PROPOSITIONS 1, 2 & 3

Teachers needmore than love

As a teacher in Idaho, I am so sick and tired of hearing how much I am loved and appreciated by elected officials and Melaleuca. If that’s true, then prove it! Respect me enough to know that I am smart enough to make decisions for myself! Stop saying that I am being brainwashed or lied to by “union bosses.” (The current IEA president was a school librarian before being elected. How scary is that?) Respect me enough to not insult me by funneling money away from funds that would have gone to teacher salaries, thus resulting in an almost $3000 decrease in my pay, and then telling me I can earn some of it back as a “bonus.” Respect me enough to listen and take my input into matters that affect my students like class size, special education issues, safety concerns, and length of day. Respect me enough to learn how I already like and use technology in the classroom. Respect me enough to include me in decision making at the state and district level. Respect me enough to ask union and non-union teachers across the state why they will be voting no on Props 1, 2, and 3.

SUE DARDEN, Meridian

GARDEN CITY BIKE PATH

‘Yes’ on initiatives

While the northern Greenbelt was enjoyed for years, “Nature Path” is a recent appellation. It is no more natural than the rest of the Greenbelt.

The City Council invites all to witness washouts and large roots. Perhaps this explains Garden City’s delay in repairing damage from last year’s high water. Significant expense is already necessary to return the path to its prior state. Pavement is not necessary.

The council states everyone agrees with a bridge connecting Eagle’s unpaved path with the Ada County Highway District’s unpaved path. Have they asked homeowners along the southern route through whose tranquil neighborhoods the bicycles will be shunted?

The council warns of an impending tax increase. Its math is suspect. By its own numbers $1,143,000 divided by 12,000 residents equals $95 per resident. This does not approach 40 percent of any current property tax. Did the $2 million spent in the last six years cause a 72 percent tax increase? Garden City residents, when you go to the polls please consider the availability of the northern path to all Garden City people, not just to those select few who live adjacent to the path. Vote yes on initiative A & B.

TERRY STOLL, Garden City

‘No’ to initiatives

I plan to vote against Initiatives A and B to open the nature path on the north side of the Boise River to bicycles because:

1) It’s unnecessary.

2) It would cost too much.

3) It would eliminate a wonderful nature path.

First, it’s unnecessary because Garden City recently has received a federal grant for over $700,000 to build a bridge and pave paths to connect existing bike paths between Glenwood Street and Eagle Road. This will be better for bikes because it has an underpass below Glenwood connecting, directly and safely, to the paved Greenbelt path that continues east of Glenwood. A north side path requires crossing on the narrow sidewalk on Glenwood Bridge — dangerous for families with children.

Second, a north side path would be too costly for Garden City taxpayers. An independent study shows a taxpayer cost of $1.1 million.

Finally, my family and I enjoy relaxing walks on the path during which we don’t have to frequently glance nervously over our shoulders to watch for bikes approaching at high speed as we must walk on paths shared with bikes. I will vote against A and B and urge others to do the same.

GARY NORTH, Garden City

CORRECT MERGING

Idahoans shouldlearn to drive

In regard to all the lane closures around town and those Idahoans who don’t know how to merge. If the right lane is closed ahead, that does not mean that everyone has to move to the left lane as soon as they can, creating a mile long backup in one lane, and an open right lane. What is supposed to happen is people in the right lane can drive all the way to the end of their lane until it ends and the courteous people in the left lane take turns letting them merge! This is how it is done in other cities. So you now have two lanes backed up for a half mile instead of one lane backed up for a mile next to a mile of open lane. Get with it people.

LORI BULLINGER, Boise