Now
Fair
79.0°
High
84°
Low
66°
Full Forecast

Coupon

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > Opinion > Letters
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Letters, 7/20: Jail plans raise questions

Comments 21 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

Friday, Jul 20, 2007 - 12:05:31 am CDT

Your article last week regarding the proposed new county jail raised some very troubling matters.

a) Why is the jail targeted for a premium industrial park area, when it could be accommodated on more economically priced land elsewhere in the county? A county facility does not need to be in the city of Lincoln, nor in the immediate vicinity.

b) The published land price allegedly “negotiated” by the county is $60,164 per acre. The current county-mandated “market values” of industrial property immediately adjacent to the proposed site are between $19,047 and $43,666 per acre.

The county has no moral authority to pay 1.5 times the “market” price for land to be used for public purposes. The good citizens of Lincoln have been subjected to this gross abuse in the matter of property at the 48th and O streets development and at the high school sites purchased a few years ago.

Enough is enough! We must stop this giveaway of an excess of at least $617,000 to this private owner and developer. These are our tax dollars, not those of our county commissioners. I urge the citizens of Lancaster County to demand responsible use of our tax dollars and to contact the County Board of Commissioners.

Geoffrey A. Coleman, Denton

Don’t cut youth program

There’s an old adage: Measure twice, cut once. One of the proposed budget cuts by Mayor Chris Beutler would affect the youth athletics program.

Participating in any form of youth sports activity has more benefits than meet the eye. Learning and understanding instruction from coaches, working as a team and developing self-confidence along with being healthier are life skills instilled now but become useful tools later in life.

One of the (unfortunately) fastest-growing problems affecting our society today is nonactive, overweight kids. Eliminating any proactive programs for kids could lead to many health problems as these kids get older. Medical, psychological or social needs required by these kids later in life surely will be a costlier burden to the city and to us all.

Remember, the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow.

Mark Bach, Lincoln

No on union contract

I’ve been a member of United Steelworkers Local 286 for 23 years. Our members went on strike for three months to save health care for our retirees, which was the right thing to do.

Now Goodyear Engineered Products is being sold to The Carlyle Group, which I am cautiously optimistic about. This buyout means there will be a new contract between The Carlyle Group and the United Steelworkers.

Part of union philosophy is called a “shared sacrifice.” This new agreement is no such thing. Those employees who are eligible to retire from Goodyear now can draw their Goodyear pension and keep working the same job. That means the top 150 senior members will be getting paid twice and the bottom 150 members will no longer have jobs. That doesn’t sound like a “shared sacrifice” to me.

I thought the United Steelworkers would negotiate a contract that would be fair to all of its members regardless of their seniority. Boy, was I naive. To save this once-great union from itself, I will be voting no.                                                                                                                      

Phillip Yoakum, Lincoln

If humans follow turtles

Recently I drove to the Niobrara River north of Alliance, toward Gordon. I was hoping to relocate some native western painted water turtles that had wandered into the streets of Lincoln and Omaha, so they would be safe from getting hit by cars or picked up by people.

Alas, the Niobrara in Sheridan County is a mere trickle anymore.  It is no longer suitable habitat for my shelled brothers and sisters from the natural world. I was shocked to see the difference from last year. There was no way that I could have in good conscience placed these precious Nebraska animals into a dying river.

Corn is grown nearby for the lucrative ethanol production that is supposed to help save our environment. It is growing on sandy soil where corn was never meant to grow. This has caused farmers to dig countless wells, then water the corn like madmen in Dr. Faustus’ kitchen, hoping to reap a profit before the next generation realizes that its river has been raped.

Some people in Nebraska know me as a real-estate broker, and some as “the Turtle Lady.” I’m writing from the perspective of both my vocation and avocation.

Our native Nebraska turtles, for whose rights and legal protection I have been fighting ever since 1972 when I immigrated to this country from Germany, are among the lower species that support nature’s house. They’re like the foundation under a human home, which is worth nothing if the basement caves in. When we allow these lower species to die out, our human species will soon follow.

Angelika Turtle Lady Byorth, Lincoln

Nelson wrong on Cheney

Sen. Ben Nelson was wrong last week to be the only Democrat to break with the party to restore funding for Vice President Dick Cheney’s office. The 15-14 vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee was an embarrassment to me and the state of Nebraska.

I spoke with the senator during his re-election campaign and told him how dismayed my family, friends and I are after the constant slaps in the face by this administration over the conduct of the Iraq War, privacy intrusions and the issues related to whether Bush and Cheney are complying with national security disclosure rules.

