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To the Editor: League supports school levy |
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Written by Ellen Dalton and Maria Simon
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:21 |
Bowling Green City Schools has a 6.75-mill tax levy on the May 7 ballot. This levy is for operating expenses and is a continuing levy meaning it would not need to be renewed periodically.
BG Schools have had declining revenue from the state for a number of years, and they have reduced expenses by closing schools (South Main and Milton are closed, and Ridge will close at the end of the current school year), reducing staff through attrition, selling property, and cutting daily operating expenses. At the same time the state keeps adding mandated expenses without providing funding for them. The prospect for state funding in the near future is for flat funding at best, meaning that the school district must rely on local funding to maintain effective student-teacher ratios, continue to provide classes such as the fine and performing arts which are outside the Core Curriculum, and continue investment in student technology-all factors which contribute to 5 years of Excellent ratings from the Ohio Department of Education.
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To the Editor: BGSU needs better energy plan |
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Written by Matt Hoostal
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:19 |
While I appreciate that BGSU President Mazey met with the student Environmental Action Group (EAG) to discuss a transition to a more sustainable energy plan for the campus, now is a time for action.
Those blessed with an education, formal or informal, know that fossil fuel production and use kill several thousand Americans each year and exacerbate lung, heart, and brain diseases. We also know that enough carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere to drive the global temperature increases over 3º C. In itself, this will increase drought, extreme weather events, and probably the spread of infectious disease.
In addition, fossil fuel use is increasing, despite present attempts to curb use.
Recycling programs and gardens connect us to the environmental struggle, but will not ameliorate climate change.
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To the Editor: BG has rare opportunity to create Town Square |
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Written by Diane Vogtsberger
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:18 |
Where I grew up, we had a Town Square, complete with a band stand. Traditionally, America's small towns have defined their identity by these beautiful spaces, surrounded by grass and benches, places where citizens come together. I am suggesting Bowling Green does the same.
We have a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to create a Town Square, unique to Bowling Green, in the space that has emerged from the demolition of the old junior high building. It is ideally located for all events central to the downtown area. I see it as a way to set our city apart from other towns similar to Bowling Green. It would certainly add space for the Black Swamp Festival and the downtown Art Walk. The university could hold small outdoor events in this space, not to mention the many service clubs in BG. The space could be used for performances by the public schools and the community's music groups. In addition, the Farmers' Market would have a more appropriate home in the city's Town Square rather than in a parking lot.
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To the Editor: Another letter about 'Farmer in the Dell' |
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Written by Charles David Maxey
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:17 |
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Ms. Pokorny's April 3rd letter about "Farmer in the Dell" stated, "Historically, a farmer (male) needed a wife to produce children to help on the farm. … Like it or not, that is the hierarchical family structure our society has!" Farm animals' purpose is producing milk, eggs, etc., but women shouldn't be reduced to the means of farmers' "age-old production" of cheap child laborers. Her defense of the song as historical and significant intimated that she believes fallaciously that it's OK simply because it's old and well-known. "Ten Little Injuns" and "Ten Little N----rs" are also significantly oppressive, historical songs, but they'll never again be sung at schools. If she indeed intended to contend this song has substantial historical significance, I'd protest that a kindergarten arts festival isn't fitting for a presentation about farmers valuing children as cheap laborers, who probably received minimal education, out in the dell. Furthermore, she was out of touch with the reality of modern families when she tried to appeal fallaciously to the supposedly current common practice of structuring families hierarchically. Even back when it was widespread, it wasn't OK simply because many people did it.
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To the Editor: ODOT's 'slope monitors' based on faulty premise |
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Written by Carl Hudecek
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:16 |
Across from Waterville along Route 64/65, the Maumee River flows 60 feet below a steep wooded slope, which has been stable for centuries. It is a great fishing area. Deer, otters, birds, foxes, birds and small animals reside and feed on the hillside.
In July 2012, bulldozers of ODOT subcontractors entered this privately owned slope without permission, in my case bulldozing several thousand square feet to bare ground, moving multi-ton boulders, and taking out saplings and ground cover in order to install "slope monitors".
This "Slope Monitor" program involved layers of consultants at a likely cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in my opinion was based on a faulty premise. ODOT claimed an 18 inch settling of 80 feet of road shoulder was proof of "instability" of the entire five-acre slope, and thus slope monitors should be installed to detect movement.
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To the Editor: Lighting empty stadium is a waste |
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Written by Emily Klopfenstein
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 09:16 |
About a week ago, I read, with interest, the article about the BGSU students who are campaigning to transform the campus into being more "green". They were told that their expectations are too high and expensive. I do have a question about something I've observed from time to time.
From the corner of Wooster and Campbell Hill, we've seen the stadium lights blazing away with no visible event taking place. It looks like a huge waste of energy and money. The most recent time we saw those lights on at the stadium which appeared empty was April 5.
If someone knows the purpose of stadium lights lighting an empty stadium, please reply. If there is no purpose, please save the energy and make sure there is no further such waste.
Emily Klopfenstein
Bowling Green
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