Jim Garges doesn't deserve to be raked over the coals by the mayor, City Council and the Enquirer. This is a man who is dedicated to his job, his city and especially the people of this city. Yet he is being criticized for the way he is fighting for his department and recreation centers around the city.

He has leadership skills that other people in City Hall only dream of having. If Garges asks me to support recreation, I will do that based on what he has already delivered. He has proven to me, by past results, that he has the best interests of the city in mind. If Charlie Luken would ask my support without giving me every detail of his plan or idea, I wouldn't do it. Luken could never rally the support that Garges can.

I sent the mayor and City Council a letter in support of David Crowley's idea, and all I got back from Luken is a whiny e-mail that he wasn't able to accomplish the same thing, so now he won't support it. If we continue to criticize people like Garges, our city has no hope of recovery. The person who qualifies as the "strong mayor" is in the recreation department.

Robert J. Hartlaub Jr., Carthage

Greed, not war, reason behind gas increase

When is a politician going to go against the oil companies and fight for us? There is no big shortage, except in the pockets of the American public. SUVs are not to blame, a possible war with Iraq is not to blame; the only blame is the greed of the big oil companies, and our politicians letting them get away with it. They, at times, give lip service to try and mollify us but they won't risk losing that PAC money to actually help us. I for one will remember come next election day.

Kenneth Van Horn, Blue Ash

Dividend tax cut fleeces mid-America

There are probably corporate board meetings being conducted all over America discussing George W. Bush's gift, "tax-free dividends."

Imagine a corporate officer with a $1.5 million annual salary who has 1 million shares of his company's stock with declared dividends of $1 per share. He decides to cut his annual salary by $1 million.

Because of Bush's generosity, he can now realize tax-free dividends of $1 million from his 1 million shares - thereby reducing his gross and possible taxable income from $1.5 million to $500,000, with a tax saving of $362,199. Thank you, Mr. President. Wake up, middle America, you are being fleeced.

Winston Fowler, North Avondale

Ky. bill would protect vulnerable borrowers

The Kentucky Legislature has a great opportunity to protect its citizens from unethical lending practices that have forced thousands into bankruptcy and foreclosure. House Bill 240, sponsored by Majority Leader Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, has the backing of the 400,000 members of AARP Kentucky, as well as a coalition of 16 other organizations dedicated to serving the poor and elderly.

It is a bill that would prohibit unfair and deceptive practices used by some lenders to pressure homeowners into signing up for high-cost and often unaffordable mortgage loans.

It is a bill that has attracted stiff opposition from the banking and mortgage industry, who would rather not have additional controls on their lending practices so they can continue on in a "buyer beware" atmosphere that leaves all too many Kentuckians saying, "They didn't tell me I could lose my home."

Stumbo, a banker, has heard the horror stories and has embraced the regulations offered in HB240 as the only way to protect those citizens he hopes to serve in the future as attorney general for Kentucky. As attorney general, he will be the lead consumer advocate for Kentuckians and will need the strict but fair regulations of HB240 to rein in unethical lenders, brokers and assessors.

The banking/mortgage industry is spreading rumors that passing HB240 would put lenders out of business and make loans unavailable to some of Kentucky's poorer citizens. That is not true. The same tactic was used in several other states where nearly identical legislation became law despite objections from the lenders. Low-income citizens in those states are now getting loans on better terms, and the mortgage lending industry has continued to grow and prosper.

Stumbo, Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, and the 30 other sponsors of HB240 could use your support. Call your legislators at (800) 372-7181 and tell them to vote for the bill.

Bill Harned, President, AARP Kentucky

Unpatriotic celebrities live in Never Land

It's encouraging to read the Enquirer's front-page article "Supporting reservists, with fewer reservations" (Feb. 11). This is patriotism, this is reality, as local companies "send their employees away with more than just a pat on the back."

What's not patriotic is self-promoting, globe-trotting celebrities who are stabbing America in the back. If we lived in Never Land and shared the same "I don't want to grow up" mentality of a significant number of these celebrities, then we might be willing to embrace their naivetÈ.

Hollywoodites seem to think if Americans would just be nice, visualize peace and chant mantras, then the mean old terrorists will go away. In the land of reality, America has been nice - maybe too nice. History tells the story of a nation that has no desire to conquer. Wars have ended with benevolent aid to rebuild.