He assured me he would be at the forefront of resistance to this patronizing, manipulative and flippant executive branch. This is the most secretive and scheming administration in our history, and he had a chance to directly call the vice president to task over one abuse among many. And he relented and backed down.

I am very disappointed since I worked hard for his re-election and had high hopes that he would be instrumental in countering this incompetent administration.

I have been alive for more than half a century now and feel the greatest trepidation I have ever experienced regarding our future, specifically as it relates to our children. This vote could have been at least one step toward reclaiming our rights and compelling the administration to live up to its responsibilities and legal obligations. This was a sad day for us.

Daniel Vasgird, Lincoln


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Letters > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Plain and simple... wrote on July 20, 2007 1:11 am:
" Youth sports are just some collateral damage! There are plenty of oppertunitys for team building and healthy competition. It just may cost you a little more. People it is about WANTS VS NEEDS. Police, Fire, 911 are NEEDS. Pretty manicured parks, youth sports are WANTS. I would love to have it all, but we all now that is not about to happen. Why is the superindendant of LPS getting paid $228,000, while we have to cut Law Enforcement Officers from the street, and we cannot build Fire Stations in the far North and South ends of town? It's great to have things, but who is protecting you? No one likes to pay for the NEEDS, but it is like car insurance. You cannot get the policy after the wreck, it just does not work that way. I think it is bad policy that there is no Animal control on weekends and after business hours. I think it is bad policy that the Police are stretched VERY thin during the nights. I think it is bad policy that it will take a Fire Engine 8+ minutes to reach the far north and south ends of town. I think it is bad policy that 911 does not have enough people to take calls and dispatch effectively. So for now, lets get our NEEDS on track then we can work on the WANTS. P.S. LPS is the huge drain of property taxes. The school system and public safety need to be out of the general fund and have there own levy so the Taxpayer has more control and insight as to what is really going on. "
Hank wrote on July 20, 2007 6:33 am:
" Ben Nelson is indeed a complete disappointment. He may as well switch parties because he certainly does not vote with the Democrats when it really matters. Sleezy and unprincipled politicians like Nelson is why our country is in somuch trouble. Oaths to support the Constitution and respect the rule of law just don't seem to matter anymore. "
Cole wrote on July 20, 2007 7:04 am:
" I agree all the way around and complete with Plain and simple! We all need to identafy our wants verses needs and research on other oppertunitys when it comes to our hard-worked taxes and things. It is exactly just like getting some car insurence. We all now we need to pay in advance of a wreck before. P.S. LPS doesn’t need no more taxes. Their superintendent and principle people make to much. I went threw LPS and look at me! "
Mitch wrote on July 20, 2007 7:33 am:
" The issue with the disappearance of turtles highlights many important points. The most important point is the lack of political, moral, environmental, and societal will to preserve the natural places of our Earth. The more natural places we save, the less carbon dioxide in our air; the more natural places we save, the better the ecosystems will be for agriculture and other industry; the more natural places we save, the better recreation we will have; the more natural places we save, the less we will have to rely on a zoo to show our children the beautiful parts of nature. We have no excuse to allow turtles, animals which in many cases are keystone species of ecosystems, to die out. As Angelika rightly pointed out, far more species will face the same fate as the turtles if we cannot act to save the Niobrara and other natural places in our great state, nation, and Earth. Everybody can make a difference, let your leaders know, go see turtles, pledge money to efforts like those of Angelika, and be aware of plights of our ecosystems. "
Daniel wrote on July 20, 2007 7:44 am:
" Daniel, The Senate can control the funding of agencies. Not an entire branch, or part of a branch of government. The vote was all for show. It was yet one more example of non-binding actions on the part of this senate. "
Copper wrote on July 20, 2007 7:48 am:
" While I agree with Mr. Coleman that the price WE are paying for the land seems high...it does make sense to build the jail in the city of Lincoln...LPD, LSO and UNLPD will be arresting people and putting them in jail...it makes sense to keep it in Lincoln instead of having to drive out to Hickman or Waverly to lodge someone in jail...it will cost money in gas for officers to drive outside of Lincoln and will take up too much of the officers' time for the already short staffed police departments "
idea wrote on July 20, 2007 8:16 am:
" The City and County appear to be anti new business so let's put a fence around the County to keep everyone out but have a gate so everyone can leave. Then you will not need a new Jail. Or combine the new jail with the arena and have the inmates clean up after the event save money. "
