Print edition: 
Vote, donations fail smell test
There it is, and very concisely, the current American governmental system at work ("Airport's owners urge boycott of Derby," Sept. 1 Local & State): Business owners wanted a road closed; Sedgwick County Commissioner Gwen Welshimer voted with the 3-2 majority to allow the closing. Almost immediately, the business owners delivered $1,000 to her county office.
Of course, they stated that the campaign contributions had been planned all along, and Welshimer stated the donations had no bearing on her vote.
This is representative of the rapidly approaching complete control of the people's government by business. It began with the massive corporations and now appears to have filtered down to include medium-sized businesses paying for favorable government policy. What's next, the coffee shop on the corner paying officials to format traffic lights to detour all cars through their drive-through lane?
Welshimer's claim of no connection between her vote and the donation does not pass the smell test, failing it so miserably I am still holding my nose.
SUSAN K. GROSVENOR
Wichita
Reno Co. example
Someone should bring the actions of Reno County commissioners regarding their compensation to the attention of the Sedgwick County commissioners.
Since 2009, Reno County commissioners have given up their car allowances from their $35,400 annual salary. They also voluntarily reduced their salaries to $27,000. And effective Jan. 1, 2011, they will reduce them to $22,500, thereby lowering the cost to taxpayers by at least $13,000 per commissioner, including the car allowance.
I won't hold my breath until our own commissioners follow suit; I still like living. But I want to give a hearty "good job" to the Reno County commissioners for their unselfish actions.
WINIFRED J. BRIM
Wichita
Alarm fee wrong
In 1985, my family and I returned home from church on a Sunday night to find seven fire trucks at our house. Someone broke in and ransacked our house and then set three fires. We pretty much lost everything we had. We immediately signed up for a security system and have had one ever since.
Over the years, we have had a false alarm because of something we did wrong in setting the alarm. We paid a false alarm charge because the police were called to check things out. We felt this was fair.
Now I've received a bill from the city of Wichita saying I have to pay the city a $25 fee because I have a security system.
Insurance companies are smart enough to give discounts to people with alarms because they know the signs posted in front and back of houses discourage intruders. But our city charges homeowners because they are trying to protect their property. This is wrong.
I realize we are in a budget crunch, but why not charge the homeowners who do not have systems? Doesn't the city realize how security system owners are saving the city?
BARBARA BOND
Wichita
Hypocritical law
I am not a smoker, nor is anyone in my family. But the state's stance of banning all smoking in public places except casinos is hypocritical. If it isn't safe for the citizens of Kansas to breathe smoke, then the ban should apply to everyone.
I do believe the Wichita city ordinance was a good law. If nonsmokers walked into a smoking establishment by mistake, it was immediately obvious and they could leave. Nonsmokers can detect smoke quickly. It is insulting for the state to say we would miss the posted signs, walk into a smoking establishment in error and then be too stupid to leave.
SANDY BALES
Wichita
Improve buses
I ride city buses in Wichita and use public transit in other cities. As I do that, I see many ways that bus travel can be improved in Wichita before it goes to a more user-friendly, but more expensive, grid pattern ("KU study: Run buses on a grid," Aug. 25 Eagle).
My ideas mostly have been low-cost, such as providing bus stop signs and benches; having more routes, with smaller buses for some routes; and otherwise making bus travel more attractive.
As is, there is a Catch-22: Bus use is stagnant because there are few riders; there are few riders because Wichita bus travel is seen as a last resort.
If the transit people can get beyond that to having more riders, business owners will be willing to invest money in ads on benches and buses.
To get beyond the stagnation, I propose our city leaders and transit officials listen to riders and others, take their ideas seriously, and make improvements. The alternative is maintaining the status quo, which hasn't worked out so well.
AL VOPATA
Wichita
Policy discriminates
On Aug. 23, three members of our community addressed the Wichita school board about parental consent for administering over-the-counter medication during the school day ("School nurses criticize policy," Aug. 24 Local & State). As the policy stands, the only children entitled to receive over-the-counter medication during the school day are the children who have medical doctors. This policy clearly discriminates against those children of poverty who do not have doctors.
As a former school nurse, I have witnessed many instances in which a child would have been able to return to meaningful instruction with an over-the-counter treatment or remedy. The USD 259 website states that parents have the primary responsibility for the health care of their children. Parents do not call the doctor every time they administer over-the-counter medication at home. Why can't Wichita public schools allow parents to consent for reasonable treatment during the school day?
JONI BRADLEY
Wichita
Not employable
Have you ever heard how a person is highly employable? Well, I can tell you a story of the opposite.
I am 29 years old and on the verge of bankruptcy. How did I get there? The truth is, I don't know for sure. The only thing I know is I cannot seem to get a job. And with more than $50,000 in student loans and no way to pay them back (I come from a very poor family, and my friends won't help me), I am on my way to applying for bankruptcy.
I thought that going to college would help me get a job. When I could not get a job after college, I went to graduate school, thinking this would benefit me more. However, after seven years I still cannot get a job in the United States. I have no criminal record, including no tickets.
I can get jobs overseas in countries such as Taiwan and South Korea. I was even offered a job in Britain, though I did not have the money to go there.
I am highly unemployable and becoming un-American, waiting until things change and some employer in the United States actually sees what I can bring to the company.
FRANKLIN STRUM
Wichita
Help the hungry
One in six — that is the number of Americans who struggle with hunger every day. The need in this country is tremendous, but so is the impact that you can have.
The Kansas Food Bank, through our network of providers, distributes more than 8 million pounds of food each year. Our partners work tirelessly day after day, week after week and year after year to ensure that food is available to those in need. They are the lifeline for so many of our neighbors.
September is Hunger Action Month. Throughout this month, we are calling upon the communities we serve to take action. Whether it is by advocating and raising awareness, making donations or giving time and energy, find a way that's right for you to make a difference. Visit the website www.kansasfoodbank.org and help us continue to do the work we do, because no Kansan should go hungry.
DEBI KREUTZMAN
Community relations manager
Kansas Food Bank
Wichita
