Letters to the editor: Rental assistance, West Ada levy, reopening schools, McCall land

Rental assistance

Recently there was an article in the Statesman that featured stories on how challenging it has been for some Idahoans to receive their unemployment checks. These are people who have worked hard and have done all the right things but because of the circumstances that the COVID virus has put them in, they are struggling to make ends meet. I am sure there are countless people in a similar situation.

According to the United Way Needs Assessment Survey, in the Treasure Valley housing and transportation costs often add up to more than 50% of household income. The housing cost is often much higher for renters than for owners. With so many people out of work, calls to Jesse Tree continue to soar. Eviction bans expiring so there is likely to be an increase in calls for support.

That is why it is so important for Senators Risch and Crapo to support the inclusion of $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help tenants and landlords as well as a national moratorium on evictions in the next COVID-19 response package.

Kris Paulson, Boise

West Ada levy

As a member of the community in West Ada School District, I have faith in our public schools and want our kids back in the classroom in the fall. Our district has been working hard to make sure they are ready for students to learn at school and at home. The plan outlines a modified version as well as a remote on-line version of traditional public school, for the possibility of having to implement either due to the health of the community. The technology needed to keep students ready for all of these options comes at a steep price. Our schools are operating on a seriously tight budget and students in Idaho are already the least funded in our country!

We have the opportunity to help! Our public schools must be able to provide students a cutting-edge quality education for their future success. This levy is the same levy amount that has been in place for many years, and has provided us, as homeowners, with a tax break every year. It is a sound investment in our public-school system, our community, and the future of our children. Go to idahovotes.gov to get the absentee ballot right now to vote yes!

Elisa England, Meridian

Reopening schools

I know everyone is worried about this virus and especially children and school. I really doubt children will be ruined if they miss a few months or even a year of school. It’s probably happened before and will undoubtedly happen again. But I thought my son-in-law had a great idea (don’t tell him I said that). What would happen if school doesn’t open until Oct. 1? Why does it have to open now, in the middle of summer and in the middle of this terrible crisis? Let’s wait and see if the numbers come down.

If school is delayed until October 1st, first there would be no long weekend for teachers’ in-service, there is no week off for Thanksgiving, there is no two weeks off for Christmas and there’s no Spring Break. Shouldn’t things work out? This would also give parents plenty of time to make sure the entire family gets their flu vaccine, too. Let’s face it, that should be a requirement for this year. Hopefully, the District Health offices will be able to arrange several community events to get as many people vaccinated as possible.

If they get bored, there’s probably dishes to wash, laundry to fold, floor to sweep.

Mary Walker, Boise

McCall land

My name is Maggie and I am one of the moose that lives along Payette Lake in McCall. I heard there is a movement to sell and develop the lands I live on. That makes me sad. You see, I need pristine forests and undisturbed marshes to thrive and yummy clean water to drink. I like to munch in the marsh, it’s the best. The land I live on is called public Endowment Land, and the state of Idaho takes care of it. They allow activities on the land that make money for education for Idaho children. I am cool with that. I like kids.

I don’t understand selling this land. If there are houses all over this land, it will box me in, take away my habitat, and my water will become dirtier. I will probably have to move somewhere else and I will miss my home in McCall. It seems like people already have enough land to build houses here. It would be better to keep these endowment lands available for all of us for generations to come. It’s OK to keep Idaho a little wild.

Thanks a munch!

Jeff Mousseau, McCall and Boise