MSD's name change talk was minor, yet magnified in coverage
The story "MSD proposes new name, other changes" (Sept. 30) about the work of Metropolitan Sewer District's Charter Plan Amendment Commission and the discussion about the district's name generated much feedback, including the editorial "Sewer pride" (Oct. 1). The focus on a possible name change does not reflect the level of discussion at the commission meeting and the seriousness with which a name change is being considered.
In the nine years since its charter was last amended, MSD has kept a list of topics that have been brought to its attention by the public that can be addressed only by a voter-approved change to the charter. We include all topics that come to our attention, regardless of their stature. One topic among many has been MSD's name and whether it accurately reflects the scope of its mission. Thirty-two topics were presented to the commission without recommendation from MSD staff on the validity or priority of individual topics.
At the meeting, the name was discussed for five minutes. More than an hour was dedicated to issues of more critical importance to MSD customers. But the story's opening paragraphs and the editorial focused on this one topic, embellishing the seriousness with which the issue was discussed and its importance to MSD. There is no formal proposal or recommendation to change MSD's name. A name change merely was mentioned by the public on several occasions and was discussed as part of a conversation on a relevant section of MSD's charter.
Over the next several decades, MSD plans to spend $6 billion on required improvements to its sewer system. Millions of dollars will be spent on stormwater management. It is critical that the public be involved in developing plans and understand their environmental and economic benefits. While MSD makes no claim to perfection and welcomes criticism, it is difficult to engage the public in meaningful conversations when the weight and seriousness with which minor matters are being considered is inaccurately portrayed.
Lance LeComb — St. Louis
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
State hit the jackpot
with Tour of Missouri
As a citizen of Illinois and a native Oklahoman, I am happy that Missouri showed us how to put on a world-class sporting event with the Tour of Missouri. I hope the people of Missouri understand the significance and success of their tour as a sporting event and its economic impact on the state.
I spent three days in Missouri to see the tour, and many people came from all over the country to catch the action. The success was magnified by coordination with the Gateway Cup amateur races in St. Louis. The Gateway races were full and populated by racers from more distant locales than usual. People came from as far away as Utah and California to see the Tour of Missouri, and they came up early to do a little racing in St. Louis. We all spent a lot of money.
The Tour of Missouri is a big-time race, and it counted for international points at the same magnitude as venerable European races, including Paris-Nice. Much of the top cycling talent in the world chose to come to Missouri and skip the Tour of Spain, held at the same time.
I hope that political opposition to the Tour of Missouri can be shelved. If not, a lot of people will be spending less money in Missouri next year.
Darren Sherkat — Carbondale, Ill.
A life of integrity
I live in Philadelphia and was in town visiting family when I read "Evil, stupidity, corruption" (Oct. 4). I was surprised to see a picture of my father, Elmer Dolan, holding the Greenlease murder weapon in the presence of the convicted murderers, Carl Hall and Bonnie Heady. What happened to that little boy is a tragedy.
The story ended by saying that the legacy of evil, stupidity and corruption endures. Yet, among those words, I could not find one appropriate for the story of Elmer Dolan.
For his family, the words are love, integrity and commitment. Elmer's life ended much too early, but in the time between that picture and his death in May 1973, he instilled in his children the values of strength of character, moral clarity and loyalty. His grandchildren are the best evidence I can offer to the good life this man led. Among the nurses, bankers, teachers, chefs, etc., are a Naval officer just returned from Afghanistan, Marines (including one wounded in Iraq), a St. Louis police officer and many in the service of others.
The jury of Elmer's family found him innocent in this matter and a victim of circumstances outside the control of a 24-year-old policeman. Further, he lived the rest of his life as if he had done nothing wrong and was a role model for his children and grandchildren. He lived with humor, serenity, affection and devotion.
Elmer's story is about love, family and commitment. These values endure; evil and stupidity do not.
John Francis Dolan — Philadelphia
Who should pay?
There is a very simple answer to eliminating "defensive medical costs." It is for doctors to pay more attention to what they are doing. There would be few medical malpractice lawsuits if doctors didn't make serious mistakes that cause injury to the patients they are supposed to heal.
Who do these "tort reform" proponents think should pay for treating the damage the doctor caused? The injured patient?
Charlotte Hulett — Barnhart
Men can be at risk
for breast cancer, too
October is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month." It is possible for men to contract breast cancer. Furthermore, men can be carriers of the breast cancer gene mutations and pass them on to their children.
As with all cancers, early diagnosis and treatment are critical for male breast cancer. The primary screening for men is self examination. Any lump in the breast area, particularly near the nipple, should be examined immediately by an oncologist and probably biopsied. Because of widespread ignorance about male breast cancer, the tumors may be allowed to progress into very serious conditions. Also, genetic counseling may be indicated, particularly when there are female children involved.
I am a breast cancer survivor as is my younger daughter because of genetic counseling. Both of my parents had breast cancer.
Charles L. Fisher — St. Louis County
Soda tax won't improve
children's health
Earlier this year, the Illinois State Dental Society was proposing a 5 percent soda tax to pay for dental programs for poor people in the state. Now the pediatric chiefs of nine Illinois hospitals are supporting a 1-cent-per-ounce soda tax to fund children's health care programs ("Illinois doctors propose tax on soft drinks," Oct. 5).
The tax revenue is suggested to help solve "work force shortages." Does that mean taxpayers should subsidize pediatricians' pay or college tuition? It is true that attracting new, talented doctors to the field requires financial incentives, but taxpayers should not have to subsidize those incentives.
The soft drink companies and their consumers are not to blame for low reimbursement rates and other concerns. The answer is not more taxes, more government spending and new government programs. In fact, higher taxes will serve only to create a new set of problems for the state.
Instead, we need to limit the government bureaucracy in health care and allow pediatricians more freedom to set a reasonable rate for their services and expertise.
John Nothdurft — Chicago
The Heartland Institute
