Another tax, how nice!

Regarding the Jan. 18 article on the library district, it seems to me that socialism is alive and well in the area. They never see a tax they do not like — for someone else to pay. They want to take from the rich (property owners) and give free library cards to the world. Isn’t that nice?

With the money they spent they could have gotten library cards for all those who wanted one, I believe, and left the poor property owners alone.

If some poor retired person loses their house because of the never-ending wanting to pay for something, I am sure they will be right there to help. (In a pig’s eye they will!)

Jack K. Schmidt, Sweet Home

That business has a right

The picture and story on the front page of the local section this morning (Jan. 20) made my blood boil. I’d like to ask Ms. Goodpastor and her small group of goody-two-shoes: Who died and left you in charge of the moral fabric of our society?

I for one would never patronize this shop. However, I’m sure not going to tell other adults not to. It’s a legal business and has as much right to be there as any other.

I’m sure this group is also part of the bunch that’s trying to stop the domestic partnership law.

Why can’t you people mind you own business? I don’t care what other people do in their own bedrooms and neither should you. In fact, I have a suggestion for the lot of you: Get a life.

R. Joseph Earle, Sweet Home

Who decides what’s best?

Thank God Albany now has Estelle Goodpastor to tell all 46,000 of us what we don’t need and what is morally wrong.

If she is against “Pussycats,” then that’s fine for her to make that decision for herself and her children but who gives her or anyone else the right to decide what’s best for an entire city? I am not a church-going person but I do know enough about the Bible to know that it says we will answer to God and not Estelle Goodpastor for each of our sins.

She says she was just trying to discourage people from patronizing the business but in reality all she did was draw attention to it and replace the only thing anybody could find the business in possible violation of — a sandwich board advertisement.

I have to completely agree with the management. You just can’t buy publicity like that. Ninth Avenue isn’t exactly the safest stretch of Albany to rubberneck once you are on it but you just spent the day making the public’s job a whole lot easier in locating it, if not creating just another hazardous traffic distraction.

I can guarantee she did not discourage anybody from going into “Pussycats.” Those who are truly against it are going to keep their stand and stay out. Those who don’t mind entertainment of that type will not be discouraged from going. And those who have no opinion either way might just be a bit more curious now.

Loren Dunn, Scio

Sadness can become illness

In response to Hasso Hering’s editorial “Sad is not sick,” I feel something is left unsaid in this perspective regarding the issue of severe and persistent mental illness.

True, being sad does not mean someone is sick. Sad is a normal emotion that we don’t need to medicate. However, sad is defined as sick when it causes individuals to lose all interest in things they used to enjoy, miss days of work or school because they are contemplating taking their life, or are unable to take care of themselves.

Many people who suffer bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or an array of other mental disorders truly have an illness. The homeless mentally ill population are often judged by society as lazy, unmotivated, immoral or unworthy of help. For some, what looks like lazy is actually the result of an illness they did not ask to receive.

Genetics plays a large role. I will say that it is absolutely true that we are an over-medicated society and some who are experiencing normal sad emotions are too quick to go to the doctor for a pill that could take away their temporary discomfort. Then, there are those who go months or years unable to function normally in society. Those individuals end up at the bottom of the societal food chain through no fault of their own.

If mental illness could be seen on an x-ray, society would certainly be able to tap into compassion quite quickly. There is no way to clearly see this illness unless you have experienced watching someone you love suffer daily through the unfortunate circumstance of being genuinely mentally ill.

It is then that you realize that sad really is sick. There is a difference, but we need to be careful not to minimize the fact that mental illness is what it is, an illness.

Barbara Thayer, Albany

Mental patients as neighbors

Mental health care centers should not be located in residential neighborhoods.

Some years ago, I was sitting on my patio, enjoying the sunshine and reading a book. Although I was alert, I was not aware of anyone near. Without sound of any kind, someone tapped me on my shoulder. As I looked back, there stood an obviously very disturbed man. I had just emptied a wilted bouquet from a vase and the pot was still on the table. He reached over and drank the remaining water then walked directly into my kitchen. I was immobile, frozen with fear.

Miracles do happen. At that moment, a law enforcement man who lived across the street came out of his house. I yelled, “I need help.” He immediately came over and took care of the situation.

The house where these mental health people were cared for almost bordered my back yard. The neighborhood was not aware of the tenants in that house.

That evening, the manager of the group called to apologize to me, saying she had left the mental group in care of someone else when she went on an errand, and they had not been supervised properly. She said I was not to worry as they were moving to the Scio area the next day.

I have compassion for the mentally ill and the families who have to deal with it, but I’m amazed that government agencies or whoever governs the location of these facilities would even think of locating these care homes in family neighborhoods.

The patients do escape.

Maxine Humphrey, Albany

Recognition for Charlie Eads

We enjoyed very much reading the outstanding article about Charlie Eads in the Jan. 9 issue. He is truly a one-of-a-kind person, and we can all be thankful for having him here in our midst.

His dedication and devotion to this area’s interests is something that we probably all too often take for granted and it was so refreshing to see that he is being recognized for his contributions to this community!

Congratulations, Charlie, and we are grateful for your presence here!

Anna Marie and Peter Butler, Lebanon