Two more area families are acutely aware of the dangers U.S. troops are facing in Iraq — those grieving for Sgt. Jerry W. Mills Jr. of Arkansas City (in photo) and Sgt. Donald J. Hasse of Wichita Falls, Texas, whose mother lives in Wichita. Killed Tuesday when a roadside bomb detonated near their military vehicle in Taji, the soldiers have honored their country and communities with their service, which included two deployments in Iraq. Though no one can thank them enough, south-central Kansans should continue to try to support both the troops and the loved ones left behind.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Here’s more evidence from The Washington Post that it’s time for redistricting reform in this country: “Justice Department lawyers concluded that the landmark Texas congressional redistricting plan spearheaded by Rep. Tom DeLay (R) violated the Voting Rights Act, according to a previously undisclosed memo obtained by The Washington Post. But senior officials overruled them and approved the plan.”
As long as lawmakers in power — both Republicans and Democrats — are allowed to carve out political districts along partisan lines to ensure easy victories, democracy will be in danger. As it is now, 90 percent of incumbent U.S. House members always win re-election. It’s time to change the system.
Posted by Melissa Cooley
All some of us know about Terrell Owens is what we learned from that Nicollette Sheridan moment last year (see photo). But that’s enough to wonder what Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., was thinking in threatening to bring what Specter termed Owens’ “vindictive and inappropriate” treatment by the Philadelphia Eagles and NFL before the antitrust subcommittee of his Senate Judiciary Committee, and in discussing the matter with the Justice Department. Specter has since backed off a bit, but this seems like a case of hometown sports pride run amok — especially coming from a guy who had no time for hearings on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito before January.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
It’s good news that northeast Wichita is getting — at long last — a full-service grocery store in the neighborhood. Ground-breaking was Friday at the corner of 13th and Grove for a new Sav-A-Lot Supermarket.
For almost 10 years, area residents have had to drive two miles or more to the nearest grocery store. Or they could get a few staples at nearby convenience stores.
The new store, which should be finished in six months, will be an economic and health benefit for the neighborhood. The area’s families, many of them low-income, will have readier access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and they’ll avoid a high gas surcharge on their grocery bills. The store is also expected to add 25 jobs.
Hats off to the nonprofit Power Community Development Corp., the city of Wichita and Sav-A-Lot for bringing home the bacon for an underserved neighborhood.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
