Posted on Thu, Oct. 29, 2009

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Letters to the editor on coal plant pollution, gun signs, YMCA, kind stranger, final judgment

Coal plant profit not worth the pollution

There was another negative article about coal-fired power plants ("EPA to regulate power plant emissions," Oct. 24 Eagle). This time it was not about cap-and-trade but real regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency to control the hazardous pollutants such as mercury that come from coal-fired power plants, which are one of the greatest sources of pollution in our nation.

The Legislature should go back and repeal the law it passed so it could place a huge new coal-fired power plant in western Kansas. No amount of profit for power investors or for the coal-producing states and no amount of jobs (and there will be few once this huge polluter is built) are worth the amount of pollution this albatross will generate and spread throughout our state.

Let's get off the dirty coal money and invest in wind and solar energy to provide the electricity that our state needs toward the future. We could even build a large enough system to sell electricity to other states and make money on clean energy.

But do our legislators have the free will to push aside the big money from coal lobbyists and do what is right for the people of the entire state, and not just for a small portion of western Kansas? Time will let us know, and I think we should vote accordingly.

KEN SPEAR

Wichita

Check politics?

I received a check from Sedgwick County for $57.24, the refund of personal-property tax on a car that had been sold. The check had the signatures of three — count them, three — elected Sedgwick County officials: Commission Chairman Kelly Parks, County Treasurer Ron Estes and County Clerk Kelly Arnold. To me, this smacked of big-city, patronage-style politics in which we're supposed to remember come election time that the people behind those signatures sent us money. Frankly, I resent it. One civil servant's signature on a $57 check would be quite sufficient.

KEITH MURRAY

Wichita

Why post sign?

As a native Wichitan now living in Denver, I am amazed at all the signs I see in my hometown that supposedly stop people from bringing concealed weapons into establishments.

Colorado has the same law as Kansas — that a law-abiding citizen who passes background checks and gets training can carry a handgun. However, you can travel the entire state of Colorado and not find one such sign. Yet we don't have otherwise law-abiding citizens going into movie theaters, bars or restaurants and shooting or pistol-whipping patrons.

Lawbreakers don't obey such signs, but law-abiding citizens must. Criminals surely love having a welcome mat at so many businesses in Kansas to assure they have soft targets. And on my frequent trips home, I will always choose to buy products from businesses that have the good sense not to display such signs.

KEIR MATHUR

Denver

YMCA not a club

Upon browsing the Greater Wichita YMCA online program guide, I was disappointed to find that the central branch didn't offer "Rock Climbing for the Corporate Professional," "Aquatics for the Upwardly Mobile" or "Fitness for Fat Cats." Instead, I found a variety of aquatic programs geared toward children and after-school programs such as YMCA STARS, which is offered free to elementary school students from low-income backgrounds.

If the central branch is just a businessmen's club ("YMCA spin," Oct. 12 Letters to the Editor), then how were two of my friends able to find employment helping out with programs for area children, many from families in the surrounding neighborhoods?

True, by a simple issue of geography, the downtown business district is also part of the surrounding area the writer mentioned. Why shouldn't businessmen enjoy the convenience of a nearby gym alongside YMCA users such as children and senior citizens?

The YMCA, including the central branch, is known for providing youngsters of all socioeconomic backgrounds with a positive environment where they can grow and play. Expansions that will enable the central branch to better serve the community are hardly negative results from this transaction.

QUINN ADDIS

Wichita

Kind stranger

I was in Wichita for the funeral of my brother last week. I want to tell a special woman how much her kindness and show of respect affected my entire family.

At about noon on Oct. 23, the funeral procession led by the American Legion Riders Patriot Guard left St. Margaret Mary Church, headed to the cemetery. As we turned off Pattie onto Pawnee, a woman was standing outside her vehicle at attention. The wind was blowing and it was cold, and numerous vehicles failed to pull to the side of the road and instead continued on about their business.

After the ceremony, we all commented on "the lady by the burgundy truck standing at attention" and how her simple act moved us all. Thank you, kind stranger.

MARTHA LITSON

Punta Gorda, Fla.

Final judgment

All of us someday will stand before the Lord God for our final judgment. Some of us will hear Him say, "When I was in my mother's womb you were in favor of having me killed, or you wanted me killed, or you killed me." We will ask, "When did we do that, Lord?" And the Lord will say, "When you did it to the least of my children, you did it to me."

RICHARD MOONEY

Wichita