Print edition: 
Spend money on energy efficiency
I live in a small complex of fourplexes that were built in the 1960s. These apartments are all electric and not insulated, as utilities were cheap back then. The owners applied for funding to make energy-saving updates to these buildings that were to be paid for with stimulus funds.
But our governor is taking the stimulus funds allotted for energy savings to make energy from farm waste ("Kansas is 48th among states for energy efficiency," Oct. 21 Eagle). Is the technology to accomplish this available, or is it years away from being developed?
If the funds are used as was intended, my electric bill and 51 others would drop by about 35 percent by insulating just the ceiling. For someone on a fixed income, saving about $400 per year is substantial. That would save about $20,000 per year for the complex.
Kansas is ranked 48th in energy savings. Is our governor one of the reasons we are ranked near the bottom of the list?
JOHN SCHNIEPP
Wichita
KDHE at work
The revelation that in 2005 the Kansas Department of Health and Environment destroyed late-term abortion records drew new attention to the simmering abortion controversy in Kansas. Children born in the third trimester may survive, and to terminate a pregnancy at that point could kill a viable person (Oct. 22 Local & State).
Ultrasound is used to measure the length of long bones to show the maturity of the child. Some states are attempting to require that the mother view her fetus. Information on the destroyed records could indicate how many potentially viable individuals were terminated.
The other issue concerns girls who are either too young to give consent or are mentally incompetent to consent to sexual intercourse. The men who impregnated them committed rape. Not reporting statutory rape to the authorities allows sexual predators to continue their evil activities and places other underage girls in harm's way.
Former Attorney General Phill Kline took a great risk in attempting to discern if the Kansas law was being adhered to and to protect our most vulnerable citizens. The second opinion and obscure mental illness screening test (given to demonstrate that irreversible harm would come to the mother) were a joke. We can hope transparency will lead to healing.
RICHARD GILMARTIN
Wichita
What about clubs?
I, like many others, was saddened by the massacre of the exotic animals in Ohio. But I'm also perplexed by the national attention given to this incident when this same scenario is repeated daily throughout the country and world. I wonder where the outrage is over the numerous safari clubs throughout the world.
According to Matthew Scully, author of "Dominion," the average Safari Club International member spends $14,000 a year on hunting exotic animals, typically in fenced ranches and game parks. Awards are a big incentive for culling these animals. Scully wrote that by the time a member attained all of the awards, he will have extinguished 322 animals.
At least law enforcement personnel in the Ohio incident were forced to kill the exotic animals. Safari Club members' reasoning is that they are bringing God's will to nature.
I, like Scully, can't believe this is what God meant when he gave dominion over these beautiful creatures to man.
MARY ERICKSON
Wichita
Candidates' faith
What an amazing commentary by Robert Jeffress ("A candidate's faith should matter to voters," Oct. 21 Opinion).
Most of us are struggling with the importance of religion in the Republican candidates' personal life. Many of us would like to see the candidate have a faith in God, and see that faith demonstrated in the way the business of the country is viewed.
Everyone hopes that the principles of faith would have a distinct effect on the person who occupies the White House. However, we have seen in the past that Christians have not always made good presidents.
May we all pray that our leaders will be competent to lead according to biblical principles.
DOREEN TWICHELL
Wichita
Special Halloween
The Dear Abby column (Oct. 24 Eagle) brought up a classic dilemma for caretakers of people with special needs. The letter discussed how an intellectually disabled woman of 35 wanted to go trick-or-treating in her new neighborhood. It further explained how awkward this wish is for her new caretakers and asked for a solution.
We can safely presume that about 10 percent of any population faces some sort of disability. Many love Halloween and all the excitement and spookiness it entails. In Wichita we are really lucky, because the Arc of Sedgwick County and For the Love of Chance, diverse agencies that support people with special needs, often create Halloween events with special-needs populations in mind.
This year on Halloween night the Arc will host Spookville, free to the community for children with and without disabilities. For adults with disabilities, there is a hot dog cookout. This will include a tour of a spooky bus and bus barn. On Saturday the ARC will host a Halloween casino and dance. Typical and special-need populations participate together at many of these events. For more information, contact the Arc at 316-943-1191.
ANITA RAGHAVAN
Advocacy chairwoman
Down Syndrome Society of Wichita
