Omaha’s work for CWS paid off
Omaha’s downtown community served as an outstanding host of this year’s College World Series and has set the stage for future success over the next 24 years and beyond.
The atmosphere that was created — and the challenges that were avoided — did not happen by itself. It’s obvious that considerable planning, adjustment and hard work went into making this event a success.
I thank CWS Inc., Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority, the City of Omaha and Metro buses for all of their work to make sure things ran smoothly.
Additional thanks go to the downtown community for embracing this event. From the personal touches of businesses and the friendliness of downtown employees, there is no doubt that visitors to our city left with many positive impressions.
Next year, the downtown community will work to further support the CWS. We are fortunate to have a downtown that is strong and vibrant and has the ability to host multiple major events without inconvenience.
Downtown has the ability to expand this 11-day CWS celebration even further with the bars, restaurants, shops, hotels, galleries and parking to support the expansion. Oma-hans should be proud of this fact.
Kim Folta, Omaha
President, Omaha Downtown
Improvement District Association
A great time at CWS in Omaha
My family and I had a wonderful time in Omaha for the College World Series. We had the pleasure and privilege to stay in Bellevue with the friend of a friend.
While our boys made it to the final four teams and we would have liked to have had them play longer, we had a great time. The games were good, close and clean. The folks at CWS Inc. did an excellent job, and I’m looking forward to bringing some grandchildren one day.
I have only one suggestion: Get some shade around the outfield concourse. Some of us older folks just can’t take the heat.
Mort Coleman, Richmond, Va.
Don’t take Old Market parking
I’d add only one thing to a June 29 editorial, “A home run for Omaha,” touting the success of the 2011 College World Series.
When the city addressed the issue of parking by creating a shuttle system that provided ample public and private spots, it failed to take into account the impact this system would have on local businesses.
The vital Old Market area, which provides a good deal of tax dollars for the city, seemed to be completely ignored. The city guided baseball fans to park in Old Market lots, catch a shuttle for 25 cents and basically use those lots all day long, leaving no parking available for Old Market patrons.
Let’s hope a different solution is found for next year so that Old Market business owners and their employees are not financially damaged by the CWS. In past years, the CWS was a boon for the Old Market. The parking issue sadly turned it into a bust.
Jody Distefano, Plattsmouth, Neb.
AARP against cuts in Medicare
Thomas Burke (June 28 Pulse) and Ralph Badger (June 29) wrongly ascribe financial motives to AARP’s support for Medicare.
In response to Burke’s request that AARP disclose its finances, AARP’s annual reports, Form 990s, other public filings and charts on AARP’s revenues and expenditures are at www.aarp.org/CheckForYourself.
Badger’s claim that “the only insurance companies offering Medigap plans are affiliated with AARP” is incorrect. Of the 56 Medigap plans offered in Nebraska, only one is affiliated with AARP.
Contrary to Badger’s view, AARP is not using scare tactics to warn senior citizens about harmful cuts in Medicare. This is an increasingly real threat, as we approach an August deadline to raise the debt ceiling.
Under one proposal — the Commitment to American Prosperity Act — arbitrary spending limits would cut Medicare spending and Social Security benefits by 20 percent. Cuts would go even deeper under a Balanced Budget Amendment.
AARP believes cutting benefits is the wrong approach. Congress should target wasteful spending and close tax loopholes.
Devorah Lanner, Lincoln
Communications director
AARP Nebraska
Victims of assault can find help
I am writing about the 5-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted June 14 by two young boys in northwest Omaha.
When I was 5 years old, I was sexually molested. I immediately went into denial. Thirty years later, after a clumsy adolescence, low self-esteem and broken marriages, I remembered my past abuse and sought help from professional counselors.
They helped me find my way through my confusion, fear, loss, sadness and anger. It was a tough climb, but I am successfully managing — one day at a time.
I want the little girl, her brother and their parents to know that there are professional, talented and confidential counselors who can guide them through this difficult time.
Kathleen A. Mortenson, Bellevue
Goal: Put water where needed
With all of the fires going on in Arizona and New Mexico, I can’t help but wish someone could create some extraordinary way to transport some of this flood water there.
One would think that with all of the engineering expertise in Iowa and Nebraska, somebody would think of something. Those fire-ravaged states could use the water, and we need to get rid of it.
Don Edwards, Council Bluffs
Corps needs closer look at flood
In the 1990s, Congress appropriated funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve the quality of its office space in the Omaha district.
Instead of renovating the Zorinsky Federal Building, Congress should have directed the corps to locate its offices at the lowest reaches along the Missouri River.
In this way, either the corps might have managed the Missouri River better, or it would have suffered the plight of so many others who have been underwater for several weeks.
Either way, the corps would have had some serious skin in the game, rather than being completely above the fray while looking dispassionately at those whose lives and well-being are being reshaped over the next several months, if not years.
Considering how Hamburg, Iowa, residents moved quickly to stop some breaches in their levees, while the corps pulled back to watch at a distance, the contrast demonstrates the difference in outlook when one’s own welfare is at stake.
One would hope the corps would be equally motivated if it faced similar conditions. If not, the corps would be tasting a morsel of its own cooking right now — some less than savory Missouri River water.
Laurence R. Wagner, Omaha
Plan for next spring’s thawing
With the enormity of the flooding and the anticipation of its lengthy stay, maybe someone should start to be a little proactive and put a plan together for next spring’s thaw.
Many trees could be buzzed off by blocks of ice. Buildings and bridges that have not seen this kind of frozen ice force might become another severe headache for the city.
Not being a corps engineer, I don’t know what steps can be taken. But I don’t want to hear that an ice flow of this nature could not have been anticipated.
I give a thumbs-up to Omaha’s mayor and the city workers for all of their hard work.
Linda Merrill, Omaha
Driver made the choice to drink
I think Douglas County District Court Judge Patrick Mullen needs to step away from whatever letters he has received and understand that Mark Dahir’s most recent DUI offense was not an accident.
This was a choice that Dahir made. It’s not any different than that of a serial arsonist. Dahir may not have killed anyone yet, but he has put lives in danger in the same manner.
This is someone who is sick and has completely disregarded the rights of everyone driving or walking the streets of Omaha.
I would love for Judge Mullen to explain to the City of Omaha how making the decision to drive impaired — for the seventh time — is any different than making the decision to light a building on fire.
Travis C. Kilpatrick, Omaha
Only government extends limits
I had a rude awakening the other day. I went to my favorite watering hole and ordered a drink and a round for my friends.
The bartender filled their glasses and presented me with a bill for $50. I told him to put it on my account, but he said he couldn’t because I had exceeded my credit limit.
I told him that was no problem because my friends and I had just voted to increase my credit limit. The bartender replied that his name was Sam, not Uncle Sam.
Jerry Engdahl, Omaha
Newspaper gives the most news
Everyone has a favorite source for local news, but the truth is that The World-Herald is the only source for broad-based news.
Where else can we go for neighborhood news, competent, in-depth sports reporting, local entertainment, religion reports, food and restaurant reviews, stimulating columnists, editorial commentary, medical and health tips, human-interest stories, political watchdogging and social gatherings?
Barclay Wade, Omaha
No one should bow to president
David W. McCord (June 26 Pulse) had the right to express disagreement in his response to my June 22 letter. I was critical of President Barack Obama’s bowing, scraping, kowtowing and apologizing for America’s shortcomings to every foreign leader he can.
What McCord did not have the right to do was distort my words and add an untrue statement in an attempt to make a point.
Nowhere did I state, suggest or even remotely imply that anyone or any nation should bow to any American president — most assuredly, not this one.
Max R. Moore, Bellevue
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