Week of 10/20/14

Get the facts
To the editor: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Toledo began it with the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Komen is a powerhouse organization in breast cancer fundraising and brings in an annual income of approximately $420 million. The history of the organization is seen on the front page of their website. Komen’s founder, Nancy Brinker, promised her dying sister Susan G. Komen that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer.

To many people, Komen seems like a wonderful and charitable group. That is, of course, until they learn where the funds are directed. Nancy Brinker has made herself a very wealthy woman. Before her recent $159,000 pay cut, she was making an annual salary of $684,000. Her salary comes from the donations of people who believe they are helping breast cancer patients.

Komen’s 2013 financial statement reports that while 43 percent of funds were used for education/awareness, only 15 percent went to research, 12 percent to screenings, and 5 percent to actual treatment.

The administration, including Brinker’s salary, received 18 percent. I am abhorred Komen portrays “great strides” in cancer research and survival rates, while breast cancer survival rates have remained unchanged since the mid-1980s – the time at which the organization began.

This year in the United States alone, 41,000 people will die from breast cancer. Worldwide, 460,000 people will die from it. Komen has even said early detection of breast cancer is a “cure.” In reality, the high survival rates from early detection you hear about are manipulated data. Early detection only increases your chance of survival for the next five years.

Dr. Iman Mohammed, oncologist at UT Medical Center, reports that around 30 percent of people diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will end up with metastatic cancer. This is the type of cancer that rapidly spreads to other areas of the body, primarily the lungs, brain and bones. About 97 percent of people with metastatic cancer will die, a percentage that has also remained unchanged.

There are an estimated 155,000 people worldwide living with metastatic cancer, meaning that only 4,650 of them will survive.

Events such as the Race for the Cure have trivialized breast cancer into a feathery pink celebration of fluffy ribbons and sisterhood, rather than a deadly disease best fought with scientific understanding. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has the power and money to make an impact and it is unacceptable that it chooses not to.

My advice is to consider that before giving Komen a single cent. There are many charities that donate more than 85 percent of funds directly to research. For example, the Breast Cancer Research Fund donates 90 cents of every dollar to supporting breast cancer research. Founded by Estee Lauder, it funds 186 scientists worldwide and has raised more than $350 million for breast cancer.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition is a lobbying organization founded in 1991. It set a deadline of Jan. 1, 2020 to end the disease. According to its website, the coalition promotes research into the causes of cancer and best possible treatment.

While Susan G. Komen has raised $1.9 billion over the course of its 30 years existence, the National Breast Cancer Coalition convinced congress to award $2.1 billion to breast cancer research. There are also other organizations that donate more than 85 percent of the funds directly into research such as Metavivor, Metastatic Breast Cancer Network, Stand Up to Cancer and many others.
Amelia Bockey
Walbridge

Enough is enough
To the editor: Why was the new school that was built in Woodville, built with only a 300-seat auditorium and not a 600-seat auditorium? Because they want another new auditorium built at the high school. That will be for a 1.98 bond levy for 25 years costing the property owner of a $100,000 home additional $69.30 a year.

Property owners, I would like to remind you what we already pay:

1. 2011 – a 4.2 mill emergency levy for five years, which we will vote again in 2015.

2. 2012 – a 3 mill levy for permanent improvement.

3. March –2012 a 5.43 bond levy for 37 years for the new school.

4. One-half mill for permanent improvement (this one is continuous).

5. 2013 – 5.75 levy for current operating expenses for five years.

The effective tax rate is 39.8270, which means you pay $39.83 per $1,000 taxable value. Let me ask the school board this, have you ever considered instead of having the property owners pay, have an income tax, where everyone who earns an income would pay? They do this in Fremont school district, to just name one. I was told the school board could ask the voters to vote on this. Is that right?

