Budgeteer Letters to the Editor - Dec. 13, 2009

Keep it safe but keep it simple

I just read Rep. Roger Reinert’s column in the Dec. 6 issue of the Budgeteer News. I applaud the focus and effort to improve Duluth snow emergency removal procedures, but the enacted schedule gave me a headache.

Why is one “snow emergency” being turned into two “snow emergencies? Days 1-2: There is no street parking when emergency is declared, then back to normal side parking for a day. Day 3: Switch to other side of street for a day, then back to normal a day later again.*

Isn’t the idea supposed to be to keep Duluth safe — and back to normal parking most efficiently — in the least confusing/troublesome way?

Why not have two phases to one “snow emergency”? We need to know when an emergency is declared, when we can begin parking on the streets and when streets are back to normal.

We all know (or should know) not to park on snow emergency roads during the event. Why not then inform us at what point during the event it is OK to park on the street (“wrong” side only) while emergency plowing is still in effect. Then, after a night of our normal side being clear, we move to normal parking and the emergency condition for that road is over.

I think it is much easier to keep thinking ”snow emergency” until it’s over, then to park normal on Day 2 and possibly “forget” to park on the opposite, “good” side on Day 3 — but call me crazy.

Russ Wehrman
Duluth

*For those who missed Reinert’s column on the city’s Snow Emergency Ordinance, here’s how he explained it in last week’s Budgeteer: “Day 1: No parking on designated snow emergency routes. Day 2: Park where you should (according to the alternate side parking schedule). Day 3: Move to the other side of the street. Day 4: Back to the normal alternate side parking schedule.”

Time for columnist Ralph Doty to go

It would appear that Ralph Doty’s reaction to the word “prostitute” used by Glenn Beck to describe Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is a little extreme.

When used in its normal context, it would seem out of line, but when you look at the other definition of prostitute in the dictionary — “A person who uses his or her talents of gifts for unworthy or corrupt purposes” — I believe the word fits.

Sen. Landrieu sold her vote on the health care bill, which was a corrupt act.

She changed her vote only after they added millions of dollars to the bill specifically for her state.

I don’t consider this “doing her job.” It demonstrated to me the corruption of the people in Washington and the fact that they don’t even try to hide it anymore.

In a left-leaning city like Duluth, shows such as Glenn Beck’s are a beacon of hope for people on the conservative side and really add the balance that Doty thinks is lacking.

If it weren’t for these shows, the balance of politics would be even more skewed than it is now. Glenn Beck brings a fresh, new perspective to the discussion based on facts which I find very informative.

I am very worried about the path this country seems to be on and I know I won’t get the whole story about what is really happening from the mainstream media.

Glenn Beck offers another perspective, which I applaud and will continue to listen to.

If Doty thinks Glenn Beck should go, then Doty needs to go to maintain a healthy political balance in this city.

Cathy Kortesmaki
Duluth

Tags: budge opinion, letters to the editor, ralph doty, glenn beck, roger reinert, snow emergency, snow removal