Letters to the Editor

Navarre's retirement enlightening

10/5/2011

Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre's retirement has informed the public about the Deferred Retirement Option Plan and the nest egg he accumulated by his participation over the past eight years ("State retirement plan leads chief to exit now; Officer able to optimize his pension," Sept. 16).

Complete and balanced information when reporting on this program is rarely offered. DROP is designed to be cost neutral to the police and fire pension program. There are no additional or increased costs to the taxpayers because of DROP. Contributions to the plan are the pension that he earned and would have received anyway when he retired.

The upside to the public is that DROP keeps experienced police officers and firefighters on the job a little bit longer.

Toledo and Ohio are not unique in having DROP. Other states such as Florida and Texas offer DROP. Your news story only addressed part of this issue.

Howard Williamson III
Oregon


Catholic Church must be accountable

Once again, the world is treated to a round of apologies to victims followed by promises from Pope Benedict XVI to enact effective measures to protect children from sexual abuse in the Catholic Church ("Benedict pledges to protect children from sexual abuse," Sept. 24).

Until the Pope and bishops who have covered up the sexual abuse of children, protected sexual predators, or lobbied against the enactment of laws to protect children, experience the full consequences of their actions, nothing is going to change.

Mike Drabik
Bronson Avenue


Use driver's license to spur graduation

Why doesn't the state government come up with incentives to help teachers to inspire students to do well and graduate?

One idea might be to link temporary and then full-time driver's licenses to grades and high school graduation.

Ernest Barnhart
Springfield Township


Hair-care samples in bad taste at race

It was a beautiful day in Toledo for the annual Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure on Sept. 25, but my enthusiasm was dampened when I saw a local hair academy give out promotional hair product samples.

Cancer patients often lose their hair during chemotherapy. Those cancer patients likely would have been saddened by this thoughtless marketing attempt.

This company should re-evaluate its marketing efforts. It should promote walkers instead of disrespecting our family members.

Angel McGee
Rossford


Honor Flight draws a salute

On behalf of Honor Flight Northwest Ohio, I thank the community, the volunteers and my fellow board members for their support on completing another successful season ("Honor Flight veterans hailed as heroes," Oct. 5).

We have flown more than 859 veterans to Washington to see the memorials that were built in their honor. The outpouring of support for this effort in time and money is heart-warming, especially in these tough times.

Lee Armstrong
U.S. Navy, retired President Honor Flight Northwest Ohio


Kids Unlimited doffs hat to event

During the 2011 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament at the Inverness Club, staff and adults from Kids Unlimited had the privilege of volunteering in the S. P. Jermain Pavilion. Our hats are off to Inverness and the tournament committee for bringing this event to Toledo.

We appreciated the opportunity to give back to a community that has supported our children and our program for the past five years.

Ernest Martin, Sr.
Director of Operations Kids Unlimited Whitehouse


Garbage pickups efficient, cheery

After years of watching three or four Toledo city-employed garbage men pick up my trash, I'm amazed that the work is now being done by only one person. How does he do it?

He also stepped out of his cab, said hello, and asked if I needed help -- all before 8 a.m.

Beth Garzony
Drummond Road