Letters, 10/31: Keep the fair where it is
I an a Nebraska resident (born and raised) and am writing to express my distress at the idea of the Nebraska State Fair being moved from its historical and traditional location. In fact, I am very upset that a group of Lincoln business people can make that kind of decision regarding a state institution and state property.
The state fairgrounds should stay at the current location for the following reasons:
There is something to be said about maintaining the traditions and history of Nebraska. There are so many wonderful old, beautiful brick buildings on the fairgrounds, and it would be a horrible shame to tear those down. In fact, they should be historical landmarks.
The location is perfect for tying the fair to the start of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s school year, Husker football season, the Haymarket and all the downtown activities. The area of the county fair has nothing.
It is state property and should only be used for state purposes.
I truly believe if the state fair is moved from its current location, it will lead to its ultimate demise.
At the very least, the decision should go to a vote of Nebraska’s citizens … not a group of Lincoln business men and women who are out to obtain cheap land and a profit at the expense of Nebraska residents, our traditions, and history.
Gayla Baker, Omaha
U.S. basketball in Iran
If there ever was proof our administration intentionally foments conflict overseas, this has to be the kicker: The U.S. government is now seeking to fine American basketball players who have played Iranian basketball teams!
According to a BBC report, 20 American players were contracted by Iranian teams last year. Reports Frances Harrison of the BBC: “Basketball is a popular sport in Iran, and many saw the Americans’ involvement as a rare example of sport overcoming political tensions.”
But the Bush administration apparently will not tolerate any reduction in tensions. U.S. Treasury official Molly Millerwise is quoted as saying that the players could be fined up to $50,000 for violating the letter of the law that prohibits transactions with anyone in Iran. The report states that the law has never been applied to individual athletes before.
Where does this leave the administration’s claim that we are not in conflict with the Iranian people, only their government? What about the recent public announcements that we are actively working to win the support of the Iranian people?
Apparently continuing to buy petroleum from the government-controlled Iranian Oil Co. is fine, but letting U.S. basketball players win fans in Iran does not serve our national interests. It’s us versus them, baby!
Fortunately, we can help stop this madness and restore at least some semblance of an enlightened foreign policy by booting out the Bush administration’s congressional enablers this November. Peace.
Hendrik Van den Berg, Lincoln
Vote down Initiative 421
Please vote against Initiative 421. Initiative 421 will allow unlimited video keno machines, which are extremely similar to slot machines. Since there are 613 keno licensed locations in our state at this time, 421 would be the most expansive gambling legislation ever seen in Nebraska history.
Former South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow said that expanded gambling was the worst mistake South Dakota ever made. This year the Iowa Legislature rescinded approval of its Touch Play slot-machine-like devices after thousands of these machines had been installed in grocery stores, bars and convenience stores.
Let’s keep our quality of life strong in Nebraska and learn from the mistakes of our neighbors by rejecting Initiative 421.
John F. Dittman, Lincoln
Avery works for teachers
On Nov. 7 I will be supporting Bill Avery for the Legislature in District 28.
Bill Avery has been a professor at the University of Nebraska for more than 30 years. He will make education a priority in the state Legislature. Teacher pay is important to Bill. He understands the importance of keeping good teachers in the classroom and recruiting new ones.
Bill Avery knows that smaller class sizes and maintaining teacher authority are essential to creating a strong learning environment. He will fight to support teachers in the classroom. Bill will work to end public school reliance on property taxes and put more dollars into state funding for schools.
I trust Bill Avery to work for all Nebraska teachers and students. Ensuring educational excellence is both maintained and improved provides a good quality of life for all Nebraskans.
Phil Schoo, Lincoln
Initiative 423 a bad idea
AARP Nebraska opposes Initiative 423, a dangerous and extreme measure that would lock an unrealistic state spending formula in the Nebraska constitution.
A state spending lid may sound good, but in fact 423 would mean higher property taxes as state aid to local government sharply declines. 423 would force a shift from state sales and income tax to a greater reliance on local property taxes, the most burdensome tax for Nebraskans on fixed incomes.
State lawmakers recently approved an expansion of the homestead exemption for homeowners age 65 and older and persons with disabilities. 423 would jeopardize this state-funded property tax relief for thousands of Nebraskans. It would also threaten many other public services that help our seniors, including bedrock services like emergency response, law enforcement and fire fighting.
State aid to local government funds community aging services. Home-delivered meals, care management and transportation services all help older Nebraskans live independently. 423 would force local officials to reduce these services or fund them by raising local property taxes. Aging services cuts would make it harder for older adults to live independently — ultimately costing taxpayers more by forcing people to move into nursing homes prematurely.
