TO THE EDITOR:

We, as a neighborhood residents council, have been trying for years now to expedite the arrival of speed humps to our street in Over-the-Rhine. City Council members have told us that the most popular ticket in town is speed humps. In fact, a candidate could probably be elected solely on promising speed humps to his constituents.

We would love some answers as to why it has taken us so long to ensure the safety of our street, and why the city has such difficulty in finding money to place speed humps on its Over-the-Rhine Streets? Hyde Park seems to have plenty.

We were most recently told that there is no longer enough public money for speed humps in Over-the-Rhine. The city should exercise its fullest creativity in discovering sources of money for ensuring the safety of a residents. And whether that sourcing is private or public should at some point become a non-issue.

Suppose, for instance, that P&G wants to sponsor speed humps throughout Over-the-Rhine as part of its "Pringles With Ridges" campaign. I would hope that the city would be both eager to serve its taxpaying citizens and happy to share the burden of its budget with a concerned, private and third party.

I would be willing to personally subsidize at least one speed hump on my street, particularly since all the residents on Mulberry Street voted unanimously months ago in favor of speed humps. It is time to find solutions that can manifest change. This can be the era of progressive, responsive, and citizen-oriented reform in Cincinnati politics.

Robert Gilson, Over-the-Rhine

Sorenstam shouldn't compete against men

There has been much controversy since Annika Sorenstam's invitation to play in the Professional Golfer Association Colonial tournament. Sorenstam proved last year that she is the best woman golfer in the world. As Vijay Singh said, and I agree, the emphasis is on "woman." There are different opinions on whether she should have been invited and/or if she deserves a chance to play.

I respect everyone's opinion on the subject pro and con, but I have a problem with some comments of her supporters. First, since Sorenstam is the best female golfer today. However, as many of her supporters believe, the PGA owes it to her. The PGA doesn't owe Sorenstam or any other golf professional anything except the right to participate if you qualify, and that is where the controversy begins.

Sorenstam also is quoted as saying she wants to see how she'll fare against professional male golfers. She won't fare very well, as we will all see. I think she should have taken a different route to test her skills against male professionals. If Sorenstam makes the cut and plays well, I'll have crow for dinner. If she doesn't, I hope it won't affect her play in the future or hurt the LPGA.

John Darwish, Hamilton

Equal treatment for women going too far

Women are definitely pressing for equal treatment with men. I totally support their endeavor toward that goal. However, actual facts reflect that in many instances women are being favored over men.

According to the Ohio High School Association in Columbus, there were numerous high schools in the state and undoubtedly throughout the nation that allowed girls to wrestle on the boys' team. However, boys at every high school were not permitted to play on the girls' volleyball teams despite the fact that there were no volleyball teams for boys. There were 10 girls in Ohio who were permitted to play football on the boys' teams. But, once again, the boys were denied permission to play on the girls' underhand pitching softball teams even though there are no boys' softball teams.

Also, colleges and universities several years ago were required to accept male and female students. Accordingly, schools of higher learning, which were originally only for men, are now co-educational schools. However, there are currently 60 strictly women's colleges still flourishing throughout the nation.

And now, Byron McCauley of the Enquirer is causing a deeper cavity for men regarding women's so-called "rights" in his editorial ("Golf/Battle of the sexes," May 16) in which he firmly approved of Annika Sorenstam playing professional golf. I would agree with McCauley, to allow her to play with all of the men, but only if she and the rest of the women of the LPGA reciprocates and invites a man such as Tiger Woods to one of their tournaments.

If they do not reciprocate, I totally agree with Vijay Singh

These examples may represent the tip of a large iceberg in favoring women over men. Unquestionably, the many problems involved in rectifying the inequalities between the sexes must go both ways.

Ronald V. Armor, Deer Park

Keep Guillen in; he's better than Jr.

I note that Jose Guillen is dissatisfied with the fact that he is now out of the lineup now that Ken Griffey Jr. is back. He wants to be traded, and I don't blame him ("Jr.'s back and strong with the bat" May 14).

Here is a man who is hitting .356, has an arm like a cannon, and has made a major contribution to the Reds ever since he has been used as regular starter. He, along with Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn, Aaron Boone and the rest of the team have brought the Reds to where they are today without any help from Griffey. What logic is there in putting Griffey back in the lineup when you have a winning team in place without him? Why put in a .261 hitter in place of a .356 hitter? Why not put Griffey on the bench when he is reactivated, and leave the winning team in place? Perhaps then he would ask to be traded, and the money we are paying him could be used to purchase some solid pitching.

I think the way Griffey is handled is wrong. If he can't contribute, he should be benched. He has not contributed since he got here. Now I think we know why Seattle was willing to trade him.

