Letters to the Editor

NGA isn’t an urban renewal program

Dear Editor,

I read an article regarding the NGA and their upcoming decision on where to relocate. U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay Jr. from Missouri makes a ridiculous case as to why the NGA should move to north St. Louis. He says “the federal government owes us after the debacle of Pruitt-Igoe” referring to a public housing complex that opened in 1956 and closed a decade later because it was crime ridden. Also because the city of St. Louis has lost the Rams. Seriously, that’s the best you’ve got?

He further implies that young people won’t want to commute to Illinois from Missouri. Approximately 30 percent of NGA workers live in Illinois already. Does anyone really believe that moving the NGA to north St Louis will revitalize that area? I can’t imagine anyone wanting to work in an area where they fear for their life just getting to and from work, or stepping outside of that complex to go to lunch or shop, let alone consider moving their families there. As has been stated, the NGA is not an urban renewal program.

Their decision should be based on what’s best for the agency. Without question, the St. Clair County location is the clear choice for numerous reasons. Let’s hope that common sense and logic prevail and that politics doesn’t play a part in the decision.

Julie Kemper, Swansea

The one that got away

Dear Editor,

It must be expected that Bill Malec’s prolific letter writing will occasionally result in misuse of a word. Bill did so recently with the word “narcissistic.” My Webster definition of the word is “love of or sexual desire of one’s own body.” Bill wrote, “Trump was caught showing his narcissistic side.” He continued with, “It is not always about ‘The Donald.’” But “it is about The Donald” if Bill’s use of “narcissistic” were to be understandable and correct.

I am surprised our dedicated “editors” would allow such an obvious error to slip by their sharp eyes?

Lee Pitzer, O’Fallon

Thanks for election support

Dear Editor:

I was overwhelmed by the support the voters of St. Clair County District 15 showed to me in the Primary on Tuesday, March 15. I want to thank everyone that came out and voted for me.

As I walked door to door over the past few months, I heard time and time again that the people of my district want a new kind of government that replaces infighting with honest conversation in pursuit of constructive change.

During my time on the County Board I have worked hard to achieve real results. I have helped hundreds of homeowners reduce their property taxes and improved O’Fallon-Troy Road. With the backing of the voters of District 15 I will continue working to improve our county.

Sincerely,

John West, County Board Member District 15

More passengers for a one-way trip

In his letter on Feb. 24, Jim Walters lists people he would like to have sent to Mars on a one-way trip. I agree with him about animal abusers (the first on his list), but the rest of the list made me laugh. He focused primarily on groups and people opposed to Hillary Clinton. We all have the right to express wishful thinking, but his mindset goes beyond limits of sanity. Consequently, I viewed it as comical.

I too would send certain people and groups to another planet if I could and that would include: 1) hippies and peaceniks of the Vietnam era, 2) all terrorists, 3) ISIS members, 4) dope peddlers, 5) pimps, 6) Bill Clinton, 7) Hillary Clinton and I could name others, too.

Walters said he would send his undesirables to Mars, a planet from which human beings could conceivably return if furnished the proper equipment. I would send my undesirables to Venus, a planet with an environment much like hell and from which there would be no return.

Frank B. Austin, O’Fallon

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Letters to the Editor."