Your letters for Aug. 30, 2024

By NewsPress Now

Your letters for Aug. 30, 2024

Know the facts

I am writing about an incorrect statement published in Explore Outdoors, July 26-26, 2024, Weekender, C4, after within several weeks of the previous incorrect statement about the Eastern Spadefoot Frog occurring throughout Missouri, including St. Joseph.

In the paper, a photo is shown of a stated Black-chinned Hummingbird preparing to land in its nest in St. Joseph. Granted, the female Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the Black-chinned Hummingbird are very similar, but the Black-chinned hummingbird is a western United States species that is an accidental vagrant species that has strayed during the migration into Missouri only twice! Our only other nesting hummingbird in Missouri during summer is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and the pictured bird is undoubtedly a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Our libraries have numerous ornithological (bird) books to confirm my stated comments. Does My Courier-Tribune and News-Press NOW edit for accuracy?

Last, hummingbirds, like other birds, lay eggs, with the hatching of the eggs producing young; unlike most mammals (including humans), birds do not give birth to young (see 2nd sentence of “Humming birds don’t get summer vacation.”)

Perhaps these comments may seem trivial, but reproduction involves basic biology and upcoming birders should know the facts.

Dr. David A. Easterla

Maryville, Missouri



Vote for what your constituents want

We as Americans are a representative democracy, whereas we vote for representatives who in turn vote on laws and policies in our favor.

It is my understanding that when I vote for a representative they, in turn, vote for what I (and they) wish to be accomplished. Isn’t this why we vote for presidents, congressmen, governors and on a personal level, mayors, city council and board of education members?

My concern is mostly local because when I read something in the paper or online or see it on the news, it seems that the representatives are doing what they want and not what the popular opinion is.

Take the city pools for example. It appears to me that not near as many citizens want a water park as much as they do a pool. Yes, a water park is fun too but what about the parents? Are they not allowed to swim? Recently, I have been reading the articles about the closing of Krug Pool. This saddens me because the parks department isn’t doing what I have read to be the popular decision, and that is to fix whatever is broke and keep the pool. Why can’t the city build a small water park next to the pool?

Hyde Park lost its pool because the city decided it was too costly to fix and maintain. Well, let me tell you what. I want my taxes to pay for what I want, not what the city thinks I want.

Just look at the aquatic center. Broken. Millions of dollars wasted just to have something to look at and not enjoy fully. Why? Because the city doesn’t want to take care of what they have. They just want to build new things so that our city looks good to outsiders. I mean, look at the parking lot and driveways of the North Shoppes! Look at the waterfront park, look at the streets!

And don’t get me started on the I-229 overpass. MODOT has already decided what they are going to do and only federal testing results will alter that decision. I have tried calling Sam Graves office and they don’t even answer the phone anymore. So if you have an opinion on that, try calling. My vote is to fix or repair the bridge. I mean, have you ever watched the sunset from there? Or watched a storm roll in or the ice floes drifting down the river? It’s a beautiful site. And as for the view to the East, I love looking at the landscape of the city AND the industry happening below.

So, the focus of my rant is that I would like for our elected representatives to reach out to their constituents. The people that elected them. Ask them what they want and place your vote on what the popular opinion is. Not what they think should happen. We didn’t elect you to do what you think is best for us. We elected you to vote in favor of what we want.

Jason D. Ingram

St. Joseph



Other ways to incentivize attendance

I disagree with paying parents for meeting their obligation of ensuring that their children attend school to take advantage of the “free education” guaranteed to all. If the district has discretionary money to spend, it would be better utilized by providing students with their required back-to-school supplies instead of giving them lists of things for the parents to buy. Such things as paper, pencils, erasers, paste, scissors, water colors, compasses, protractors, etc. can add up to a daunting expense for some, especially for those with more than one child in the family.

There are others ways to incentivize students to attend regularly, also. At one time, high school students who met specified attendance requirements could opt out of final exams at the end of semesters. Parent/teacher/student brainstorming could come up with other rewards, such as a free yearbook or a free activity ticket. These things would also alleviate expenses for the family while providing the students with something they would value.

Sandra Jacobs

St. Joseph