TO THE EDITOR:

Articles in the Enquirer about Metropolitan Sewer District on Oct. 22 ("Report slams sewer brass") and Oct. 23 have prompted me to respond to the district's insensitivity to the public. The report by the engineering firm of Brown and Caldwell states that Metropolitan Sewer District has weak managers and a culture of finger-pointing.

The county commissioners have approved assistance for people in Delhi Township affected by flooding problems. Now, it would be helpful if they would apply pressure to Metropolitan Sewer District to help the residents in Anderson Township who have been victimized by the district's insensitivity. The residents to whom I refer are those who have been affected by the sewer project that runs from Five-Mile Road along Gungadin Drive and through Sherwood Forest subdivision.

The district's insensitivity started with no public awareness nor informing affected residents. Maybe it's time for the county commissioners to step in and force some issues. Residents need our structure pressure washed from dusty conditions because of the way that Metropolitan Sewer District specified the plans and contract. The roadways need to be made passable. Sidewalks need to be replaced at their original location for property line delineation and with proper cross slopes. Contaminated soil in grass strips should be excavated and replaced with clean, approved topsoil and then sodded and not seeded, because the residents had good stands of grass.

The county needs damage control, as evidenced by the report of Brown and Caldwell. This is a good place to begin.

Robert G. Willard, Anderson Township

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People need to make stand versus obscenity

We had to express our disappointment in yet another chapter of the misuse of the First Amendment: free speech.

The Bengals' win over the Baltimore Ravens was overshadowed by one young fan who decided to wear a T-shirt that displayed an obscene four-letter word.

Darts go to the Brown family and staff. After inquiring if they could do something about such a public display, they would do nothing. They said they couldn't because the Cincinnati Police Department told them that wearing clothing with obscene language was covered under the First Amendment.

We were told that we were the only people ever to complain about this issue; that's even sadder. Could that be true? Has society grown so accustomed to foul language and behavior that we ignore it? Are people afraid to take a stand and express their opinion? Isn't that what the First Amendment is really about?

We ask that the next time you see something like this at Paul Brown Stadium - or anywhere - to let them know there are still decent people who are offended by such a public display.

This is one more reason to send flowers to thank Carl Linder and his family friendly Great American Ballpark. They specifically state what is not tolerated under the code of conduct for fans.

Ray and Linda King, Cleves

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Issue 1 a role that Ohio should embrace

The Enquirer's articles on Oct. 25 by guest columnists James Anderson ("A new catalyst for growth") and Tom Brinkman Jr. ("Bad investment for Ohio") on State Issue 1 are an impetus for voters' further reflection. Although Brinkman makes some fair points in his analysis, I support Issue 1. Brinkman's position fails to seriously address the critical strategic issue we citizens of Cincinnati and Ohio face: What will replace the manufacturing jobs we are losing?

Cutting-edge scientific research and development is the answer. One part of that strategy is to build on the strengths we have at UC's Medical College, Pharmaceutical College, College of Engineering, at Children's Hospital's research center, and at BIO/START, among others. Ohio is the neck-to-neck race with its Midwest sister states, who are pumping millions of dollars into their biotechnology programs.

Our community is truly at a crossroads, and your vote will make a difference. The catalytic action of supporting biomedical, biotechnical, and nanotechnical research and development in our community transcends mere economic development. Our neighbors need us to help them to make important contributions to new medical tools, better disease treatments, and hopefully new cures. Cincinnati has a role to play in bringing a better quality of life not only to our community, but also to the whole world.

That is a risk worth taking.

Laura A. Ringenbach, Montgomery

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City Council should support Maisonette

Cincinnati's prestigious Maisonette restaurant was recently awarded Mobil's coveted "five star" rating for the 40th consecutive year. This achievement is nothing less than astonishing. Congratulations to Maisonette's entire family for this incredible feat.

No other city in this nation can boast of a fine dining establishment whose consistent excellence rivals that of Maisonette. For decades, Cincinnatians have taken pride in our superb restaurants, all of which owe a debt to Maisonette for setting a standard by which the others are judged. Indeed, most of our best restaurants are staffed with Maisonette alumni.

City Council ought to find a way to help Maisonette keep its doors open and downtown until Cincinnati's Grande Dame of dining can thrive financially. Indeed, although the direct benefit of this magnificent restaurant is between Maisonette and its patrons, the indirect benefit of international reputation and civic pride inures to us all.

Stacey Woolley, Clifton

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Traditional family the backbone of America

On Wednesday, proponents of marriage began before the Family Law Committee at the Statehouse. It's amazing that we've reached a point where marriage actually needs to be legally defined. I urge all who care about our future to actively support H.B.272 (Defense of Marriage Act). Call your state representative and urge others to do the same.

The strength of this country is not and never has been our diversity, but diverse people forming strong families, striving for common goals and values. The traditional family has always been the backbone of American society.

Many of us tolerate the decadence around us for fear of being judgmental. Bishop Fulton Sheen once said, "America is not suffering from intolerance. It is suffering from tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos. Our country is not nearly so much overrun with the bigoted as it is with the broadminded. In the face of this broadmindedness, what the world needs is intolerance."

We need to heed his words and start fighting to save our culture.

Claudia Bihl, Franklin Furnace, Ohio