Letters to the Editor

Let’s see candidates’ finances

8/2/2013

The disclosure of Toledo mayoral candidates’ financial history is necessary, despite their feelings of personal invasion (“Lopez’s negatives mounting,” commentary, July 23).

Some candidates held lucrative public service jobs for 30 years, accumulated hefty pension funds, and are seeking another service move. To their credit, they established favorable credit scores.

Another candidate with public service benefits, Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez, seems to have a worrisome economic history. Many other single mothers will never see the same income and benefits, but are forced to manage responsibly.

MARY JANE KELLY

Erie, Mich.

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Nothing wrong with a double dip

I receive a pension and draw Social Security benefits. I retired last year from the company where I had worked for 28 years. I am now employed at another company, so I guess that makes me a double dipper (“Bell, Collins OK; but double-dip,” Readers’ Forum, July 8).

Lots of us draw a pension and a paycheck. What’s the big deal? It’s not against the law. The Blade should leave Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Oregon Police Chief Michael Navarre alone, and concentrate on real issues that affect our community.

JAMES BUTLER

Sylvania Township

Bug spraying causes problems

Thanks for your reporting about the incident at Manhattan’s restaurant when the well-lighted outdoor patio was fumigated three times with mosquito spray (“Patrons: Bug spray misted onto patio,” June 28).

You quoted a Toledo Area Sanitary District official: “Drivers are supposed to turn off the spray when people are around and never spray an area more than once.” But how far does “around” extend?

Spray-truck drivers have their own problems: navigating circuitous routes, watching for road signs and traffic, and breathing what they spray. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that pesticide exposure can cause nerve damage or cancer.

Instead of widespread spraying, an alternative would be to send teams of youths to help residents clean up areas that collect rainwater, the breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

SUSAN CLAIRE SEARLES

Claxton Street

Killing mosquitoes affects other insects

Spraying to kill mosquitoes kills other insects that eat a lot of pests (“Rainy stretch breeds big mosquito menace; Insect-control crews working overtime this year,” July 18).

There seem to be side effects to every remedy, some worse than the cure. Perhaps a mosquito trap in every yard, several in parks and other heavily infested areas, and personal insect repellent would work better.

JAMES STRUBLE

Sylvania Township