Opinion > Letters to the Editor

Posted on Wed, Oct. 14, 2009

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Letters to the editor about Etheridge, Muyskens, ACLU, Medicare, deadbeat parents, mental health court

Thanks to everyone who reached out

I wanted to take a moment to say "thank you" to everyone who reached out to our law enforcement family in the wake of the tragedy that befell Deputy Brian S. Etheridge. These terrible days seem to have brought out the best in our community.

Countless private citizens and law enforcement agencies from across the country sent condolences. Local agencies covered beat assignments for our deputies so that everyone who loved and worked with Etheridge could attend the services. Other agencies supplied Honor Guard contingents that helped render tribute to a fallen comrade. Media coverage handled the unfolding story with sensitivity and compassion.

Etheridge considered serving this community a privilege, and from the outpouring of concern — from the memorial fund to letters of support and other thoughts and prayers — it is easy to see why. The breadth and depth of your response has left the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office proud and humbled.

Nothing could ever fill the void of this loss. Yet to everyone who reads this: Thank you again. Your heartfelt encouragement has helped us begin a difficult healing process.

Sheriff ROBERT HINSHAW

Sedgwick County

Wichita

Debt of gratitude

The community of Wichita owes a debt of gratitude to the Rev. Sam Muyskens, former executive director of Inter-Faith Ministries. When Muyskens came to IFM, it was housed in a small office in a church. Over the past 17 years, he has been a tireless advocate for the homeless and needy in our community.

Because of Muyskens, IFM now provides temporary and transitional housing for the homeless and those with mental health conditions. It operates an overflow shelter for the homeless during the winter cold. Operation Holiday provides for an increasing number of people during the holidays. IFM has been providing for the needy elderly in their homes, supporting a community in Haiti, and engaging the community in interfaith dialogue, for which it is known nationally. Muyskens also has been a tireless fundraiser, providing a sound financial base for IFM.

It is unfortunate and sad that some shortsighted members of the executive committee of Inter-Faith Ministries decided to terminate the use of Muyskens' expertise as executive director emeritus. It is Wichita's and IFM's loss.

We all hope the new executive director continues the many worthy programs Muyskens began. She has big shoes to fill (literally). And to Muyskens, Wichita owes many, many thanks.

MARY ANN BEATTIE

Wichita

Like Medicare?

I am on Medicare with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as secondary insurer. I just received my monthly statement from the Medicare provider and noticed the following:

For a stress test, Medicare was billed $305. Medicare approved $76.48 and paid $61.18. My Blue Cross policy paid the other $15.30. Does this mean that someone without insurance would have to pay $305, when my insurance pays a total of $76.48 and I owe nothing? It looks like a public option is something that we all would want if it is anything like Medicare.

FRANK TREMBLE

Wichita

Deadbeat posters

It's time for the state of Kansas to catch up with Ohio. It has "wanted" posters with names and pictures of deadbeat parents who were ordered to pay child support. The posters have the amount they were ordered to pay under their pictures. These posters are in the post offices, rest areas and other public places.

This would go a long way in reducing welfare payments to the people who haven't received their child-support money.

DONALD JARBOE

Wichita

ACLU waging war

Columnist Leonard Pitts missed the point ("Cross case is wrong battle to pick," Oct. 12 Opinion). The real point is that the American Civil Liberties Union has been waging war against Christians for years, and it will not pass up any opportunity to win a battle.

Pitts believes that the Mojave cross is so unimportant that it isn't worth a lawsuit. Consider what will happen if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the cross, setting a legal precedent. What will be the next target of the ACLU? All the crosses in Arlington National Cemetery? All religious symbols on all public property, including those in the U.S. Capitol building?

HERBERT LENZ

Wichita

Court a model

Bravo, Wichita officials. I was very excited to read about the new, cutting-edge way to deal with those who are mentally ill ("City OKs mental health court," Sept. 8 Eagle). If taxpayers are worried about the cost of this, they should worry no more, because in the long run the treatment program will prevent further arrests and save taxpayers money.

It's about time we start doing something in the courts for the mentally ill. After federal money runs out, taxpayers will be asked if they believe this program should continue. I am asking Wichita citizens to say "yes" and keep this program running.

The mental health court can and will set an example for the rest of the state of Kansas and, we can hope, the nation.

MARCI WATKINS

Roeland Park