To the editor: As a resident of Oregon for more than 22 years, I have at one time or another been to all of the surrounding cities and villages. I have noticed the ongoing debate regarding the city of Northwood. Is the police force too aggressive when enforcing the speed limits? Are the techniques the city uses in order to maintain safety on their streets questionable?

First, the claim that the Northwood Police Department is too aggressive while patrolling their streets cannot be justified by someone who is upset he or she received a speeding ticket. Speed limit signs are set in place to maintain order on the street, resulting in a safe environment for vehicles to travel. That said, receiving a speeding ticket for traveling 5 mph over the posted speed limit seems a tad bit overkill.

However, officers in any traffic stop have the privilege and authority to use judgment when deciding how to deal with any particular situation. For example, you are pulled over for going 5 mph over the speed limit at 2 a.m. The officer most likely doesn’t want to issue a citation for speeding, but wants to make sure you’re not impaired or driving under the influence. In this instance, it seems to be a little bit unsettling, but when you are out at that time of night, it comes with the territory.

Why the methods of Northwood’s police officers are being questioned, I personally don’t understand or agree with. All cities have police officers to maintain safety in their given city. That is their job. I don’t see any difference from the methods Northwood uses other cities around us use.

The second issue is the techniques the city has used over the past few years and in some cases continues to use. These techniques include red light cameras, speeding cameras and the mobile van (no longer in use). These are what I have found extremely upsetting. I have never had to deal with a ticket from any of these cameras, however that is because I avoid the city of Northwood at all costs. Obliviously, because of its cancellation, the city deemed the mobile van as a “shady” way to embezzle money from its citizens and those traveling through the city.

This for me is a great start but it is not good enough for me. A previous Metro Press article reported Northwood is/was considering switching the revenue of its Redflex Cameras to go into the “general fund.”

If these cameras were for safety, as stated many times, then why would the city rely on the income generated from them to help the general fund? For me, the pretense that they are for safety seems like a great way for the city to justify such techniques, but I feel the safety created by their use is secondary and takes a back seat to the revenue brought in by them.

I believe all police officers take their oaths very seriously and have pure intentions when it comes to policing their cities. Some may be stricter than others, but to single out the City of Northwood doesn’t make sense and is a fallacy. When it gets to the point where Northwood is issuing tickets for going 3 mph over the limit then I will have a problem with it. Statistically, they do have a high volume of tickets and citations, but that’s why I do not speed.

Most important to me are the cameras. They are unconstitutional because they lack due process. Second, they take the judgment from the police officers and are clearly a “black and white” consequence. They cannot tell if you went through the red light because you couldn’t see it due to a large truck or someone slammed on their brakes. What upsets me is the false pretense of safety that is given when really the revenue brought to the city is the major benefit received. For now, I plan to avoid Northwood like I have for the past few years, but it is a shame that business has to suffer. If I were a small business owner, the city of Northwood would be the last location I would consider when opening a business and from the lack of businesses setting up shop to the growing number of businesses in Northwood leaving, clearly some sort of problem exists.
Brandon Barber
Oregon

Generosity overwhelming
 To the editor: Words cannot express the gratitude that our school district feels toward Owens Community College and the overwhelming generosity that they have shown us in the aftermath of the June 5 tornado that hit our high school.
 President McDougle, the boards of trustees, their administrative staff and employees have graciously provided us with facilities to hold commencement exercises, conduct high school classes and host athletic contests. Additionally, they have offered support in other ways, be it a phone call with an offer to go to lunch or an e-mail of encouragement just to let us know that they are thinking of us.
 We are most appreciative of their continued kindness.
Jim Witt
Superintendent, Lake Local Schools

Quite amusing
To the editor: I want to respond to the Toledo Blade article on Congressman Bob Latta titled, “Latta calls for more investigation.”

It was quite amusing to hear his remarks about this environmentally destructive and obscene oil rig explosion because of a lack of intelligence on the part of BP officials. The first remark is so like Latta to blame the Obama administration for a slow response. Isn’t he a bit late on his concerns? Let’s see…April 20 was the explosion and it’s now July 13, and now he’s concerned?

He was so concerned he took this trip on taxpayers’ money? When asked how much for the trip, he simply didn’t know. Again, quite amusing.

I have listened to Latta’s radio shows where you can call in with questions and concerns, but the minute they ask you what they are, if they’re not what Latta wants to discuss, they run out of time and take the next caller.

It sounds like the Republicans will do anything to stay in office and even use taxpayers’ money to do so. Same circus, same old clowns.
Joann Schiavone
Walbridge

Makes no sense
To the editor: The article dated July 5 about mosquito spraying had my husband and I completely disgusted.

Our city administrator says that our city doesn't have the money to spray for mosquitoes. She says that only the subdivisions benefit. Well, I say that makes no sense at all. The subdivisions are where the concentrations of people are. My husband contracted West Nile Fever in a subdivision.

For your information Ms. Bacon, what is truly expensive is organ failure, encephalopathy and paralysis. It took my husband three very long years to recover and I would truly love to spare anyone else that torment. I say to you Ms. Bacon, if our leadership is really looking out for the welfare of our community, you will find the money somewhere to spray for mosquitoes.

The next thing you know you'll be telling us that the salt trucks and plows won't be running this winter.
Therese Reckley
Northwood

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