Don't base top jobs on quotas
1/31/2011I just want to make sure that I understand Blade op-ed columnist Rose Russell's criticism of Gov. John Kasich, who has been in office for two weeks ("Minorities, metrics, and Ohio's bumpy ride," Jan. 25).
It seems that Mr. Kasich has not abided by her quota system for filling openings in his cabinet. Would she please tell us exactly what her quota is for these positions? Does he have enough women? How many racial minorities would be appropriate?How many American Indians?How many Aleuts? How many openings should be filled based on sexual preferences?How many should go to various religions or atheists?
Ms. Russell seems to feel that the governor should have started his search based on affirmative action quotas. Then we would have a group of cabinet people who reflect the community at large. We could all join hands and go down the tubes in harmony.
My approach was to encourage the governor to assemble a team of the very best people he could find.This team will be charged with pulling Ohio out of the deep hole we are in.
Ms. Russell says the Southern Christian Leadership Conference rebuffed a representative that the Kasich administration wanted to send to its Martin Luther King, Jr., Day gala.Apparently, diversification is not number one on that group's agenda either.
Ms. Russell says: "Businessmen know how important it is that their businesses reflect the people they serve."Shouldn't it be "businesspeople"?
Would she please let us know which businesses have this as their primary goal? I'm afraid that her business knowledge would fit comfortably on the tip of a pin.
John F. Weber
Swanton
Workers may land under bus
Call me a pessimist, but I don't believe the Kasich administration bodes well for the workers of Ohio.
Governor Kasich's first statements to the press after his inauguration were a series of complaints about union bosses' reluctance to negotiate scaled-down wages and benefits for Ohio's public employees.
Your Jan. 23 front-page picture showed our newly elected governor sitting in his office with his hand on a bus. He intends to throw the state's employees under one.
Charles T. Jacobs
Donnelly Road
Gerken's ideas are not original
In response to the possibility of significant funding reductions from the state, Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken cited the need for reduced state requirements on the county and more power and flexibility on how we spend our budget ("Lucas Co. officials fear 25% cut in state funds," Jan. 25).
Reduced regulation; personal control on how my money is spent. It seems as though I've heard those concepts before, but not from Commissioner Gerken's political party.
Dan Steingraber
Oregon
Editor's Note: The writer was a Republican candidate for county commissioner in the 2010 primary.
Move Raceway to Sports Arena
Why not move Raceway Park to the site of the old Toledo Sports Arena ("Owner may pull Raceway Park out of North Toledo," Jan. 20)?
It would revive the Marina District. A train could transport gamblers along the riverfront from a new Raceway Park, stop at the Docks for dining, then go under the Anthony Wayne Bridge to the new casino parking lot, where a shuttle could take them to the casino. Build a hotel or motel on the route and call it a day. That sounds like a winning plan.
If a major retail store wants the old Raceway Park area, the city planning commission could force it to tear down three quarters of the old North Towne Square mall and keep one wing to connect to the new retail store. Just don't let a retailer put a store at the current Raceway Park site without improving the area across the street.
John Pavlica, Jr.
Elmhurst Road
Choices bring consequences
Your Jan. 25 editorial "House of horrors" is correct: Abortions are legal.
Of course, being legal does not mean it is the right thing to do. It was not right for women to make use of the Philadelphia reproduction services clinic ("Philadelphia abortion doctor charged with 8 murders, including 7 babies killed with scissors," Jan. 19).
In all likelihood, these women must not have thought they had other options.
It was not right for responsible Pennsylvania agencies to shy away from a political football.
It seems the arguments are about rights. How about the obligation we have toward each other as human beings? What have we become when we willfully ignore such obligations? Isn't it time in this national tragedy to ensure that those who make choices not only understand the true consequences of their choices, but also are provided the emotional support they need over the long term?
Assurance of support could have enabled these desperate women to recognize that they had responsibilities, as well as options beyond going into an un-inspected butcher shop.
Paul A. Rothermich
Greenlawn Drive
Recognize, save human lives
Your Jan. 25 article "Dozens of lawmakers join rally to overturn decision," about the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., as expected, was indirect, biased, and disingenuous.
More than 200,000 people from all over the country braved subfreezing temperatures to march in support of life, against abortion. The best you could do was print a photograph showing a large sign that says "Keep Abortion Legal," and place it on page 3.
Your lack of reporting on this fundamental issue, which strikes at the very heart of our deepest desires, yearnings, and sensibilities, is par for the course for The Blade.
During the past year or more, you have devoted a plethora of pages to articles about dogs, especially the treatment of dogs. What about the treatment of human life? Or are you unaware that life begins at conception, despite empirical and undeniable evidence from the scientific community that this is so?
Maybe you could have a meaningful, positive impact on your readers by digging into and reporting on the many documents that unveil the truth about human life and how it trumps everything else. God is the author of life. We all will be better off when we recognize and acknowledge that God is God, and we are not.
Gary Thrun
Maumee
Leaving pet? Be sure to get a sitter
It's a shame that Lorene Barnett did not seek a professional pet sitter to care for her Pomeranians while she vacationed ("Woman who left 9 dogs alone for days faces cruelty charges." Jan. 26).
A look at a pet-sitting Web site or the phone book would have provided a list of pet sitters in her area. Most pet sitters are bonded, insured, and members of Pet Sitters International, an organization dedicated to providing guidance and education about the health and well-being of pets, from dogs and cats to frogs and parrots.
Dogs generally need to be visited three times a day, and cats at least once. I find that along with providing food, water, exercise, and love, my most important job is health assessment.
Over the years I have detected scratched corneas, bladder stones, and congestive heart failure, which all needed immediate veterinary attention.
Hiring a professional pet sitter provides peace of mind for pet and home care.
Shame on Ms. Barnett for believing her dogs could care for themselves.
Karen Wolf
Krytter Sytter Pet Sitting
Bowling Green