Feedback

Alternative school played integral role

Last Friday, an article ran in this newspaper about our son’s courageous struggle with teenage drug addiction (“Rising from the ashes of a burnt-up life”). However, we feel the article did not fully explain the role that the CK Alternative West high school played in his success story. Many high school students face difficult challenges either due to their personal life experiences or, as in our son’s case, due to poor choices. The alternative high school education program provides these students with a second chance and an opportunity to obtain a high school diploma. Most importantly, it provides them with the confidence that, despite a rough start, they can still lead fulfilling and productive adult lives.

In large part due to the caring and dedication of the teachers and staff at the CK Alternative West high school, our son received his high school diploma and passed all of his college placement exams. He is an extraordinary young man with a very bright future thanks to the opportunity provided to him by an Alternative high school education.

MARK and CATHY NITCHMAN

Silverdale

Fourth of July

Keep pets safe

Animal shelters will be packed for the next two weeks with lost and panic-stricken dogs and cats. Despite warnings by veterinarians and animal control officers, many pet owners fail to take full precautions in shielding their dogs and cats against fireworks.

The best place for your dog or cat over the Fourth of July weekend is in your laundry room, den or garage, away from where the fireworks are set off. Extra precautions are needed because the loud noises and bright explosions of fireworks can be terrifying to pets. Sometimes playing soft music will muffle the sound of fireworks. Fireworks have a shocking effect on dogs and cats because their sense of hearing is much keener than man’s. Dogs sometimes chew restraining ropes, thick doors or jump fences in trying to escape. Some frightened animals who are fleeing their homes are struck by automobiles or an older dog or cat can die of a heart attack.

Dogs or cats should always wear a license and ID tags. Each one insures the life of your pet and might lead to the pet being reunited with his owner. Otherwise, your once-cherished pet may face death at an overcrowded shelter. Very few pets are provided with a license or ID tag because the pet owner never anticipates his pet running away and getting lost. Some cherished pets are lost forever during this traditional holiday. Others are found sometimes days and weeks later. To cope with the noise, many owners buy tranquilizers from veterinarians for their pets. Many pets run away when there is an electrical storm and the same precautions should be taken.

B.J. ALCORN

President

PAWS of Bremerton

Church and state

No on Ref. 21 petition

Decline to sign Referendum 71 petitions. Many domestic partnerships are between straight people, but this is beside the point. Consider where one must go for a marriage license, the courthouse. The marriage license is issued by the state.

Separation between church and state is a fundamental principle in this country. There is no logical reason to refuse any two consenting adults the right to form a legal partnership and call it a marriage if that is the purpose of the partnership. All citizens should have the right to participate in the rights and privileges of this civil institution. That said, the churches should be free to bless whatever they choose to bless — separation between church and state.

LAURYN CHRISTEAN

Bainbridge Island

Obama administration

Promises not kept

There is probably nothing worse than making promises you absolutely cannot keep. Like a parent that promises their children a trip to Disneyland they can’t deliver, and believe me they won’t forget it! Fortunately, my husband and I were never guilty of that!

Well, before he was elected to be president of the United States and since, Obama made/and has made a lot of promises which he can’t deliver. Maybe he wasn’t aware he would not be the “Supreme Ruler” once in office and he had a Congress to consider! And finally, a lot of the American people are realizing they have been “had” after electing him! Better vote for some changes in the next election.

NORMA L. CARD

Bremerton

Feedback

Alternative school played integral role

Last Friday, an article ran in this newspaper about our son’s courageous struggle with teenage drug addiction (“Rising from the ashes of a burnt-up life”). However, we feel the article did not fully explain the role that the CK Alternative West high school played in his success story. Many high school students face difficult challenges either due to their personal life experiences or, as in our son’s case, due to poor choices. The alternative high school education program provides these students with a second chance and an opportunity to obtain a high school diploma. Most importantly, it provides them with the confidence that, despite a rough start, they can still lead fulfilling and productive adult lives.

In large part due to the caring and dedication of the teachers and staff at the CK Alternative West high school, our son received his high school diploma and passed all of his college placement exams. He is an extraordinary young man with a very bright future thanks to the opportunity provided to him by an Alternative high school education.

MARK and CATHY NITCHMAN

Silverdale

Fourth of July

Keep pets safe

Animal shelters will be packed for the next two weeks with lost and panic-stricken dogs and cats. Despite warnings by veterinarians and animal control officers, many pet owners fail to take full precautions in shielding their dogs and cats against fireworks.

The best place for your dog or cat over the Fourth of July weekend is in your laundry room, den or garage, away from where the fireworks are set off. Extra precautions are needed because the loud noises and bright explosions of fireworks can be terrifying to pets. Sometimes playing soft music will muffle the sound of fireworks. Fireworks have a shocking effect on dogs and cats because their sense of hearing is much keener than man’s. Dogs sometimes chew restraining ropes, thick doors or jump fences in trying to escape. Some frightened animals who are fleeing their homes are struck by automobiles or an older dog or cat can die of a heart attack.

Dogs or cats should always wear a license and ID tags. Each one insures the life of your pet and might lead to the pet being reunited with his owner. Otherwise, your once-cherished pet may face death at an overcrowded shelter. Very few pets are provided with a license or ID tag because the pet owner never anticipates his pet running away and getting lost. Some cherished pets are lost forever during this traditional holiday. Others are found sometimes days and weeks later. To cope with the noise, many owners buy tranquilizers from veterinarians for their pets. Many pets run away when there is an electrical storm and the same precautions should be taken.

B.J. ALCORN

President

PAWS of Bremerton

Church and state

No on Ref. 21 petition

Decline to sign Referendum 71 petitions. Many domestic partnerships are between straight people, but this is beside the point. Consider where one must go for a marriage license, the courthouse. The marriage license is issued by the state.

Separation between church and state is a fundamental principle in this country. There is no logical reason to refuse any two consenting adults the right to form a legal partnership and call it a marriage if that is the purpose of the partnership. All citizens should have the right to participate in the rights and privileges of this civil institution. That said, the churches should be free to bless whatever they choose to bless — separation between church and state.

LAURYN CHRISTEAN

Bainbridge Island

Obama administration

Promises not kept

There is probably nothing worse than making promises you absolutely cannot keep. Like a parent that promises their children a trip to Disneyland they can’t deliver, and believe me they won’t forget it! Fortunately, my husband and I were never guilty of that!

Well, before he was elected to be president of the United States and since, Obama made/and has made a lot of promises which he can’t deliver. Maybe he wasn’t aware he would not be the “Supreme Ruler” once in office and he had a Congress to consider! And finally, a lot of the American people are realizing they have been “had” after electing him! Better vote for some changes in the next election.

NORMA L. CARD

Bremerton