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Letters to The Editor-4
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Thanks for heroic efforts
On Sunday, Dec. 20, my dad and buddy passed away. My mom and dad were out driving, enjoying the beautiful Christmas lights when God took him to heaven.
While still in the car, my dad had a massive heart attack and peacefully went to sleep. My mom went to the nearest house for help and found an angel home. This angel is Nancy Andersen. She performed CPR on my dad until the Mount Pleasant Fire, Rescue and Police got there. These professional firefighters and paramedics and police officers tried desperately to save my dad, but he was already in heaven. A Mount Pleasant police officer brought my mom to St. Mary's and stayed with and comforted her. Nancy followed in her car and also comforted her until my wife, sons, daughter and I could get there. At the hospital, wonderful professionals did their best to save my dad, but God had already taken him.
My dad was a retired director of Purchasing for Racine County. He loved the county and the Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Bill McReynolds provided an escort of sheriff squads to see us safely to the cemetery. My dad was proud!
We in Racine are fortunate to have such wonderful, caring people protecting us like our fire, rescue, police and an occasional angel.
Tim, Rox Ann, Tim Jr., Tommy and Corrie Pie
Bus situation not so rosy
On Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998, a political ad in the form of a commentary appeared on your Opinion Page by Mayor James Smith. It was entitled, ``Mass transit picture shows promise." The only thing missing was the authorized by and paid for disclaimer. It is well known that Mayor Smith is up for re-election in April and the management contract for the Belle Urban System is also up for renewal in July.
Hats off to the pluses of the system and the shiny new buses that adorn our streets. However, while drawing rosy pictures for the taxpayers in the name of dollars, the new transit system has its share of shortcomings. The following is just one.
With the implementation of pulse scheduling (the arrival and departing of buses downtown within a precise two-minute window) the result is tighter schedules and a greater inconvenience to the people. Sometimes it works, but during peak hours, key routes can run five, 10 and even 15 minutes late. All routes have different traffic conditions and slowdowns: schools, trains, bridge openings and wheelchairs. A two-minute window downtown may look good in print (posted schedule) but is not enough time for all buses to make safe, timely connections downtown. People miss transfers, shake their heads and point fingers.
The schedule book is of little value if drivers cannot realistically maintain the posted schedule. Consequences of tighter scheduling include possible lawsuits for the city regarding safety issues such as accidents, and slips and falls on the buses. The patrons of the transit system must come first but have been forgotten. The system is not user friendly if riders miss transfers at strategic locations. Put a smile on the faces of all bus riders, let the buses depart on time from downtown, make the pulse window a minimum of seven or eight minutes.
In conclusion, the mayor is up for re-election and John Diers' (bus manager) three-year contract is up in July. They have a very close relationship and have many of the same labor philosophies that are typical of what is going on in the U.S. today. If tax dollars are truly a concern to Mayor Smith in the operation of the transit system, a quick review of the contract bids to operate the Belle Urban System for the last three years shows the mayor and Racine City Common Council members could have been more frugal with hard-earned taxpayer dollars, but chose instead to award the management contract to the highest bidder.
Please take a moment, voice your opinion, call your aldermen, promote a positive influence, put safety first with realistic schedules. The reps and drivers of the bus would gladly entertain any questions you would like to have. Feel free, for we go on with a clear conscience.
Al Dandeneau
4332 N. Green Bay Road
Gateway nativity removed
The nativity set at Gateway Technical College one day it's there and another day its gone. It doesn't matter that it gave joy in ones heart to see it.
If you want to know what happened to it call the rabbi at the Beth Israel Sinai Temple. He asked that it be removed and he will give you all the reasons why, one being a violation because of the separation of church and state. Why this year, rabbi? You have been at the temple seven years, why now? No wonder we live in such a godless society, what little we have is taken away.
Marlene Gehrke
Racine
A job well done
Once again, at our annual Christmas party held on Dec. 2, 1998, the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, our wives and guests were given a most appreciated treat. This time, we were serenaded by the Case High School Choristers.
The Choristers appeared in full costume, depicting Olde English dress, as may have been worn during medieval times, with all members in full regalia from head to toe, including top hats for the gentlemen and full length decorative gowns by the ladies. Each costume was different from any other and more festive than modern dress. Their presentation of musical selections, primarily of old English songs of the period, coupled with some of today's holiday tunes, was excellent and very enjoyable. From first song to last song, the veterans and their wives were captivated in rapt appreciation all the while the singers continued their melodious renditions of many Yuletide festive songs.
It makes one proud that our young men and ladies are so capable of giving so superb a performance. It shows that quality of teaching is still alive and present in our school system. It is also obvious that so well a performance does not happen overnight. To attain so high a degreof excellence requires numerous hours of diligent practice by the students and unending direction by their instructors. All of whom richly deserve our compliments and accolades for doing so superlative a job.
Floyd Inda
6711 Novak Roa
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