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telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity.
Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois
62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com
POT. KETTLE. BLACK.
It’s ironic Don Hickman became a broadcasting critic [Bud Bartlett, “Anchor
away,” Feb. 19]. He wasn’t tolerant of any [criticism] when he was broadcasting.
F.N. Ross
Rochester
WHEN HUMANS ARE IN CHARGE OF MICE
We want to apologize to any publication that received angry calls
regarding tickets to the Otis Taylor show as well as Recycled Records, which
served as an outlet for ticket purchases. The phone number of Music in Communities
& Education (MICE) is provided so that people will call us to complain.
MICE sponsors the show and sets the prices. Neither local publications nor the
ticket outlet are to blame. Mistakes occur from time to time especially when
human beings are involved. We truly feel bad that the misguided did not contact
MICE. Tickets for all three shows we are sponsoring at this time have been on
sale since December. All we were attempting to do was keep the ticket prices
reasonable ($10 for MICE members, $15 for all others).
We would like to thank all the wonderful people who supported the show. These
people had the chance to enjoy a true blues legend in a small intimate setting.
Thanks also to our sponsors and members for their continuing support of American
roots music in the Springfield area.
Lisa A. Rusher, President
Lawrence P. Roerig, Secretary/Treasurer
Music in Communities & Education
Springfield
THANK A SCHOOL NURSE
Most parents think there is a school nurse in every school, but that
is not always the case. Some schools have one nurse for up to 1,000 students
or more. Because of budget cuts, some school nurse jobs have been eliminated
causing the safety and health education of our children and grandchildren to
be compromised.
Most parents believe that nutrition, exercise, age-appropriate sex education,
alcohol and drug abuse prevention should be taught in schools. But the nurses
don’t always have time for that due to prioritizing the students’ multiple health
needs.
I would like to say thank you to the school nurses for what they do to keep
our children and grandchildren safe. They are valued for their specialized knowledge,
skill and caring for the health of the children and ensuring safe, effective,
quality care.
Thank you too for your contributions to our nursing profession.
P. Joan Larsen RN
Decatur
NO TO NADER
Four years ago on these pages, I wrote extensively urging the Green
Party not to support Ralph Nader for president. Now I again urge the local and
Illinois Green Party to reject Nader’s independent run for president. The Illinois
Green Party 2004 State Nominating Convention will be held at UIS this weekend.
This would be an appropriate time to express this view which is supported by
a plurality of those expressing their views on the Illinois Green Party Web
site (www.ilgreenparty.org).
Alex Casella
Springfield
COME AGAIN?
President Bush’s leadership has improved education in America. His
No Child Left Behind Act helps our children learn and puts parents back in the
driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education. The No Child Left
Behind Act sets high standards for student performance and provides the resources
needed to meet them. Under President Bush’s leadership federal funding for education
has increased 59.8 percent from 2000 to 2004. A large portion of that money
goes toward helping high-poverty schools. The funds also go toward efforts to
retain high-quality teachers. Local control is another crucial aspect of education
reform. The No Child Left Behind Act trusts parents and local school officials
to direct resources where they will do the most good for their students. The
law gives parents the right to transfer their kids out of failing or unsafe
schools and into better schools. This is just one more example of how our President
is providing the courageous leadership America needs.
Timothy M. Wolford
Decatur
President Bush’s leadership has improved education in America. His
No Child Left Behind Act helps kids learn and puts parents back in the driver’s
seat when it comes to their children’s education. This issue is just one more
example of how our President is providing the courageous leadership America
needs.
Doug Turner
Springfield
This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 3, 2004.
