Homeless unit head defended

6/4/2013

In response to your May 23 editorial “Homelessness infighting”: It seems that when a male is decisive and makes hard decisions about limited financial resources, he is called a leader.

However, a woman, in this case Deb Conklin, executive director of the Toledo-Lucas County Homelessness Board, who displays the same attributes is described by you as having an “autocratic style and dismissive attitude.”

I have worked on committees with Ms. Conklin for the past 13 years. I admire her intelligence, character, logic, and passion for making life better for all God’s children.

She does not make decisions in a vacuum. She has a clear vision of the goal, gathers facts, and solicits opinions before she makes the hard decisions.

If I differ with a decision, I know it’s not because she has not been listening to me or is “dismissive.” It’s simply because we disagree.

JOAN VOGT
Bowling Green

Right to choose is way work must be

Anyone who values the right to choose shouldn’t have a problem with right-to-work legislation (“Whose right to work?”, editorial, May 5).

Only control freaks would force people to join unions. Only thieves would force nonunion people to pay dues to a union.

JOHN JETT
Scottwood Avenue

When will U.S. end use of troops?

After reading stories in The Blade about Memorial Day events, I again began to think about my experiences in the Army during the Vietnam war ("Memorial Day parade, ceremony inspire crowds to cheer, remember," May 26).

As an officer, I worked with the Pentagon and other personnel at Fort Eustis, Va., to notify parents and wives of the deaths and injuries of their loved ones. I’ve been asked many times: Why have so many men and women been wasted so badly?

Since World War II, all the wars we’ve fought have not affected our freedoms directly. But every time there’s an incident involving one of our allies, or when Americans are killed by foreigners, some people recommend that we fight.

President Dwight Eisenhower warned us in his final speech to the nation about the power and influence of the military-industrial complex to persuade Congress and the president to do just that.

Many citizens, as I do, feel that the machinery of war was to prevent conflict, not inspire it.

As a veteran, I’ll continue to salute those who have served our country faithfully or have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, the big question remains: When will the killing of our young men and women stop?

JOHN FLYNN
Overland Parkway

Memorial Day not about politics

I attended Memorial Day parades and ceremonies in Toledo and Sylvania ("Sylvania’s parade stirs patriotism in young fans," May 28). When U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green), who had walked in the Sylvania parade, was introduced at a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, someone in the group booed him.

Memorial Day is not about politics, but about honoring those who died serving their country. The individual who did this should express his feelings on Election Day.

As a Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam war, I feel that this individual should return to elementary school and learn what respect and Memorial Day are about.

GARY ROGOLSKY
Warsaw Street