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Letters, 4/25: Open windows in schools

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Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 - 10:57:21 am CDT

Recently the community of Lincoln graciously passed a bond issue to assist in the remodeling and building of schools. In the years leading up to the successful bond being passed, discussions were held as to concerns, dreams, wishes from the community. Even then, it was voiced the district should strongly consider putting windows in classrooms that have the ability to be opened. In a recent Lincoln Journal Star article, experts said one vital component for school safety is to have windows that can be opened.

In the recent tragic events at Virginia Tech, it was through second-floor windows where one classroom full of students was able to escape to safety while their professor sacrificed his life.

Once again I implore Lincoln Public Schools to reconsider their decision to put in windows that cannot be opened! God forbid we have a Virginia Tech, Columbine, etc., in Lincoln, but I believe all students should have the opportunity to be as safe as possible. Let us at least be able to say we have done all we can to ensure the safety of our kids.

Paul William Smith, Lincoln

A disservice to victims

I was very disappointed to open up the April 19 Lincoln Journal Star print edition to see a picture of the Virginia Tech killer posing with a gun.

By displaying this disturbing picture, you fulfill the killer’s last wishes of fame and do a great disservice to the victims and their families.

John Harlan Adams, Lincoln

Svoboda has right stuff

All of Lincoln Journal Star’s reporters are knocking themselves out trying to help Lincoln’s citizens make an informed decision on the upcoming election. Please read it, and you will learn much.

I have learned that while both mayoral candidates are well known and liked by their respective parties, only Ken Svoboda has the relevant business and city government experience to handle the job.

To run a successful business, as Ken has, requires planning, directing, coordinating, and managing skills we need in the mayor’s office.  Ken has also acquired city governmental experience from his position on the City Council. As a viewer of the city government-access channel for years, I know Ken is a thoughtful, caring person seeking to protect the rights of the individual. 

Alternatively, Chris Beutler comes to us from the Nebraska Legislature and has their same tax-and-spend philosophy.

So does Lincoln want Chris Beutler, a professional politician with 24 years of being in the state Legislature (it took a term-limits law to encourage him to move on) and with little business or city government experience, or do we want a business person, like Ken Svoboda, who has run a company successfully and has the business and city government experience ideal for administrating the mayor’s office?  I am voting for Ken Svoboda.

Marc Schniederjans, Lincoln

Beutler is better choice

I first met Chris Beutler in 1978 when he and I were in a group of five people running for an open seat in the 28th District of the Legislature. Chris and I received enough votes to go through the primary, and he was elected.

Naturally, I have followed his career in the Legislature with more than casual interest. Did he vote the way I would have on the issues?

Chris has been an outstanding representative in many ways. Since he is an attorney, he has carefully examined every bill to check for internal consistency and whether it blends with existing law. When he found a problem, he would offer an amendment. His colleagues learned to respect his work and usually accepted his amendments.

I also worked with Chris in raising public money from the citizens of Lincoln for refurbishing the Sunken Gardens. Without his hard work, we wouldn’t have met the goal in the time planned. The result is a show place in Lincoln.

Chris Beutler has the talents and intelligence to earn a large salary in a law firm or in private practice. Instead, we are fortunate to have him choose a life of public service.

I believe he would be the kind of mayor we would all be proud of.

Marge Schlitt, Lincoln

Svoboda is a real leader

The May 1 election for mayor (and City Council) is critical. Once it’s over, we’ll either continue down the same old path of the last few years or we’ll move forward.

Continuing down the same path and constantly relying on tax-generated revenue from the pockets of Lincoln citizens is not the answer. Though I’m certain Ken Svoboda’s opponent has many good qualities, unfortunately, it would be difficult to include his tax and spend voting record as one of them. If you’re concerned about higher taxes, check his legislative voting record before casting your ballot.

