Letters on voting, recalling Brownback and Legislature, punishing education, Kobach audit, Okinawa hero, jazz gem

Promote our future by voting

This is a reminder for Wichitans to get out and vote.

One of the easiest ways for us to promote our future is to vote. Sadly, voter turnout in Wichita often is low. We need to be involved and make sure our voices are heard.

We want a government that represents the community and focuses on our needs. This election, we will not only decide who our next mayor will be, but we will also have the chance to vote on marijuana laws in Wichita. Do you have an opinion? Then get out and vote.

For more information on voting and poll locations, go to sedgwickcounty.org/elections.

Recall leaders?

Is there any way we can recall our Legislature and governor? It is past time to respect the needs of our citizens.

Now those in Topeka want to spend $3 million on an efficiency adviser when every person on the street knows we should rescind the income tax reduction that put our state’s financial situation in distress.

The governor should leave our judicial system alone. It is keeping our state from tyranny.

We need to have strong education. As it is, there are too many remedial students in our colleges. We need to improve our elementary and secondary schools so colleges do not have to teach adult students how to write good sentences.

We need to protect our highways, return to sound financial responsibility, and be governed for the safety and well-being of our citizens.

Punishing teachers

As an educator for 20 years, I am appalled by Senate Bill 56, which would enable prosecution of teachers for using “harmful” materials as deemed by others. As with all censorship, the question is always: Who gets to decide?

Hasn’t the Legislature been punitive enough toward education? I am really tired of this Legislature trying to legislate morals. That is not its job.

Kobach happy?

Secretary of State Kris Kobach says it is too late to check the accuracy of voting machines from the November election (April 6 Eagle). He should have no problem with handing over the paper tapes that a Wichita State University statistician wants to examine (“Lawsuit seeks voting records,” April 2 Local & State). Sounds like Beth Clarkson wants to know about the fraud Kobach is always talking about. He should be very happy.

Not just taxes

Gov. Sam Brownback seems to think that the only criteria for business relocation is no state income taxes. However, that is only one small part of the equation. No business is going to relocate where the education system and infrastructure are substandard. In addition, those with an education are voting with their feet and leaving Kansas for more enlightened places to live.

The refusal of Kansas and Wichita to invest in themselves has created a drain on our state and may lead to a loss of another congressional seat.

Okinawa hero

I greatly appreciated the article on the military career and heroism of Lt. Col. William A. Kuretich (“70 years ago, Kansan prepared for Okinawa,” April 1 Eagle). I want to thank his son, Bill Kurtis, and his daughter, Jean Schodorf, for sharing their father’s story with the rest of us.

As we continue to move away from the events of World War II, it is unfortunate that these personal experiences are being lost. I would suggest to Kuretich’s family that they consider offering these records and mementos to one of our state universities, where they can be studied and properly preserved.

Jazz gem

Jazz trumpeter Clark Terry died in February at the age of 94 after a long struggle with advanced diabetes. He was a high-profile musician and played with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and the “Tonight Show” band. Terry recorded on hundreds of sessions, influencing generations of trumpet players and pleasing audiences with his happy attitude and humorous scat-singing.

Terry was always on the lookout for young talent and delighted in encouraging performers and guiding their careers. He was a great help in establishing and nurturing the Wichita Jazz Festival. Early on he arranged for the first appearance at a jazz festival of a high school singer, Dianne Reeves. Reeves received the Grammy this year for the best jazz vocal album.

We always understood that Terry had discovered her and told Maxine Adams, beloved Wichita piano teacher and founder of our festival, who included her in our 1972 festival. It was a surprise to read in the Jazz Times last year that Reeves believes it was Maxine who told Clark about her. Whichever way it happened, the festival has benefited greatly from the contributions of these individuals and many, many others during its history.

The Wichita Jazz Festival will be 44 years old this year. Not many have achieved that goal.

Happy Jazz Appreciation Month.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on voting, recalling Brownback and Legislature, punishing education, Kobach audit, Okinawa hero, jazz gem."