So, the vehicle Mayor Kalb uses is no longer appropriate for him? He is vehicle shopping? He isn't considering anything economical. He's wanting a new Ford Expedition. It's neither economical nor fuel efficient. Where is the common sense in this scenario?

Helen Grant

Portsmouth

Police tax could have helped keep down criminal activity

This letter is in response to a letter to the editor, week of May 14. It is always good reading for me when a concerned citizen takes his or her time to voice an opinion about the criminal activity and other issues in the City of Portsmouth.

Writing exactly from one of the quotes: “Some sort of effective action needs to be taken to deal with area drug problems.” Referring to the drug problem, the quote was, “For the police and the Daily Times to be blind to the situation is unbelievable.” Myself, being aware of the freedom of speech and the “jargon” that goes with it, and certainly not meaning to harm someone's feelings, I think that statement is simply not true.

The Portsmouth Daily Times, is constantly reporting stories about the arrest of drug dealers/drug abusers and many other acts of crime. They also print their names (might be a neighbor), addresses, sentencing, etc. These stories will usually appear on the front page of the paper, providing there is not a very “unpopular” article about the City Councilman Tim Loper “fiasco.”

Chief of Police Charles Horner says he “would like to add 10 police officers (sounded more like a plea) to his department.” Maybe he was thinking, if he had more officers on the streets he could further protect the the citizens of Portsmouth. I don't know. This gives the citizens an opportunity to help/support the police department and themselves. If 10 new officers are added to the force, they would probably like to receive a paycheck. Chief Horner proposed a small tax of .02 percent to cover payroll cost. This would cost $50 to those making $25,000 per year, $100 for those making $50,000 per year, etc. Did the citizens of Portsmouth vote to help the Chief and themselves? Of course “not.”

Perhaps it was the drug dealers/abusers and other people of crime that voted against the Chief's proposal.

Mike Bennett

Wheelersburg

Where are the tears for abortion victims?

All who know me are aware that I love animals. What touched my heart when I saw the racehorse Barbaro break his leg was the fan reaction. Tears and more tears. Some could not watch the replays. I started to question. How many tears have been shed for the 43 million unborn babies that have lost their lives in this nation since abortion was legalized?

Debby Mersiel

Portsmouth