arranged Activities.

Specifically, in this case, women have a right to control their own life, health and bodies. It is our duty to help control the population, so future generations can be able to survive and thrive without the hunger, pollution and war that could be the result of some government officials sticking their noses where they don't belong.

Jenene Skrupky, Port St. Lucie

Beware of Stalkerware, Spyware

Stalkerware and Spyware abusers might come off as charming human beings. That's how they choose their victims.

Many Stalkerware users are, in fact, covert narcissists looking to deceive victims in different ways. The charming behaviors are just disguises. They are truthfully evil and deceitful people.

Like other criminals, Stalkerware users have other dark triad and tetrad related traits: extreme antisocial beliefs and criminal behaviors related to them. I've learned that a Stalkerware user (or several) have access to every phone number and email address in my phone and computer systems.

Their behaviors continued when I changed phone numbers, phones and email addresses. Stalkerware users connect to other people in networks with hopes they, too, will carry out their demands.

As a person who has changed phone numbers and cell phones, who has purchased technology claimed to stop the Stalkerware, its users still invade. It can be said that victims like me want nothing to do with the stalkers nor their charismatic demands.

Stalkerware users make their ways into different systems as acts of fraudulence, theft and invasion. They commit fraud, identity theft and other forms of white-collar crimes.

But these are not the only crimes many Stalkerware and Spyware users commit. Many are long-term drug dealers and drug abusers who live in enabling homes, practically with their parents' permission. Sadly enough, some Stalkerware abusers (of either gender) are also domestic abusers and child abusers.

It is only rational to be cautious of their criminal behaviors. Their enabling homes would have to be out of their minds to imagine a victim or precinct would condone their behaviors.

Everyone the victim knows would have to change numbers and email addresses also, so these powerful and cruel criminals won't have further access? That's not possible. Perhaps the law should step in.

Anna Santacroce, Fort Pierce

Deny all you want, but Trump is bound for prison

I do not know how many letters I have read that still proclaim “Russia, Russia, Russia” is a political dirty trick by Hillary Clinton. Those very same people voted for Marco Rubio. I was curious how they can support Donald Trump and Rubio both.

In August 2020, Rubio was the chairman of the select Senate intelligence committee, and it put out a report after a three-year investigation. To Russia, Russia, Russia, Rubio affirmed in the report, "the Trump campaign collaborated so often with the Russian foreign intelligence the campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was a grave national security threat."

If that is not enough for you, you can read an interview given by that very same campaign manager to Business Insider where he talked extensively about selling the Trump campaign polling data to the Russian secret service.

Yet some Trump supporters refuse to believe all of this. The entire country listened to Trump’s phone call to the Georgia election official, yet people continue to deny it happened.

The entire country watched Jan. 6 fold out in our face and people continue to deny it happened. The entire country has watched various Trump officials plead guilty to the electors' scheme, and people still deny it.

The entire country has watched a video where the Trump lawyers illegally accessed Georgia election machines, yet people still deny. The entire country listened to Trump beg officials in Michigan to vote for him, and they still deny.

Deny all you want. Soon, people will deny Trump is in prison.

Don Whisman, Stuart

Nothing wrong with keeping explicit books out of school libraries

So many people these days seem to be against keeping sexually explicit books out of easy access by children.

So why not put hardcore porn books in school libraries, too? How about men's magazines, like Hustler?

It seems like some equate making library books age appropriate is wrong, but they are sadly mistaken. The books are available in bookstores, if the child's parents really want their children to be exposed to sex at an inappropriate age (but I worry about those parents).

They are not "banned."

George Schmidt, Stuart

Electing Trump again would spell disaster

The prospect of Donald Trump's potential return to the presidency in 2024 raises grave concerns about the future trajectory of the United States and its standing in the global community. Trump's rhetoric, policy proposals and alliances signal a perilous path fraught with danger both domestically and internationally.

Throughout his political career, Trump has consistently espoused divisive rhetoric, sowing seeds of discord and animosity among Americans. His propensity for fanning the flames of xenophobia, racism and misinformation not only undermines social cohesion, but also threatens the fundamental values upon which the nation was founded.

Furthermore, Trump's stated intentions for a potential second term are deeply troubling. From his vows to roll back environmental regulations and dismantle health care reforms to his advocacy for draconian immigration measures, his agenda poses significant risks to the wellbeing of Americans and the environment alike.

Equally alarming are Trump's alliances with authoritarian leaders abroad. His admiration for strongmen such as Vladimir Putin and admiration of their dictatorial tendencies raises red flags about his commitment to democratic norms and human rights. Embracing leaders who flout international law and suppress dissent undermines global stability and jeopardizes America's reputation as a champion of liberty and democracy.

Moreover, Trump's erratic behavior and disregard for diplomatic protocol have the potential to ignite conflicts and destabilize regions. By cozying up to autocrats and alienating longstanding allies, he undermines longstanding alliances and erodes trust in American leadership.

A Trump presidency in 2024 poses a grave danger to the United States and the world at large. His divisive rhetoric, regressive policies and dangerous alliances threaten to plunge the nation into turmoil and weaken its standing on the global stage.

It is imperative that voters carefully consider the consequences of such a decision and actively work to safeguard the principles of democracy, equality and international cooperation.

Chrisi Thanos, Port St. Lucie

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Squatters, stalkers, homeowners insurance, population: Problems abound