Published: November 09, 2009 08:24 pm      

EVENING NEWS LETTERS — Tuesday, Nov. 10

Frequent walker talks sidewalks



I am an elderly lady who enjoys walking. I moved to 317 E. Maple St. in Jeffersonville after selling my home at 222 E. Maple St. I have always lived downtown and will until I die.

My parents owned a business at 302 E. Court Ave., and I walked to St. Augustine’s school as a child. I like to walk to the library, past offices and the First Savings Bank, and to the many shops on Spring Street and have coffee at Perfection Cafe.

I worked aggressively for a decent sidewalk on Wall Street, where an attorney has his office. He became offended with I wrote a letter to the editor concerning the unfit sidewalk in front of his business.

A new sidewalk was made about eight months later. The barbershop on the same side of the street has a new sidewalk and the upholstery shop across the street also has a new sidewalk.

However, I am asking those at 218 and 226 E. Maple St. to act responsibly and provide a safe place for persons walking in front of their property by upgrading the sidewalks.

— Mary Ellen Kennedy, Jeffersonville



Focus should be on teachers, students



Why do our students have to suffer by losing teachers next year because of funding cuts?

It seems to me if we did have unnecessary administrators that we’ve never needed before, teachers wouldn’t be losing their jobs next year, which in turn will give less attention to the students.

Is this what we are to expect for having a superintendent that is paid so much? Is the money really getting focused on the right thing?

It should be the kids.

— William Crews, Jeffersonville





IU fan disgusted with officiating



I’m a 1971 Jeffersonville High School graduate, with an Indiana University journalism degree, a former sports editor for Evening News and Journal working during the Marc Meyer, Mabel Hay and Owen Vogt era.

I’m not a huge Hoosier football fan nor an abuser of the letter to the editor section, but I have no recourse after watching IU football get totally robbed at Iowa.

I’m now a believer that college and pro sports are fixed. You had the disgraced NBA referee in prison, so many bad calls in the World Series and college football has several games weekly where calls are reversed ... or not.

IU was a 17.5 underdog at Iowa according to Yahoo! The Iowa comeback gave them an 18-point win. Refs and review officials blew it every chance they had and always on Iowa’s behalf.

This is ridiculous. I protest.

— Nick Nichols, St Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Jeffersonville



State AARP leader explains health care stance



AARP has chosen a side in the health care debate — our members. That’s why we’re endorsing HR 3962 and HR 3961, bills that deliver on priorities AARP has been fighting for, for decades. These bills would help older Americans get the health care they need — and afford it.

AARP supports these bills because they protect and strengthen the Medicare program that 45 million Americans depend on. They lower prescription drug prices by closing the Part D “doughnut hole” and by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers. They prevent insurance companies from denying people affordable coverage because of age, gender or medical conditions. By assuring fair payment to physicians, they make sure seniors can access the doctor of their choice or find new doctors when they need one. And they provide benefits to seniors and people with disabilities that enable them to choose care at home instead of a nursing home.

For all these reasons and more, AARP supports the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (HR 3961).

— Clyde Hall, state president, AARP Indiana, McCordsville