Why is Svoboda our best choice? Just to name a few: Real business experience, City Council six years and has worked hard to prioritize and balance the budget. Character, honesty, integrity, great listener, communications skills, positive, energetic, personality. Involved with important city business organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, LIBA and many other community-related groups. In short, Ken Svoboda is a leader.

Dave Lund, Lincoln

Death penalty values life

The penalty attached to a given law is supposed to be a reflection of the relative importance and value we place upon that law.

When the punishment doesn’t meet the crime, we lessen the crime.

Doing away with the death penalty doesn’t reflect value for life, it reflects a disregard for it. It cheapens it. It also reveals a low estimation of the capacity of human nature for doing what is right and good. 

The death penalty isn’t cruel and unusual punishment; cruel and unusual punishment is executing the death penalty for stealing a loaf of bread.

Cruel and unusual punishment is also expecting law-abiding citizens to support murderers with three squares and a warm bed for the rest of their unproductive lives.

People make choices. Let them face the consequences of those choices, and let’s send a message that we value innocent human life, and that we disregard those who don’t.

Robert J. Borer, Lincoln


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Late O'Day wrote on April 25, 2007 2:51 am:
" Voting for Svoboda would amount to rewarding him for the tremendous harm done to this city in the last several years -- harm he very often had a direct hand in. Moreover, how can anyone who helped decimate downtown Lincoln be called "pro-business"? He's pro-Daycare ... and you're his babies. "

 No Ken wrote on April 25, 2007 4:04 am:
" Would a respectable business man sign a contract and not complete it in time according to the written terms of said contract? Swoboda has done just that. He had a median landscaping contract that was to be completed in 2004 and now it is 2007 and he has yet to complete it. Then he gets the penalty fees waived after he complains another Lincoln business gets their contract penalties waived. Sounds like a someone who we want to run the city. If we elect Ken, Seng will look like one of the best mayors we have seen. "

 Joe wrote on April 25, 2007 7:04 am:
" Paul your idae is a good one and another reason they should put in windows is so they can open them up in the spring when you don't need to run A/C and save some money (like LPS, Lincoln Public Spenders would actually go for saving money!). And I have to agree with R. Borer on his letter. "

 connie wrote on April 25, 2007 7:12 am:
" I have NEVER understood building ANY building with windows that won't open. The 'sick' building phenomena has been directly linked to this dumb idea. Absolutely, for the sake of safety, for the sake of a cool spring breeze,lets have windows that OPEN!!! "

 JMK wrote on April 25, 2007 7:32 am:
" I keep seeing letters wanting people to make a change for the better by voting for people on the city council back into office. Wake up! if you vote for anyone who currently holds office WHY do you think it will be for the better instead of the same old stuff we have had. You want change? Vote AGAINST cook, camp, svoboda. they will continue to give you the same below par service as they always have if you put them back into office. Quit complaining about how the city is run and put FRESH people into office. "

 Buildings, etc. wrote on April 25, 2007 8:08 am:
" Ask any mechanical engineer and he/she will tell you why buildings need windows that do not open. Certainly you've worked in an office where Sara-Jane is always cold and Jim-Bob is always hot. Imagine the waste of energy trying to keep a building stable with windows open all over the place. It's more energy-efficient without windows that open... "

 What are windows again? wrote on April 25, 2007 9:01 am:
" I went to Goodrich Middle School in the ages when all of the windows were bricked over. Not only was the whole place dark and dingy, but claustrophobia was hard to resist. I'm glad they have since put real, glass windows back in and I believe the bottoms of them even open. Now if only I could find a window in this cube farm I work in now..... "

 Barb wrote on April 25, 2007 9:12 am:
" I agreee with JMK it's time to wake up Lincoln and start electing people that will move this city forward. "

 Mike E wrote on April 25, 2007 9:26 am:
" So you think electing Beutler over Svoboda will change things? Beutler is a career tax and spend liberal who has never had a real job. Sounds like another recent mayor who bedded down with the fire dept. to get elected. At least Ken has ran a successful business. I have seen Ken working numerous times on the 84th st. medians. Maybe we should review the performance of the street dept. employee who thought growing flowers on concrete would work. "

