Salvation Army sees need grow

Having grown up in the Salvation Army, I realize how common it is to see an appeal from the Salvation Army this time of year, but I extend an especially heartfelt petition to our supporters in this incredibly pivotal time of need.

In 2011, we have responded to the call of hundreds of thousands of individuals in Missouri and Southern Illinois, both in response to the enormous impact of natural disasters and the continuing economic turmoil.

Additionally, while we are seeing a tenfold increase in need at some of our food pantries over the same time last year, we also are experiencing significant cuts in funding and government support for our food banks.

Individuals who once were our staunchest supporters and regular donors now are coming to the Salvation Army for aid.

As an organization, we pride ourselves on being good stewards of the donations with which God and our donors entrust us, with 82 cents of every dollar being put into programming that changes lives, but we have seen the need in our community outpace the support we are receiving from the community.

We ask that people prayerfully consider donating to this year's Tree of Lights campaign, either with their time or their money, so that we may raise the necessary funds to continue doing this work in 2012.

The donations you make change lives, and it is only through your support that we can help those who need it most.

Major Lonneal Richardson • St. Louis

Divisional Commander, Salvation Army

Public consequences

When Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., was discovered to have a plane that was not on the tax rolls, we learned that St. Louis County relies on owners, private and corporate, to report property ownership to the county. It became apparent there might be other undeclared planes.

County Assessor Jake Zimmerman's office discovered 79 planes that were not on the tax rolls ("Plane owners billed $1.6 million," Nov. 20). The Post-Dispatch discovered more.

Mr. Zimmerman said that the investigation has uncovered 'substantial noncompliance" with the self reporting policy for owners. Seventy-nine non-compliant plane-owners does seem substantial. What percentage of the total number of planes in the county is represented here?

Why do we rely on self-reporting for owners? If aircraft are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, isn't there some means to account for them without relying on self reporting? Unreported aircraft represent a safety and security issue in a post-Sept. 11, 2001, world. Why are businesses at Spirit of St. Louis Airport allowed to conceal the ownership of the planes they house?

Clearly, we cannot rely on individuals or corporations to do the right thing. Bad behavior should have consequences, a requirement for civilization. But for there to be consequences, bad behavior must be exposed. Perhaps the Post-Dispatch will consider publishing a list of the corporations and individuals identified in this investigation as a service to those citizens who honor their obligations and pay their taxes.

Denise S. Pott • St. Louis

Inside baseball

Regarding "Matheny's financial woes tied to case that could ripple statewide" (Nov. 20): Like a good many other financially responsible people caught up in the financial meltdown of the last four years, new Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny overextended himself, and he used what was available to him to help solve the situation. It was perfectly legal. He even went the extra mile and informed his creditors of his position and intentions.

The man had not been the Cardinals manager for even one week, and already we got a front-page story with no smoke or fire that was better left for inside the sports section.

John Carlson • Edwardsville

Good neighbors

Regarding "SLU won't reveal plans for properties it has purchased" (Nov. 20): Overall, St. Louis University has been a good neighbor, and I commend the university for staying in the city and helping St. Louis stay vibrant.

In the area near SLU Hospital and Medical School, the university is acting more like a corporate developer and less a promoter of urban vitality and friend to St. Louis. The small shot-gun style houses on Hickory are the last remnant of a real neighborhood in the immediate area.That area was once a hub of activity. If people make a city, how can SLU buy out the residents and tear down their houses?

Battery A, a castle-like, one-of-a-kind stone fortress, used to stand on Grand and Rutger. The crummy-looking structure that the university put up after tearing down Battery A has been scheduled for demolition. When you destroy historic infrastructure, you cannot go back and recreate it.

I hope the Rev. Lawrence Biondi, as the final decision-maker, finds a method to incorporate the small houses as a tribute to the St. Louisans who have stayed in the city and maintain the facades of the Pevely Dairy buildings.

I have lived in Spain where 500-year-old buildings still stand, but with modern 21st-century interiors. It can and should happen here.

Roger Power • St. Louis

Creative funding

Regarding "Bell tolls for I-70" (Nov. 20): I served on the Creve Coeur Planning and Zoning Commission for four years and on the City Council for another 10 years, so I know a little bit about public infrastructure — particularly transportation infrastructure — and funding mechanisms.

Highway toll roads are not the only funding mechanism of which we should be wary. Transportation development districts are more popular and much more problematic as a funding scheme for Missouri transportation projects.

I hope the paper won't take its eyes off this important issue, especially during these tough economic times and as municipalities and counties continue to look for "creative" taxpayer funding. The state auditor has been pointing out these TDD problems for years.

Laura Bryant • Creve Coeur

A fairer tax plan

Along with the members of Missourians for Tax Justice, I say amen to the editorial "Sharing the load" (Nov. 20), about the way Missouri and Illinois unfairly tax low-wage workers. In the last session, I sponsored, with 23 cosponsors, the Tax Justice for a Healthy Missouri tax reform plan. I expect a hearing on it in 2012. As I speak throughout the state about a bill to create a modern and fairer income tax system, audiences are shocked that we have not updated our tax brackets since 1931.

This legislation:

• Modernizes our tax table. The $9,000 top bracket set in 1931 would be about $128,000 today. Clearly, a table reflecting modern realities is needed.

• Reduces taxes on average for the bottom 60 percent of Missourians through updated brackets and a refundable tax credit of $150 per person per household (phasing out at $50,000 per year for singles and $80,000 per year for married filing jointly).

• Creates a fairer tax system by requiring the wealthiest 20 percent of Missourians to pay an amount as a percentage of their incomes similar to the amount paid now by the bottom 80 percent.

• Raises $1.3 billion in revenue upon voter approval.

• Raises about a fifth of that $1.3 billion by keeping Missouri dollars at home that would have gone to the federal government. When Missouri's wealthiest taxpayers pay more to Missouri, they pay less to the feds due to the various "offsets" offered through itemizing federal taxes.

State Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford • D-St. Louis

The message in 2012

To quote former Sen. John Danforth, R-Mo.: "Politics is all about compromise." We should give Congress this message in 2012: "Compromise, or lose your job."

Marilyn Steinhart • Ballwin