Dear Editor,

While it’s not the crime of the century, I am writing to ask for assistance from the City of Police and Parking Enforcement regarding a situation at the Midtown parking lot that continues to get worse. Throughout the day, people feel the need to park in the no-parking area, specifically right outside the door for Darling’s Pharmacy. While I’m sure this is a fire-lane hazard, it also causes a one-lane situation for people driving through when it should be two lines. Many times people will just sit and wait, blocking the lane while others can’t get through or wait for one of those illegal spaces to open up so they can park there.

The City has a nice system with the pay stations as well as a convenient app. I think the main problem here is laziness as the majority of people doing this aren’t the elderly or disabled although they contribute to the problem as well. The rest of us have to find a spot and either pay for parking at the kiosk or enter our information for the free half hour, they should too. I believe the pharmacy offers free delivery for those in need.

I’m asking for the City Police to assist in this matter as a safety issue. I would recommend concrete buckets with signs stating no parking as well as enforcement followed up and tickets issued. I appreciate the hard work of the parking enforcement and police and hope this issue can be resolved. Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Douglas Buchanan,

Warren

Win-win

Dear Editor,

Just a quick thought on one serious attempt to bring our country together over one of the most serious threats we face. I call on all NRA members who read this letter to immediately look into volunteering to protect our schools and to contact any state or national administrators they know in order to start a national campaign to the same and help protect our kids. Retired military, law enforcement, and educators legally registered should also be included. Just one of many steps we should take NOW. It’s a WIN-WIN for all.

Jeffrey L. Carlson,

38-year educator,

Warren

P.S. I volunteer 4-8 hours a week.

Looking beyond

Dear Editor,

Our “Greatest Generation” pulled together during and after WWII despite inequalities and discrimination. Americans had hope for a better future. They had trust in the government and they worked hard. Opportunities were not equally shared but there were opportunities — our many factories were hiring. growing up in the 1950’s was “The Donna Reed Show” and the “Father Knows Best Show” and “The Andy Griffith Show.”

Political protests marked the 1960’s. Hope and patience had faded; Viet Nam, Watergate, generational division, cynicism, assassinations, cultural conventions were discarded- it was a time of turmoil.

The “Baby Boomers” came of age during the 1970’s. It was the “Me” decade. Seeking fulfillment-finding myself, the 1960’s hope of reform gave way to individual quests.

Since America has moved into a Post Industrial Revolution Era wherin a service economy has replaced our manufacturing economy; our economy is now based mainly on knowledge and research, information, and technology.

Americans are struggling with the changes resulting from our economy’s transformation. Our educated youth flock to metropolitan areas. Rural areas and towns struggle. The swirl of technology and change permeate every aspect of life. At times, it feels like we are strangers in our home country.

The comfortable world was exploded — the huge gap between wealthy and poor is increasing, globalization, world markets, 24-hour partisan cable TV, addictions are increasing, white Americans will soon be a plurality, ten year olds are more tech savvy than their grandparents, tribal politics incapacitate state and federal government, repugnant behavior of leaders seems rampant, a socioeconomic caste system has developed, climate change is a reality, small towns are shrinking: school enrollment is declining, stores are closing, decent paying jobs are scarce, service groups are wanting members and church attendance is waning.

I understand why people from these areas voted in mass for “disruption” and the campaign promise to bring back the 1950’s.

The status quo or a return to the 1950’s are not viable solutions for the majority of Americans, the poor and the working poor, in this new world in which we live. Americans need to look beyond the current President and his cronies and the calculating Clintons.

Don Scott,

Warren

Enough indeed

Dear Editor,

I find Daniel Reiff’s recent letter to the editor very interesting. Titled “Absolutely Enough,” Mr. Reiff begins with the statement, “every loss of innocent life is a tragedy.” He then continues by questioning “false statistics” as a defense that “guns save more people than they hurt.”

Whether the number of school shootings in 2018 has been 18, 8, or 1, I believe that the recent loss of 17 young lives and the ripple effect to the many they touched should be indeed “Absolutely Enough.” As one who has personally been touched through the loss of an innocent life via a weapon, I can tell you it is a tragedy beyond all hope of ever understanding.

Mr. Reiff continues by trying to educate us on the AR-15 and states it is not a “military grade weapon.” A Google search at COLT.com reveals the Colt AR-15 is available for purchase at $1,099.00 with the following script under the picture of the gun: “Throughout the world today, Colt’s reliability, performance, and accuracy provide Armed Forces the confidence required to accomplish any mission.” I believe we can all agree that our military is typically known as an Armed Force. And, sadly, the actor in the recent Florida school shooting had the “confidence required to accomplish his mission” with a legal AR-15 at his side.

