Print edition: 
Wichita offers much to fascinate, delight
Those Wichitans who judged our city to be dull, unwelcoming or mediocre must be suffering from a personal misfortune such as recent job loss and can be forgiven their projection of depression upon the city, or else they simply lack the vitalizing faculties of curiosity and imagination ("Wichitans' love for Wichita wanes," Sept. 29 Eagle). Yes, Wichita experiences its hours of shame and disappointment. But nonetheless, to those who care to exert themselves, it offers more than equal measure of fascination and sweet delight.
Let me recount just a few of my own favorite Wichita savories: The precocious Riverside Park system inspired by the example of New York City's Central Park and the philosophy of maintaining the spiritual refreshment of nature in the heart of the urban milieu. The Wichita Art Museum, one of the museums to pioneer the collecting of American art, now possessing a national-class collection and soon to celebrate its 75th year of generous support by the city and community. And the absolute jewel of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, distinguished by its handsome architecture and exquisite interior exhibition design, so one may discover all manner of shock- and awe-inspiring history — from the stories of the daredevil pilots who built a powerhouse aircraft industry to the audacious black youths who, even in defiance of the NAACP, led with courage and grace the first-in-the-nation sit-in protest against Jim Crow segregation of lunch counters.
Really, were it not for The Eagle's limitation on word count in letters, I would only be getting started. I leave it to others to continue.
NOVELENE ROSS
Wichita
No respect
I frequently walk my dog downtown on the bike path and around the wonderful new bridge at the Mid-America All-Indian Center. The area is wonderful, and the city should be thanked for providing this exercise and tourism venue.
I often stop for a few minutes to pay respect at Veterans Memorial Park. I have been very sad and angry that recently there have been apparent acts of very destructive vandalism. It appears that several large granite monuments have been destroyed and removed.
Last week I witnessed yet another act of disrespect. A man was urinating on one of the monuments, in full daylight and view. There were plenty of shrubs behind which he could have concealed himself, if he wished. I assume this was meant to show vulgar disrespect. I yelled at him, and he flipped me off and walked away.
Veterans and law enforcement keep us free. Showing this kind of disgraceful disrespect is so low that words cannot suffice.
DOUGLAS SIMPSON
Wichita
Stop texting
I was driving east on Douglas last week when a car pulled alongside me. After a few seconds, the car started drifting into my lane, so I slowed down to keep from getting sideswiped. The car soon went back into its own lane, only to drift back into my lane again just in front of me. I thought the driver must be intoxicated, so I stayed clear of him. After a few more seconds, the other car pulled all the way into my lane and proceeded to nearly hit the curb just before it ran a yellow light at Rock Road. All the while this was happening, my passenger could see the other driver holding a cell phone in front of his steering wheel and texting. This is madness.
JIM NELSON
Wichita
Enforce laws
Regarding "U.S. could crack down on driving distractions" (Sept. 30 Eagle): I agree that it is an issue that must be addressed. But rather than make new laws, we should enforce our current laws — against failure to use turn signals, reckless driving, etc. This would reduce the number of bad drivers who use their cell phones, apply makeup, eat lunch or perform sex acts while driving.
RICHARD BOONE
Wichita
Status quo voters
Kansans for Universal Health Care, a coalition of various local groups, presented a large number of signatures on a universal health care petition to staff representatives of Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, on Wednesday. Signatures were collected in several downtown locations, at local churches, at public forums, organizational meetings, town hall meetings, and during vigils and demonstrations, among other places. The campaign also educated people about the need for health care reform.
The United States ranks 37th in the World Health Organization's ranking of countries' health systems, yet Tiahrt, Roberts and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., consistently vote against universal health care and are on the side of the health insurance and Big Pharma lobbies.
Our Kansas representatives vote for the status quo at a time when too many foreclosures and bankruptcies are due to medical debt of mostly insured people, when denying care increases profits and salaries, and when doctors spend too much time and money dealing with the insurance paperwork bureaucracy.
Those who represent Kansans in Congress need to tell the truth about health care reform rather than use scare tactics and distortions to mislead the people of this state. They should understand the need for true health care reform and put their constituents' needs above those of insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
CATHY BENTON
Director
Peace and Social Justice Center
of South Central Kansas
Wichita
Honest answers
Rather than allowing emotion to rule the health care debate ("Lies, distortions," Sept. 28 Letters to the Editor), let us step back and ask some commonsense questions:
Is it acceptable for our leaders, from legislators to the president, to not read or understand the proposed legislation?
Given that the government-run Medicare and Medicaid health care systems have trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities, how can we believe an even bigger "reformed" system would be cheaper or better?
Given that the "public option" is a cornerstone of the reformist agenda, will introducing a government "competitor" — which is unconcerned by such banal things as delivering services efficiently and cost-effectively — increase or destroy competition?
Until someone can honestly answer these basic questions, one is left with the uncomfortable conclusion that reform is not about making the American health care system better, but a means to extend government control beyond the banking and automobile industries.
MICHAEL McCLELLAND
Wichita
Finish Orpheum
Here are some of the questions and comments I have been hearing lately in our community, as well as during the 10 years I volunteered at the Orpheum Theatre.
The Fox Theatre in Hutchinson, the Stiefel Theatre in Salina (formerly the Fox-Watson), the Emporia Granada Theatre, the McPherson Opera House and many other theaters in Kansas have been restored to their original elegance and beauty. Why not the Orpheum?
Wichita can put up a megamillion-dollar arena, but after 20 years we can't finish the Orpheum?
Is the Orpheum restoration going the way of the Kellogg project, seemingly a legacy to leave for our children to finish?
Great strides have been made in the restoration — the sign, foyer, lobby, restrooms, concession area, heating and cooling. However, the project currently seems to be stuck in a vacuum. Many seats are unstable and need replacing. Plaster is falling. Termites are eating away at areas of wood. The sound system is inadequate. The original ornate interior now appears dingy.
As I see it, the major problem is not a lack of support or money but a lack of strategy. The board of directors must have the courage, strength and dedication to define and implement the original vision.
People are anxious for a time frame — to know when the work shall be completed.
Wichita and the people of Kansas long to experience the grandeur of the heart of the Orpheum, the auditorium restored.
DUDLEY DODGION TOEVS
Wichita