Property owners, let me ask you, how much more do you want to pay? Where are you going to draw the line and say enough is enough? Please look again at what we are already paying above and vote no. Our money can be spent on more important things than another auditorium.
Gail Lutman
Genoa

Call to action
To the editor: I write to you from the campus of the Ohio State University where I am a student studying finance and a third-year member of The Best Damn Band in the Land.

I believe that I would not be where I am today had it not been for the support and encouragement of my Woodmore education. The election is fast approaching and there is an important levy on the ballot that requires your “yes” vote. I am referring to the Woodmore Local Schools levy to construct a new performance auditorium in front of the current high school.

This auditorium is needed because with the construction of our new elementary school, the old school will be closing and torn down, leaving the students no place to perform and the community no place to gather. As a Woodmore alum, I was involved in the band, symphonic chorale and drama club. These groups, along with the jazz band and men’s and women’s choruses, are exceptional groups that make up the performing arts of Woodmore Schools.

I want these same opportunities for the students that follow me. This is a call to action. The auditorium is essential to our community, as it is a space where people can gather and witness and celebrate the dedication and hard work of the students.

Many generations of Woodmore students have performed in the Woodville facility, but it is time for something new and improved to benefit the future generations of our community. A community without art is not complete.

Woodmore has developed and nurtured so many great citizens – scholars, astronauts, poets, business people, educators, doctors and yes, even musicians. Do your part to continue the legacy. Vote early via absentee ballot if you cannot make it to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Dylan E. Fletcher
Woodmore High School class of 2010

The final piece
To the editor: I attended the open forum for the Genoa Schools levy on Oct. 8 and questions were answered to help clarify the state of our school district. As I left the meeting, I couldn’t help thinking back over the last five to 10 years on the progress that our community has made.

Our community has been blessed with active athletic, FFA and music booster clubs and numerous donations that funded many things including Comet “Volunteer” Stadium and a lighted soccer field at no cost to taxpayers.

The Genoa PTO remains strong with events including a carnival that raises funds for things too many to mention. We have organizations that create annual events such as Curtice Kidz Day, Genoa Homecoming, and street fairs. Our firefighters continue to build and expand a very effective Joint Fire District. We have active churches, banks, and a food pantry to support our community.

In addition, our community supported paying 42 percent for a new elementary school with the other 58 percent coming from the state. Money was well spent from this great deal and savings were expanded to further upgrades to the auditorium as well as high school gymnasium, classrooms and bathrooms.

Operating savings from this decision continue to flow as our elementary school operates “green” with a geothermal system and natural lighting in the classrooms. The change in school location was not an easy one, but thanks to the Allen Township Trustees and Gary and Joy Moritz, our prior elementary school locations are being utilized with a walking course, athletic fields and the Brunner Campus.

The final piece of the puzzle is the support of Genoa Schools, which is our community’s largest employer. This levy is not about bricks and mortar, but about our community and most importantly, about our children. There are key points that I learned from the open forum. In data supplied by the state, Genoa is number 600 of 613 in lowest spending per student, and even if this levy passes, would still remain one of the lowest in the area.

Genoa Schools have already cut $3.7 million and have had year-to-year spending decreases in each of the last five years to stay off the ballot as long as possible.

The district has not received additional community funding for operations since the 2005 levy. While this levy is not about threats, I hope our school and community are not put in the position to raise class sizes to 30-1, cut all-day,every-day kindergarten, or cut other valuable middle school programs including music.

I am told “pay to participate” will remain in place. I urge parents, grandparents, relatives, prior graduates and our total community to continue progress and support this much needed funding.
Alan Brown
Genoa Class of 1980

A frustrating game
To the editor: While, on behalf of Citizens’ Resistance At Fermi 2 (CRAFT), I have been playing what seems like an Internet game of filing replies and answers to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff; DTE’s lawyers and the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.

The above mentioned organizations have been filing against CRAFT, as well as, the other legal intervenors. No one sees these filings except the people already involved; therefore, I am writing to bring the public up to date on this most serious “game.”

