THANK YOU ...
... to VA Hospital
I was recently a patient at the Boise VA Hospital. The care I received was superior and second to none. I felt respected not only as a veteran but personally as well. The staff was well informed as well as professional and kind. No one ever left my room without asking, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" - a rarity in todays health care!
The VA is also a teaching hospital, providing time-consuming mentorship to future doctors, nurses and other clinicians. This never seemed to distract from the level of skilled care I received. In my opinion, these students are being taught by the best.
Dr. Lynch did a stellar job with overseeing my plan of care, offering a rare, personal and detailed presence. She is truly a gem and we are fortunate to have a surgeon of her caliber here.
I would like to publicly thank the people who cared for me and praise them for the outstanding work they are doing. In a world that keeps getting increasingly difficult to focus on goodness, they shine! I must admit that they helped restore my faith in people and quality care. Thanks for keeping the Heart in healthcare alive.
KAREN LOCKWOOD, Payette
... for grant donation
The West Valley After School Program of Fruitland is a nonprofit afterschool program. The program is composed of dedicated volunteers and staff who strive to meet the individual needs of each student's academic needs while fostering responsibility, respect, safety, positive self- image, physically, socially and emotionally. All students receive tutoring in areas of their individual needs, whether it is homework, spelling, math or reading.
West Valley thanks the Idaho Food Bank Fund for the much needed $2,000 grant donation for the 2012-13 school session. The funding received allowed us to purchase the required healthy snacks that provide the necessary nutrition and energy for our 24 students for the entire 2012-13 school year. We also were able to purchase a much needed new refrigerator-freezer to store the perishable food items.
West Valley is so thankful for the funding we received from the Idaho Food Bank Fund. Of course those healthy snacks were an instant hit. "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"
Please support the Idaho Food Bank Fund by making a donation on your Idaho tax form.
BOBBI RUDDELL, Fruitland
MS WALK
Walking for a cause
My name is Megan and I love my husband. My husband has multiple sclerosis. He was diagnosed in 2008. And in a pretty amazing twist of fate, I now work at the National MS Society. Everything I do throughout the day ultimately helps my husband.
It has become clear that it is not just about my husband anymore. I work for so many people now: volunteers, neighbors, Walk MS participants, sponsors. The funds I raise, events I plan, calls I make, are for all of them.
Why do we have Walk MS Boise? Simply stated, Walk MS Boise is one great big Thank You. It exists to show our appreciation for all the hard work fundraising, donating, volunteering, helping. That is why we have this event - to raise money to help.
And it all started with my husband. Not because he has MS, but because I love him. And if he had a different disease, I would still love him and support that cause instead. All that matters is that you find your cause and support it.
I walk for my husband-volunteers-neighbors-participants-son-sponsors-friends-relatives-Idahoans-everyone. Who do you walk for?
Go to www.walkMSidaho.org to register today!
MEGAN NETTLETON, Boise
NAMPA SCHOOL LEVY
District's rebuilding effort depends on levy's passage
Nampa School District Supplemental Levy: Same taxes - new direction.
All stakeholders are justifiably angry, frustrated, confused and saddened by the chain of events that has resulted in the Nampa School District asking patrons to approve a supplemental levy that would be paid for under a restructuring of existing facilities bonds, taking advantage of lower interest rates. This will result in no levy rate increase.
There is much blame to be distributed. Starting with the past superintendent and CFO who offered their resignations, both have left the district, along with other district office personnel who may have shared some blame.
The district is in a fiscal crisis and this levy does not eradicate the problems created by flawed budgets that did not accurately reflect sound revenue projections. Further cuts and budget restructuring must occur; however, this presents a unique opportunity to look at all programs and operations of the district, allowing staff and community to be involved in reinventing how we deliver a thorough and uniform education to the students of our district. We have a window of opportunity here under new leadership.
The first step is to support this levy. Passage will let us go forward without interrupting the 2012-13 academic year.
BRIAN MCGOURTY, Nampa
GIFT TAXES
A taxing question
Oscar attendees got a gift basket valued at $45,000 (according to Jimmy Kimmel) and the U.S. median income is $51,000. Do they pay taxes on their gift baskets?
JOHN MILLER, Boise