 Dave M wrote on April 25, 2007 9:27 am:
" And I'm sure NOBODY will complain and hand-wring about the heartless school district and their stupid policies the first time a kid gets thrown, falls or jumps out of those upper story windows...... "

 GMP wrote on April 25, 2007 9:29 am:
" Paul and Joe are right. The windows should open, for both reasons. If we couldn't open the windows in our office, we would swelter, and cost the taxpayers of NE a lot more money to run air conditioning. "

 Steve wrote on April 25, 2007 10:37 am:
" I do not understand why people label Ken Svoboda as the "business man" and Chris Beutler as clueless about business. Svoboda is part of his dad's lawn mowing business, which was handed to him by his dad. Beutler had a title company which he started himself. In reality, both have little business experience which will be relevent to being mayor, so in my mind neither are "businessmen"- and certainly neither is a business leader. "

 JT wrote on April 25, 2007 11:15 am:
" It seems to me that we have two deserving and competent candidates for mayor this year. Good luck to both gentlemen. "

 Scab wrote on April 25, 2007 11:37 am:
" The problem with your theory is that the death penalty while it can be debated on its real effectiveness is not applied equally under the law based solely on a person’s social and economic status in life. Most notably in recent years being the Robert Blake and Mr. Simpson cases. Equally there are hundreds of cases where people have been exonerated from death row saved from state sponsored murder because of information that wasn’t present before. So until justice is truly blind as it should be I in good faith cannot support taking someone’s life because they grew up poor, mentally disadvantaged, or because they are a minority. Two wrongs don’t make a right Mr. Borer. "

 Paul W. Smith wrote on April 25, 2007 11:50 am:
" Me again - The issue here has nothing to do with what an engineer would say or do. It has to do with school safety. I doubt there have been many shootings at an engineer's office, but there have been in schools. Our friends' daughter was able to escape the massacre at Columbine due to an outside door being available. Two of her classmates did not survive as they left through the classroom door. again, the issue is school safety not appeasing the desires of an engineer. "

 Second that wrote on April 25, 2007 11:50 am:
" Ken Svoboda didn’t start and build a business. He walked into an already established one. If spending 20 years in the legislature, joining the military and Peace Corps doesn’t constitute real job experience, what does? "

 mg wrote on April 25, 2007 12:07 pm:
" actually 20 years in the legislature is not job expirience. It seems like 20 years wasted that could have been spent at a real job that produces something of value for society. We have two losers who want an easy do-nothing job as the top city bureaucrat. This election is a waste of everyone's time. Can't wait till we have our new mayor elected by 16% of the city population! "

 wlg wrote on April 25, 2007 12:41 pm:
" Simpson & Blake were not convicted for their crimes, thus cannot be used for a comparison such as "scab" wrote about. My idea for a death penalty would be an eye for an eye. For everyone! Lets see, stab someone to death, that is your penalty, poison someone same for you, etc. Then I believe that would be fair & just, not cruel & unusal punishment, as the perp is only getting back what he did to his victim "

 Actually... wrote on April 25, 2007 1:55 pm:
" ...the latest shooting (Houston Space Center) involved engineering employees. And unless the "tax me to death" whiners have stopped...building an energy efficient school IS an issue. "

 Paul W. Smith wrote on April 25, 2007 3:20 pm:
" Actually the Houston situation DID have some safety restrictions/helps in place. They obviously failed miserably. As for the "tax whiners" - I'm overtaxed like the rest of you. I invite you to come visit my classroom if you think I want more tax dollars. As for building an energy efficient school - I AM in favor of that. My opinion is merely seeking an escape route. Besides, are there days in Nebraska when neither heat nor air-conditioning is needed? "

