Letters to the Editor: Greedy DuPont
Greedy DuPont
As a former employee of the once great DuPont Company, I am sickened to watch its demise. Despite all that the present CEO says, the Dow/DuPont "merger" is not about better satisfying its customers' needs, which would help them increase their value; it is not about the employees of the DuPont Company; it is not about making our communities better places to live.
It is all about Wall Street greed fed by DuPont's inept, incompetent board of directors.
J. Stark Thompson
Kennett Square
A parent's right
It is a parent’s fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. When Gov. Markell vetoed HB 50 he took a stand AGAINST parents’ rights.
HB 50 was legislation sponsored by Rep John Kowalko which provided a consistent process to allow Delaware parents to opt their child(ren) out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment without fear of punishment or reprisal from district and school administration. Reduced to the simplest form, HB 50 would secure a parent’s right to opt their child(ren) out of the assessment if they believed it to be in the best interest of their child.
Our legislators need to listen to the people – those they represent – and vote to override Gov. Markell’s veto of HB 50. They need to stand up for their constituents – the families that make up our great state – and vote to support the veto override.
They are either FOR or AGAINST parents’ rights and the way they vote will show the people of Delaware whether they truly represent our voice or are merely acting out the wishes of the Governor with little regard for the people of Delaware.
Ashley Sabo
Wilmington
Helping Delaware residents detect leaks
I have some comments on the article “The mystery of the missing water and the $3,731 bill” that appeared back on Nov. 21 in The News Journal.
One can identify where there is a leak and the size of the leak simply by recording the meter readings before and after a two-hour period when no water is used. No change in the reading indicates there is no leak, while a changed reading indicates water is leaking. The amount of the leak is the change in the reading divided by two hours (gallons per hour).
If there is a visible leak, the magnitude can be determined by collecting one gallon of water and measuring the time it takes to collect it. To check for a defective meter, close the shutoff valve where the leak is occurring and repeat the two-hour leak test. The meter is functioning properly if the original leak value is reduced by the visible leak rate. If the new meter leak rate, however, is zero or near zero, the meter is defective. If so, request a new calibrated meter equipped with a leak detector.
To locate hidden leaks, look for leaks under sinks, behind toilets, around shower heads and in the basement. Water stained walls or ceilings, warped or wet floors, mold growth or short-circuited ceiling fixtures can point to hidden leak sources.
In Wilson Coale’s case, the small faucet drip he describes could not possibly explain the huge water consumption reflected in his exorbitant bill. Follow the leak detection plan described above, and if an enormous “leak” is not detected, request a new calibrated meter equipped with a leak detection device. The water company should provide assistance and advice.
Gerald J. O’Brien
Newark
The reasons
The reasons people usually have to support the death penalty are as follows: They think it is a deterrent to murder, people believe all murderers are psychopaths like Charles Manson. Actually, the murder rate goes up after a state execution, and most people who are murdered are murdered by people they know, such as a spouse or boyfriend, in the case of women who are murder victims. It is not to excuse people who commit this horrible crime, but in the past many people were executed for crimes like theft or rape. Please support the repeal of Delaware's
penalty today. There are 15 good reasons sitting on Delaware's death row today. So do what you can now.
Bonnie J. Marshall
Newark