CRAFT filed a “Leave to Intervene and Request for a Public Hearing” in the 20­year license extension requested for the Fermi 2 nuclear reactor. Then DTE lawyers and NRC staff filed “Answers” to ASLB that we have no right to a public hearing.

We then filed a “combined reply” stating our legal (and moral) rights to a hearing. This filing included a letter from Walpole Island First Nation Chief Dan Miskokomon stating their tribal rights at the Fermi site under the Treaty of Detroit.

“Our membership still actively fishes in and harvests the resources of western Lake Erie and other areas in close proximity to Fermi 2,” stated Miskokomon. “We would like an opportunity to thoroughly review the license renewal process to ensure that our rights are protected.”

Both the NRC and DTE hold that WIFN has no right in this procedure because they are Canadians. Since WIFN is within the 50­mile radius of Fermi, CRAFT filed that excluding WIFN is in violation of Environmental Justice laws. Then the NRC Staff filed a “motion to strike” and actually red lined out CRAFT’s filings. We filed a reply to that foolishness.

Meanwhile, the ASLB has set a meeting for oral arguments to be heard in the case on Nov. 20, starting at 9:30 a.m., in the Monroe County Court House. While no one who has not been in on the filings will be able to speak, the public is welcome to come out and bear witness.
Jessie Pauline Collins
Redford, Michigan

A sound investment
To the editor: I am proud of what we are accomplishing at Oregon City Schools.

I am proud of the culture of caring that we are fostering in each of our buildings. Our administration, teachers, support staff, coaches, parents and volunteers, aren’t just putting in their time – they are here because they care about results for each child.

As a lifelong resident of Jerusalem Township and the city of Oregon, I cannot express how honored I am to have this opportunity to serve this community. It is also with a humble heart that I ask for your support on Nov. 4. I am asking for a five-year emergency 5.9 mill levy, not because I want to increase spending, but to provide the best education possible to our students.

Even if this levy passes, we will be spending less than we were seven years ago. The passage of this levy will enable us to continue providing high quality programing to the students of Oregon and Jerusalem Township.

Because I believe in accountability, this levy will not be permanent, as it will need to be renewed after five years. I believe that our voters need to have more say in where their tax dollars are spent, and they need to have the ability to say no if we fail to meet our obligations to our students and the community.

Working together with our teachers, administrators, coaches, and support staff, we have succeeded in lowering costs year after year, while collecting less from our residents than the districts that we compete with.

To keep Oregon and Jerusalem Township competitive, we need to continue to invest in our children. Communities with successful schools are attracting new families, preserving property values and moving forward.

Please support our schools by voting yes on Issue 4.
Dr. Lonny J. Rivera
Oregon City Schools Superintendent

Nay
To the editor: The Woodmore School District is asking property owners to open their pocketbooks once again and vote for tax money to construct an auditorium. I say nay.

It seems, like only yesterday, property owners were asked to approve a bond for the school building presently being built. The last bond issue, after being defeated several times on the ballot, (costing the taxpayer each time it was placed on the ballot) was finally approved.

Property owners were told that approval the last bond issue would suffice to fund the new school building. The taxpayers are now being asked to approve another $4.5 million to construct an auditorium. I say nay.

I’m fed-up with this school district abusing property owners. I'd like to retire, but, to do so would be difficult. Property taxes presently are costing me about $280 a month (80 percent of this goes to the Woodmore Schools)

How is a senior citizen who owns his or her home expected to survive financially in retirement, if taxes continue
to eat up retirement funds?

The costs of utilities, fuel, food, medicine and insurance are rising, with no end in site. In spite of these rising costs, property owners, are being asked to vote for an auditorium costing $4.5 million . I say nay.

Property owners, ask yourself these questions:

Does the school really need an auditorium? I say nay.

Is an auditorium essential to the education and learning process of the kids? I say nay.

Will the kids suffer irreparable harm, physically or mentally, if this auditorium is not built? I say nay.

