Letters on state tax cuts, DCF, arts headquarters, Paris no-show, bike danger

Adrenaline shot hasn’t worked

If I hold a brick in my hand at arm’s length away from my body and then let go, all of us know it will promptly fall to the ground.

Some of us similarly believe that if we cut taxes on the rich, those cuts will promptly be used to create new jobs.

But there is a problem. Unlike the law of gravity and the brick, there is no law of economics that will guarantee that the new tax-freed income will promptly be used to create new jobs. It may be used to create a new trust for the rich taxpayer’s grandchildren, or for some other purpose unrelated to creating new jobs. Nor is it necessarily going to “trickle down” to anyone.

Gov. Sam Brownback assured us his scheme of tax cuts would be a “shot of adrenaline” for our economy, but it hasn’t worked. So now what, Governor?

Cut DCF funds

The first place the governor should look to cut the state budget is the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

If DCF had 17 reports of abuse for that girl who reportedly was tortured before it did anything about it, then the organization is ineffective and should be abolished immediately (Jan. 10 Eagle). Short of that, any manager whose group was responsible for this child’s file, and any person assigned to work her case after the second report, should be summarily fired. The head of the agency should also be replaced immediately, with the new person directed to review the procedures of the agency, establish accountability, and lead a review of all current cases to determine that the needs of the children in the system are being met.

I would also encourage the governor to implement a monitored hotline so anytime a person who believes this organization is dropping the ball on a case can call it in and then have a third party investigate the allegation so we don’t have to go through this again.

I don’t believe I’m the only one outraged by this story, and I hope all who are will write their state representatives demanding some action be taken. This is one time the old “if we had more money we could do a better job” isn’t going to cut it.

Arts headquarters

It appears in the near future Wichita will be building a new downtown library (Jan. 14 Eagle). But what should be done with the old building?

Here is a possibility: With just a few minor renovations, the building could become Wichita’s arts headquarters. Office space could be provided to nonprofit organizations. Common meeting rooms and some services also could be offered for a very small fee. Groups such as Ballet Wichita, Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center, the Wichita Blues Society and the Wichita Jazz Festival could have a home there. Even larger groups, such as the Wichita Grand Opera, could enjoy the company of other creative people and the drastically reduced rent.

As the centerpiece of the new arts headquarters, there could be studio and office space for KPTS, Channel 8. As part of its low rent, KPTS could be asked to provide coverage of its fellow arts tenants. This could come in the form of interviews, on-air announcements or broadcasts of special events.

The repurposed building could have a performance space where community groups could showcase their work, and be used as additional event space for Century II. The building should contain a cafe, with the profits going to the building’s operating expenses.

With the cutbacks in funding for the arts, many organizations are struggling. Here’s an opportunity to support the arts and keep our community vibrant.

Paris no-show

Our government sending only a diplomat, the U.S. ambassador to France, to the Paris demonstration Sunday shocked me.

The rally in Paris showed the world that while danger exists around many corners, the human spirit will not be diminished by the horror and mayhem experienced there in the past week. It was a rally against terrorism, but also a peace march. Hope for peace is never to be squandered.

I watched news coverage of the “oops” and “my bad” rhetoric from White House spokesmen. The media asked hard questions. Could Vice President Joe Biden have missed a football game? Could the president have gone to Paris?

Kudos to the world leaders who dropped what they were doing and did the right thing. Shame on us.

Bikers, beware

The city of Wichita has constructed curb extensions on Douglas between Washington and Main. These extensions reduce the width of the curb lane, which forces bikers farther into the traffic lane, creating an enhanced risk for motor vehicles and bike accidents.

The new curbs are a reduced height and unmarked, making them difficult to see and creating a risk of accidents by striking the unseen curb with a bike wheel. This risk is increased by trash or snow up against the curb, making it indiscernible. The motor vehicle tire marks against and over the extended curb are evidence of the danger.

The increased risk of injury from auto-bike collisions and bike-curb collisions is fearsome. Beware.

This story was originally published January 14, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Letters on state tax cuts, DCF, arts headquarters, Paris no-show, bike danger."