Now
Fair
64°
High
87°
Low
63°
Full Forecast

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > Opinion > Letters
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Letters, 7/25: NRD's flood focus wrong

Comments 40 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

Friday, Jul 25, 2008 - 12:23:46 am CDT

The Local View column written by Danny E. Walker, entitled “Where will the water go?,” on the opinion page (LJS, July 7) compels me to add other comments.

There are not enough people speaking out about the present course and policy of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.

I have been around long enough to have watched the beginning of the NRD and participated in the development of the Corps of Engineers dams that were built to control the flooding in the Salt Creek drainage system. I watched the widening and deepening of the Salt Creek channel through Lincoln and east to its junction with the Platte River long before any of the upstream efforts were made to control flooding.

I believe the NRD has broadened its mission to include areas not intended by the Legislature. This has led to the establishment of programs most people do not know about. It appears the NRD’s mission is driven by the politics of Lincoln with too much emphasis upon money spent on the outlet end of the flood plains, rather than at the source of the flooding.

There should be more construction of small dams on every branch of the Salt Creek system. There could be dry dams designed to release their water storage slowly after each fill so as to be empty to store following rains.

Take a casual look at our NRD elections; there are few new candidates. We have poor representation in the southern and southwestern area of our NRD.

Cecil R. Morris, Roca

Simple made complex

Community Columnist Roger Conrad (LJS, July 19) spent a lot of time dancing around his point. All he had to say was, “If you like the way things are going, vote for McCain; if you don’t, vote for Obama.” Except when you put it that way, I’m not sure that was the direction he was headed.

It brings back the old saying, “You can put a dress and lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”

Bob Hurlbut, Lincoln

Indian Cave needs upkeep

I was saddened Sunday when I visited Indian Cave State Park, the park that my husband and I spent so much time in for close to 30 years. He died nine years ago, and I gave up camping. It was our favorite park.

The roads are in dire need of repair, and general upkeep is not what it used to be. Do we need to spend so much of the parks budget on Mahoney and Platte River? Indian Cave is a beautiful nature park.

We are not all swimming, tennis and paddle boaters. We just want a nice place to go and spend quality time together with friends and family in a serene atmosphere.

Indian Cave is that place.

Pat Behrends, Nebraska City

Freedom of religion

Last Friday night, Lincoln Neighborhood Pharmacy sponsored a free outdoor concert by VOTA (formerly Casting Pearls), a local Christian contemporary rock band.

In a day and age when saying anything “religious” out loud is frowned upon because it may offend someone, it sure was great to be surrounded by hundreds of Christian people … on O Street … out in the open … with Christian music cranked up loud.  The children were dancing, everybody was smiling, and yes … the words “God” and “Jesus” were freely spoken.

We should have these experiences more often!

Sondra Lothrop, Lincoln


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Letters > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Bill wrote on July 25, 2008 7:48 am:
" Cecil- Through reading your letter I am baffled at what your point is exactly. I too live in southern Lancaster County(have 2800 acres of farmland between firth and Roca). However, I greatly disagree with your point on more dams being necessary as the answer. The true problem is not with how many dams there are but the policy of the Lincoln/Lancaster planning departments and how they zone various future building sites that are in flood plains. It is not the responisbility of farmers like myself to continue to give up prime farmland in Southern lancaster county that is often valued today over $5,000 an acre as AG-1 zoned to protect those downstream that continue to make bad construction decisions. I already have three dams on my land and wish they were never there because they take up over 90 acres of ground that could be on the tax rolls and used for agricultural production. If Lincoln and many small towns in the area would start growing more inward rather than all of these acreages and suburban sprawl outward there would be no flooding issues. The only way I see you being upset at the flooding is you may have a home that was affected. And the only way you could have been affected is by having poor judgement by building a home to close to various floodplains such as the salt creek floodplain that runs just to the west of Roca. My advice, build on higher ground and stop thinking that people upstream should solve your problems. "

 Yup wrote on July 25, 2008 7:51 am:
" Thanks Bob, you said it exactly right. "

 Its about the benjamins wrote on July 25, 2008 7:56 am:
" Pat- I agree with you in that Indian Cave is looking worse as the years go bye. However, the budjet for the parks department is often based on the number of people who attend the various areas. Until you can convince more Lincoln/Omaha residents that a few hiking trails along the Missouri River (aka "Indian Cave State Park") is worth the hour drive then you'll just have to live with this park getting a smaller piece of the pie as the years go on. I project the parks camping facilities to be non-existant in the next 10 years as there is not the population base nor tourist interest to support a park of this size. The truth hurts sometimes. "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 25, 2008 8:08 am:
" I'm glad Ms. Lothrop embraces freedom of religion, and the community spirit a shared faith brings. The cynic in me wonders if we would be as supportive of an outdoor concert featuring Muslim, Hindu, or other religious music.