The USA has given and given to the point of enabling nations who now turn away from us in disgust. It's time to close the checkbook, stop enabling, and say, like TV's popular Dr. Phil, "This is going to be a changing day in your life!"

Back to Never Land, inhabited by foolish entertainers evidently befuddled by Tinkerbell's pixie dust (but not to worry, it isn't as lethal as what our nation may face, with or without an attack on Iraq). The mantra we need to take seriously is being taught to children by extremist Muslims shouting "Death to America!" Linda Prince, Mason

Pulfer's voice seeks to help heal the city

What a wonderful voice for Cincinnati we have in Laura Pulfer - wise and warm, and obviously eager to see the city heal, grow and prosper.

I think she represents what is best about Cincinnati and all that it could be. Her column on Feb. 6 regarding the hate-crime amendment stands in such stark contrast to the fear-mongering of Peter Bronson, whose comments seem intended to destroy the city once and for all.

Terry Miller, Director of Graduate Studies
Wilmington College

Our military are plenty patriotic

A Feb. 10 letter ("A U.S. first strike would be wrong,") stated that "Sincere, intelligent dissent is the highest form of patriotism." I hope our servicemen and servicewomen, especially the Army Reservists leaving from Fort Thomas that day, did not have the time to read the comment that they are not as patriotic as Mr. Whiteley. Please pray for our military. They are willing to fight for the same rights for the Iraqi people that Mr. Whiteley the letter writer enjoys.

Janet Wilking, Saint Bernard

Fairfield's fears of coyotes unfounded

To the people of the Fairfield community: Don't buy into a few peoples' unfounded ears about coyotes.

Coyotes are solitary animals. They don't hunt in packs.

They are nocturnal.

They mainly feed on rodents that weigh ounces, not children.

There is not one documented case of a coyote ever attacking a human in the open.

They want nothing to do with humans. We smell bad to all wildlife. We humans are the ultimate predator and they are aware of that.

A few short years ago your subdivision was farmland. This was their homes. All the wildlife just hasn't been eradicated yet.

You have about a better chance of being attacked by your neighbor's free-roaming pet dog than you have of being attacked by a coyote.

If you don't like wildlife then maybe you need to move onto the middle of a large city, in a high-rise.

Cherigene Slaughter, Middletown

Judge subverted hoops-playing rules

The amazing high school career of LeBron James is almost at an end, and as I see it, Ohio high school basketball is the loser.

The high school system in this state set the stage for James to show his talents. He is a student at an Ohio school, one that has benefited enormously while he has been playing there. But professional administrators who have a rulebook run the state basketball program. All students in every school that play the sport play by those rules. Except, evidently, James. He accepted a big gift, which is against the rules, and was suspended from basketball for the rest of the season. He was ordered off the court by the same system that gave him his chance in the first place. A tough decision, but fair; both James and his coaches knew the rules. Next stop, the NBA draft.

But in a follow-up fast move, Ohio high school basketball lost its authority, big time. Money talked. And a judge, who normally has no administrative power over athletics, ordered Ohio's high school association to put James back on the court and back into the spotlight. Huh? Had the student been less talented without the headlines, he would be looking at the end of his season. But a judge trumped the people who do a fine job running Ohio high school basketball, and how many coaches and players will respect those rules in the future?

Stanley Smith, Mason

Hate crime law a good first step

It was with great sadness that members of the Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church read about the murder of Gregory Beauchamp.

When Issue 3 was first placed on the ballot in Cincinnati, we declared our church a "Hate Free Zone." We firmly believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and reject prejudice against the gay and lesbian communities.

We need to change this city and the real image it projects. We need to drastically build up business and job opportunities that may attract diverse people, including those who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender. We are losing hundreds of talented people every year because of the intolerance they genuinely feel.

We applaud the recent passage of hate crime legislation by City Council. We hope this is just a beginning step that will put Cincinnati on a path towards openness and acceptance of all people.

Melissa Rockenfield, President of the board,
Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church

Norwood neighborhood is not a blighted area

Why should my parent's home have to save Norwood? That is apparently what the Norwood City Council believes as it pursues an effort to seize property along Dacey, Carland and Atlantic Avenues under the guise of eminent domain.

No fair market price can compensate these homeowners. Starting over is literally out of the question. Yet, for some reason, their homes are the only things that seem to be able to save Norwood and let a developer continue an empire.

Dale Gamble, Stockton, Calif.
Formerly of Norwood