Mohave Daily News: Opinion

I am a candidate for the Colorado River High School District #2. My wife, Debbie, and I have been residents of Fort Mojave for 15 years. I've become familiar with the education system in the area and know being elected to the Colorado River High School #2 School Board would allow me to participate and provide my experience and leadership.

I work currently as an associate real estate broker and a member of the Bullhead City/Mohave Valley Association of Realtors. I am also currently the treasurer of the Rotary Club of Bullhead City.

Debbie is in her 11th year of teaching elementary school. I have seen the day-to-day work that all teachers are required to do. Teaching class, completing lesson plans, filling out grade books, and matching state standards to curriculums. These time-consuming tasks mean most teachers go to work early and take their work home in the evenings and on weekends.

My background is very diverse. I retired from the U. S. Coast Guard as a communications chief warrant officer with responsibilities of security, supervision, administration and budget preparation in various positions during my 20-year career. I have a bachelor's degree in business and liberal arts from the University of the State of New York which I earned while on active duty. I have more than 25 years of computer experience and understand the need for today's high school students to have up-to-date technology to learn and prepare them for college, a vocational school, or find a job in the work force.

I have attended several meetings of the current school board to observe, listen and learn about the monthly issues that come before them. The current board has done an outstanding job of helping the district's administrators to provide the best educational opportunity for our high school students.

I am against the current splitting of the two high schools between the elementary school districts. I look forward to serving on the board, so please elect me in November.

Alan Callner

Fort Mojave

Happy with job Sockwell has done

Editor:

Roy Hagemyer, the people in Mohave County District 2 are well represented by Sup. Tom Sockwell. This county has had a balanced budget for the last eight years.

The Mohave County Library in Bullhead City will be expanded - the assessment was necessary to get a good idea of what is really necessary. The books and budget for this county are available for anyone to investigate should they feel the need.

In addressing the issue of automobiles for the Sheriff's deputies: As long as Sheriff's deputies are on call 24/7, access to their automobile is necessary at all times.

Several new projects are in the works. In addition to the Bullhead City Library, the Sheriff's substation in Mohave Valley and the Mohave Valley Library are to be improved. A new Sheriff's substation on Aztec Road, just west of Highway 95, is to be built. Getting these things done will be based upon the priority of available funds.

I could go on and on, but the record speaks for itself - I am very happy with Sockwell and the job he has done for our district.

Richard Hogan

Bullhead City

Obama is a good friend of veterans

Editor:

Barack Obama told veterans that he can't understand why Republican John McCain opposes legislation that would provide college scholarships to people who have served in the United States military.

Obama stated, “Now let me be clear: No one can dispute John McCain's love for this country or his concern for veterans. But here's what I don't understand. I don't understand why John McCain would side with George Bush and oppose our plan to make college more affordable for our veterans,” the Democratic presidential candidate said. “George Bush and John McCain may think our plan is too generous. I could not disagree more.”

Obama is the grandson of a World War II vet who fought in Patton's army. Obama is passionate and committed to the issues that affect veterans and their families.

As a member of the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Obama passed legislation to improve care and slash red tape for our wounded warriors recovering at places like Walter Reed.

Obama passed laws to help homeless veterans and offered an innovative solution to prevent at-risk veterans from falling into homelessness.

Obama led a bipartisan effort in the Senate to try to halt the military's unfair practice of discharging service members for having service-connected psychological injury.

Obama fought for fair treatment of Illinois veterans' claims and forced the Veterans Administration to conduct an unprecedented outreach campaign to disabled veterans with lower-than-average benefits.

Obama passed legislation to stop a VA review of closed PTSD cases that could have led to a reduction in veterans' benefits.

Obama passed an amendment to ensure that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for traumatic brain injuries.

Obama introduced legislation to direct the VA and Pentagon to fix disjointed records systems and improve outreach to members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Joe Felice

Bullhead City

Candidates offer clear choices

Editor:

Subject: Who should I vote for?

I cast my vote for whoever can influence my life and the lives of my family, community, and country for the better. The choice will be either from the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. Here are some guidelines to think about.

John McCain and the Republican candidates running for office: If your income exceeds $350,000 a year; you can afford to pay your own medical expense, send your children to good private schools; have saved enough for retirement so that you don't need Social Security and Medicare. Don't have any children subject to death in a foreign war; you can afford the higher energy costs including gasoline, electricity, food and clothing. Then it is definitely in your interests to vote Republican.

Barrock Obama and the Democratic candidates running for office: If you make less than $350,000 a year, are worried about how you are going to pay for health expenses or insurance; worried about how your children can get a good education and go on to college. How safe your Social Security will be in the future, if the benefits will cover the higher costs of inflation, or even be there for you when you retire. Worried about the value of your home and mortgage payments; worried about keeping your job. Then it is definitely in your interests to vote Democratic.

But please, please, please don't cast your vote on a candidate's personality, looks, TV advertisements, slogans, standings in the polls, race, sex, etc. I have known people in the past voting for someone because they were good looking, or had a pleasing personality. This is not the “Academy Awards” in Hollywood, it's more like “This Is Your Life” played out in your home.

The bottom line is when you cast your vote, remember which candidates and party would be best for you and the country. It isn't only one man that you are casting your vote for. It is also his more than 5,000 policy makers that he brings with him to fill all the positions in the Executive Office of the President including all cabinet posts, ambassadors for our foreign embassies, their staffs and legislation writers to propose new laws for congress. A staff of lawyers to fill all federal judge positions and members of the Supreme Court. These people will also affect your future.

Robert M. Smith

Bullhead City