Letters to the editor: Back-to-work bonuses, evictions, Boise park
Back to work
In regards to why the governor’s back to work bonuses aren’t being given out, look at the employers who don’t value their employees. I am considered one of those eligible for back to work bonuses. My new employer refused to take five minutes out of their day to fill out the online application for me to get the bonus. I work hard at my job, show up on time and do more and more work with no raises. I constantly am talked to like I’m not human at work. The reason people are not getting their bonuses is because of how many Idaho employers don’t value or respect their workers. Mr. Little has forced many like myself to take on (bad) jobs and work less for what we are worth until Mr. Little thinks we can’t get out of Stage 4. Mr. Little has decided to follow other states by giving government aid instead of just getting our economy back on task. So Mr. Little when you look at why your government aid is not being used, look at the employers who treat workers like machines instead of human beings with emotions and feelings.
David Pecci, Nampa
Evictions
Millions of low-income renters face the threat of eviction and homelessness unless Congress acts soon.
COVID-19 has cost more 40 million Americans their jobs. When people cannot work, they cannot pay the rent. As local eviction bans expire this summer, low-income renters will owe thousands of dollars in back rent. Without help, these renters will be forced out of their homes in the middle of pandemic.
The House has passed several bills that would enact a national moratorium on evictions and provide $100 billion to help low-income renters pay the rent. This will help millions of renters stay housed, and their landlords get paid, until the economy improves. It is time for the Senate to do the same.
Congress must act now to prevent millions from being evicted. I urge our members of Congress to push for quick passage of a COVID-19 bill that includes at least $100 billion for emergency rental assistance and a national moratorium on evictions.
Jessica Specht, Boise
Boise park
So, Boise is installing a downtown park at Eleventh and Grove to provide some green space in the concrete jungle, eh? Great idea. But I find it hilarious that the “City of Trees” is paying out $200,000 to a New York artist to take a part of this small area to install either a fake glow-in-the-dark house surrounded by fake trees, or a pink tree with automated leaves. A fog feature also? All powered by electricity, I’m sure. Brilliant! I only wish that I still lived in that city so they could be wasting some of my precious tax dollars on this frivolity. The Statesman story mentioned something about creating an “icon of Boise.” Yeah, that’s the icon I’d want representing my environmentally friendly city — a fake Pink Tree. Hey Boise, here’s an idea: in a tiny ultra-urban park, how about just spending a couple grand to plant, oh I don’t know, maybe some MORE TREES? I guess I’m just old fashioned, but my idea of a park is grass, trees, benches and maybe some nice flowers. A glowing house? Not so much. Sounds like a good place for graffiti. But to each his or her own, I guess!
Curtis E. Stoddard, Eagle