LETTERS
Tiger treated deplorably
A tiger was found earlier this year in a southeast Houston residence.
No excuse for cruelty
Regarding “Ex-owner of tiger found in foreclosed Houston home is charged with cruelty” (City/State, Thursday): As a lifelong advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, I was sickened to read of the deplorable conditions in which officers with the Houston Police Department and BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions found this blessed animal. I don’t care how much money the judge ordered the woman to pay for the care of the tiger at the Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, it can never be enough to compensate for the injustice it has suffered.
Carol J. Rhodes
Balloon releases are passé
Regarding “Friends, strangers rally for Maleah” (City/State, Thursday): It is important as a community to show love and support in the wake of tragedy, but in this age of eco-awareness, why are we still releasing balloons?
They harm and/or kill countless land and marine animals when they are mistakenly ingested as a food source. They can travel hundreds or thousands of miles and always return to the Earth as ugly litter. It is a waste of helium, a finite resource. We need to step away from balloon releases.
If you want to show concern or compassion, have a candlelight vigil or a prayer circle. They serve the same purpose and are much kinder to our environment.
Patty Hermann, Houston
A fair raise
Regarding “Let Prop B die” (Front page, Thursday): Thanks to Judge Tanya Garrison for declaring Prop B unconstitutional and hopefully putting an end to a measure that should have never been decided by the voters of Harris County, since they lack the proper knowledge of the intricacies of city finances to decide on such matters.
The city is not an ATM machine as most voters apparently thought. There was never any consideration at the time of voting as to how this measure was to be paid for if it did pass. Once it did pass it has been nothing but chaos trying to figure out how in the world the city was supposed to come up with $79 million a year to pay for it. The truth is, it cannot.
I am a retired City of Houston municipal employee, and we had to give up our yearly 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment in order to keep our pension system solvent. We now only receive a 1 percent COLA, and that is only if the pension systems investments perform at a certain level.
Firefighters deserve a raise, and the mayor is willing to do that within reason and within the city’s budget, but it could have never paid for what Prop. B would have required. Firefighters have very good benefits, much more than the municipal employees have, and they should be thankful for that.
Robert Nackman, Houston
In fear for his life?
Regarding “Baytown officer fatally shoots woman who allegedly used his Taser against him” (City/State, Wednesday): So a policeman tases a woman. She goes down, but grabs his Taser and tases him. In fear for his life, he shoots and kills her.
In fear for his life?
If Tasers are lethal, perhaps they shouldn’t be used on anyone.
Patricia Roberts, Bellaire