Letters to the Editor:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 9:59 AM PDT
Points to ponder about government
Editor,
Doesn’t anyone listen?
Several months ago I sent back my Obama-signed certificate for my husband’s naval service, which I received after his death. I explained it was returned, not for my error, but the mere fact that I could not accept a certificate signed by Mr. Obama, who at the time was on his world-wide apology tour. If he couldn’t be proud of America, then a certificate signed by him was hypocrisy.
Well, the Department Veterans Affairs and Mr. Obama sent me another form, exactly like the first. What part of “no!” don’t they understand?
Now onto my local points: 1.)The city has endorsed a plan wherein, local veterinarians subsidized by the city will spay or neuter feral (wild) cats. The problem is, after they are spayed or neutered, they will be returned to the area from whence they were originally caught.
Now, after the surgery they will not stop, excuse the expression, crapping in your gardens, destroying your lawns and irritating you. They just will not pro-create on your lawn. I don’t want them back on my street and in my yard. They are messy/trashy cats! I have a solution, though. Instead of releasing them where they were trapped, they should be released in the yards of the City Council members who voted to pay for this!
2.) For months, there have been ads in the Argus stating the golf course is under new management.
Now, we find that the city is looking into a course management company. The problem? The city is in the hole $300,000+ for the irrigation system, and the management company isn’t going to pick up that problem and wants a considerable amount of other problems fixed at the city’s expense before they will make any kind of offer. Excuse me, but I am beginning to feel like GM, wherein I own 60 percent of the course, but I will never realize any profits. When does the city call it quits on this losing proposition?
3.) The Argus also had a legal notice recently asking for architectural and engineering qualified companies to contact the city about renovations for the pool. Don’t get me wrong, I use the pool.
But, before anything is done, any more money spent, we need an accounting of all money spent/brought in and an exact accounting of what is to be done and how much revenue might be increased by whatever renovations are being considered. Again, in this economy, money spent on the pool is not cost effective!
4.) Also recently (yes, I do read the Argus), there was the notification that the new Ontario 8C Superintendent’s salary, after negotiations, would be $120,000. In simple terms, $10,000 plus benefits per month! Not much if you say it slowly!
We were told to “consider what we were getting.” For a school district looking at reduced state aid, I am considering what is being paid. Would the district like to tell us how much the prior administrator got plus the total annual benefits package that is involved? That is: health care, vacation, PERSI, incentives, etc. At that point, we’ll get a better picture of what we are getting!
Just points to ponder.
E. Ann Fitch-Schiemer
Ontario
Flag Day presentation to be commended
Editor,
Just a line to commend the Ontario Elks Lodge for the very wonderful Flag Day presentation. We all learned a great deal of history about “Old Glory.” A parade of flags used during the years and history behind them was a very educational process as the flags were brought out by the members of the Emblem Club with music of the times. It was very impressive.
I am sorry more people were not in attendance.
I am sure the flag means a lot to all of us, as it is the symbol of all that means America. So thank you Elks for a most wonderful experience. It was super.
Dale Wilkins
Vale
Reader puzzled over letter about Carter
Editor,
The recent diatribe from Ms. Hammerquist left me puzzled. Being a liberal myself, I’m really confused by her arguments.
Ms. Hammerquist, are you mad at Craig Carter for being a.) a bad writer, or b.) a liberal? (The first, of course, is untrue, and the second certainly true, as he proudly proclaims.)
Or are you mad or glad that the Argus prints Craig’s column? Are you happy or unhappy about the whole thing?
Come on, Janette, who are you really mad at? Is it Craig, the Argus or the liberals? Don’t keep it a secret.
As one of the few Payette County liberals, I can only say that I have lived among you conservatives for 60 years only because I know how to take a joke and live with neighbors who think differently than I do. Shame on you for being so thin-skinned.
FYI, this liberal will let his subscription to the Argus lapse when it quits carrying Craig’s column.
James R. Johnson
Payette
