Letters - Wednesday

Gift of Life
Summer brings increased need for blood donations

It is absolutely critical to have a sufficient blood supply at all times in Colorado. This summer, the demands placed on Colorado's blood supply will be further compounded by the Democratic National Convention. As Denver welcomes more than 45,000 guests, additional responsibility will be placed on the shoulders of our health care system. As a cancer survivor, I know first-hand how absolutely critical it is to have a sufficient blood supply at all times.

Unfortunately, blood donations in Colorado can drop by as much as 20 percent in summer. In an average year, 4,000 donors per week are required to meet the needs of our community, and it's not uncommon to fall far short of that target during summer.

This year, because of the convention, an even greater supply is necessary just to meet our general needs. Our blood supply needs are further amplified by emergency preparedness efforts.

If you are eligible, please consider donating today. It's a simple way to contribute, and your donation can go a very long way.

To ensure Colorado always has a sufficient blood supply on hand, we will introduce new legislation next January to make it possible for more eligible Coloradans to donate.

Current state law requires a blood donor be 18 years old, or 17 with parental consent. But if the age requirement was lowered to 16 - with the appropriate safety precautions - Bonfils Blood Center estimates that up to 2,600 additional units would be collected annually.

If eligible 16-year-olds were added to the pool of available donors, it would help ensure the state always has a sufficient blood supply and that Coloradans always receive the blood they need when they need it. States that have already lowered the age requirement to 16 have seen a 30 percent jump in participation at high school drives.

Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to give back to the community - and could possibly save someone's life. Last year, more than 600,000 lives were saved or enhanced in Colorado alone thanks to blood donations.

And when people donate when they are young, they are more likely to continue donating in the years to come.

So start now by donating to help meet our exceptional demands this year. Talk to your kids about the importance of blood donation. Become a donor for life.

Rep. Mike Merrifield, State House District 18 Colorado Springs.

Traffic Safety
Improper procedures to blame for crash involving fire engine

I heard on the news Thursday evening that a car ran into a piece of fire apparatus that had responded to an earlier accident. I am dismayed that emergency responders were left vulnerable in a blind area over a rise in the road. Why wasn't a police cruiser parked at the top of the rise to cover the responders?

So, now there is a piece of apparatus needlessly out of commission and a driver probably in the hospital because the scene wasn't protected?

Many years ago, I read in a magazine that the Colorado Springs police had a unique lightbar for their patrol cars - it raised up so drivers approaching from the other side of the many blind areas on the city's roads could be warned.

Robert Cancellieri, Colorado Springs

Time for Change
Kids suffer when adults refuse to fund productive programs

It's time to face reality in El Paso County - wanting something for nothing and not paying our fair share is not a virtue. "No New Taxes" might make a great battle cry, but it certainly isn't good policy. Apparently a majority of county residents think that these traits are a badge of honor.

We have one of the lowest tax rates in the state and country. It's time to raise taxes.

Now they want to cut the 4-H program ("The final grade," The Gazette, July 31). We privatized the fair until it's too expensive for 4-H clubs to rent a booth and a soda costs $5.

I'm sure some people don't think that the 4-H program is worth funding. I disagree. The first time I ever spoke in public was for a 4-H demonstration in the local high school. I learned Roberts Rules of Order (a skill I'll use in the state senate if elected) as a 4-H member. I learned fiscal responsibility as a club treasurer.

4-H grooms the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. These 4-Hers invest their time and energy into learning productive skills they'll use for the rest of their lives.

They aren't hanging out on a street corner, cutting school or painting graffiti on local buildings. They're the brightest and best this county has to offer for the future.

If the program is shut down for lack of funding or interest, we as a society should be ashamed.

Their motto is to "Make the Best Better." They pledge: their heads to clearer thinking, their hands to better service, their hearts to greater loyalty, and their health to better living for their club, their community and their world. These kids should be given more funding, not less.

Diane D. Whitley, Calhan

Development vs. Detention
Child's expulsion from center inappropriate punishment

The Family Development Center at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is an oxymoron; a more appropriate title would be Family Detention Center ("Boy, 4, ousted after threat," The Gazette, July 31). The discipline meted out to this 4-year-old was inappropriate, harsh and bordering on child abuse. Most 4-yearolds have given up naps and forcing a nap is certain to incur frustration. Putting the child alone in a hallway - probably a vast, scary place to a four-year-old - "until he could stop crying" is totally counterproductive and would tend to make him cry out of fear as well as anger.

As for his threat, how many parents have had their child say, "I hate you," when the child is upset or out of control?

This child has been at the center for three years. As someone with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, I think a competent staff, instead of issuing "incident" reports, would have been observing and listening to the child, as well as creating an environment in which he could channel anger and frustration appropriately.

I suspect Kyle has been made a convenient scapegoat for a center that looks for the docile child who exhibits, to quote associate vice chancellor Susan Szpyrka, "a pattern of behavior that is complementary to the day care center's mission." Obviously, day care and not child development is the mission of the center. One would expect more from a center associated with a university.

Lois J. Goven, Colorado Springs

Losing Ground
Immigration story a study in lousy journalism

One of the reasons newspapers are losing popularity is articles such as "State crackdown isn't paying off," in the Aug. 4 Gazette. The story was about the effort of Colorado state legislators to reduce illegal immigrant access to taxpayer supported services. Readers use to rely on the newspaper to understand issues; no more.

The Gazette story referred often to people with opinions, but no statistics. The report did quote Rich Jones from the Bell Policy Center, but failed to mention that Jones and his organization supported illegal immigrants in their effort to qualify for instate tuition as well as other illegal immigrant issues.

It also quoted state Rep. Dave Schultheis who "senses", but does not know if government agencies are checking the legal status of people seeking services.

The Gazette did quote an over-worked city clerk who looked at the law as only requiring "one more piece of paperwork."

Maybe the story here was that the legislators are more interested in show, but no real reform. Maybe the story was about apathy in enforcement. Whatever the story, The Gazette sure missed it.

Randy Fritz, Palmer Lake

Letters pertaining to the Aug. 12 primary elections must be received at The Gazette by the close of business today to be considered for publication.