 Jennifer wrote on April 25, 2007 5:36 pm:
" Paul, I appreciate and commend your efforts to inform the public of what teachers and students already know about building safety. It is an important issue to address. A school's purpose is to educate students and keep both students and teachers safe. I find it ironic that many schools are willing to fund programs of ID badge identification, to make the environment safer, but are unwilling to make fundamental decisions about safety, such as windows that open. Hopefully the opportunity will be taken to do something before it's too late. Great job Paul! Keep the input coming!! "

 Cole wrote on April 25, 2007 6:26 pm:
" Windows? Are you kidding? Safety comes from getting rid of guns and tight controls of entry ways - period. There are schools in Lincoln with multiple levels. This logic of open windows so the students can jump out when a maniac with a gun shows up is incredibly short-sighted. Would you rather die from a gunshot wound or a broken neck? I can't answer the question either. You are attacking the wrong problem. "

 Paul W. Smith wrote on April 25, 2007 9:07 pm:
" Cole, Would you like the school district to somehow pay for metal detectors for schools in addition to more security personnel? All of this while raising your taxes and mine? I teach at Southeast where we have two floors. I was NOT referring to other schools. short-sighted? I prefer to think of it as the cheapest and easiest solution. The students at Virginia Tech jumped out of their 2nd floor classroom. I think I'd like you to run for a school board position where you can institute policy for the daily searches of 1600 students coming into a building with multiple entrances. By the way I'd prefer not to die at all at my place of work. I've been in this business for 23 years, and I'd like to make it to retirement. No sir, I'm not short-sighted, just looking out for the kids of Lincoln Southeast High School. again, stop by sometime, I'll gladly show you what I mean. "

 Cole wrote on April 25, 2007 9:45 pm:
" Paul - I'm a teacher as well. You don't have to lecture me about LPS architecture. That's not the point. You and I have to walk through scanners regularly at businesses and public agencies just to get in and out the door. The technology, equipment and, yes, the MONEY exists. You referred to 'your taxes and mine'. I would gladly pay more taxes for the safety of my children. If your solution is to re-vamp the windows because it's the "cheapest" option - I, again, say "short-sighted". Your heart's in the right place, you have a point and I commend your comment. I'd just like to see it taken to a more effective level. Thanks and I'm happy for the exchange of opinion. "

 Jim S. wrote on April 25, 2007 11:08 pm:
" Uh, this may be dumb, but when there is a homicidal maniac roaming the halls with a weapon, I couldn't care less whether or not the window opens by latch or by large throwable object. Let the engineers install their unopenable windows for efficiency, so long as the are openable when it really matters. I'll be opting for large throwable objects, thank you very much. "

 Jim S. wrote on April 25, 2007 11:25 pm:
" Me again. Mr. Borer's letter and previous comments are unsettling to me. I operate from a standpoint that everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt, and with some people there is no doubt. But the ultimatley, we should be driven by the ideals of goodness, trust, and the possibility of redemption. There are people who are so depraved that will take advantage of this "weakness" in ideals. But the numbers are so few that they should not define our culture. We should rise above the corrupted viewpoint of those people and show them the proper way to deal with those that offend our sensibilities. Our response to murderers makes a far greater impact on society as a whole than it does to the few depraved individuals that are beyond the reach of rational thought. Lock them up for life away from any harm they might do to normal society, and let God be the ultimate decision-maker about their fates beyond this life. "

 tt wrote on April 29, 2007 5:49 pm:
" After Virginia Tech I would think all windows should be made to open. Jim S. might wish they opened after he threw a large object and some of the glass didn't break off and he got seriously cut getting out. Course I doubt he would even care if anybody else got cut or not. Too many look out for their own hide! "

 Mark wrote on May 6, 2007 1:09 pm:
" Cole, Those scanners you walk through at local business are radio frequency identification scanners. They are there to protect the owner's merchandise, not people. Metal detection as a security feature can work, but only if constantly monitored and effectively calibrated, and only against threats in the form of metal objects carried into the building. There are a myriad of other types of threats. "

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