LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Ex-lawmaker rips gerrymandering
8/18/2013The Blade deserves high praise for its stand against gerrymandering, a pernicious evil that has resulted in a Congress that does not represent the popular will (“Fix the fix,” editorial, Aug. 11).
The first priority is that congressional districts, when feasible, should be formed around centers of population such as counties and communities, as our 9th District always was until the map was grotesquely twisted out of shape two years ago.
The next priority is not to maximize competition between political parties — that means reverse gerrymandering and would be wrong. The standard should be never to draw boundaries with the purpose of stifling competition. There is an important difference.
ED WEBER
North Chanticleer Drive
Editor’s note: The writer represented Ohio’s 9th U.S. House District in 1981-82 as a Republican.
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Tribute to Day sullied by Kerry
In your recent tribute to Col. George “Bud” Day, you mentioned the self-promoting John Kerry and said the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth represented a political grudge (“Super hero,” editorial, Aug. 2).
Mentioning Colonel Day and Mr. Kerry in the same editorial is an insult to all who have served their country with distinction.
Colonel Day was the real thing. I wish the same could be said of Mr. Kerry.
LOUIS VISI
North Wheeling Street
City ignores alley; help on the way
What can a lifelong Toledo resident do to get the city’s attention? I have been in contact with the city’s Division of Streets, Bridges, and Harbor since February to get action on my alley, which has chunks of cement, tires, and trash. Some of the weeds are approaching the height of the privacy fences.
Why, when Mayor Mike Bell has announced a $5 million surplus of city funds, do we have only one alley crew?
Who can blame people who scoff at the east side as a less than desirable place, when the city doesn’t seem to maintain basic services?
DIANE BUGBEE
Kedron Street
Editor’s note: A city spokesman said that the vacancies that have affected the workload of the Division of Streets, Bridges, and Harbor are being filled, and that the alley was being cleaned late last week.