LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

B.G. power co-op deal questioned

5/1/2014

Thank you for your informative article on Bowling Green’s electric rate hike situation (“Electricity co-op gives B.G. a jolt; Rate increases spark concerns,” April 21).

I am concerned about the city Board of Public Utility’s recent phasing in of a 5 percent electric rate increase, every year into the unforeseeable future. It seems that the city’s binding 50-year contract to purchase half of the city’s energy from the beleaguered, indebted Prairie State coal plant in Illinois is the main reason for the electric rate hike.

We Bowling Green residents, and the many other Midwest communities that are contracted to pay off Prairie State’s debts, are awaiting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of the matter.

I hope the investigation will result in Prairie State’s debts being paid off by the promoters of the hydroelectric project from which we in the city receive electricity — Peabody Energy and American Municipal Power Inc. — instead of by raising residential electric rates.

SALLY MEDBOURN MOTT

Bowling Green

 

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New energy rules hurt middle class

We have a president and an Environmental Protection Agency determined to get rid of coal-fired power plants by placing almost impossible pollution controls on them, translating into high costs. Who is going to pay for this?

The President declares he’s helping the middle class and big, bad business keeping the country down. But because of the regulations passed on his watch, big business has to pass on these added costs.

We need a pro-business president to get this country moving again.

TODD GABEL

Fremont

 

Gay couple wants to be recognized

My partner and I are a newly married gay couple. It is disturbing that some people compare same-sex relationships with incestuous relationships and polygamy (“Love not sole pillar of marriage,” Readers’ Forum, April 8).

Grouping same-sex couples, incestuous couples, and polygamists together is like saying that a dentist, a gynecologist, and a surgeon all practice the same technique because they are all doctors. Each group has different aspects and purposes.

Same-sex couples are not trying to redefine marriage; we just want to be included. If a church wants to recognize same-sex marriages, it should have the freedom to do so without a backlash.

We understand that people have different views. We are just asking for our love and commitment to be symbolized like any other.

KRISTINA QUINONES

Abbott Avenue

 

Accepting gays, the point is clear

In response to the writer of the April 8 Readers’ Forum letter “Accepting gays, up to a point”: No law requires anyone to participate in, attend, provide services at, or officiate at a gay wedding. Nor is anyone required to approve of anyone’s choice of a partner.

We should let God render judgment on all souls who shall pass before Her. I wonder whether God only accepts Her flock to a point. We should all hope not.

Marriage equality is a civil right. People don’t choose to be gay. It is time to allow gay people to be full citizens, with protections that all other partnerships enjoy.

If corporations are people in 21st century America, why not members of the gay community, who are actual human beings?

BARBARA BAUMGARTNER

Rossford