Letters to the editor on Lord's Diner, arena parking, plumbing code, Timbers, cap-and-trade, sugar, death row, social security

Use schools for feeding needy

We know there is a need to feed people, but the Lord's Diner is not the best way to do it on the north side of town. If the Catholic Diocese of Wichita is serious about feeding children and families, it ought to partner with USD 259 and link the feeding to learning. Gordon Parks, Isely, Spaght and L'Ouverture elementary schools are just a few schools in the area that already have the facilities and are near the population the diocese is trying to reach.

These schools also have after-school programs that reach thousands of students and their families. Use those existing schools and programs to feed and teach students and parents. Put the money into tutors and mentors to feed and educate.

Doing so would eliminate transportation and safety issues and avoid wasting money in a building. Then Mayor Carl Brewer can concentrate on fulfilling his promise to bring jobs to the whole community and not just downtown.

REUBEN D. ECKELS

President

Wichita Ministerial League

Wichita

Parking will work

It amazes me how many people are worried about parking for the Intrust Bank Arena. First, you will be able to park free in many places not that far from the arena. Parking within a few blocks will likely only cost $5 to $10, much lower than anywhere else in the country.

Are there enough public spots right now? Maybe not. But look at other cities such as Oklahoma City or Kansas City, Mo. Their downtown venues might not have enough public spots either, but it works. Private businesses sell parking spots in addition to the public parking areas.

Is a three-block walk much farther than from the back of the Kansas Coliseum parking lot? Not really. We'll all get a little extra exercise.

It's time for us to become a progressive city and catch up with the rest of the country instead of living in our shells. I think Kansans need to travel a little more.

MATT MAGNUSON

Wichita

Plumbing code

I object to the Wichita City Council's continued preference for the home builders over the protection and safety of citizens. This was shown in Tuesday's City Council meeting. The council voted 5-2 to force the city plumbing board to again compare our city code against the government employees plumbing code.

Three times over the past decade we have compared the codes, and every time the plumbing board has recommended, by a strong majority, that we stay with the Uniform Plumbing Code. The plumbing board is committed to the protection and safety of our structures and their occupants. The government code gives preference to affordability over protection and safety. This is part of the builders' continual fight against safety.

There is no need for the government to take over the plumbing trade. We should be able to remain independent, like the electricians.

LONNY WRIGHT

Wichita

Timbers is great

I have lived at the Timbers for 26 years and find that it is a great place to live — despite the opinions of some who have never set foot in the complex and can't know what it is like or appreciate the hard work and dedication of Pat Jonas, CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, and others.

I am grateful for living at the Timbers, and I will always consider Jonas a friend and someone I can talk to and trust. I hope that the public will at least try to respect our complex and not call it a nursing home or a compound. It is a residential complex. Negative comments hurt Timbers residents, who only want to live independently and enjoy life.

DEE MICHEL

Wichita

Cap-trade harmful

I am an ordinary working American. I am not blessed with high intellect or great wisdom. However, I love America and consider myself to be a patriot. Thus I am very disappointed to read of the support for the cap-and-trade legislation that is currently being considered in Congress. I find it difficult to understand how Americans elected to represent the interests of Americans could support legislation that will most certainly have a devastating impact on so many Americans.

This bill promises to create a huge tax burden on Americans, with a disproportionate amount being levied on those who can least afford such an increase. Further, this bill will raise the cost to operate for every American business, substantially reducing our competitive position in world markets.

And for what benefit? As each day passes, more scientists discover that the proposed benefits of this legislation are grounded in fear and speculation as opposed to facts proved by the scientific method.

D.R. LEACH

Derby

Sugar overdose

The time of year is upon us when we watch the young people in our lives overdose on sugar. Somewhere for some reason, it has become acceptable to let your kids eat large amounts of sugar.

As a teacher, I have watched as successful young students have become unbalanced and out of control during the weeks following Halloween. Is the overconsumption and excess really worth setting back your child's emotional and physical balance?

The standard thinking is that sugar, in and of itself, does not cause such disorders as obesity or diabetes. However, studies have proved that sugar does cause increases in insulin levels in the blood. Over a period of years, an increased level of insulin can lead to a condition known as insulin resistance in susceptible people. When this happens, the cells lose so much sensitivity to insulin that they cannot effectively use glucose, so it starts to accumulate in the blood. This condition is called Type 2 diabetes. Too much insulin also causes food to be converted into body fat, which leads to obesity. High insulin levels also can cause cholesterol deposits in the arteries and high blood pressure.

So why not ration the sugar that your child will eat? Bag up the candy and bring it out for the whole family to eat during a movie at home or a trip somewhere. Little steps can make a big difference in maintaining the well-being and success of your child.

BLAKE TAYLOR

Wichita

Execute weekly

Eliminate long waits on "death row," like Texas did ("Is death row worth it?" Oct. 20 Eagle). Execute two murderers each week until they are all gone. It is cruel and unusual punishment to force those on death row to suffer for decades.

In Texas, crime rates have decreased, and it has the best economy of all the states.

Why must we allow attorneys to rob the taxpayer?

JAMES A. HULL

Wichita

Not for sale

We are seniors who are receiving Social Security. We are confused. There is no inflation this year, but President Obama wants to give us $250 each because there will be no increase in our Social Security for inflation. We know he wants our support and votes. But as independents, this just drives us away from supporting him or his party.

DARRYL and ELIZABETH ROBERTS

Wichita

Enforce laws

While waiting for my grandson after school, I couldn't help but notice that about 75 percent of the cars leaving the parking lot had children in them who were not wearing seat belts and were seated improperly in the vehicles — sitting in front seat, more children than seats, etc.

I have witnessed this at two schools. Even when school officials are in the lot directing traffic, there has been no attempt to correct these issues. During the last few days of school in the spring, there was an officer on foot in the parking area of one school actually enforcing seating laws.

I have noticed that there is a conspicuous absence of officers around schools during the loading and unloading times of the day. I have seen officers drive by the schools but only when there are no cars leaving the lots. They are always gone when the frenzy starts.

Wichita's officers do a pretty good job overall, but there is certainly room for improvement in the traffic law area.

ANTHONY TROUT

Wichita