A loving 85-year-old family man died of injuries from an accident at 84th Street and Leighton Avenue last week.

I hope a light will be installed there before there are more accidents.

There are homes back there behind the fast-food restaurants on 84th Street. It can be a racetrack.

I came out of a restaurant on 84th and Leighton and was lucky to be able to make a right turn to go home.

A light on 84th and Leighton should be on a priority list.

Virginia M. Woodrum, Lincoln

Turn off engine, save fuel

Everyone in our city, as well as the state and country, is affected by high fuel prices in two ways. The obvious first way is when we painfully swipe the credit card at the pump. Less obvious, but equally critical, is the impact fuel prices have on our city budget, which is also paid for by all of us.

City officials express concern at the impact of fuel prices on city dollars. Yet those who drive city vehicles, be it emergency vehicles, StarTran or others, don’t do an obvious, simple task to reduce fuel use — turn off the engine!

I can count the number of times I have seen these vehicles parked and actually not running on zero fingers. UPS recently implemented sophisticated route mapping to minimize left turns by their drivers to save fuel. Every time I see a UPS truck or any other nongovernment vehicle stopped, even for a minute or so, the driver turns off the engine.

And yet I see police cars, firetrucks, ambulances, regular city vehicles and others idling and wasting fuel for 15 minutes or longer.

I’m willing to bet that adds up to hundreds of thousands of gallons of wasted fuel every year.  With diesel at nearly $5 a gallon, it is no wonder Lincoln residents continue conveying to Mayor Chris Beutler their belief that the city budget has considerable fat left in it. I share that sentiment.

Turn off those engines and save money for all of us!

Andy Ringsmuth, Lincoln

Funds for political cause

I was disturbed to read that the University of Nebraska Foundation is contributing $25,000 in an effort to defeat the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative.

The alumni and donors who contributed these dollars to the university foundation doubtless thought their donations would be used to help academics, libraries, education or scholarship; they had no idea the money would instead be used to bankroll a political cause they may well disagree with.

How ironic, indeed, if their contributions have the effect of keeping their own children or grandchildren out of certain programs at UNL!

Gerard S. Harbison, Hallam

A fan of Ground Zero

I am a huge fan of Ground Zero. You guys do a great job of covering the goings-on around town, and I find myself regularly consulting it before making any plans.

The dining section of Ground Zero is probably the section I use the most. I love trying new places, and you guys are usually right on when it comes to your reviews of the various establishments.

I always like to check out the live music section, also. It’s always fun to go out and enjoy some live music after dinner, and because of Ground Zero I always know where to go, and more importantly where not to. Keep up the good work! You’re doing a great job!

Debbie Ocken, Seward