Letters to the editor: Daylight saving time, dams, taxes, Vern Law
Daylight saving
Here’s an issue that unites folks of all political stripes: ire for daylight saving time.
Have you ever met anyone who pines for the disruptive effects of changing their clocks twice a year? You would be hard-pressed to find supporters of this antiquated custom. Yet our biological rhythms continue to suffer, and for what? Farming? Headlights have been a standard feature on farm equipment for decades.
Please, let’s stop this madness. It only takes a few minutes to urge your state and federal representatives to save us from the scourge of the biannual time change. We must abolish daylight saving time!
Tim Ernst, Boise
Vern Law
Happy 90th Birthday, Vern Law!
Remember Vern Law, voted best pitcher in Major League Baseball in 1960 as the Cy Young Award winner? I do!
Vern Law was born March 12, 1930 in Meridian Idaho, and graduated from Meridian High School. Voted the best MLB pitcher, and the winning pitcher in 2 of 4 games in a 7 game classic 1960 World Series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees. Vern Law was an entire career member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh won the 1960 World Series in the bottom of 9th inning in game 7 with a game-winning home run by Bill Mazeroski. This home run has been called the best home run in Major League Baseball history.
There were many baseball banquets in 1960 co-hosted by Idaho great MLB players including Vern Law, Harmon Killebrew and Larry Jackson. I remember the Annual Idaho Statesman Banquet well. As a co-captain along with John Falk, we accepted the trophy for Harris Brothers Lumber Company of Adams Elementary School on Warm Springs Avenue. I will never forget Vern Law, “a fine attitude and conduct are a credit to the game.”
John Kelly McClure, Boise
Dams
Since 2000, more than $8 billion in taxpayer dollars has been wasted in failed attempts to restore Snake and Columbia River steelhead and chinook salmon which, in the 1950’s, ran Idaho streams red. The loss of these keystone species threatens soil nutrients and wildlife populations throughout the Snake River Basin and is a huge blow to Idaho’s economy, culture, and wilderness. There are four dams on the lower Snake River which are managed by Portland-based Bonneville Power Administration. Collectively, they account for 3% of total Pacific Northwest power generation. These dams only operate when other Snake and Columbia dams operate at capacity, so they are usually run at a loss. The Pacific Northwest has a 16% oversupply of electricity, which is sold to California at often negative rates, so dams could be breached without any ill effects on consumers. If the BPA did intend to offset these dams with renewable energy, it would cost $80 million to $180 million, just 2-4% of their annual budget. Dam removal doesn’t hurt Idaho farmers either. 13 farms on 35,000 irrigate with dam water which could easily be offset by extending intake pipes. The 140 miles of barge access lost is already less cost-effective than rail.
Shiva Rajbhandari, Boise
Taxes
Seniors who have planned for their retirement are losing their homes to ever-increasing property taxes. Their homes are worth more, but they don’t want to move nor should they have to. While a statewide freeze is being pondered, let’s offer a proposal: freeze property taxes to owner-occupied property owners over 70 years of age who have resided in said home for 10 years or more, and has income limits under $15k ($30k married filing joint) after SSA benefits. Once the property changes hands or ceases to be owner-occupied, taxes would be calculated at then current rates. Let’s give seniors the break they deserve.
Patty Pitzer, Meridian