Letters, 5/8: How should we pay for jail?

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I support the jail bond issue on the ballot in Tuesday’s election. The need for a new jail is well established. The County Board must build a new jail to comply with Nebraska jail standards.

The question before the voters is how they would prefer to finance the construction, not whether or not to build a jail. The ballot language was determined by the county’s legal advisers and consequently does not lay out what other alternatives may be available.

The question that voters must answer is whether they wish 10-year financing or 26-year financing of the

$65 million jail. The shorter term means higher property taxes for 10 years. The longer term means less property tax per year but more years.

Do current county residents wish to pay for the jail or should all residents who move into the county over the next 10-20 years also pay for a portion of the construction? After all, they are the ones who will benefit most from an operationally efficient facility.

I hope people vote “FOR such bonds and tax.”

Ray Stevens, Lincoln

Jeffers right for District 21

Picking a legislative candidate can be a little confusing with so many in the race. Fortunately, James Jeffers is running in District 21.

James is a wonderful family man whose sharp business mind helped fuel the success of Farmland Foods and James Arthur Vineyards. I am confident that James Jeffers will promote conservative family values, a strong growing economy and fiscal restraint.

Theresa Coleman, Lincoln

Career pols ruining nation

How many Americans are happy with the way this country has been operating? Darn few!

So now here we go again with electing a career politician, Mike Johanns! He left the governor’s office, thank God, to become secretary of agriculture, then left that post prematurely only to want to run for U.S. Senate representing Nebraska.

The career politicians are ruining this nation and making its people suffer. We need new and young ideas.

Tom G. Maul, Lincoln

Wright in the way of Obama

I’m wondering which elitist designer the Clintons will have to design their his and her pantsuits for the Inaugural Ball.

I’m afraid it looks like a done deal after the press-hungry Rev. Jeremiah Wright decided he needed to trash a brother who had been able to achieve more than he had.

Wouldn’t Rev. Wright make a great V.P. for Hillary? He has her flair for distortion of the facts. He might even be able to deliver her the black vote. She has tried to line up Obama for that job (as V.P.), but he’s too smart for her schemes.

Obama’s hopes to unite all Americans would have to be put on hold until he has the No. 1 job. He is so close, it would be such a shame if Rev. Wright’s ego got in the way.

Leona Hartman, Lincoln

Barrett stands for quality

I would like to share why I think Vern Barrett should be elected to our state Legislature in District 21.

Barrett believes in and will work for quality education for all our children and will champion affordable postsecondary education. He will also support rural as well as urban development, thus making it possible for more of our young people to stay in Nebraska! He will also work for health care for all our children and for cost-saving in-home services for our seniors.

Importantly, Barrett has the talents and qualities to make these proposals realities. He is dedicated and very hard working. He has extensive leadership experience and such a positive attitude that people are eager to cooperate with him.

Mary Jo Horning, Ashland

Parents raise kids, not celebs

Why do people think that just because they bought a $7 movie ticket, a $17 CD, $20 DVD or even a $300 concert ticket, they have the rights and ownership to decide how someone else should live their lives.

My wife has a marriage certificate, a legal document, and doesn’t impose on me the same level of restrictions on freedom and rights that the public does on celebrities.

If our bosses hired photographers and videographers who followed us around 24 hours a day, we’d have the American Civil Liberties Union on the phone, a day in court and a huge settlement in our hands.

It is well known that teens go through many challenges on the path to adulthood. It amazes me how the public builds a young man or young woman up and places them on a pedestal so high even a well-adjusted and seasoned adult would have trouble climbing down without breaking their neck.

Then when they fall, the public forgets they were just kids and reacts like Superman fell out of the sky and owes them an apology for not being the role model the parents think they should be.

Blame is so much easier than taking responsibility for our and our loved ones’ lives. I mean, after all, if my daughter turns out messed up, I am so happy I will have had nothing to do with it and can righteously put the blame on the current versions of River Phoenix, Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan.

I may be a 33-year-old father, but it can be plainly seen the fault would lie with a 15-year-old child who posed for a work of art.

Jonathan L. Potter, Firth