Animal abuse

To the editor:

I will like to publicly thank Sharon from Pet Rescue in Kissimmee for her attempt to save the life of Sammy the cat in downtown Kissimmee. Sammy was a 12-year-old deaf, homeless cat that had been adopted by several downtown area businesses.

Sammy was attacked by a poor excuse for a human being who kicked her twice — once in the stomach and once in the face. Pet Rescue did its best but Sammy died about five days later.

We may never know who did this but God knows. And though as a Christian, I am told that we must forgive people. Not this time, preacher. My one consolation is that I believe there is a special place in hell for someone capable of such a thing.

Guy Norsworthy
Kissimmee

Opinion counts

To the editor:

I would like to remind the county residents of an upcoming opportunity — the opportunity to make a difference in protecting what is left of our undeveloped land.

On Thursday at 6:30 p.m. the Osceola County Planning Commission is going to decide whether or not to approve Center Lake Development’s request for mixed use on 2,012 acres of undeveloped land on Southeast Narcoossee Road. Whether you are for it or against it, this is your opportunity to be heard. No longer can we sit by and not voice our opinions to our county leaders. My neighbors and I do not want to live by a strip plaza, town center or a development with 10 homes per acre. We would accept one house for every five acres. Regardless of your opinion, please attend the meeting. Your opinion needs to be heard.

Sandy Siemon
St. Cloud

Food for thought

To the editor:

The recent withdrawal of the diet drug Meridia marks the latest setback in a long and frustrating quest for a pharmaceutical solution to our national obesity epidemic. Despite millions of dollars spent by drug companies, none of the handful of diet drugs on the market is considered very effective.

This is most unfortunate, for obesity has become the number one public health problem for our community and our nation, affecting one-third of our population. It’s a precursor to heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other chronic illnesses that account for more than a million premature deaths each year.

Leading causes of obesity are consumption of fat-laden meat and dairy products and inadequate exercise. This is particularly critical during childhood years, when lifestyle habits become lifelong addictions.

The time has come to replace meat and dairy products in our diet with wholesome grains, vegetables and fruits and to undertake a regular exercise program. Parents should insist that their schools introduce wholesome school lunch choices and should set a good example at their own dinner table.

Earl Prake
Kissimmee