Letters to the editor: Geese, affirmative action, phone use, farmland preservation

Affirmative action

Just when I begin to think Idaho is breaking away from the racist, neo-Nazi reputation we’ve suffered through for decades, North Idaho Republican Rep. Heather Scott introduces a bill that would eliminate affirmative action in state hiring and contracting. She says it will end discrimination and promote diversity. She needs a history lesson to understand that affirmative action is there to promote opportunities for people who have long been overlooked because of the color of their skin, sexual orientation or handicap.

Scott gives far too much credit to the people who are in a position to hire. Personally, I believe there are too many managers that would, for whatever reason, be more comfortable hiring someone who fits their personal biases. My fear is that with the removal of affirmative action, some will find a way to abuse that responsibility and hire people who don’t look, act or live as they themselves do.

Tom Donahoe, Garden City

Phone use

As I drive around the Valley lately I am becoming increasingly alarmed at what I am seeing. This is in regard to the new “hands free” driving laws. While intended as a good thing, this law is creating another serious problem. Now the phones are not in drivers’ hands but down on their laps. They sit at a stop light, looking down at their phone, not paying attention to the intersection in front of them. Someone behind them honks at them to get going. Then their heads come up and they MASH on the gas, launching themselves into the intersection where, by this time, the light is fully red. It has become dangerous. Maybe our lawmakers need to rethink this law. There are unintended consequences!

I recently purchased a phone holder that mounts in my CD slot. Now my phone is at a height level with the top of my dashboard and I can see it without taking my eyes off the road. I see some that attach or mount on the windshield up high, as well. Get your phones out of your laps, people!

Jane Gabbert, Boise

Geese

I love wildlife as much as the next person, but the geese have overrun the city of Boise. Children can’t run through the grass in the parks without making a mess of their shoes. Morris Hill Cemetery is totally defiled with goose droppings. I know there are reduction measures that can be taken, if the responsible agencies will just step up and do it. Enough is enough.

Connie E. Grover, Boise

Farmland

For the last several years, Ada Soil and Water Conservation District has made farmland preservation a priority. We have been working hard to educate the public, create coalitions and garner political support for a statewide Agricultural Preservation Fund. As more and more residents become concerned with the pace and manner of growth in the Treasure Valley, we have seen increased excitement and interest in saving farmland; over the last few months there have been articles, forums, and events dedicated to the topic of farmland preservation.

The preservation of agricultural and working lands is a complex and pressing issue facing the Treasure Valley and beyond. At Ada SWCD, we’ve been researching how farmland preservation works in other states and we have presented information about possible paths forward for Idaho to farmers, politicians, and the public. To continue this important conversation, Ada SWCD is hosting the forum “How Do We Save Farmland?” on April 21 in Caldwell. Tickets and more information can be found on our website: www.adaswcd.org.

Glen Edwards, Nampa, chairman, Ada Soil & Water Conservation District

This story was originally published February 14, 2020 at 10:03 AM.