The article "Walking along roads puts students in peril" (Sept. 8) is another example of why suburban sprawl development is becoming less attractive.

If these new developments were designed like traditional neighborhoods, children would have an opportunity to safely walk to school and as a result perhaps grow up to be more self-reliant and responsible. Parents who now drive their children to school could use their time more productively; and our public funds could be spent to improve what goes on inside the classroom instead of busing kids to get to the classroom.

As township officials worry about balancing budgets and passing levies, they talk about "smart growth." Will the city of the future turn out to be the old neighborhood?

Jim Grawe, Covedale

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$12,000 a year per pupil seems steep

According to the article "Another levy ahead?" (Sept. 9), the Cincinnati Public Schools budget for 2004-05 is $469.4 million. The enrollment was reported as 38,800 students. That comes out to $12,097.94 per student per year. I don't think even Cincinnati casinos could solve that problem.

Matthew Frazer, White Oak

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Everyone gets an A with invisible ink

As a teacher in my 36th year of education, I want to thank reporter Bill Hendrick of Cox News Service for "Critical change: Teachers switch from red to purple" (Sept. 6). I didn't realize that all these years I have been ruining my students' self-esteem by marking their papers with a red pen.

To rectify the situation, I have decided to switch to a clear pen. OK, so the students won't know which questions they missed, but at least they will feel good about themselves. Apparently, that's all that matters.

Paul B. Williams, Moscow, Ohio

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Campaigns should focus on present

Does it really matter if President Bush pulled some strings, cut some corners, or even weasled out of his National Guard service in the Vietnam War era? It doesn't matter to me. That was then; this was now. I am glad to be seen and valued as the person I am today, rather than judged for the irresponsible, foolish and - occasionally - illegal things I did 30-plus years ago.

I wish both Bush's campaign and John Kerry's, too, would stick to the present and stay with the issues. There's enough difference between these two candidates and their agendas for me to consider to decide my vote in November.

Chris Reed, Fort Thomas

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N. Ky. police chief, detective excel

Northern Kentucky is fortunate to have the country's finest police and sheriff departments. These law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect all of us. They do so much good so often that it's hard to keep up with their outstanding achievements.

Earlier this month, Independence police chief Shawn Butler was named the Kentucky Police Chief of the Year. This was a well-deserved honor, and all who know Chief Butler are proud of him.

Further, Detective Todd Kenner of the Boone County Sheriff's Department was recently praised for "solving mysteries that have eluded police for years." His ability to "crack cold cases" involving decades-old murders is noteworthy.

We are very appreciative of all that law enforcement officials do for our community.

Philip and Diana Taliaferro, Erlanger

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Top health care salaries shocking

I was quite shocked at the salaries of the local top executives in "A bountiful harvest" (Sept. 5).

What really stood out was the number of Omnicare executives and their total salaries. As you noted, "Omnicare had four of the top 13, and six of the top 22." Yet "Omnicare Inc. isn't the biggest company in Cincinnati, or the most profitable, and its stock isn't the best performer." Removing the restricted stock, which may not become income if the executive leaves before seven years, these six Omnicare executives' salaries totaled almost $43 million. Wow!

You noted that the national average manufacturing chief executive officer made $844,000. What is the average health care executive's salary nationally? Are these salaries contributing to the increase in health care premiums? How can these exorbitant salaries be justified?

Betsy Baxter, Sharonville