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Opinion

Letters to the editor

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.19.2006
Your letters count
Letters received in past week: 292
Letters published: 60
Hot issues: The Star received 28 letters in favor of sending elephants at Reid Park Zoo to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn. (four opposed), 15 letters about Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting accident and 10 letters about Danish editorial cartoons. Five more letters were received in response to Hidden Valley Inn's closure.
To read additional letters and tips on how to comment, visit us online at dailystar.com/opinion
In good hands
Re: the Feb. 13 article "Prom is truly 50 teens' 'Dream Night.'"
Carina Groves, in looking to her own heart, has given a true gift.
To understand the gifts that have been given to her and to share them with others is a model of humanity all of us should follow.
I also raise my heart in grateful appreciation to everyone who helped with this event and the entire congregation of the Saguaro Buttes Community Church.
Groves has reiterated for me what I have always known — the world is full of beautiful young people, and we are all in good hands, indeed.
Sam Cooper, Ph.D.
Tucson
Giant step backward
Re: the Feb. 11 article "Library's changeover means taxes will rise."
Let me get this straight. My taxes for the local library will nearly double; most of the people working in the library system will have smaller paychecks; and the ones who are retirement eligible will get paid their city retirement and their new county librarian pay for doing the same work. For all this, we get a little more money in the general fund.
I've heard many people suggest that a combined municipal government will lower costs and improve efficiency. The idea makes a ton of sense and is tested and proven.
Instead, our government is tearing down one of the too few city-county operations and passing the demolition bill on to the taxpayer. Congratulations to the city of Tucson and Pima County for taking a giant step backward.
Ken Gibes
Retired U.S. Air Force, Tucson
Report all achievements
We are disappointed the American media seems intent on reporting primarily, and sometimes only, the United States' accomplishments in the Winter Olympics.
We thought the Olympics were designed to celebrate international participation in sports and not simply play the "us versus them" theme, which only separates the United States further from the world community.
Edwina M. and Leland H. "Lee" Scott
Retired, Tucson
Lose debate, get on with project
Why is there an elephant controversy now? The mayor and council made a decision to expand the zoo and improve the elephant habitat last summer. Protesters are providing misinformation to try and convince zoo visitors that Reid Park Zoo is not capable of providing great care and a healthy environment for the elephants. Nothing could be further from the truth.
People who visit the zoo understand the power of seeing and experiencing animals from around the world, and they are able to see the excellent care given to the animals housed there.
Protest would have been appropriate had the city not been willing to make the commitment to vastly improve the living conditions for the elephants, but that didn't happen. The zoo is poised to provide an even better and greatly enlarged habitat for the elephants.
Let's get on with it!
Bob Brandner
Wildlife rehabilitator, Tucson
A constant in kids' lives
Re: the Feb. 11 editorial "Child-focused initiative deserves vote."
I have worked with and on behalf of young children and their families in Arizona for more than 20 years. We need this money badly to help our most vulnerable citizens be safe, healthy and educated.
With many programs, very wealthy and very poor children and families often have access to services that the majority of middle-income Arizonans cannot afford or participate in. The money raised by the First Things First initiative would level that playing field and include all young children.
Policy makers and elected officials come and go, and priorities swing from one end of the pendulum to the other. First Things First would be a constant in the lives of Arizona' s children — something they desperately need.
Bonnie Groth
Casa Grande
All low-income folks need break
Re: the Feb. 10 article "Over 65? Arizona car fee might be zilch."
I am all for helping the poor and elderly. However, what about low-income individuals who are on a fixed income and not 65 years old? Many people are on disability income. Also, I don't think two people who make more than $50,000 per year can be called low-income. Otherwise, half of Tucson would qualify.
This also brings another point into question about age. There is such a thing as age discrimination, and that is exactly what this bill is about. Just because one reaches a certain age doesn't mean he or she should receive benefits others who are younger do not receive.
If that is the case, let everyone over 65 years old live here free and exempt them from property and sales taxes as well. Heck, us young guys will be happy to pick up their tab.
Jim Kelly
Tucson
Legislation unnecessary
I was disturbed to read about Rep. Stephen Tully's proposed state legislation to require parental consent on all prescriptions for minors ("Bill: Teens' Rx needs parents' OK" Feb. 14).
Tully and other proponents cite parental rights and protection of children as reasons for this unnecessary legislation.
In our society, one responsibility of all community institutions, from government to medical providers to religious systems to families, is to protect the vulnerable.
Parents inherently have more power and rights than minors. We should be applauding medical providers who are willing to objectively assess a minor's situation and appropriately prescribe medications, even if a parent is not involved.
From a practical standpoint, this would further make the provision of health care to all minors even more unwieldy as health-care providers must comply with yet one more unnecessary government regulation.
Sonja Stupel, MBA
Tucson
Slow down, keep city, citizens safe
I'm writing to urge all drivers to slow down. I see people driving too fast everywhere, and it appalls me.
Instead of speeding because you are late for work, try waking up earlier. People speeding only hurts others. How many people need to die before drivers realize they are controlling a weapon, not a toy?
Life is not a racing video game; life is precious. We all need to take a deep breath, ease off the gas pedal and pay attention to the road. Let's keep our city and citizens safe.
Jesse Mendoza
Construction worker, Tucson
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