Letters on arrogant legislators, property tax deadbeats, homeowners’ associations, school sports, rude audience, VA hospice

Too arrogant to admit tax mistake

Kansas legislators are plagued with arrogance and intimidation. They are too arrogant to admit they made a mistake with the 2012 tax cuts and too intimidated by the not-so-subtle threats of Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce to use their money to defeat any legislator who doesn’t vote the “right” way. Clearly, getting re-elected is more important than the needs of constituents.

Fellow voters, we can correct this in 2016.

Make deadbeats pay

If the government of this county, and every county, would just collect some property taxes from these deadbeats who don’t pay their real estate taxes for five years, it might make it easier on those of us who do pay our fair share.

I have been paying real estate taxes for 49 years in Sedgwick and Butler counties and have never missed a payment or paid a fine – even when Butler County decided to double my taxes in one year. I see tax abatements for new homebuyers, yet still not even an offer to give me a break. They want me to pay more while these nonpaying jerks get away with not paying over and over again (“Sen. panel’s tax plan kills homestead exemption,” May 6 Eagle). I say that these property owners should give up their right to own that property.

Don’t keep coming to me to pay for what others refuse to support.

Maintain your home

Regarding recent Opinion Line comments about homeowners’ associations: I’m on a HOA board. We constantly face irresponsible homeowners with unkempt yards, broken windows, downed fences and delinquent dues. Our job is to keep the integrity of our neighborhood high and to protect home values. One person’s pigsty is not fair to the other 99 percent of responsible homeowners.

If you do your share, you will not hear from your HOA.

What about sports?

Each week it seems as if the governor puts another nail in services that benefit the citizens of Kansas. His primary focus seems to be dismantling the education system. But one faction of the schools that has escaped his chopping hatchet has been high school athletic competition.

Why the oversight? How many pockets are being filled with the monies earned by our slave students? Not only do the various sports gurus maintain and control the lives of our young people, their parents also pursue the continuation of endless competitions.

For the parents, it is social status, seeing their child’s pictures featured in local publications. All this to get a measly scholarship to some small college. Very few get the big-money stipends to the major colleges.

That small-money offering will affect a student’s education in various ways. There will be the potential for injuries, lack of study time to fulfill academic requirements, and the possibility of receiving a diploma that is worthless.

Why has the governor intentionally overlooked the fat sports cow? It is unfair to hundreds of our students when schools are forced to cut teachers and special classes. Where is the release of a multitude of coaches? Where are the concerned legislators?

Rude audience

My husband and I were delighted by the Wichita Symphony Orchestra’s Cirque Musica concert in Century II on May 2. The superb musical talents of the orchestra were mesmerizing, and the acrobatic exhibitions were truly amazing.

We were not delighted by those who chose to leave during the stellar performance of Veronica Gan. The tromping of feet by those leaving on the metal stairs was rude to those who wished to enjoy Gan’s phenomenal performance, which occurred while she was suspended higher in the air than the notes she was eliciting from her violin.

To those of you who were guilty: Perhaps your behavior would be more appropriate at the next monster truck exhibition or all-star wrestling event.

Thanks, VA hospice

April 28, 2014, was a dark day for my children and me. We lost my husband, their father, after a four-month bout with two cancers.

One thing that helped us so much was the hospice unit at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We had easy access, any time of day, to my husband, and he received excellent care. They are simply the best people I have ever met. They lifted us up when we needed it and were always helpful.

I wanted to give them a shout-out and thank them for helping us get through a difficult time. They are the very, very best.

This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on arrogant legislators, property tax deadbeats, homeowners’ associations, school sports, rude audience, VA hospice."