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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Regarding refugees: Take time to think about your Christian ideals

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Regarding refugees: Take time to think about your Christian ideals

ln the ongoing debate over how this country should respond to the plight of Syrian refugees fleeing a country torn by violence and bloodshed, some pundits and politicians have called for a total halt to all admissions pending a review of U. S. security screenings.

ln light of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, it is human nature to “close doors and shutter windows” out of fear for one’s safety. But to do so gives in to that fear and the responsibility we have to others who are still left “outside.”

Refugees are currently required to go through a process of screening and interviews by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI that can often times take up to two years. No, it’s not a perfect process. But in a free society such as ours, there can be no absolute guarantees. To insist otherwise does our Constitution and all of us it serves and protects an injustice.

As Christians, we are called to witness to Christ in both word and works. We are all brothers and sisters. This is not a time for advancing a political or personal agenda. Rather, an opportunity to extend a hand to those of us in need and show that we genuinely love the Christian ideals we embrace.

Jim Sanner, Charles City

Suggestions for a safer parade

Over the past 20 years or so, I have driven tractors and pickups from time to time in the 4th of July parade. The first time I drove I thought it would be fun to see the parade from a different angle, but I soon realized the pressure the drivers are under that they don’t hurt someone or run over a child. When you are driving, it is impossible to see all around your vehicle and float 100 percent of the time. With the size and width of the present day floats, tractors, trucks, farm equipment, fire trucks, semis, etc., some of them just feet from the curb, there is limited visibility around this equipment and only seconds to react to a problem. At the last parade, I saw a child dart across the street in front of a tractor, thankfully the driver saw him immediately and stopped and everything was fine. I’ve seen this happen before and I feel compelled to write this letter.

ln the interest of safety, I would like to make a few recommendations to the Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Committee that I hope will make for a safer parade: 1) Two people in all parade vehicles to be able to see on both sides of the vehicle; 2) For large equipment, at least one “walker” person on each side of the parade unit and more “walkers” if the equipment is quite long. The “walkers” could be employees of the company or perhaps public volunteers that wouldn’t mind helping out and seeing the parade from a different perspective, 3) The “walkers” would have in their hands portable air horns that they could use to blow and stop the parade instantly in case of a dangerous situation.

There are probably more and better ideas than these three, but the message I’m trying to convey is this would put more “eyes” out there that would be helping the drivers observe the crowd.

The Charles City Police do a great job keeping the crowd back, etc., but with 14,000+ people in attendance and a half-mile parade route, they can’t be everywhere. Please don’t take this as a criticism of the best small town parade in America but as a suggestion to help make it just a little safer than it is already.

Gerald Meyer, Charles City

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