Published: May 14, 2009 07:50 pm      

LETTERS: May 14, 2009

C’ville council should pay attention to own ordinance



I recently viewed video footage of the Clarksville City Council meeting held April 20. Bryan Wickens was given an opportunity to present a case of apparent illegal activities held at Theatair X in Clarksville. He presented evidence that is in opposition to a city ordinance that was passed back in 2005. Among them were no sex acts of any kind are to go on inside an established business. Nor should there be any area within the confines of the building that obstruct the manager’s eyesight at all times.

In the evidence presented, there appears to be a clear violation of these ordinances. When Mr. Wickens asked what might be done about this violation and what steps might the council pursue, there seemed to be little or no action to at least discuss as a council. Mr. Wickens was very respectful and pressed for a fair answer, yet the council seemed rather guarded and unwilling to pursue enforcing the full ordinances it had passed just four years earlier.

My question to the council and to the people of Southern Indiana: What responsibility does the council have both morally and legally to ignore an ordinance that its own committee passed? Are there legal ramifications that can hold the council accountable to its own ordinance? Are council members not guilty of breaking the law by not enforcing the law that was established by the stroke of their own pen? Don’t the people of Southern Indiana deserve at least the protection of the law and the confidence that those who are elected will follow what is already in place?

From viewing the video, I felt that the council was resistant to address the full ordinance and would give no indication of doing the right thing. Is there a deeper underlining issue that the council will gain personally or why would it not respond to what seems to be a logical manner?

The people of Southern Indiana deserve better than a 37-minute hearing without a commitment to follow the law.

— Richard Driggers, New Albany





Reader believes we must act on clean energy



You might have noticed the increase in TV and radio ads lately about the upcoming energy legislation that will affect our region’s air quality and whether or not we depend on fossil fuels for our only source of energy in the future. Huge amounts of money are being spent by groups opposed to the legislation and by those for it.

I am for the legislation, even though it may cost me more money in the short run, because I believe we need to act now to help the businesses who are really interested in developing wind and solar energy in our region.

Like many people I have talked with, I am tired of big oil and big coal — yes, big coal — deciding what is best for our energy needs. I can understand their desire to keep making money, but that should not be more important than the health of American citizens. Ask yourself this simple question: Who is looking out for my family’s best interest — a company that cares about its stockholders or a father or mother who loves their kids?

Wars have been fought over oil and we still pay huge amounts to guarantee the safe shipment of oil to our country. Why not trust the companies to do the best thing for American citizens?

One example, of many, is that General Motors had an electric car that could get 100 miles per charge in 1996. They did so only when they were forced to by citizens in California who passed laws that required them to. As soon as the law got repealed in 2000, I believe by a strong oil and car lobby, GM took the cars back and crushed them all even when some people offered to buy them with no warranty. And now they are asking you and me to bail them out. I think they should call the oil companies and ask for money.

Corporations do not have a conscience. People like you and me do, and the workers on assembly lines, but you and I both know how hard it is for employees to voice an opposing opinion when they think something isn’t right. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in capitalism, but sometimes we, the people, need to pass laws to force action when the almighty dollar becomes more important than what the almighty has taught us. So pick up your telephone, or cell phone, or start up your computer and send Baron Hill the message that he should do all he can to protect the air our children breath, provide energy from wind and solar and say, “No you can’t” to the energy industries who try to keep us addicted to fossil fuels. Some things are better left buried.

If you want more information about the EV1, you should check out the movie on the Internet called “Who Killed the Electric Car?” Holding a mock funeral for a car is a little over the top for me, but sometimes people do things out of the ordinary to draw attention to an important issue — like write a letter to the local paper.

This is just one parent’s opinion.

— Brian Brewer, New Albany



Each of us has power to stop animal abuse

I recently read about a tragedy that was just narrowly averted because of the courageous action of just one person.

Eight starving horses were wasting away in a field while their owners consistently failed to provide food, water or basic veterinary care. The horses ate bark off of trees in a desperate attempt to stave off their hunger but it wasn’t enough — they were slowly dying. Thankfully, a neighbor saw the horses suffering and decided she couldn’t look the other way. She called a local veterinarian and that set the wheels in motion for a rescue operation to save the horses. Unfortunately, the rescue came too late for one, but the survivors are now thriving in their new environment.

It is disturbing and even heartbreaking when you witness an act of animal cruelty, but each of us has the power to put a stop to it. Anytime you suspect animal abuse, your first call should be to your local humane society, animal control or the police. Get them out there to investigate. Whether it is a neighbor’s pet being treated cruelly, cats and dogs at a local pet store or animals at a breeder’s facility being kept in filthy, crowded conditions — if it is animal abuse, it’s against the law.

In difficult economic times, the most helpless among us are the first to suffer, and in many cases, this includes animals, who are increasingly being abandoned or simply left to starve. I urge the residents of this community to join with me and speak out against animal abuse wherever and whenever they see it. Innocent animals are depending on us to be their voice.

— Keith Lyle, Jeffersonville





Reader not impressed by PAYGO or Hill



Let me get this straight. After spending, in 60 days, more than any other administration — including former President George W. Bush, fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — in the history of the United States, Rep. Baron Hill is excited to announce that the Democrats in Congress will consider pay-as-you-go, or PAYGO, budgeting rules?

Give me a break Rep. Hill, the horse is already out of the barn. You’re a little late on closing the door.

Republican or Democrat, if you voted to spend that kind of money, don’t let the barn door hit you on the way out of office.

— Steve Langdon, Jeffersonville