Letters on fiscal nightmare, Knox, FBI, state plane, David Dennis, expungement

The only issue that really matters

As the primary election approaches, we see various letters to the editor extolling the virtues of candidates. However, at this point in time, I really don’t care if you’re informing me that they are great neighbors, co-workers, spouses, parents or pillars of the community. All I want to know is whether they support the governor’s current disastrous policies, or whether they will work tirelessly to end the fiscal nightmare from which we can’t seem to wake. It is the only issue that really matters for the people of Kansas.

All benefit

Regarding “Sen. accuses school districts of ‘coordinated effort’ against him” (July 6 Eagle): Does it occur to Sen. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, that we are all recipients of tax dollars in some way – Knox through his taxpayer salary, teachers through theirs, the cop, the firefighter, etc.? Is he saying that because those people get paid with taxpayer money they can’t put a sign in their yard or run for office in support of what they think is their or their community’s best interest?

I have some friends who own small businesses and are getting Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax break, and I have a son who is a vice principal. My friends will not question my motives nor be offended when I put signs in my yard for the candidate who will back education. They understand the negative effect that tax break is doing to the state and to a budget that is in constant crisis.

Everyone, regardless of how they make their money, has the right to back the candidate they feel is sympathetic to their cause. Besides, if we cut out everyone who ever got a dime from the state or federal government, we’d have almost no one left to vote.

Can’t trust FBI

The FBI can no longer be trusted to protect us, nor to make good decisions when it comes to the security of our country.

First it decided to not watch the Boston bomber. Then it decided not to watch the Orlando mass murderer. And now it has decided to give a pass to a high-ranking politician who allowed her private, top-secret e-mails to be compromised and possibly viewed by our enemies. How long are “we the people” going to allow these types of poor and harmful actions, by the people we trust to protect and serve us?

I feel confident that no matter how raw or unrefined Donald Trump appears, he would indeed protect the people of the United States.

Real cost of plane

Effective July 1, vehicle registration fees increased by $3.25, with some of the money to go toward hiring and retaining more Kansas Highway Patrol officers. Meanwhile, there have been two recent articles about the use by various officials of the state’s 2001 King Air 350 airplane, which is operated by the Highway Patrol on behalf of the state. The second article mentioned that the Highway Patrol flies the plane and bills the state agency that uses the plane.

Therein lies the rub. We are told that the governor and family went to Memphis, 834 miles round trip, for which the cost was $1,251. Thus, the flight was charged to the Governor’s Office at the cost of $1.50 a mile. That is certainly a bargain, and I wonder if that even covered the cost of the fuel.

So who pays for the real cost of this aircraft – the crew members who fly it, routine maintenance, airport and service fees, and hangar space? The articles did not cover these questions, but one has to assume that all the real costs of the plane are expensed out of the Highway Patrol’s budget.

The citizens of Kansas should know how much it costs to operate this King Air. And users should be billed the real cost and not a small fee that allows them to say, “Of course I reimbursed the state.”

Vote for Dennis

In the Aug. 2 Republican primary, I will be voting for retired Col. David Dennis for District 3 Sedgwick County commissioner. As a retired small-business owner, I know that Sedgwick County is in dire need of commissioners who understand how to responsibly manage spending and budget operations. I value the fiscal experience that Dennis gained managing a $125 million budget during his service in the Air Force.

Dennis has spent his whole life serving the community as a teacher, military member and volunteer. Current Commissioner Karl Peterjohn has spent much of his adult life working as a politician and paid lobbyist.

I urge you to vote for David Dennis on Aug. 2.

Delete mistakes

The Face Forward program at Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters provides the opportunity for participants to start fresh with the help of encouraging coaches, life-skills events, certifications, educational support, community service opportunities and much more.

We are also able to financially assist youths who are eligible for expungement and assist youths to successfully complete diversion. Many youths in our community qualify for an expungement but do not have the means to pay for it. Our program can cover the cost.

Face Forward will host a free juvenile expungement clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. July 16 at Big Brothers Big Sisters, 310 E. Second St. This is an incredible opportunity for those who qualify to delete the mistakes on their record and to face forward.

Bring back cactuses

To the thief who stole the two cactuses, both more than 30 years old, sitting on either side of my garage door early morning July 2: Please return them. They were given to me by my daughter, who had raised and nurtured them for years, after a massive stroke and brain aneurysm left her unable to care for them.

My daughter are I are heartbroken that somebody would do such a horrific act. These plants take more than 30 years before they bloom. Please bring them back, as we do not have 30 years to wait for another to mature enough to bloom.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Letters on fiscal nightmare, Knox, FBI, state plane, David Dennis, expungement."