THANK YOU ...

... to State Veterans Home

Thank you to the Idaho State Veterans Home and Treasure Valley Hospice.

Our brother, Dave, passed away March 8. As sad as his passing was, the staff at the ISVH was wonderful. They treat their patients with dignity and respect. We never had to search for someone to tell us how our brother was doing. We were greeted by a nurse or other staff member informing us of his condition. Everyone treated us with understanding and concern of what we were experiencing.

When it was needed, the ISVH called Treasure Valley Hospice to see Dave through his final weeks. Once again, we were treated with such respect and heartfelt concern and were informed of his condition.

Somehow, saying "Thank You" just doesn't seem like enough, but we do thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

NORMA (RICK) RICHARDSON AND NORENE (CARL) SCHULTZ, Meridian

... to kind motorists

A special thank you to all of those motorists who pulled off the road and stopped, some even crossing themselves, as my husband's funeral procession passed on its way to the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, March 6.

It was a heartwarming sign of respect, which all too often is lacking these days. What made this so touching was the fact that our procession took us down the busiest roadway in the state - Eagle Road.

Yes, there were those who were obviously annoyed at our slow pace, but for the most part, drivers took time out of their busy lives to be respectful of an old soldier on his last journey. Thank you from his grateful family.

MARY H. JOHNSON, Meridian

... to neighbor, friends

This is the third time I have written a letter to be published in our Statesman - and all three are to be letters of "thanks" for specific kindness to me.

Cheryl, my good neighbor, knew I needed to have a row of tall juniper trees cut down, so she brought her "crew" of friends who worked for hours, cutting, trimming and hauling away - all at no cost to me. I'd like to thank them all publicly - Cheryl, Jill, Jan, Shirley, Bruce, Harley and Mike. Thank you all so very much - your kindness will never be forgotten.

VERDA MARQUARDT, Boise

COOKIE EDITORIAL

Opinion misses the mark

The Statesman's Feb. 24 Our View on Girl Scout cookies tax displays an astonishing lack of understanding of the most basic fundamentals of economics. The statement: "The state is not taking away money that otherwise would go to worthwhile programs within Girl Scouts." This is a ridiculous statement.

Let's see, you remove the 6 percent sales tax from the box of cookies, the price of the cookies remains the same and the same amount of cookies are sold, but the Girl Scouts do not receive 6 percent more revenue for its programs? Astounding!

Another scenario: The 6 percent sales tax is removed, the Girl Scouts reduce the price of the cookies 6 percent and sell more cookies at the lower price (economics 101), but retain the same gross revenue per box, but the Girl Scouts do not receive more total revenue for its programs? Unbelievable!

Then the alternative, the Statesman Editorial Board so blithely recommends, the Girl Scouts simply raise the price of its cookies if they want more money. Then the Girl Scouts sell fewer cookies at the higher price (also economics 101). Come on folks, if you can't write with more credibility than that, hang it up!

JOHN HATCH, Boise

SHAMROCK BIKE PATH

Project is unaffordable

We were unable to attend the number two meeting, re: the proposed Shamrock Bike Path. ACHD's website gave the message that it is no longer functional.

Spending public funds for special interest projects such as bike paths is reprehensible at a time when so many of us are jobless. The paths create serious safety concerns and may also result in the inconvenience of parking restrictions to our residents.

On our short culdesac alone, at least five have suffered layoffs, with three of the five being forced out of their homes. Safety is also a huge issue, with aging residents being required to share driving space with bicyclists, kids and dogs.

I challenge you to take a door-to-door survey. I think you will find that the vast majority of residents affected by the proposed bikeways will concur the projects are unaffordable and unsafe. I am willing to sacrifice for facilities and parks for the enjoyment of many, but not for unsafe amenities for the enjoyment of a small, special interest group.

GARY AND SYLVIA ADAMS, Boise

CARTOON

Sorrow for cartoonist

Unlike some readers, I'm not writing to complain about one of your political cartoonists. In fact, I felt kind of bad for Jim Morin, whose Tuesday, March 5 cartoon decries the draconian budget cuts resulting from the sequester. Considering the cuts are less than $85 billion out of a budget well over $3 trillion, I thought that maybe the Statesman would be kind enough to send him a dictionary so that he can look up the word "draconian."

RANDAL JAMES, Boise