Central Newsmagazine Letters To The Editor

Central Newsmagazine is Central St. Louis County's exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper.

Too far right

To The Editor:

As a political "moderate," I pride myself in examining the many sides of our reality. However, as I read Thomas Sowell's “Sound Economy” article, I am amazed that your newspaper allows such biased, single-minded opinions to be published.

Either you are in full agreement with his position, which clearly allows for no other facts than "the liberals are responsible for every bad event in our country," or you do not proofread his submission with an eye toward balance. This type of information is uninformed (i.e., Bush used the “recession” word numerous times outside of the media) or illogical (focus on liberals’ reaction to war, the economy and disruptions without discussing who might be to blame for them).

Geez, Tom, just because your side lost, you have sacrificed any credibility you might have.

Should I assume the obvious that you are a mouthpiece for the right and not bother to read these histrionics and signs of a poor loser?

Richard Lincoff

Ladue

Restore Kiel

To the Editor:

With our seasonal professional sports teams a bit “in the toilet,” Ballpark Village still smoke-and-mirrors, and a Danforth something on the Arch Grounds seven to eight years away, perhaps we could give Kiel Opera House a chance to “carry” downtown's image, at least for a while.

She might be up to the challenge and well-qualified to fill in day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. Kind of like it did for more than five decades.

It might help our downtown hotels, motels and restaurants, not to mention our image as a city.

Ed Golterman

Kirkwood

Respect Obama

To The Editor:

To preface my remarks, may I say that words cannot begin to describe the feelings of joy and pride I have to be a citizen of the greatest country on the face of the earth. However, juxtaposed to this outpouring of adulation for the land of my birth is a feeling of sadness, apprehension, fear, and outright anger for those who exhibit conduct and comportment which is both despicable and abhorrent.

I mention this in light of the recent presidential election in which Barack Obama was elected as our nation's 44th president, and the first African-American- actually, he is bi-racial, but defines himself as black - to hold our country's highest office.

Whether one voted for him, or for his opponent John McCain - I voted for McCain - Obama now is the president off all the people, and deserves the respect, admiration and dignity that goes with the office.

That said, how shameful to read about the plethora of death threats that have been made against him, and all predicated solely upon one factor - his race. What a sad commentary to know that such racial hatred and intolerance continues to raise its ugly head in a nation that promulgates understanding and total equality.

How unfortunate also that there are so many who have not been able to heed, nor accept, the words and the dreams of the late Martin Luther King, wherein “people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

No doubt, there have been tremendous strides made in the past 40 years for the betterment of racial relations, but suffice to say, one age-old adage is still so apropos even to this day: "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Gene Carton

Olivette

Property taxes

To The Editor:

In 2007, St. Louis County Residents for Property Tax Relief Now proved that with grassroots support and protest activity, our leaders in Jefferson City will listen to our pleas.

Last year, the passage of Senate Bill 711 forced taxing districts to roll back their tax rates when assessments go up, which is the intent of the Hancock Amendment. The passage of SB 711 closed a loophole in Hancock.

Now St. Louis County predicts 2009 assessments will only go down slightly overall, despite a drop of 10 percent or more in the last year in home values. What? Do they really expect us to sit back and accept this without a fight? Your next assessment notice will arrive in May with the end of the legislative session. This will leave little time for upset constituents to be heard and legislators to act.

Get involved now. Missouri Sen. Jane Cunningham (R-Dist. 7) has filed SB 99 and SJR 4. If these measures are approved, they will give Missouri a similar property tax system to that of California as well put a measure on the statewide ballot to add a Constitutional amendment limiting assessment growth to 2 percent annually, starting with the 2006 assessment values. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Dist. 15) filed SJR 5 to put a measure on the statewide ballot to have all counties have elected assessors. These bills need the support of all the other senators and representatives to pass. Call, write or e-mail your state representative and senator and let them know you want support for these bills and demand their continued attention to this issue.

Small actions by many people made the difference in SB 711’s passage. Let us do it again to bring about fair assessments. The end result is that we can hopefully stay in the homes we have worked for all our lives and the communities we helped build.

Sarah Haenni

Kirkwood