Council meetings need an open-door policy
I find it amazing that members of our Council would seek to meet without informing the very people that voted them into office. I refer to column written by Kevin Leininger entitled “Officials must respect the difference between ‘not closed’ and ‘open.’”
I understand the meetings are/were an examination of “the use and effectiveness of abatements,” which I applaud these gentlemen for undertaking. However, why the secrecy? What value is added by excluding the public? Should we wonder what other meetings are being held without the public’s knowledge?
As a candidate for Allen County Council at large, I understand the importance of transparency. For far too long the citizens of Allen County have been carved out of knowing where and how our tax dollars are being spent — at least until after decisions have been made. Meetings are conducted at times when most of the working populations are unable to attend and/or contribute. (Yes, Council meeting minutes are available online. However, they are posted days and sometimes weeks after the meetings were held.)
It would be advantageous to embrace a true “open”-door policy, then you remove the raised eyebrows and negative speculation involved with “public meetings hidden in plain sight.” Kudos to Councilman Paddock, D-5th District, who agreed there should be no additional meetings without the public’s knowledge.
Sharon Tucker, County Council at-large candidate
Will I die before another landing?
I was saddened to read of Neil Armstrong’s passing.
When I was a youngster, glued to the television and watching the moon landing as it happened, I never in my worst nightmare imagined that the astronauts who made those landings would die of old age before we went back. Now, my nightmare is that I will die without witnessing another manned landing anywhere.
As a percentage of the federal budget, NASA’s spending today is less than 1/8 of what it was in 1966. No wonder we’re stuck on the ground.
Dana White
Candidate proposals are bad for the disabled
As seniors we have never witnessed such extremist political views by candidates as we have for the Nov. 6 election. This includes the Romney/Ryan ticket that espouses non-caring, even non-American, views toward the needy and the middle class.
Our 46-year-old son is physically and mentally disabled, but he has a real zest for life and independence. This is true, although he is unable to be gainfully employed.
Our son has been on Medicare since 1992, which is his primary insurance.
If the Romney/Ryan plan for Medicare were adopted, by going to a capped voucher plan, our son would be doomed with a $6,400 medical expense annually that could not be paid.
This extra cost would also be true for seniors who nationally live on an average income of $23,000. The proposed budget plan would also eliminate between 14 to 19 million needy individuals from Medicaid coverage. Medicaid is our son’s supplemental coverage to Medicare.
Rep. Ryan is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a budget hawk or budget expert. He is not an economist. Instead, he is a theorist for helping cut taxes for the millionaires and big corporations that routinely support him. Ryan is actually a hawk against the poor, the disabled, seniors and the middle class.
There is absolutely no evidence the Romney/Ryan budget plan will reduce the federal deficit. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office states it will increase the deficit due to major tax cuts for the wealthy.
These extremist views by politicians, including some local candidates, indicate confusion about the Biblical question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The correct answer is, “Yes.”
Social Security and Medicare, for example, are programs in which we all pay taxes to help the needy and seniors with our son being an example. We, as citizens of our community, regularly pay taxes for police and fire protection. That doesn’t mean we ourselves expect to have a fire, but we believe it is right to help each other with such protection.
For candidates who display no compassion for “the least of these,”, you have made our election day decision very easy.
Marvin O. and Lois Ross
Thanks to all
After hearing compliments from family members, friends and Fort Wayne residents on behalf of my letters to the editor, I feel full of vigor to respond. I can’t let such compliments stand without much appreciation. I must say thanks to all who are reading my letters to the editor.
I must also thank The News-Sentinel for publishing my letters and making it publicly possible for anyone to read during friends’ gatherings, dinner table and (the) list goes on.
I just want to let everyone know that I enjoy writing letters to the editor as much as you enjoy reading (them) on the pages of The News-Sentinel.
Yahya Salah Moburuk
