Article published May 11, 2008
Let Skeldon do his job as he sees fit
This letter is in regard to an April 27 story in The Blade about the county commissioners temporarily halting the door-to-door dog license check now being conducted by Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon because they feel "it is not a good use of county money." It seems to me that the cost of getting so many of the roaming dogs that are not licensed (and some that are licensed) off the streets and out of residential areas would be money wisely spent. Money would be recouped in fines paid by unlicensed dog owners.
People with licensed dogs would have nothing to worry about except, perhaps, the inconvenience of a few minutes of lost time. However, if the resident's dog isn't licensed, it also may not have the shots it needs and could be roaming the streets instead of confined in its yard.
As a lover of dogs, I believe that if you own a dog, you have a responsibility to the dog and the neighborhood to take proper care of and full responsibility for your dog. This means having the dog licensed, having shots up to date, giving heart worm medication, having the dog under control at all times, and, when walking the dog, carrying a doggie bag with you to pick up after the dog. There's quite an expense to owning a dog. If this is a financial burden, you shouldn't have a dog.
The residents of Lucas County are fortunate to have a dog warden like Mr. Skeldon. He's doing a great job for the residents of the county. Let him continue his job as he sees fit and let the county commissioners do theirs.
Virginia Hasselschwert
South AvenueWhy not suspend enforcing laws also?
I am so glad the Lucas County Commissioners made the dog warden stop his door-to-door checking of dog licenses. After all, we wouldn't want a department to be self-sufficient and not rely on taxpayer assistance to continue running. We also wouldn't want a department to actually do its job and enforce an ordinance that the commissioners should uphold. It's no wonder that both the City of Toledo and the county are struggling under the wonderful leadership that is City Council and the county commissioners.
While the commissioners are at it, can they have the county sheriff suspend enforcing the traffic laws as well?
Dan North
Leicester RoadDoor-to-door check is against the law
Door-to-door dog license checking in Lucas and Wood counties is against the law. A dog warden cannot come on your property without a search warrant or a documented complaint concerning your residence. Just tell them to get off your property. They only solicit from the elderly, disabled, or stay-at-home moms. They do this at their convenience, which is on weekdays.
I received a citation last year for my dog. I called my attorney and after doing some research, he called me and told me it was illegal. He took it to the prosecutor's office and they threw the citation out.
Maybe the police should start going door to door asking if you any drugs, or if they see a car in your driveway, go to your door and ask for your title, license, and proof of insurance. Yes, I now have a license but my dog has contracted a disease which is usually fatal. Can I get a refund?
Earl Gilbert
PerrysburgAdditional trash fee is double taxation
This is written in response to those who feel the Toledo trash fee is "fair and reasonable," considering what the suburbs charge their residents and the service we receive. Those people are not paying a 2.25 percent payroll tax that is supposed to take care of all essential services, including unlimited trash pickup. At least, that is what they said in the 1980s, when they were pushing the 0.75 percent "temporary" tax.
The additional monthly fee is double taxation and is a great example of the poor fiscal management of the city of Toledo.
Aaron D. Wozniak
Woodmont RoadPayday loan outfits contribute jobs, taxes
Political promises are being kept. Payday lending institutions are coming to an end in Ohio. It has been quick and swift compared to the promises to rectify the problems with the funding of public education.
The usurious rates will be gone. Certainly our legislators have had the foresight to calculate the ramifications of this legislation and could answer the following questions as this business ceases in the state of Ohio:
1) What are the corporate, individual income, property, and other tax dollar losses?
2) What are the rental dollars lost?
3) Is this a prudent and feasible time to do this? The economy is bad. Six thousand employed taxpayers become 6,000 unemployed burdening our social welfare services.
4) What are our legislators doing to protect those employed in this business as they lose their jobs and benefits?
5) What groups will make financial gains? How much did they contribute financially to bring about this legislation.
We live in a democracy. When they can, legislators give us what we asked for in the last election.
Most Ohio voters are little concerned with this issue. We are not employed by nor do we use the lenders. The issue impacts those who use and are employed by these businesses. This is social legislation enacted by those who have for those who do not have. It's like ethanol in the sense that there was little foresight in looking at the overall economic impact.
The 391 percent interest rate charged by payday lending institutions is not fair but real loan sharks break bones and end lives. Has the legislature calculated how we will pay for this legislation?
Richard Goss
Lancaster, OhioAutomated collection has hidden costs
The City of Toledo keeps telling everyone how much money it's going to save with automated trash pickup, but they're not telling everyone all the details.
First of all, it's going to cost the city $20 million for a new fleet of trucks and trash barrels for everyone. Secondly, they're not telling everyone what services they'll lose. Everyone is going to get two cans, one for trash and one for recycylables. If your trash doesn't fit into one can and you need a second, it will cost over $100 to purchase an additional one.
If your barrel gets stolen or broken (and they eventually will), you'll have to purchase another or your trash won't be collected. If you have a couch or other bulky items that need to be picked up, you'll have to call for a special pickup or they won't be collected either.
The city might be saving a little money, but how much is it going cost us?
Jim Barteck
Clark StreetMake allowances for alternate recycling
I'm a handicapped little old lady of 86 years. Some days I can hardly get around at all. My garbage consists of a small bag per week. I recycle but I save it and my son comes to get it and take it to Miracle Mile shopping center. If I didn't recycle, I could not carry my trash out with all the papers and boxes.
I realize there are a lot of people in the same shape I'm in, so I was thinking: Why doesn't the city print up cards, like we had for the ice man to bring your ice, that people such as myself could put in their windows to show they recycle? I would pay a small fee for the card and sign a pledge to keep on recycling. Every year they would change the color.
I wish someone downtown would consider this idea as it is more fair than anything they have come up with.
Wilma Krausert
Merle StreetPriests protected but teachers let go
How can it be that priests are protected, transferred, and sent to rehab (as in the case of the priests arrested for public indecency 10 years ago), but teachers in Catholic schools affected by the school closing are coldly let go with no consideration of another position in the diocese and very little severance?
Please investigate this ongoing corruption in the Toledo Catholic diocese.
Marcia M. Twoseley
Timberlawn Drive
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