THANK YOU ...

... for the yard cleanup

There are some perks to being a senior citizen. On Saturday, Nov. 10, a crew of at least 15 showed up. They were here for a couple of hours and filled 35 bags with leaves. With that many they made short work of the yard and even cleaned the gutters.

I surely appreciate the help — as it would have taken me days to accomplish what they did, and I would probably be wiped out for days. Thanks to Neighborhood Housing for sponsoring this. My crew were from Idaho Physicians Network.

BARBARA EMERY, Boise

... for recycling help

Random act of kindness.

I was in a race to get my last few leaves in the container before the recycling truck came by to pick up the bags. I met eyes with the driver of the truck and we both smiled. He hopped out of the truck, grabbed my rake and finished putting the leaves in the bag for me. Thanks to Jeff and his crew on the Leaf Recycling Truck for putting a smile on my face and committing a wonderful act of random kindness. Thanks for keeping our streets clean and happy!

CATHY MCMARTIN, Boise

... for helping a veteran remodel a home

As a veteran (and family) we wish to thank the VA social worker who helped us find resources (Virgil Rock); the VA regional officer who assisted us with the grant to modify our home (Kim Blackburn); and the awesome contractor that went above and beyond to make sure our home was working for us (Robert Harrison).

Thank you all for your service to this veteran and his family.

EDWARD AND DIANE HINDS, Boise

... for supporting agrass-roots campaign

The 2012 election is over, and I am happy to report that we won. My thanks go to you, the people of District 16, who responded to my message and elected me to represent you in the Idaho House of Representatives. I promise to honor the trust you have shown me.

Over the course of the campaign, I knocked on more than 10,000 doors. I heard the issues that are important to my neighbors and their families. It’s my hope that the conversation will continue, especially while the Legislature is in session.

We won from the grassroots up. A feat made possible by the many volunteers who supported the campaign with their time and talents. Your generosity and enthusiasm were a constant source of inspiration for me. I can never thank you enough.

The campaign may be over, but the hard work is just beginning. Working together, the volunteers and residents of District 16 won this election. I promise to honor the spirit of that victory by being the very best representative I can be for my district and the people of Idaho.

Thank you.

HY KLOC, state representative-elect, District 16, Boise

... to campaign supporters

I would very much like to say a great big thank you to everyone who supported my campaign and honored me with their vote. I would also like to thank all those who took the time and effort to register and to vote, no matter who you voted for. Our democracy depends on participation and won’t survive without it.

I would also like to congratulate my opponent for running a clean, honorable campaign based on the issues and not personalities. We are all Americans first, and although we may have disagreements on how to get there, we all want what is best for our country, our children and our future.

I sincerely believe that no one has a monopoly on the truth or the correct path in every circumstance, and that if we can disagree without being disagreeable and hear what the other person has to say, that together we can solve anything!

LEIF SKYVING, Caldwell

FAITH

The one true symbol

Regarding the Nov. 10 faith column: As a subscriber to the truths in the Bible, the only symbol of my faith that I adhere to is the perfect person of Jesus Christ. This symbol is constantly alerting me to a better way of thinking, believing and living in order to have freedom, justice and equality under the creator of our universe.

Women continue to be under the power of men and organizations that want to take the place of the son of God, the person of Jesus Christ, to order the lives of women. These men hire people to put brick and mortar together to build massive temples, basilicas, cathedrals, church structures that do more to honor the men who ordered them to be built than they do to promote biblical truths. Jesus was/is the temple of the Holy Spirit given to us by his father, Jehovah God.

For people to present their own persons as symbols merely offers a very imperfect person for others to believe in. Other than Jesus, there is no other that represents perfection, including the pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, pastors, ministers, self-made prophets, laity, etc. Our nation desperately needs the leader that Jesus represents.

CECILIA B. LANGLAND, Boise

KLEINER PARK

Volunteer patrol would be a smart deterrent

I don’t know if it is hearsay, but I have heard that Mayor Tammy De Weerd, along with Chief Jeff Lavey, is considering the organizing and funding of the Meridian Volunteer Police Patrol for the new Kleiner Park. Smart move on their part. The mere presence of the patrol will keep crime out before it starts. The patrol needs a patrol vehicle and uniforms. I think this is a reasonable investment for the work that the men and women will do in patrolling the park.

Good work, Jeff and Tammy.

GEORGE OLSEY, Meridian

HORSE BREEDING

Archaic, tragic practice

Regarding pregnant mare urine (PMU). Mares are continually impregnated for years so that their estrogen-rich urine can be used to produce the ERT/HRT drugs Premarin, Prem Pro and Premphase. Although this archaic industry has decreased significantly over the years, mares and foals (baby horses) are still being slaughtered as a result of producing those drugs for which there are numerous synthetic, doctor-recommended substitutes that are cruelty-free.

MARILYN SCHMITZ, Boise

SPEEDERS

Patrol the side streets

Recently there has been a lot of traffic going down residential streets and not attending to the speed limit. There are children walking down the street and playing basketball, etc., in their driveways. I have been told by local police that they patrol this area quite often (yet to see one during peak traffic or school hours except on the major streets). It is my understanding that the speed limit unless otherwise posted is 20 mph. Perhaps the Boise Police Department should drive down some of the side streets, and not just stick to the major ones.

JESSICA HAMMER, Boise

PETRAEUS

Happy days are back

Thank God for generals, socialites and eager FBI agents. We haven’t had so much soap since Clinton left the White House.

JOE BEJSOVEC, Boise

Another distraction

Two words for all of you who have ever argued that allowing gays and lesbians in the military would be a distraction in times of war: Paula Broadwell.

ROBERTO CENICEROS, Boise