My guess is it's okay as long as it's Christian. "

 ET wrote on July 25, 2008 8:50 am:
" Christians are hypocrites. As long as you can scream about God and Jesus anytime you want, to anyone you want, you're okay. As soon as someone says to Cool it, or another religion wants in, you're oppressed. Oh please. You get to be surrounded by hundreds of Christians every weekend when you go to Church too, and all of your children can laugh and sing, and dance around, kittens are saved, old ladies are helped across the street, and world hunger ends.
Face it - What you really want is the okay to ram it down anyone's throat, any time of day or night, or location. You already have complete freedom; you can't stand the fact that OTHERs have complete freedom, too. "

 Ray wrote on July 25, 2008 8:51 am:
" Bob,
Obviously Conrad's column was too complex for you. What I read talked about finding the positive in a world dominated by the negative media. Alternative fuels are well and good, but no one has yet made a marketable and reliable car that runs on wind or solar power. Our nation continues to burn coal to produce electricity. Conrad pointed out a different idea used by the French. Obviously you ARE one of those people that is incapable of doing things for yourself and you NEED the government to do everything for you. By the way the current Democrat controlled congress (with an approval rating that is lower than the President's) is more responsible for the current state of dissatisfaction among voters than the administration. Why do you think their approval rating is so low? Have you heard about the dropping price of gas in the news? I wonder why that is? "

 Sean wrote on July 25, 2008 8:51 am:
" So Outside the Box...You didn't attend the Ethnic Festival held in downtown Lincoln? Looks like you're still In the Box. "

 to Pat wrote on July 25, 2008 9:18 am:
" The Indian Cave area had a nasty ice storm last fall stripping many trees of their branches and leaving those laying around, part of nature's cycle. From what I understand the park is planning to use prescribed fire to clean a lot of that up rather than the thousands of staff hours that would otherwise be required to drag limbs off of those steep hillsides. In order to use fire though they have to let that dry down for a year or so, I'm confident that they are working towards getting that cleaned up in the most economical way possible within reasonable time. "

 Oh yeah Ray wrote on July 25, 2008 9:45 am:
" Things are just great. Ask the Middle East how things are. Ask the poor and middle class in America how things are. Spin it how you want it but you still have to face reality. Ask the Constitution of the United States how it feels after being trampled for 7 years! "

 What wrote on July 25, 2008 10:19 am:
" What will the Bush jr supporters (all 23% of them) do when the approval rating for congress surpasses his? Poor whiners. People are sick of the war and hoped congress could end it. That's why the low rating. Just like during Vietnam. Bush is the leader so their dismal rating can be attributed directly to him. Worst of all times. "

 rob wrote on July 25, 2008 10:21 am:
" Cecil--the NRD's have made a mess of things in Southwest NE. Due to the
irrigators not taken responsibility for the use of water. It didn't help
any getting Senator for District 44, that has totally made a mess of everything with his so called LB107 bill. CO, put it down on the irrigators & that is where they still leave it. NE wants the property owners to pay for the irrigators mistakes. The worst spot is a few directors in Dundy County that are self-serving, greedy where District 44 Senator comes. Middle District & lower are following behind, but still self-serving. Nor has the Govenor helped by putting his head in the
sand and thinking it will go away. He has not shown any leadership in SW
NE.
from. "

 L wrote on July 25, 2008 10:29 am:
" Sean, the Ethnic Festival did not strike me as being particularly religious. It was mostly about food and trinkets. "

 JB wrote on July 25, 2008 10:37 am:
" I'm glad you could have your concert without problems, Sondra. But these same Christians (probably you included), who preach about God and Jesus and tolerance and understanding and freedom, are the ones standing outside a Marilyn Manson concert with picket signs.

