Letters to the editor: Reopening businesses, Ada County Commission, work hours
Reopening
Winston Churchill said that “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” I am hopeful that our governor, mayors and other community leaders are using our current shutdown period to create thoughtful plans for an orderly reopening of businesses when the time comes — a plan that takes advantage of the opportunities and overcomes as many difficulties as possible. Essential businesses that have been open during the shutdown have already developed innovative ways to serve their customers while maintaining social distancing, like separating entrances and exits, having protected employees wiping down carts and shelves regularly, and limiting the number of people in the store at once. These and other means could be used by other stores when they’re allowed to reopen.
Other letters to the editor have noted that the current blanket shutdown is not fair. If Walmart and Fred Meyer can sell clothing, why can’t Macys and Target be open? If Home Depot and Costco can sell geraniums, why can’t Edwards and other nurseries be open? Business re-openings should be based on an ability to maintain social distancing, not on arbitrary rules about what is or is not a necessity..
Ellen J. Hall, Boise
McFarland
Are passion, integrity, and honesty characteristics that you want in your county commissioner? If so, then Mary McFarland is the right choice in the May Republican Primary for Ada County commissioner.
Mary is an Idaho native and has lived in Ada County for over 30 years. She is a lifelong Republican and cast her first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Mary is a small business owner and understands the value of a dollar. She publicly voices her opposition to government tax increases that have taken place over the past decade.
Mary exhibited her passion for limited government while serving on Eagle City Council by working with co-councilmen Norm Semanko, Mark Butler and Jason Pierce to hold the line on out-of-control spending. The budget was even reduced the first year she was in office by 20%. She has demonstrated her integrity by working with city, county, state and federal officials to get needed infrastructure built or maintained. She is completely honest about wanting to end out-of-control tax-and-spend politicians.
I’m voting for Mary McFarland for Ada County commissioner in the May 19 Republican primary because she is the best candidate to bring back conservative budgeting in Ada County.
Vicky McIntyre, Boise
Work hours
I was shocked reading a letter to the editor regarding child care in the Statesman on April 7. The person actually suggested the governor issue an order that 25-30 hours a week is now full time for state employees because they are working from home. Then she goes on to say there are studies showing that decreasing work hours to 25-30 per week doesn’t decrease productivity. First, why should state employees be given special treatment over so many other workers who are at home? Second, if working 25-30 hours per week doesn’t decrease productivity, why are state employees getting paid for 40 hours?! Third, if these studies are correct, we should be able to decrease state positions by 25%, saving taxpayers huge amounts in salaries, benefits and guaranteed pensions.
I think it’s time all levels of “public servants”, including our congress members and staff, felt the pain that the private sector is feeling. Let them take a 25% (or more) cut in pay until the economy is back on its feet. And they should not be eligible for any reimbursement for this reduction when things get back to normal. Private sector workers are either losing jobs, or taking reductions in salaries. Share the pain!
Jean Weaver, Meridian