LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

11/08/09 Letters to the Editor

Control health costs

To the editor -- All the talk about health care reform masks a simple fact. We consumers are the only ones who can bring costs into line.

Were we to adopt a more sensible and Spartan lifestyle, medical costs would plummet.

Suffering from obesity, indigestion, and constipation? Eat less!

Joints sore and muscles weak? Take a brisk 30 minute walk each day!

Breath smell like the bottom of a bird cage? Brush and floss more vigorously.

Concerned about getting the flu? Wash those hands regularly and carry a bottle of hand disinfectant.

Afraid of getting cancer? Stop smoking.

Liver problems? Climb down from that bar stool.

Feeling a general malaise? Snuff out those joints.

Have more kids than you can afford? Use birth control.

Need to take prescription medicines? Look for generics that do the job and shop for the most favorable prices.

Concerned about accidents? Obey traffic regulations. Don't drink and drive. Don't engage in excessively risky activities.

Concerned about violence? Demand that authorities identify the thugs and take vigorous steps to neutralize them.

The politicians in Washington can strive to make insurance coverage more widely available; but only consumers can control medical costs.

DOUG PATTERSON

Yakima

English spoken here

To the editor -- Re: The recent articles about dual language school programs.

This is the United States of America. We learn to speak English. I have never heard complaints from Japanese, Chinese, German or any other ethnic group about learning English.

Children are like sponges. They learn fast. They can help their Spanish-speaking families learn to speak English.

People can speak the language of their choice in their own homes. There's no law saying you can't.

ESTE EIZENZIMMER

Yakima

Zais doing good job

To the editor -- It is time to stop bashing city manager Dick Zais!

I have a combined work history of 34 years of city, county and federal service.

Mr. Zais is approaching 30 years of city of Yakima employment, according to published reports. That in itself is not a reason to complain about him.

During my working years at the city, county, and federal levels, I knew most of the top executives and their supervisors. Many will support me in saying we are fortunate to have the excellent quality of employees on all three levels, including those who have retired.

Mr. Zais has surrounded himself with excellent supervisors who maintain our city very well from streets to waste water plant and city hall.

If you have a specific complaint about Mr. Zais, share it with our community or be silent. I appreciate knowing that Mr. Zais and his staff keep our city looking good and within the budget! I worked diligently to be annexed to the city of Yakima over being annexed by Union Gap.

My thank you to all of you who keep Yakima safe, attractive, and not extravagant with the taxes we furnish to keep our city in the black.

CONNIE LITTLE

Yakima

Shame on DOT

To the editor -- The freeway repair done between Grandview and Granger has been a waste of money. I believe the lanes are worse than before the repairs. You drive along and your vehicle acts like you are stuck in a rut and it throws you around.

Just wait until we get ice on the road, we will see a lot more accidents, in my opinion. I cannot believe the state Department of Transportation finalized this job. This project is our taxes going to waste.

TERRY L. CARTER

Granger

Hankies for safety

To the editor -- An effective way to avoid pedestrian/car accidents, which, sadly, usually end in critical injury to the pedestrian, is to swing a large white handkerchief back and forth as one crosses the street ... either in a crosswalk or not. This flashing white signal catches the driver's attention and can alert him of the need to stop or slow down even when the sun is in his eyes or visibility is poor at night.

Of course, white, or at least light-colored, clothing helps, too, but this is not always a choice. The handkerchief is always an alternative and can help avoid a needless tragedy.

JOHN R. SCHACTLER

Yakima

Proud of military

To the editor -- Recently you published a letter from a military wife who wondered if everyone still cared about our soldiers. I just want her to know we do, and all that we know also feel the same way. We are retired Army and our family is and always will be military. We are so very proud of our soldiers and what they are dealing with. I take my young grandchildren out to the Firing Center often so we all can give hugs and kisses to those in uniform. Whenever I open the newspaper and see another soldier has lost his life, my heart breaks for the soldier and his family.

I do understand the war. If you cut the head off the dragon the rest will die. Had President Clinton not reduced funding to our military we would not have had to play catch up on the equipment and supplies our military needed.

Funding our military should always be a priority; they should always have what they need because they protect us and keep us safe.

I am so proud of all of them and very proud of our military wives. They are strong and the backbone of the family.

GLADYS F. HUNTLEY

Selah

Nonprofits should pay

To the editor -- Re: The Oct. 29 article, "Nonprofits will pay for food permits." It's about time nonprofit organizations learn how hard it is for people who make their living as concessionaires. We not only have to pay the $54 health inspection/license fee, but also taxes, wages, entry fees, supplies, insurance, liabilities and worker compensation. Also, don't forget that nonprofit organizations get preferred locations at events. Many festivals and fairs let in only nonprofits from the area, only letting in outside, paying vendors if no one registers.

My wife, Julieanne, and I are second-generation concessionaires, trying to survive on only concession income.

We are still in business. Why would it be so hard for nonprofits to pay just the $54 fee? If they can't afford that, they should try to come up with other ways of making money and get out of the vending business.

Please don't feel sorry for these people. Praise to the Yakima Health Department for doing the right thing. We are hoping the rest of Washington's counties adopt this same policy. We all have to make a living and it just got a little more fair.

BERNARD LIND

Cowiche

Is a bias showing?

To the editor -- Hey, Yakima Herald-Republic, I think your bias is showing. Seriously, it seems like every time you have an article about Tim Eyman, you run an unflattering photo of him. On Oct. 28, you ran pro/con op-ed pieces on Initiative 1033. The two people representing the con side have nice publicity shots. But not for Tim. Another recent article about Tim's initiative ran the same poor photo of him. Do you really think this is fair?

MATT MEAD

Selah

• Jobs
  www.yakjobs.com
• Homes
  www.yakhomes.com
• 
• 
  
• Autos
  www.yakwheels.com

• All Special Pubs Channels YakJobs.com YakWheels.com YakHomes.com Playdate Yakima Bride Yakima Wheels (Print) Home Buyer's Guide Baby Brag Book Graduates 2009 Summer in the Valley Prep Football 2009 Women in Business
• Advertisement