Letters on East High disabled athletes, government by threat, Brownback, Longwell, new library

Treat all athletes the same

My entire life I’ve struggled with cerebral palsy, a physical impairment that prohibited me from participating in athletics like my four younger brothers. Six years ago, I took my feelings and formed a nonprofit organization to fight for people like Michael Kelley and people like me to have equal opportunities and treatment through sport (“East petition draws over 33,000 signatures,” March 29 Local & State).

I have devoted myself to this cause of disability equality through sport because of what sport as a vehicle teaches, provides and represents in our culture. Athletes are taught the values of perseverance, teamwork, confidence and respect. Athletes are given an outlet for physical activity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Shouldn’t we all have that?

If Michael and his teammates are successful on the court through the opportunities they are provided, they should be treated with the same celebrations their able-bodied counterparts receive – including varsity letters. I hope the Wichita school board swiftly addresses this issue and sides with Michael and all those who will follow him.

Rule by threats

A majority of law enforcement officials and Kansans were against “constitutional carry.” The National Rifle Association states any legislator voting against it will be targeted.

A majority of Kansans are in favor of Medicaid expansion to allow their neighbors access to health care. Americans for Prosperity states any legislator voting for it will be targeted.

There are too many other issues to list that are hurting Kansas, including the ill-advised tax cut for S-corporations.

We now have government by threat and innuendo by special-interest groups: NRA, AFP, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Kansas Policy Institute, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

Legislators vote to protect their positions and not what is best for Kansans.

Support governor

We should be supporting our governor in his efforts to minimize the cost of government.

Many of us have difficulty in sorting out the differences between our wants and our needs. That includes our interaction with government. Yesterday’s wants become today’s needs.

It is easy to gain weight but so hard to lose it. But most of us know we should.

In public education, the cost per student is much higher than that of the parochial school system. However, the quality of education in parochial schools is reflected in the large number of “excellence awards” provided by the state. In this example, there appear to be opportunities for the public schools to sort out the basic wants and needs to improve administrative cost, as there are in other areas of government.

Yet there is so much negativity in the printed media, including The Eagle, because the government is not providing the wants that have become needs. Government is important, no doubt, but it is not a god, and therefore can be corrected and improved in its spending and taxing policies.

Gov. Sam Brownback is doing what the people elected him to do, as are our legislators.

Longwell for mayor

As a practicing certified public accountant, I am laser-focused on the economic viability of our city. We are beginning to gain momentum by concentrating on creativity, innovation and a forward-thinking attitude. Wichita is seeing a surge of artistic expression, entertainment options, growth in festivals, galleries and groups. Economic studies show this is the way forward for cities in 2015.

A lot of resources and planning have gone into this renaissance, and Jeff Longwell has been a key supporter as a Wichita City Council member. I am supporting Longwell for mayor because he understands the need for a focus on quality of life to retain and attract jobs, workers and innovators. The tired and outdated concept of cutting and reducing is destroying our state, and Wichita cannot afford to lose one day of momentum in this extremely competitive region by following suit.

With Jeff Longwell as mayor, the progress continues.

Library an asset

As a lifelong avid reader, I appreciate the programs and services of our Wichita Public Library. I am always pleasantly surprised at the quality of the book collections, which are thoughtfully developed to meet the interests of our diverse community.

Of equal importance to me is the work of the Friends of the Wichita Public Library. Its used bookstore, located inside the entrance to the Central Library, provides bargains for people wanting to own their own books. Spring and fall clearance sales are a treasure trove for readers and book lovers. The only problems with these sales? The limited space in the current building and the challenge of finding accessible parking.

A new Central Library with larger meeting spaces to hold the sales and expanded, closer parking to this fabulous new facility for those of us who are walking-challenged is something we anxiously await. I am thrilled that when our community talks about our shared priorities, this new library is high on the list.

Letters deadline

Letters to the editor about the April 7 general election must be received by 1 p.m. Thursday to be considered for publication.

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 7:03 PM with the headline "Letters on East High disabled athletes, government by threat, Brownback, Longwell, new library."