Were there any so called "devil worshippers" outside your concert picketing your music choice? No. Because they have better things to do. "

 Zoomie wrote on July 25, 2008 10:44 am:
" Ray, you need to read past the overall numbers to the details of the polls. When asked who they blame for America's current problems, Dems or GOPers, more than half blame the GOP. When asked how they like/dislike Congress BY PARTY, Dems get almost a 10% HIGHER rating than does Bush, while GOP Congresscritters get an even lower rating than does Bush (who, in case you've missed it, now holds the record for the lowest approval rating in more than 70yrs of Presidential polling, lower even than Nixon or Carter!). Meanwhile, even GOPers predict Dems will pick up 15-30 House seats in November, and at least 5-6 Senate seats (heck, the GOP Senate leader is now pretending if they lose less than 9 seats, it will be a GOP "victory"!!!). ROFL!!! "

 It seems to be true wrote on July 25, 2008 11:06 am:
" that if someone talks about Christianity in a positive light, then the negative comments abound. It was one parking lot and one business either sponsoring the concert or allowing the use of its parking lot. If another religious group chooses to do a similar situation, then that is the religious group's right. Who is stopping them? Only their own limitations.

I live in a neighborhood where for many years a non-Christian group has periodically held large, outdoor gatherings. I can easily hear their music from my house each time they have gathered. It is possible for people to co-exist without pointing fingers at each other. "

 Ray wrote on July 25, 2008 11:12 am:
" The moderates and liberals in the Republican party need to die a slow political death. I want Obama, the messiah of the church of liberalism, the savior of American socialism to be president. I want the likes of Clinton, Pelosi, Reid, Kennedy and the rest to take complete control of the country. Only then after the second coming of the Carter administration can the conservative movement be revitalized. I'm truly hoping that you get your wish and that America sees once and for all the true face of your party and the liberal movement. I just hope you rule for at least 8 years so the blame can be firmly affixed where it truly belongs. Best of luck, haters of freedom. "

 Mark wrote on July 25, 2008 11:23 am:
" I'm not sure where you get your poll numbers, but what is it the democratically controlled congress has done for us these past few years they have been in charge? Nothing! That's right, nothing! How much sense does it make to blame something from more that a few years ago, when the past few years have been worse? There are thousands of polls out there. Many show GB numbers coming up. It just depends on who's poll it is, and what agenda they are pushing.
Oil didn't go through the roof when Republicans were in charge of congress, and we didn't have a housing crisis during a Republican controlled congress. This has all happened in the past 2 years, under democratic control of congress. The current congress (democratic controlled) has the worse approval rating of all time compared to other congress's. The worst. GB's numbers may be down there, but so are the dem's. "

 MarkyMark wrote on July 25, 2008 11:36 am:
" I'm all for freedom of religion, but more importantly for me, freedom from Religion. Mythology is still mythology. "

 Lindsay wrote on July 25, 2008 12:28 pm:
" Sondra makes it sound as if Christians are a horribly persecuted minority...that is the problem. I don't mind groups doing their own thing and having concerts, etc but the incessant whining about their supposed persecution is what gets to me. Christians are by far and large the majority in this country and I have never once encountered a non-Christian knocking on my door telling me my soul needs to be saved. Just because they can't have everything their way...or separation of church and state...doesn't make them a persecuted group. "

 T wrote on July 25, 2008 12:46 pm:
" I think you shouldn't be so harsh on Christians, probably based on something in your past. Most are really good people who enjoy helping others. Saying all are hypocrites isn't even close to being accurate.

I'd suggest you look around and you'll find a group that would satisfy what you're lacking. "

 Really wrote on July 25, 2008 12:48 pm:
" So Indian Cave's camping facilities will be non-existent? Have you ever been to Indian Cave? If you don't have reservations on a fall weekend then you better show up on Weds night if you want a camping spot. The place is packed! There are people camping along the roadsides. And yes, some of these people are from Omaha and Lincoln and some from even farther away. We don't camp in the summer (too hot) but I am told the campsites are mostly full. Many people also trailer their horses to Indian Cave - there is a specific campground for them - to ride the horse trails. Oh, and it's not not a few hiking trails, it's miles and miles of amazingly beautiful trails which is why my family drives not 1 but 2 hours every fall to camp in the park. "

 Grundle wrote on July 25, 2008 1:05 pm:
" MarkyMark says, " I'm all for freedom of religion, but more importantly for me, freedom from Religion. Mythology is still mythology. "

I don't know how you can say that, since freedom of religion is part of the 1st Amendment...an amendment that I thought all of your ilk held dear...especially the part about freedom of speech. But then again, you'd probably support the 'Fairness Doctrine' as well. The Constitution only gives YOU those rights...correct? "

 Nope wrote on July 25, 2008 1:12 pm:
" Mark, Congress has as much control over the price of oil as you have over the price you pay at the pump. Congress cannot legislate price.