Look further at the specs under product information and you will learn the capacity of this rifle is 30+1. That means it can hold 30 rounds in the magazine and 1 in the chamber. It also has a single stage trigger which are reported to be extremely fast; not meant for accuracy but for speed and close range. To quote nsz85 — Single Stage vs. Two Stage Triggers on YouTube “it’s just about slinging lead.”

I find the constant argument that “guns don’t kill people, people who use guns kill people” offensive. Guns are designed with one purpose and one purpose only — to kill. They have no other useful function. When used to hunt providing food for the table, or protect the hens from the fox they can be a valuable tool, however in those situations, 30+1 is not required.

We have multiple problems within our society. Issues regarding parenting; mental health; poverty; glorification of violence through the entertainment industry including gaming; illegal immigration allowing gangs like MS13 to flourish; a culture of tolerance that has frowned upon setting rules, boundaries, and limitations; ineffectiveness in enforcing the current gun laws on the books. These are just some of the challenges we face as a nation. We did not get here overnight, it will take years of dedicated hard work to unravel the mess created, and we will make mistakes in the process.

I do not suggest we ban all guns. I offer a compromise. If we are brave enough to place a limited ban on AR-15 type weapons, say 3-5 years, maybe we can save lives in the future, while we sort this out. As far as I understand the weapons used in recent mass shooting crimes were all purchased legally. Let’s make it a little more difficult. I concede they may be obtained underground, but it appears none of those used were. Clearly these actors are choosing the easy and most cost effective method of procurement.

In the meantime, we must push our legislature to address the many underlying issues. We need to put the pressure on our elected officials to stop looking left or right on the gun issue, and look forward to finding solutions. And if they are unable or unwilling we need to find others to take on the challenge.

A wise man I know recently said, “love requires sacrifice.” I say to you, Mr. Reiff, and others who are like minded, do you love your fellow man enough to make the sacrifice to table some of your freedom as we seek a solution? As for me, I willingly surrender.

Betty Fitzgerald,

Youngsville

Our Constitution

Dear Editor,

I believe and support “The Constitution of the United States”, and Amendments I-XXVII. Amendment II, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,shall not be infringed.” Amen! What is a “well regulated Militia”? Who and where is their chain of Command? Is it to “each his own”? A well regulated Militia was under the Command of George Washington. If the National Rifle Association is the chain of Command do they usurp or support our U.S Military. If they truly accept Amendment II then all NRA members should to subject to protecting our vital interest in our country and throughout the world. Good luck! Now, the NRA , if you succeed in persuading me that your agenda is not purely political I’ll join your ranks to defend of country here and abroad. Hope to hear from you soon. My number is in the phone book.

Sincerely,

M.J. Shanshala,

Warren

Rural Regional College

Dear Editor,

I don’t think anyone would disagree as to the great benefits a rural regional college will bring to Warren.

However, Mr. Decker has it in mind to spend $1.9 million on this project. Now keep in mind, there is no actual college or classroom facility, just offices for 17 employees. By any scale, $1.9 million for 17 offices is overkill.

Mr. Decker has stated he reviewed over a dozen (number has varied in different reports) different properties before deciding on the bank building. Quite frankly, I simply don’t believe him.

Both Mr. Decker and Commissioner Eggleston contend they will fill the other floors of the large bank building with tenants. I simply don’t believe this either, because of the large amount of vacant space already available downtown. Commissioner Cindy Morrison thought the building price of $450- $500,000 was overpriced. Mr. Decker contends the building renovation needs are beyond that of the public.

Cindy is quite right. There are two examples of large buildings which required extensive code and renovation work and both sold for pennies on the dollar for that very reason. One was listed at $300,000 and sold for $30,000. One has to wonder how it is our very own chamber of business is out of touch with these facts.

You’d have to be completely oblivious not to recognize Commissioners Kafferlin & Eggleston had already made their decision well before the public meeting on 2/7, in cahoots with the WCCBI. The only reason for a public meeting was to satisfy those pesky Sunshine Laws.

Here we can separate the business women from the boys. Commissioner Cindy Morrison has the guts to hold the WCCBI accountable, when no one else will. Ben & Jeff thought they were elected to see how fast they could ingratiate themselves to those in power, forgetting they serve the taxpayers.

Dan Ristau,

Warren

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