Letters to the Editor (June 21)
Susan Stamper Brown
I was appalled at the column of Susan Stamper Brown’s column on June 9, 2017.
As my mother would have said “with a mouth like that, it should never be kissed.”
The only content it had was to abuse and misinform Democrats. I hate to use the term but I thought it disgusting. She used her words not to inform but to incite, and that is not journalism. I know she has a right to her opinion and many in our family fought for that right. But this was Ann Coulter style crap.
I really would be so disappointed if I see her words again in the paper. It was way too over the line for me. I like Ramesh Ponnuru. He has a lot of good points that are thought provoking.
Marcia Dietrich, Wichita
School funding
Now we learn how the Kansas Supreme Court determined the Kansas legislators school funding of $4 billion was not enough. Twenty-five percent of Kansas students are under-performing. I guess the justices never learned about the 80–20 rule. As usual, the liberal fix-all is more money.
Where will be the accountability for this extra $900 million or so of tax money being spent? Where is the plan showing how this extra money will be spent and how it will fix the problem? What will they do in a few years when they find out no matter how much more money is spent, the outcome will remain the same. Will we be asked to spend even more?
The total Kansas budget is $6 billion. Two-thirds of the overall state budget goes to education. Taxpayers seem to want more money for KanCare for those who cannot afford healthcare, more security, better roads, etc. Again, how much is enough?
Members of the Kansas Supreme Court must be experts on educational practices and able to determine the taxpayers were not spending enough money on education because of 25 percent are underachievers. There are probably many reasons some of these students are underachievers that are not related to classroom time. No parent engagement, language barrier, aptitude, interest, just to name a few.
But I guess what do I know. I’m a product of a public high school education.
Ron Capps, Wichita
Gun lockers
I was so excited to see in The Wichita Eagle this morning that the gun locker was finally up and running at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. Now all those people who think it’s too dangerous to walk from the parking garage to the courthouse without their guns have a place to store their weapons. I’ve been avoiding going to the courthouse because I couldn’t have my gun with me. Oh, wait a minute. I forgot I don’t own a gun. Well maybe I can store my other weapons that I carry on me so I can enjoy the new amenity at the courthouse.
Really Mr. Ranzau, Mr. Peterjohn and Mr. Howell? You could not think of a better way to spend $73,644.56 of Sedgwick County taxpayer money? I’m certainly glad my county commissioner Dave Unruh of District 1 had the good sense along with Tim Norton of District 2 to vote against such a terrible idea. Maybe the voters in Mr. Ranzau’s District 4 can find a better candidate next election like the voters of Mr. Peterjohn’s District 3 did. It’s way past time to retire Ranzau from the Sedgwick County Commission.
Scott Post, Wichita
McAdams pool
As a pediatrician, I am always looking for ways to help our community be healthier and to stay active. It is heartbreaking to hear City Council’s decision to convert McAdams pool into a water park. This proposed alternative will severely hamper local children’s chances to learn how to swim safely and to spend time outdoors in a safe, communal space.
Swimming lessons are an important milestone of childhood and can protect against accidental drownings. Pools are also more welcoming to all ages for recreation and fitness, whereas water parks are often considered a reserved space for young children.
Lastly, pools bring a community closer as a place for social gathering, and they invoke pride as a highlight of their neighborhood. Expecting families to travel farther away becomes a burden, reduces opportunities to be active outdoors and robs a neighborhood of its pride and inherent worth.
To be a healthier community we should invest in renovating this amazing site rather than settle for what is cheap and easy.
Amy Seery, Wichita
Letters to the Editor
Include your full name, home address and phone number for verification purposes. All letters are edited for clarity and length; 200 words or fewer are best. Letters may be published in any format and become the property of The Eagle.
Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Wichita Eagle, 330 N. Mead, Wichita, KS 67202
E-mail: letters@wichitaeagle.com
Fax: 316-269-6799
This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 5:01 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor (June 21)."