Find the money to reopen El Paso public libraries: Reader

Find the money to reopen libraries

Across Texas and the rest of the country, public libraries are finding innovative ways of safely opening and serving their citizens again. It is our most vulnerable citizens that are being affected by El Paso’s shuttered libraries, the elderly, the financially at risk, and our students.

Our librarians need to resume their jobs. It is important to know this September our furloughed librarians are entering their sixth month of unemployment. They are anxious to resume their duties and their interrupted lives.

The city has apparently decided that financially they cannot afford to reopen our libraries. Yet, raises have been reinstated, merit bonuses have been accepted by some of the highest-paid individuals, and stimulus checks have been given to city employees. Not the furloughed employees, though. This seems morally corrupt to me. Our libraries are the first line of defense against illiteracy in any society. I find it incredible that the literacy of our city is seen as unimportant by city leaders or at the very least something to be deferred.

The current status of the libraries being closed for the rest of the year is outrageous. The city of El Paso can find the funds to restore city employees to their positions just as other cities have. El Paso needs to be a city that values public libraries and the important difference they make in citizens' lives. Reopen El Paso’s libraries now!

Gretchen Trominski

West El Paso

More: El Paso city employees to be repaid lost wages, get extra payment in midst of COVID-19

Put your mask on

A recent letter to the editor claims that we need a new constitutional convention because of government overreach. I disagree. The writer mentions concern about current health restrictions as an onerous burden that restricts our freedom. What happened to the old saw: Your rights end where my face begins?

The Constitution says that the government is responsible for the public welfare. Temporary health restrictions are necessary to maintain a healthy population and reduce death and disease. Economic activity necessitates a healthy workforce, not a disabled and dying one.

You don't have the right to infect me with a dangerous disease, so put your mask on. And remember, almost half of all health care costs are paid by the government and most of the rest by private insurance companies. I am, along with all the other taxpayers, paying for your health care if you catch COVID-19.

Kathleen Bombach

West El Paso

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More: EPISD will start bringing some elementary school students into classrooms starting Oct. 1

Honor Andrew Barcena, thank a police officer

On Sept. 25 our family and friends will remember the life and death of our beloved family member Officer Andrew Barcena, who was killed while responding to a domestic dispute call 16 years ago.

Andrew, like the vast majority of police officers and other law enforcement, risk their lives to serve and protect. In these highly divided times, please remember to thank police and other law enforcement.

In honor of his life and death, please demonstrate respect for police and other law enforcement

Riccardo Barraza

West El Paso

Should we honor the Buffalo Soldiers?

It's good that we've moved from honoring traitorous racists such as Robert E. Lee with dedications and statues and replaced these for individuals worthier of commemoration such as the Buffalo Soldiers who received their nickname from the Native American tribes who they fought against.

We, however, also must examine the role the Buffalo Soldiers played in light of their abetting in the ethnic cleansing perpetrated against these native peoples by the United States in its pursuit of manifest destiny.

Gabriel R. Solis

East El Paso

More: El Paso's Robert E. Lee Road renamed Buffalo Soldier Road to honor historic Black soldiers

Alfonso Lopez, Bowie baseball, in good spirits

You ran a column from Texana Reads about the ‘49 Bowie baseball team just the other day. After reading that ‘one by one they succumbed to nature’ I was left with the impression that there were none left. In case anyone else came away with the same conclusion, I’d just like to take this opportunity to let everyone know there's one left. He is Alfonso Lopez. He is 88 years old and is my uncle. He is in good spirits during this rough time and would like everyone to know that when things get tough the tough get going. Thank you.

Manny De Avila

West El Paso

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Find the money to reopen El Paso public libraries: Reader

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