LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Farmers try to curb water pollution
6/9/2014In response to your May 16 article “Runoff data hint at grim Lake Erie algae forecast”: My family has been farming in Paulding and Van Wert counties for five generations. We strive to farm in ways that have the least impact on our environment.
Many other Ohio farmers choose similar farming practices. Because of this voluntary effort, farmers today use less phosphorus than when I planted my first crop.
Ohio’s farmers want to ensure they are doing what they can to minimize their impact on the state’s waterways. Ohio’s agricultural organizations are conducting research to identify and rank farming practices that are most effective in keeping nutrients on the field.
Some farmers are using nutrient-management plans that are customized to soil types, crop rotations, water flow, and nutrient needs of their fields, further reducing the need for nutrient application.
To solve Lake Erie’s water-quality issues most effectively, we must look beyond the possible contribution of agricultural activity and address all potential sources of pollutants, including private septic systems, waste from sewer systems that function improperly, and urban storm runoff.
TERRY McCLURE
Grover Hill, Ohio
All presidents to blame for bad V.A.
In response to the May 26 Readers’ Forum letter “Don’t blame the V.A. for crowding”: All presidents, not just George W. Bush, are to blame for the state of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Now that V.A. Secretary Eric Shinseki has resigned, President Obama needs to put someone from the private sector in charge.
My husband is a Vietnam war veteran. My father is a World War II veteran. Both of them have been victims of the inefficient V.A. system.
My grandfather, a World War I veteran, died in a Pennsylvania V.A. facility while he was waiting for care and services related to complications from war injuries.
Overcrowding in the V.A. system has been exacerbated at the close of each of our wars. It has been the responsibility of all presidents since 1811, when the first V.A. facility was authorized by the federal government to care properly for our veterans.
None of them has stepped up to improve that care to the level of privately funded health-care entities.
DIANE SEEBURGER
Sylvania Township
Why does death spur action?
Why do veterans have to die before somebody wakes up to find something wrong (“Sick V.A.,” editorial, May 26)?
CHESTER BLAZEY
Camden, Mich.