Letters to the editor: June 25, 2019

On homelessness, city

could distinguish itself

There should be no higher priority for Austin's City Council than to find a solution to our city's homeless situation before it reaches the apocalyptic disaster that has befallen Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Absolutely none! Our city council could really make a name for themselves nationwide.

I've read that Austin already spends between $30 and $35 million yearly on shelter/services/healthcare for the homeless. That's a lot of money, and I hope it's being spent wisely. Assuming the reported homeless population of 2,255, that's about $15,500 per person a year.

I cannot imagine a business/homeowner within the city limits who wouldn't kick in a few extra bucks, too, were they assured the money wouldn't be wasted. My wife and I gladly will.

Newt Hasson, Austin

Recovering lost item

renews visitors' faith

marks with these visitors

We want to thank the workers of Capital Metro, in particular, the bus drivers and maintenance people. We've been using route 20 for the past few years on our visits to Austin. The drivers have always been friendly and helpful to us out-of-towners. On June 14, we took the No. 20. Later, we realized that we'd left a sports bag on the bus. We sent an email to the lost and found department. On Monday, we visited the lost and found office, and the attendant gave us a card to call to check on our bag. Tuesday, we received an email stating that our bag had been turned in. In a small way, it renewed our faith in humanity.

We appreciate the friendliness and professionalism of the Cap Metro staff. From our limited experience, Austin has a good public transit system. Kendall and Jim Mellem, St. Louis, Missouri

Board right to rejectcharter school's bidRe: June 15 article, "Education board rejects Austin charter school bid."I offer a big thank you to the State Board of Education for rejecting the application of Harmony Public Schools to open new charter schools in Austin and in the Houston area.It's very refreshing and encouraging to see the board finally take a stand against the proliferation of charter schools in Austin and Texas, and to corral their relentless onslaught against our outstanding public schools.James H. Clary, Austin

Some other examples

of hyperbole to consider

Re: June 21 letter to the editor, "Too much hyperbole in letter on shootings."

The letter writer dislikes what he calls "hyperbole" by another letter writer referring to semiautomatic weapons.

He is "tired of such sensationalism" and frets that calling for a ban on and confiscation of assault weapons is a "warning and a harbinger of chilling times possibly to come."

Well, here's some hyperbole for you: terrified refugees seeking safety are "pouring into," "flooding," swamping" and "invading" America. In-person voter fraud is "rampant." The press is the "enemy of the people." Publishing stories critical of Donald Trump is "treason," as is a legitimate investigation of Russian meddling in his campaign. Discussion of removing him from office by means of the Constitution's 25th Amendment is an "attempted coup." You want a harbinger of chilling times? One by one, this administration is checking off the boxes that have led to dictatorship in the past. And that's not hyperbole.

Janet L. Lachman, Austin

Paxton case prosecutors

need to be compensated

Ken Paxton and his buddies are hoping to avoid being held accountable for his alleged misdeeds. This has gone on too long.

His prosecutors need to get paid by those who are sick of Paxton's tactics. The answer is crowdfunding. The prosecutors need to pick a format for crowdfunding, let the public know where to go to support them. Now put me down for some bucks to see (Paxton) get his day in court.

Paul Schulz-Behrend, Austin

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