Raymond S. Wagner, Springfield Township

Automakers, TV help glorify speed

I read with interest the article ("Booze, no belts drive road deaths," May 12). I was surprised, however, to note no mention of another very important cause of road deaths - speed.

When one reads "lost control of vehicle," it's interpreted to mean driving too fast for the conditions. Consider most auto company and television ads. They mainly feature how fast the car can go, "Zero to 60 mph in 6 seconds!" Who needs it?

I think auto companies and television advertising to be just as insidious as the tobacco companies.

Jim Ahern, Hyde Park

Squeeze a few grapes to help state budget

Did everyone miss one significant point from Monday's (May 19) article on misspent state funds? While the state budget is $4 billion short over the next two years and Gov. Bob Taft is cutting school funding budgets and screaming there's nowhere else to cut, the Ohio Grape Industries Committee is spending $600,000 a year promoting Ohio wines. Seems like I may have found a way to save $600,000 in the state budget. How many other programs like this are there in the state budget?

Brian Vondran, Blue Ash

Minister's reading a different Scripture

Mount Auburn Presbyterian minister Stephen Van Kuiken ("Rebuke doesn't stop pastor" May 21) just does not get it, does he? All Scripture, no matter the denomination, forbids and recognizes homosexuality as an abomination. Clearly, the majority of governments and citizens of this nation do not support, approve or defend homosexual unions. He can preside over all the homosexual unions he wants, but according to the higher power he claims to represent, the union is immoral, physically impossible, and ridiculous.

Jimmy Combs, Newport

Luken's late arrival sends wrong message

I am writing this letter in response to a dedication I attended. It was the unveiling of a memorial wall sculpture commemorating the black Cincinnati Olympian William DeHart Hubbard. The ceremony was charming. It was to the point, yet meaningful. Before the ceremony, a very charming man came up, sat right next to me, and began a conversation.

I came to learn that this gentleman's name was William Mallory, former state representative. It turned out to be a very good thing that Mallory was in attendance. Our honorable Mayor Charlie Luken, who was to begin the ceremony with a few words, strolled in half an hour late. Now, I'm sure our mayor is a busy man. But it's hard to look at this event as anything but a missed opportunity for the mayor to speak to a group of African Americans about positive issues, commemorating an important figure to them as well as to the community at large.

Instead, he gave the small group of Cincinnati African Americans in attendance, probably voters, another reason to feel as though the powers-that-be have more important things to worry about. From one white Cincinnatian to another, Luken, I say, "That's too bad."

Nicole Thompson, Northside

Leave the nudity out of the news pages

I was shocked to open my Enquirer on May 20 and find a picture of a woman's bare breasts on Page 3 of the Tempo section. In a town where the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine is covered up in some stores, I would think the newspaper would have more discretion. My children read the comics every day in Tempo, and I shouldn't have to check it first for obscene pictures. Please leave the nudity out of your otherwise fine paper.

Anna Shaw, College Hill

Some panhandlers brought up that way

I hate being panhandled, but I'm in town just about every week. I know how to say no to a panhandler. If they come too close, I'll tell them I will scream, because I don't believe most of them are homeless.

However, what I hate more and makes me sad is what goes on where I live in Walnut Hills. I see children as young as 8 begging for money, a very young girl who wants money to get diapers, the woman who is ill and can't remember she asked you twice already for money.

Grown, able-bodied men who stand on the street corners will not tell the children that it is wrong to beg for money. So what's next - sit lost in the system and eventually end up downtown in time?

Anita Bolce, East Walnut Hills

Giving to panhandlers contributes to problem

Asking the panhandlers to clean up their act is like asking the shooters in Cincinnati to turn in their guns. Responsibility for elimination of this problem must be placed on those responsible persons who can (and can be forced to) take positive action.

If the panhandlers receive no compensation for their irresponsible acts, the irresponsible acts will exist no more. As I understand that there should be a solution presented with each problem brought to the table, I suggest the following for consideration:

An immediate emergency ordinance that would impose a fine of $100 to any person caught in the act of contributing to a panhandler anywhere within the limits of the city of Cincinnati. All funds collected by the imposition of fines shall be distributed to the Drop-Inn Center on a quarterly basis. If a caring, responsible person wants to contribute to the homeless, let's make it a substantial amount of ($100) that may make a difference, when given to a responsible party such as the Drop-Inn Center.

Edward Emley, Cleves

Let insurers convince people to use seat belts

I am responding to the article ("Police enforce seat-belt use" May 20). The article did not mention that the "police" would stop someone just for not using their seat belt, but here is another law that should be enforced by the insurance industry, not the law enforcement. If insurance companies refused to pay out claims and coverage to anyone involved in an accident, this problem would soon be resolved.

Dave Tensi, Grosebeck