As for a do nothing congress, you forget that the republicans are the ones blocking congress. The republicans filibustered over 70 bills in the senate last year(2007) alone. The most the democrats ever did was 55 and that was in a 2 year span. If you want to blame someone for a do-nothing congress, put the blame where it belongs, on the republicans. "

 Enron wrote on July 25, 2008 1:16 pm:
" Enron occurred under a GOP controlled senate, house, and white house. So did WorldCom and Tyco. Banks failed under Reagan and Bush sr. What's your point? Always point the finger of blame but never give credit where credit it due. What about all the other economic downturns during the first six years of total GOP rule. Own up man. "

 Josh wrote on July 25, 2008 1:17 pm:
" Sondra, would you hope to let other reilgious groups have their big concerts, dancing in the streets praising Allah or Buddha as well ? Because what you are saying is great, but please don't limit it to Christians and celebrations of the Christian God, because the others deserve their celebration, too. "

 Mike the Realist wrote on July 25, 2008 1:23 pm:
" Note to "What" -- Congress' approval rating is so low that they make Bush look like a genius. Are you even able to COMPREHEND how difficult that is to do?

Let's do the world a favor this November -- vote for any party EXCEPT the Dems and Reps. Obviously their true agenda is not in our nation's best interests...it's all about greed and power. It's time to turn the power back to the people of this nation and get the scumbag Dems and Reps out of EVERY public office in the land. "

 Mary wrote on July 25, 2008 1:24 pm:
" man - I'm sorry I missed that concert. I love some of the "Casting Pearls" music I've heard. Other than that, I can tell you that there is currently a trend toward bashing Christianity. There are a plethora of books (basically saying Christ is a myth), movies on the internet, etc. They protray a lot of "facts" that actually have a grain of truth and a whole lot of imagination. Just google and you'll find thousands of hits. And they appear to be scholarly work but they are extremely sloppy in that regard. Christians still do "have the numbers", but there is a strong movement to tear at Christianity whenever the occasion arises, and they might not come to your door, but they'll jump on you in the classroom, on the street, etc. I think a lot of this does come with adverse experiences in their past. And the favorite tactic is to take some "Christian" who is clearly on the fringe (e.g. that crazy pastor from Kansas who protests at funerals) and then use that to paint all Chrisitians with the same brush. God knows that there is a lot of bad stuff that has been done in the name of religion, and continues to be, but a thinking person should be able to separate that from what the religion itself teaches. "

 Put the Rush down wrote on July 25, 2008 2:14 pm:
" Lets see under the evil Clinton. We had a surplus. Bush blew thru that in nothing flat. Under Clinton the economy was robust and booming. Well, do i need to point out what has happened under Bush II? We have a record deficit, we have a nice recession, high oil (what were you paying per gallon under Clinton?) banks failing, mortgage bailouts and the list goes on.

We don't hate freedom, which is why we hate Bush. Under Bush II our freedoms have been erroded, our right curtailed all in the name of finding the boogey man of terrorism who is probrably hidding under your bed right now! Before you can spout out the tired line of "there haven't been any terrorist attacks since 9/11". Let me remind you Clinton (the devil remember?) had people in place following the terrorists, they knew something was planned, they sent urgent memo after urgent memo to Bush II saying something big was going to happen. Bush II was too busy taking vacations his first year in office to do anything. He completly ignored the memos, and the warning, he brushed off the meetings with the advisors. And also, how many under cover agents did the Clinton administration out? I come up with 0. "

 Yep wrote on July 25, 2008 2:15 pm:
" Who is it exactly that is blocking oil drilling and other exploration for energy? That's right, its the democrats! Lets keep to the truth here, and not fiction. The current congress is no doubt a do nothing congress, fillabusters or not.
Our economy has grown again this year. Just as it has over the past number of years. To listen to anyone in the media, some on the left and a few bloggers here, things could never be worse, but if fact, they are not all that bad at all. "

 Re Enron wrote on July 25, 2008 2:26 pm:
" What economic down turns during the republican's first 6 years this century? The economy has continued to grow (check out the DJI), despite that fact we are in a war time economy. It has even grown this year! Companies go belly up all the time, no matter what administration is in office. To compare companies going broke due to crooked ceo's etc is not the same as the oil and housing problems we currently face. The is no relation between the two. "

 NotReal wrote on July 25, 2008 2:36 pm:
" If you think Bush can look like a genius, well, you're sadly mistaken. Having read Jessie Ventura's book, you're right, neither party is about helping this country. But just try supporting a 3rd party and you're automatically a kook - even though either party has missed the mark so many times before. I'm for Ron Paul. "