Initiative 423 is a bad idea that doesn’t belong in our state constitution and deserves to be defeated by the voters on Nov. 7.
Sunny Andrews, Omaha
President, AARP Nebraska
The state fairgrounds should stay at the current location for the following reasons:
There is something to be said about maintaining the traditions and history of Nebraska. There are so many wonderful old, beautiful brick buildings on the fairgrounds, and it would be a horrible shame to tear those down. In fact, they should be historical landmarks.
The location is perfect for tying the fair to the start of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s school year, Husker football season, the Haymarket and all the downtown activities. The area of the county fair has nothing.
It is state property and should only be used for state purposes.
I truly believe if the state fair is moved from its current location, it will lead to its ultimate demise.
At the very least, the decision should go to a vote of Nebraska’s citizens … not a group of Lincoln business men and women who are out to obtain cheap land and a profit at the expense of Nebraska residents, our traditions, and history.
Gayla Baker, Omaha
U.S. basketball in Iran
If there ever was proof our administration intentionally foments conflict overseas, this has to be the kicker: The U.S. government is now seeking to fine American basketball players who have played Iranian basketball teams!
According to a BBC report, 20 American players were contracted by Iranian teams last year. Reports Frances Harrison of the BBC: “Basketball is a popular sport in Iran, and many saw the Americans’ involvement as a rare example of sport overcoming political tensions.”
But the Bush administration apparently will not tolerate any reduction in tensions. U.S. Treasury official Molly Millerwise is quoted as saying that the players could be fined up to $50,000 for violating the letter of the law that prohibits transactions with anyone in Iran. The report states that the law has never been applied to individual athletes before.
Where does this leave the administration’s claim that we are not in conflict with the Iranian people, only their government? What about the recent public announcements that we are actively working to win the support of the Iranian people?
Apparently continuing to buy petroleum from the government-controlled Iranian Oil Co. is fine, but letting U.S. basketball players win fans in Iran does not serve our national interests. It’s us versus them, baby!
Fortunately, we can help stop this madness and restore at least some semblance of an enlightened foreign policy by booting out the Bush administration’s congressional enablers this November. Peace.
Hendrik Van den Berg, Lincoln
Vote down Initiative 421
Please vote against Initiative 421. Initiative 421 will allow unlimited video keno machines, which are extremely similar to slot machines. Since there are 613 keno licensed locations in our state at this time, 421 would be the most expansive gambling legislation ever seen in Nebraska history.
Former South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow said that expanded gambling was the worst mistake South Dakota ever made. This year the Iowa Legislature rescinded approval of its Touch Play slot-machine-like devices after thousands of these machines had been installed in grocery stores, bars and convenience stores.
Let’s keep our quality of life strong in Nebraska and learn from the mistakes of our neighbors by rejecting Initiative 421.
John F. Dittman, Lincoln
Avery works for teachers
On Nov. 7 I will be supporting Bill Avery for the Legislature in District 28.
Bill Avery has been a professor at the University of Nebraska for more than 30 years. He will make education a priority in the state Legislature. Teacher pay is important to Bill. He understands the importance of keeping good teachers in the classroom and recruiting new ones.
Bill Avery knows that smaller class sizes and maintaining teacher authority are essential to creating a strong learning environment. He will fight to support teachers in the classroom. Bill will work to end public school reliance on property taxes and put more dollars into state funding for schools.
I trust Bill Avery to work for all Nebraska teachers and students. Ensuring educational excellence is both maintained and improved provides a good quality of life for all Nebraskans.
Phil Schoo, Lincoln
Initiative 423 a bad idea
AARP Nebraska opposes Initiative 423, a dangerous and extreme measure that would lock an unrealistic state spending formula in the Nebraska constitution.
A state spending lid may sound good, but in fact 423 would mean higher property taxes as state aid to local government sharply declines. 423 would force a shift from state sales and income tax to a greater reliance on local property taxes, the most burdensome tax for Nebraskans on fixed incomes.
State lawmakers recently approved an expansion of the homestead exemption for homeowners age 65 and older and persons with disabilities. 423 would jeopardize this state-funded property tax relief for thousands of Nebraskans. It would also threaten many other public services that help our seniors, including bedrock services like emergency response, law enforcement and fire fighting.
State aid to local government funds community aging services. Home-delivered meals, care management and transportation services all help older Nebraskans live independently. 423 would force local officials to reduce these services or fund them by raising local property taxes. Aging services cuts would make it harder for older adults to live independently — ultimately costing taxpayers more by forcing people to move into nursing homes prematurely.
Initiative 423 is a bad idea that doesn’t belong in our state constitution and deserves to be defeated by the voters on Nov. 7.
Sunny Andrews, Omaha
President, AARP Nebraska
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