Letters on wild horses, education rankings, Schuckman, Lingg, Antoine Carr

Fix wild horse and burro program

In August, 75 formerly wild horses died in Kansas because of the actions of the Bureau of Land Management’s wild horse and burro program (Aug. 17 Local & State). These horses were among a group of 1,099 animals that had long been housed at a government-contracted holding pasture. They were transferred to a feedlot when contractual negotiations between the government and the contractor fell through. Statements from the bureau say that the deaths were a result of age, stress and the transfer from the holding facility’s pasture feed to the processed feed in the feedlot.

Such loss of life is inexcusable. Since 2011, the bureau has been touting the implementation of a comprehensive animal welfare program, which was designed to increase public transparency and ensure the humane treatment of animals. While initial components were released in 2013, wild horse advocates have continued to push for the finalization of further components, including standard operation procedures for government holding facilities like the one where these horses were held. Those horses might have been saved if procedures were implemented that would have required the bureau to take additional precautions to ensure the horses were transferred in a humane manner – reducing stress and maintaining the animals in a pasture environment.

The government must stop procrastinating. It must finalize the comprehensive animal welfare program and invest in significant policy reform as it relates to removal, herd management areas and disaster management.

Will miss Lingg

I woke up Sunday morning thinking of all Alex Lingg did for our community and what a loss it was for us when she died last week (Sept. 27 Home & Garden).

Lingg provided us with inspiration and beauty every year that spread throughout our community. As winter was coming to an end, we all rushed to Century II, finding it alive with the Lingg-organized Wichita Garden Show. Afterward, I could hardly wait for springtime to try all the new ideas in my own yard.

Rest in peace, Alex Lingg. You will be missed.

Rankings matter

John Richard Schrock, an Emporia teacher educator, is dead wrong about state education rankings and misinformed about my organization, the National Council on Teacher Quality (“Education rankings arbitrary, often political,” Sept. 25 Opinion).

State rankings provide the public with important information about the programs preparing our future teachers. School districts can learn more about the best programs and factor that into their hiring decisions, and future teachers can choose where to apply based on which programs they feel will give them the best training.

As for “political agendas,” NCTQ’s agenda is to improve teacher quality. Our standards and policy positions are not aligned with the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, as Schrock stated. NCTQ has never taken a position on school choice. We are an organization that focuses entirely on the policies and practices of states, school districts, teachers unions and teacher preparation programs, examining how these institutions either hinder teachers or help them to be as effective as possible.

Schrock was correct that NCTQ awarded a grade of D to Kansas in our assessment of the state’s teacher policies, but he was absolutely wrong about what’s behind that grade and our motivation. We strongly believe that no teacher should enter a classroom without appropriate training, which is why we rate the quality of training provided by teacher preparation programs.

Schuckman an asset

Because we want a representative in Washington, D.C., who works for all Kansans and not just the privileged few, we are supporting Perry Schuckman for 4th Congressional District representative. Schuckman grew up on a Kansas farm, worked in heavy industry, and has been a successful businessman for more than 30 years. He knows what hard work is and what it takes to bring about a healthy economic climate.

Schuckman, former head of the Nonprofit Chamber of Service, has worked with nonprofit organizations in Wichita and around the country to benefit their communities. His major concern throughout his career has been economic justice, including raising the minimum wage for workers who are raising families and trying to get ahead.

Being among those who have benefited from Schuckman’s expertise in bringing people together and getting consensus, we feel confident that he would be an asset in a deeply divided Congress. We need his abilities to heal the wounds of today’s toxic political atmosphere.

Depend on Carr

The Shockers have the powerful fan base on their side, and many others help. Former Shocker great and NBA veteran Antoine Carr recently made another appearance in Wichita, meeting people, signing autographs, promoting Wichita State University and Wichita. All proceeds went to help others – in this case, the American Diabetes Association.

On the court, Carr always stepped to the front with a fierce look that said, “You’ll have to come through me.” Some people can just be depended on.

This story was originally published September 30, 2014 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Letters on wild horses, education rankings, Schuckman, Lingg, Antoine Carr."