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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Income gap penalizes workers and society ... Phoenix voters pass diesel-tax proposal in special election ... Officers lauded for quick action following murder ... Our View: Income gap penalizes workers and society ... Phoenix voters pass diesel-tax proposal in special election ... Officers lauded for quick action following murder ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Sept. 13 Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Sep. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Thoughts on construction In response to the Aug. 30 editorial, I offer the following: A Contract Manager/General Contractor contract for municipal capital improvements eliminates competitive bidding and is less secure for the community. There is less review, therefore a greater opportunity for corruption. The use of utility fees for capital improvements represents a radical shift in financing of capital projects, and, in my opinion, is inappropriate. Utility fees are not tax deductible, even though the homeowner pays the same amount without a tax benefit. This represents a significant disadvantage to the homeowner. The perceived incomprehensible complexity of municipal finance, coupled with thee insatiable appetite for revenue by government and an apparent disingenuous attitude of elected officials has resulted in a rather cavalier regard for the citizens of this community. As a result, I recommend: The City Council say no and stand firm. The CMGC agreement contains a maximum cost, and the contractor should be required to construct the structure within the maximum cost figure. Cease using utility fees as a revenue source for capital projects. Use the general obligation bond process for capital projects. This would require the City Council and staff to educate the voting public of the necessity. Richard Stevens Medford Support home gardening The Talent Garden Club, an institution for over 40 years, supports our elders and disabled veterans and citizens of Patio Village in their home gardening efforts. The therapeutic benefits of gardening are well-known, and it is sad to see Housing Authority policies unnecessarily distressing these residents. While we applaud drought measures, we feel that removing personal gardens of residents is misplaced: If these gardens help relieve stress and bring joy to people, they clearly have health benefits as well. Container gardening is more costly and water-hungry than in-ground planting. Our stressed pollinators — bees, butterflies, hummingbirds — also benefit from these small gardens. While we need to reduce water consumption, lack of green space contributes to heat build-up. Large paved or mulched areas are not a good solution to drought. Gardens can help provide a food source for residents. The Talent Garden Club stands ready to support residents and the Housing Authority in any way we can to keep Patio Village plantings efficient as well as lovely and comforting. We hope the authority will reconsider its decisions regarding the private plantings of residents. Jenni Presley Talent Garden Club Pitts hit the nail Hallelujah! Leonard Pitts has hit the nail squarely on the head in outing "religious liberty" as intolerance. In this country we do not prevent people from practicing their religion, that's what "religious liberty" means. Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Kim Davis gets her paychecks from Caesar, not God, and she needs to decide who to serve. Trying to have her cake and eat it too is what put her in jail. Roberta Bull Medford Sentence too lenient What's going on in our judicial system? How in the hell can a judge hand out a sentence of a measly 10 years for the recent crimes committed in Talent? The judge should be removed from the bench and the two defendants should be put away for 25 to life. Or maybe just put down like rabid animals! Edward Istel Medford   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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