Taxpayer wrote on July 20, 2007 8:18 am:
" As a Lincoln taxpayer, your obese kids are not my problem - they're YOURS! Very typical lack of parental responsibility from the liberal Lincolite base. It's the parents responsibility to engage in activities with their children and keep them active. I'm already paying taxes to the overpriced LPS to include PE in their "curriculum". Don't ask us taxpayers to take care of your overweight kids. "
turtle lover wrote on July 20, 2007 8:19 am:
" Hurray for the Turtle Lady! I'm glad there are people like you in the world helping these beautiful creatures!!! "
Jack wrote on July 20, 2007 8:26 am:
" While I certainly sympathise with Goodyear employees, it amazes me that you cannot see the forest through the trees! It's no secret that Carlyle intends to spend some money on this plant, with the sole purpose of SELLING IT OFF. The writing has been on the wall for years now. Seems to me like a good option is for current employees to take the 5 year deal, which will give you adequate time to secure new employment or education for your future when the deal expires. Take your blinders off and get real, or get in the unemployment line, you decide. "
peb wrote on July 20, 2007 8:42 am:
" Regarding youth athletic programs, the YMCA programs will still exist. "
LL wrote on July 20, 2007 8:44 am:
" The Lincoln Airport Authority is sitting on 600 acres and has made numerous offers to the county for a jail site in whatever size increments it thinks it needs - and the county commissioners have said no. Any of the 600 acres would be leased to the county for 30 years and in that timeframe, the county would pay roughly $500,000 - $1 million for the lease -- for the ENTIRE 30 years!! What's wrong with this picture?? "
Turtles wrote on July 20, 2007 9:09 am:
" I guess I'm not as well versed on turtles, but I echo your thoughts on the use of the sandhills for growing corn. It was not meant to be. It is for cattle and grazing. It will only cause more problems to try and make it grow corn. The drought might ease, but I think this water problem will continue to worsen. "
Good choice wrote on July 20, 2007 9:16 am:
" The city of Lincoln is the only practical choice for a location to build a new jail. The Lincoln Police are probably the most frequent users of the county jail. Building a new jail away from the city limits would create a great inconvenience to the officers. Making officers drive a long distance to book prisoners would take them off the street for longer periods of time and would be very impractical. "
Chris wrote on July 20, 2007 9:58 am:
" I too lament the destruction the turtle habitat along the Niobrara River. The Sandhills is not corn growing country period. It is range land most suitable for cattle ranching. Irrigators like Jack Bond, who bleed the Republican River dry in the 70's and 80's, need to be stopped. I'm not huge fan of government intervention, but I think something needs to be done to stop reckless and selfish people like Bond. "
Herb wrote on July 20, 2007 11:30 am:
" Until people stop thinking nature is theirs to ruin in Nebraska we will have things like rivers running dry. We are so solid of brain here that it will take an evironmental event that is irreversable to convince us there is a major problem with what we are doing to the environment. "
Brush up on civics? wrote on July 20, 2007 12:23 pm:
" It was noted above that "The Senate can control the funding of agencies. Not an entire branch, or part of a branch of government...". That's just wrong. The Senate--in conjunction with the House--receives the executive budget and then modifies it as they see fit. They then present the budget back to the president for his signature or veto. Congress is at liberty to change *any* budget lines contained within--even those for executive branch offices (though they rarely do so, due to a tradition in inter-branch budgeting called "comity"). "
Niobrara wrote on July 20, 2007 2:22 pm:
" I am from Sheridan county, the Niobrara has never been more than a trickle there, because it starts there. It turns into a much larger river around Valentine. Underground water springs cause this river to gain mass and volume as it goes along. It's a creek where it begins. When I first moved to eastern Nebraska I couldn't understand how people could canoe and tube and do all of these things on that trickle of a river, but now I see that it becomes much larger than it was where I grew up. "
Look... wrote on July 20, 2007 5:29 pm:
" At the cuts, senior center, public safety, and rec. programs they are for the citizens. Really where is for the people by the people. I think the mayor and council and the city need to rethink this. If at all cut the services and such for the high mediam places. "
Brad wrote on July 20, 2007 7:35 pm:
" Great point, Niobrara. Since most of the water comes from underground, it seems like groundwater pumping would be really affect the river, even if it always was just a trickle. "
FYI wrote on July 20, 2007 10:24 pm:
" I have to laugh at the comments about LPS. 1) LPS isnt part of the city or county budget. They aren't part of the "general fund" like "plain and simple" stated. They do have their own levy. 2) The taxpayers just gave LPS a quarter of a billion - yes billion - dollars so apparently the majority of voters in this town can care less about the waste at LPS "

Ads by Yahoo!