To the editor:

As an avid environmentalist, I am thankful to Commissioners Frank Mann and Brian Bigelow, who are sincerely trying to save rural Lee County from being developed and paved over.

I’d be more grateful if the other commissioners would help protect our pasture lands. It is with respect and thankfulness that I mention these special environmental activists who wish to keep Alva, Olga and Bayshore rural.

Rural means no concentrated housing or commercial building in these areas North Olga and the Babcock area are under siege by developers. These are just some of the people trying to stop this. They represent a rural lifestyle that we need to preserve and protect for generations to come.

Ruby Daniels, Jim Green, Matt Smith, Karen Kemrner, Ellen Peterson, Ellie Boyd, Loren Wieland, Jim English and thousands of others who wish to keep our rural lifestyle intact. I’m thankful to Mr. Syd Kitson for his withdrawal of all plans for widening of roads in Lee County. Such widening is not compatible with a rural setting, but encourages urban spread. Our children will be thankful if everyone remembers to keep the character of these roads rural decades into the future.

Remember that rural roads are two lanes, not four. Thankfulness includes all the farmers and ranchers who wish to keep their rural lands intact. Rural lands protect the abundant wildlife we have.

Carl Veaux

Cape Coral