Letters, 7/5: Kids over dogs

How many times do we read of yet another child being mauled by a pit bull? How many kids are we going to sacrifice to spurious arguments, that it isn’t the dog that is the problem, it’s the owner.

The argument is moot. I have had a dog since … forever. When our 20-year-old was 10 months old, my husky-terrier-type mix would stick her muzzle under his back and roll him over and jump all over him and play till he laughed himself silly. That was a dog.

Dogs can be naughty. Fine, they will lick the kid’s Popsicle, which really bothers nondog people. They may even steal a cookie from a 2-year-old who was only offering the dog a bite of it.

But they do not hurt a child, unprovoked, and in such malicious fashion. If a real dog bit anyone, it wouldn’t be life-threatening. Why do we continue to allow these monsters who bastardize the name “dog”?

The owner’s rights end at the start of public safety.

I hope and pray for the best for the mother and baby who were so hurt and traumatized recently in Omaha. My heart is heavy for them and the friend and child who were with them.

Patti Wenzl, Lincoln

Flood remapping important

Thank you, Nicole Fleck-Tooze of Lincoln Public Works and Glenn Johnson of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and your staff for your commitment to the arduous task of remapping the flood plains in Lancaster County. The importance of your work has been verified by the heavy rains and flooding in many regions and communities in the Midwest this spring.

When I was on the City Council, I was skeptical of the new flood-plain mapping. I was concerned that it may have been overkill since the days I waded through floodwaters with my dad and brother from our home on South Eighth Street past Gooch’s Mill to Sherman Park in 1949 and 1951. After all, we had built all the flood-control lakes around our region and created protective dikes along Salt Creek. But, things change.

What NRD data show, and you can see during heavy rains, is that we have created so many rooftops and hard tops of streets and parking that runoff during major storms is instant and torrential.

I think there has been an appropriate balance of property interests and flood protection for those who want to develop and those who expect to be protected from flood disasters.

I concur with the Lincoln Journal Star editorial on the subject and want to add my personal encouragement for a community process that balances the interests of our community as a whole.

Glenn A. Friendt, Lincoln

Honoring Lucy Nevels

We’re going to miss Lucy Nevels. One great lady, she was a true leader in the community. With her, there were no boundaries.

Nevels was a dedicated Girl Scout leader at the Lincoln Urban League (Malone Community Center). Just think of all the young women she helped over many years.

I, along with many women, will always admire and respect what she stood for. I hope her legacy will inspire others to continue what she lived for; her inspiration will never be forgotten.

Joan McWilliams, Lincoln

Voter registration important

I have been collecting signatures for the referendum petition concerning the State Fair issue.

You would be surprised how many people are not registered to vote. I can’t understand why someone wouldn’t want to have a say about issues concerning their own future and community. They think they are only one person, so what difference could they make?

It’s not about losing entertainment in Lincoln. The fair had offered lots of people good-paying jobs to supplement their income, especially now, when every penny counts.

The State Fair also brings in tax revenue. Who do you think will have to pick up the slack? We do! Our taxes will have to go up because of the loss, and Grand Island’s because of their gain.

This issue will affect all of us, so I hope every person registers and makes his or her opinion heard in November. Each single vote counts!

Elke Roby, Lincoln