On Nov. 4, I urge property-owners to vote nay to this $4.5 million extravaganza.
Terrylee Dembowski
Gibsonburg

Reasonable response
To the editor: A writer in last week’s issue of The Press questions why Congressman Bob Latta has not answered an invitation to come to a Walbridge Village Council meeting. She opines that their small community doesn’t deserve a visit.

If she had been the victim of the venomous letters that have consistently come out of Walbridge, primarily written by one author, she wouldn’t want to go there either.

Apparently, though, she did get his attention. Not responding to an obvious plan of attack seems to be a sensible move. Furthermore, the tone of those letters are a pretty good indication that there would be no chance of an intelligent discussion with give and take on both sides.
Ruth Brentlinger
Millbury

Check it out
To the editor: Attention citizens of the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District. The Oak Harbor Public Library will have a 1 mill operating levy on the Nov. 4 ballot. I urge you all to vote yes.

The library is a great gift to all children and adults. The library has all kinds of great programs for kids of all ages. If you have a certain book that the library doesn’t stock, they will order it free of charge. They have books on CDs, newspapers, free computer access and so much more.

Please vote.
Chuck Schultz
Oak Harbor

Maintaining control
To the editor: Beware voters when you go to the poll to vote on the Lake schools tax levy. It is not just a renewal. It will be a continuing levy. It will be permanent and we can’t change it once it’s passed.

They seem to think after we vote for it they can later ask for more money and we won’t remember we have already voted for the continuing levy.

What happens a few years down the road and we lose our jobs, get sick and can’t work? Our income is reduced. We still have to pay for a continuing school levy we can’t change.

I will vote no on any continuing levy they put on the ballot. Voting for a school levy every three or four years is a way to keep control over the cost of our schools and they way they are run.

Please read the article in The Press, “Wood County voters to decide an array of tax issues,” dated Oct. 13.
Ella Wilson
Lake Township

Preserving parks
To the editor: The Village of Oak Harbor will ask voters in November for money to fund the operations, maintenance and capital improvements to the parks system. Issue 7 will be seeking a 3-mill levy for five years.

The parks of the village currently include Veterans Memorial Park, Flat Iron Park and Kraemer Park. Combined, they cover over 25 acres and include activities for Little League baseball, football, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, skateboarding, sledding and batting cages.

They also provide amenities for family gatherings, barbecue grills, and handicapped-accessible restrooms. Veterans Memorial and Flat Iron parks offer tributes to the men and women who fought for our country and Kraemer Park offers educational opportunities for local school children on the history of our area via the Log Cabin Committee and its programs.

While Kraemer Park was dedicated just a few years ago, Veterans Memorial and Flat Iron parks have been part of the village for nearly a half century and full century, respectively. The permanent facilities are in need of repairs. After a recent audit by the insurance carrier, the village employees will be removing several pieces of play equipment that no longer provide a safe or secure setting for the youth; several additions will be required to bring other play items up to code and within liability standards.

Capital improvements to the current shelter houses could include enclosing the structures to provide a more secure and enjoyable gathering area for residents. ADA-accessible restrooms to replace the existing facilities at the north end of Veterans Park would also be in the capital improvement plan.

In the past several years, losses in revenue from cuts to local government funding from the state and revenue requirements of other competitive programs have resulted in the loss of funding for several programs, as well as operation and maintenance schedules. Several of the stone monuments in Veterans Park, as well as the memorial in Flat Iron Park dedicated to our local veterans in 1919 need work before they become unrepairable.

The village has made advances in the ball facilities provided for our youth as well as visitors to our parks from other communities in the past decade. We now have both regional Little League baseball and girls softball tournaments being played in our parks. This is a credit to both the village and the leaders involved with the ball leagues.

The level of funding requested would cost the owner of a $100,000 home approximately $105 per year, and the monies could only be used for the parks system by law. Therefore, the village is asking for its citizens to invest in their own facilities and quality of life by providing funding to operate and maintain their facilities and capital improvements.
Bill Eberle
Mayor, Village of Oak Harbor