Eight colleagues and I were all trained in family-medicine residency programs in Toledo. We all are practicing or have practiced in Williams County at different times over the last 35 years, all having established practices almost immediately following our residency training, and have committed to serving the patient population in northwest Ohio.
We find it disconcerting at this time of significant shortage of primary-care physician providers that ProMedica Toledo Hospital would consider closing the W.W. Knight Family Practice Residency Program, one of Ohio’s oldest and strongest residency programs.
Ten years ago, Williams County had 15 family physicians practicing in the county. Now, there are nine. The two most recent additions to the family-practice group in Williams County, Drs. Weber and Bradbee, were trained at the W.W. Knight residency program.
We are aware that there are financial constraints to maintaining a family-practice training program and concerns about the number of medical students choosing family practice, but let’s not just close a strong training program. Let’s find solutions to the problems.
The best way to maintain a stable population of primary-care physician providers in northwest Ohio is to train them here.
DR. C. NICHOLAS WALZ
Bryan, Ohio
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Toledo residents deserve a vote on water
The most valuable natural resource we will have this century is potable water. We must do everything we can to preserve and protect this national resource. Protecting our fresh water from pollution should be one of our nation’s sacred duties to the future. Water treatment is valuable.
However, it seems the forgotten element in the recent discussions about having a regional water system is Toledo residents, the taxpayers, literally the owners of the Toledo Municipal Water System.
I have heard nothing about an ultimate vote by Toledo citizens on any proposal to give, change, or transfer control of our most valuable city asset to the control of others.
The politicians downtown eliminated our refuse collection system without a vote of the citizens, and in the process cost each resident more money annually since they didn’t then reduce our taxes for a city service no longer provided.
Is it in our best interest as citizens to allow a few suburban politicians to decide the fate of our most valuable community asset ?
When in this process, will the citizens of Toledo get to vote on what we as a community want to have happen with our most valuable community resource, the Toledo Municipal Water System?
DAVID J. NEUENDORFF
Scottwood Avenue
DeVos not best choice for Cabinet
As the parent of a young man with autism and someone who has advocated for students with disabilities throughout Ohio, I am appalled that The Blade has supported Betsy DeVos for secretary of education.
It was shocking that, when questioned during her confirmation hearing, she did not understand that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was a federal law and, as such, is not a matter “best left to the states.” Given that the Department of Education is also integrally involved with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, it was disheartening that she did not understand the difference between proficiency and growth. In addition, All Children Matter, a now-defunct political action committee directed by Ms. DeVos, owes $5.3 million in fines and late fees to the state of Ohio.
This is a woman who never attended a public school, had no children who attended public schools, and has never been a teacher or an administrator in a public school. While Ms. DeVos is a proponent of school choice, she seems to think that only community and private schools can provide quality education.
It is clear from Ms. DeVos’ background, experience, and testimony that she is unqualified to serve as Secretary of Education and has little understanding of public education.
BARBARA YAVORCIK
Ottawa Hills
Be aggressive in solving student debt
Student-loan debt is drowning many students for many years. Many older Americans are taking on their children’s and grandchildren’s debt. Some students are wondering why even go to college if they will be saddled with such enormous debt.
There are two things that can be done to help solve the problem. First, eliminate at least half of college administrators. They sometimes number as many as the faculty. Second, eliminate competitive sports, beginning in kindergarten.
Physical education will do more to instill a need for lifelong physical activity. Not all kids are going to be football or basketball stars. Keep in mind that the biggest sport in the world is soccer. Europe tends to do very well, and they do not have competitive sports in K-12. They have clubs outside of school.
Since my second option will never happen, a third option is to have the NFL and NBA pay for college programs since these programs are their minor leagues.
RAYMOND A. HEITGER
Orchard Trail Drive
Andersons provided many happy times
My memories of The Andersons run somewhat different than most. Because of them, I became a good driver and learned how to use carpenter tools.
One afternoon in the late 1950s, my Grandfather came to town to spend time with us. He shocked me when he tossed me the car keys to his new Kaiser Dragon and said, “Take me to Andersons.”
I was only 16 and had just started driving, so I knew this was quite an honor. This car was his pride and joy. But, there I was, knees shaking and white-knuckled, driving him to The Andersons in Maumee. (The big store hadn’t even been built yet.)
While there, I followed him around the store, watching him pick up tools from sorted bins, and as he did, he explained the use of each one to me.
At the time I could not have cared less, but years later, it all mattered in restoring a home built in 1898 that my husband and I bought.
So when I think of The Andersons, I think about those wonderful trips with my grandfather. Thanks for the memories. I will miss you terribly, but those memories of time with my loving grandfather will last me a lifetime.
JUDY SIKORSKI
Rossford
First Published January 26, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
