Editor, OBSERVER:
The profit shortfall of the U.S. Postal Service could no doubt be relieved by using the standard postage rate, that we all pay, for trash mail instead of discounted rates.
I usually receive an average of six letters daily asking for money. Sometimes these same requests are sent out three times in a period of several weeks.
If 10 percent of each of these mailings receive a response, it is deemed to be worth the expense. If the rate was the same as our normal postage - 45 cents now - I am sure that the millions of letters sent daily all over the USA would make the post office profitable.
The only ones who should receive lowers rates are truly non-profit ones, such as Meals on Wheels and others that really use 85 percent or more of funds raised for the cause. They tout not for administration and not for high-priced chief executive officers. A copy of this letter will be mailed to Sen. Charles Schumer.
JAMES M. McILVAIN,
Dunkirk
Health facility earns cheers
Editor, OBSERVER:
Bravo! I am so glad that the medical community and the Pine Valley school system has had the insight for this program of wellness.
I know that a need exists in rural areas to have a "community" physician and hospital.
After the Tri-County Hospital tragedy, hopefully, more physicians will come into the area and participate in the wellness program, for not just Pine Valley, but Gowanda Central, once the new hospital is built.
I am a graduate of Pine Valley from 1965, and the Jamestown School of Nursing, and am so happy to see the communities come together and support families and students.
NANCY J. SETLOCK, LPN
Phoenix, Ariz.
Cycle chases
are dangerous
Editor, OBSERVER:
The death of a young man in Lakewood in my opinion should never have happened. As a past law enforcement officer in Tennessee, we were forbidden from chasing a motorcycle, unless a felony was committed in our sight.
The reason? It puts the public and law personnel in jeopardy of injury or death. Eighty-four miles an hour is not a felony in itself. In my experience over 13 years, it would have been better judgment to let this speeder go, he would have slowed down and there is always tomorrow, but not for this cyclist.
I am opening a can of worms here I'm sure. Those officers should really think about what took place and see if stopping the pursuit would have been a better choice.
RUSSELL D. TRIPPY,
Cassadaga
