Losing livelihood is always traumatic

11/26/2001

It is always traumatic to lose one's job and livelihood. No one has the right to judge the value of one individual's job or career.

The reader who wrote that Jeep workers should be thankful made it sound as if UAW workers are whining or nit-picking. If that were actually the case, we would have been shocked by the results of the strike vote receiving an 88 percent approval by Local 12's members.

All union brothers and sisters feel deep empathy when any union worker is laid off or loses his or her job. It is a real tragedy that the General Mills workers have no control over what is happening to their plant or jobs.

On the other hand, DaimlerChrysler workers happen to be in a rare and possibly fortunate position with their management. Twelve-hour days, six days a week for three weeks out of each month is no way to live. The fact that the company can do this for a year into the launch of a new vehicle sounds wonderful to many who may be eager to earn overtime pay.

But how long can this go on? The current rate of absenteeism at the new plant can probably answer that for us. People are not machines. And with the hundreds of Jeep workers who are currently laid off, we wonder how long DaimlerChrysler can afford to be so frugal with its employment roll.

SHERI WOHLFARTH

Boyd Street

Two recent events have started me thinking that we should realign some of our local governing bodies. The recent shenanigans at the last Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority meeting concerning the Marina District are another example that perhaps this group has outlived its usefulness to this community.

The other event is the county commissioners allowing the quarry company by the airport to dig deeper, while some of the citizens who elected them go without a basic necessity like water because of low water tables. (By the way, a simple solution to this would be for the county to provide city water if they let the quarry expand).

The solution: Abolish the port authority and expand the number of county commissioners to five or even seven members. The electorate would have accountability through the voting process. What we are witnessing is too much power in the hands of too few. There is an old document you may have read, it says, “By the people and for the people.” Anyway, this all sounds too much like common sense, so I won't get my hopes up.

DENNIS GWYNNE

Waterville

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Let us recount. You and I have elected Jack Ford. Model T? Model A? Thunderbird? I think so. I hope so.

As a staunch supporter of his honor, Mayor Finkbeiner, I say keep up the precedent set by Carty. If you can find some small improvement to make, we will all offer our support. Be careful of City Council. They sometimes believe they are in charge.

Ever onward. Chances are good for new opportunities. Take advantage, Mr. Ford. Good Luck.

KEN SILVERTHORNE

Jackman Road