Thank you for your recent editorial regarding the feasibility of broadband delivery via the electric company. You also point out that denying this valuable resource would be harmful to local economic health. 

However, the task force has indicated they intend to "protect" the consumers from this opportunity.

A recent news article quoted a Public Service commissioner, who interestingly is also a member of the task force, also plans to protect the public from this ready source of broadband.

The players in this little drama are, on the one hand, the hard-working suppliers of the electricity we have all come to depend on. They have earned our trust. On the other hand will be the Public Service Commission, best known to us as the agency who has very willingly approved all those additional charges on our local phone bill.

Decision time — who do you trust?

Richard Safarik, Lincoln

What about Harlan County Lake?

I fail to understand why Alma would sponsor a proposed ethanol plant when the location, six miles east of Alma, puts it the back yard of Republican City and Taylor Manor neighborhood. Smells to me like Alma wants to reap the economic benefit without the risk of political fallout. The two proposed locations are outside of Alma's voting district and downwind of town.

As a part-time Republican City resident (future full-time), I am very concerned the impact this will have to Harlan County Lake and the surrounding area.

Those of us that live in the prevailing winds have concerns of the odor and dust emanating from the plant, not to mention the increase in road traffic, plant lighting and the aesthetic ugliness a plant like this provides.

Of equal concern are the potential impacts to fishing, hunting and the area wildlife, as this is a large source of revenue stream for Alma, Republican City and area businesses. Wildlife and water quality make this area one of Nebraska's treasures. I know many families, fishermen, hunters and outdoorsman, both in-state and out-state, who regularly visit the lake area. Why spoil the view and serenity with stack towers bellowing smoke and odor?

I am not opposed to the idea of a plant and certainly welcome the economic growth an ethanol plant provides, but I strongly protest the proposed locations due to their proximity to Harlan County Lake, Taylor Manor, Republican City and the surrounding area which account for well over 300 homes and farms within two miles of the proposed locations.

If Alma is so inclined to sponsor a plant, I suggest they look in their own yard. Specifically many areas exist between Alma and Orleans with far less homes and farms. Here they will find suitable locations that provide easy access from two major highways as well as adequate rail facilities needed to support an ethanol plant.

Mike Andrews, Republican City

Ricketts family innovative

I am writing in response to Joan Bower’s recent letter “Ricketts no small-towner.” I’d just like to say that it seems a lot of people don’t have a few facts straight.

Pete Ricketts’ dad may have owned a company, but that company started out very small in 1971, and was struggling with typical small company issues in the late 1980s. However, the assembled management team came up with excellent solutions for very difficult problems, thus able to grow as a company and become what it is today. The Ricketts family had many innovative ideas and put them into practice, the end result being a large financial company.

Isn’t this the philosophy of what our country is based on? They built their company from the ground up and should be respected for it, not vilified.

Pete was in fact born in a small town called Nebraska City. His parents raised him with small-town values, such as hard-working, honesty, perseverance, being neighborly, having good character, ethicality and determination. Pete started working at the bottom of the “totem pole” just like everybody else. He had to work his way up, proving he was worthy of every promotion he got.

As an intelligent young adult, I just wish that candidates would state what they would like to change, why they would like to change it, and how they plan on changing it, along with their opinion. This way I would be able to make a well-informed decision and come up with an opinion of my own.

Nicole Hudson, Lincoln

Pot, meet kettle

Let me start by saying that I am not a political person.  However, I do watch television and I have to laugh every time I see a Pete Ricketts commercial saying that Ben Nelson is attacking and what a terrible thing to do.

I have to say “hmmm” to that one.  I do believe that the beginning of the Ricketts commercials came out condemning Nelson for everything under the sun.

Can dish it out but can't take it.  We need someone like that in office like we need … well, you get the picture.

Renae Logan, Lincoln

Good choices = character

In response to Laura Holman’s letter on Sept. 13, I could not disagree more strongly with her claims. I practiced abstinence all through my teen years, and as a young adult, I am still a virgin. My siblings and many of my friends are also virgins.

The assertion that abstinence is “unreasonable and unrealistic” deeply offends me. Is she claiming that my generation is incapable of self-control and good decision-making? Is she saying that I cannot weigh the evidence and choose a life of chastity?

We need to be careful about the message we are sending to young people. I would never tell my younger brother that abstinence was an “unreasonable and unrealistic” goal for his life. Instead, I encourage him to make healthy choices and applaud his successes. Incidentally, those successes are real and they are consistent, in his life as well as mine and many others.

By the way, making good choices and reaping the benefits is how character is built. Strength is developed by resisting harmful behaviors, not by being relieved of the responsibility for bad decisions.

Karissa Vieth, Martell

Don't forget

To Mayor Coleen Seng:

When you are writing your memoirs, please don’t forget “The Smoking Bus.”

Gary M. Walker, Lincoln