 Ray wrote on July 25, 2008 2:59 pm:
" " Enron occurred under a GOP controlled senate, house, and white house. So did WorldCom and Tyco."
I know history is subject to the liberal view of the world but in fact the corruption that led to the downfall of these corporations took place under the Clinton administration and was prosecuted under the Bush administration. Nice try though. "

 NoRelation wrote on July 25, 2008 3:23 pm:
" There is no relation to the housing market woes brought on by poor lending practices and ill-conceived brokered products -and- a congress having the smallest majority possible of democrats elected afterwards. What a stretch. For six years prior that, while it was in full swing, who was in charge of regulating the mess? "

 MoreWhat wrote on July 25, 2008 3:26 pm:
" What economic down turns during the republican's first 6 years this century? The ones Bush blamed began during the final year of Clinton. You remember, he said, he wasn't going to take the 'credit'. The ones that caused the majority to change during the last election. "

 Scott wrote on July 25, 2008 3:36 pm:
" Yes Sondra....because walking down the street, you're definitely not surrounded by thousands of Christians. I mean, it's obviously not the most common religion in the US let alone in conservative nebraska. If your not trying to state the obvious, I would try going somewhere with a little more diversity. "

 TWP wrote on July 25, 2008 5:12 pm:
" Sondra, I'm glad you had a good time. I guess you shouldn't have chosen a public forum to share your happiness. Although I did not perceive it to be a hateful assault against non-believers, many on this message board act as though that was your intent. Happy Christians are the bane of their world. I am truly sorry for the people that are so annoyed by a Christian knocking on their door. You can slam the door shut on a magazine salesperson and what have you lost? Nothing more than a subscription to a magazine. When you slam a door in the face of someone that asks if you have been "saved" what have you lost? Eternity, perhaps? With no magazines in the waiting room. "

 Nina wrote on July 25, 2008 5:22 pm:
" Here's a Christian who would attend a Muslim or Buddhist, etc. concert. I've already been to a Native American concert/dance, a gypsy gathering, and have felt the beauty of a Jewish cantor singing. I am inspired by such magnificent Christian music as Handel's 'Messiah,' and I feel the nostalgia of the old time family reunions we once had, and want to shout 'Hallelujah' every time I hear southern gospel. I don't especially care for Christian rock, because often the lyrics are not clear, and I want to know what they're singing about. My point is, I'm curious about other religions and cultures, and feel good to find factions in their music that I can recognize as holy in some ways, by experiencing it firsthand. Everyone doesn't have to be 'just like me' to be acceptable, we all need to remember. "

 Laurie wrote on July 25, 2008 5:32 pm:
" Actually, a Freedom From Religion concert sounds like a great idea. Such an event in a public place would be a true test 'in a day and age when saying anything religious out loud is frowned upon because it may offend someone', wouldn't it? Are permits required? (I recall some years ago that permits were denied to a Wiccan group who wanted to have a public gathering of some sort.) I have noticed in the comments that not one person had a problem with the Christian concert per se, rather it was the claims of Christian persecution that people took issue with. Christians are far from persecuted, and it's both disingenuous and pathetic to pretend that they are. Imagine a non-Christian running for president. However, the best defense is a good offense, isn't it? I think it is this unprovoked accusation that rubs folks the wrong way. "

 george wrote on July 26, 2008 3:49 pm:
" Very good article by Cecil Morris. The fact of the matter is simply that the Lower Platte South NRD. Over the past 8 to 10 years the NRD has only voted against ONE plan during public hearings to build in the floodplains of Salt Creek. In essence, the NRD generally rubber stamps plans to build in the floodplains of Lincoln. Then to make matters worse they spend money to improve flooding problems and generally make matters worse such as Beal Slough , Linn Creek and Caldwell Branch. As for Bills comments I say that my home is over 100 years old and was not initially in floodplains. Maybe Bill should be more concerned about loss of life from flooding rather than his precious 90 acres of land. Lets keep one thing in mind, over 80% of the NRD funding comes from residents of the City of Lincoln. They seem more interested in bike trails than floodplains. which incidentally,is not the actual intent of NRDs "

 Tod wrote on July 26, 2008 7:55 pm:
" It's always amusing to see socialists complain about the Constitution getting trampled for the last 7 years. I guess the previous 70 years never happened. Or else it just depends on whose ox is being gored. Hypocrits. "

Ads by Yahoo!