Debate goes on
In response to the October Debate,
“Should public works be operated
by private interests?”
NO. Wake up, America. How much of our
country are we going to sell off? Should the
next thing be Yosemite or Flaming Geyser? Yes,
have private business build our roads and
bridges, but no way should they own them.
Every time our government lets private business convince them that needed and everyday
services should be deregulated or sold off, the
people of this country suffer in more ways
than just our pocketbooks.
Dennis A. Shimmel
Renton, Washington
YES. Take a look at Alberta, Canada [where
highway maintenance is contracted]. The
roads are extremely well maintained, ditches
trimmed, garbage and carcasses removed
almost immediately. You cannot drive the
highway without seeing private company
trucks patrolling for issues. There are also
convenient 800 numbers so you can report
any road improvement needs.
Todd Melvin
American Fork, Utah
Odds and ends
Hang up the phone
Marc Saltzman is incorrect in his remarks
[“Tech Connection,” October issue] about use
of a cell phone while driving a car. He needs
to be aware of the studies that have been conducted on this subject that concluded that use
of a cell phone while driving has the same
effect on the driver as a 0.08 blood acohol
level (legally drunk). Since the same cognitive
areas of the brain are used for both dealing
with driving a car and carrying on a phone
conversation, there is no form of cell phone,
hands on or hands off, that is safe.
Tom Cameron
Spokane, Washington
A final comfort
Last June, my husband passed away rather
suddenly. Because we had planned in advance,
I went online to price what a casket would
cost (we live on Social Security) and ended up
looking at caskets through Costco.
CHRIS A RUSNAK
After talking with a representative from
Universal Casket, we were directed to the
Costco in Laguna Niguel (California). We
were treated very cordially and appreciated
the display, and purchased a casket.
Unfortunately, the mortuary refused to
accept the delivery (even though it is required
to), and the driver was turned away. The
owner said that he tried to reach me so that I
could come to his establishment and inspect
the casket against defects. However, no such
call was shown on either my cell phone or my
home phone.
The truck driver ... had to make a second
trip the next day, with me present to accept
the casket. This may be one of those roadblocks mentioned in The Costco Connection
article [“A tradition of care,” August issue]
that has prompted this letter.
Thank you to Costco and Universal
Casket. You are right: Not everyone can afford
a $3,000 casket!
Patricia D. Christiansen
San Juan Capistrano, California
Joyfully stewed
Thank you, G. Garvin, for developing
this great dish [“Celebrating the savory
stew,” September issue]. Every year when the
weather turns cool, I look for a really good,
different, easy stew recipe, and I’ve finally
found it. “Meat Lover’s Stew” was everything
IRIDIO PHOTOGRAPHY
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The editors reserve the right to edit
letters for publication.
I wanted and then some. My husband is
already looking forward to the next time I
cook up a potful.
Jeannie Stamp
Atascadero, California
A fish story
Having just read the October Connection
story “Costco: A fish story,” I had the impression that your salmon remained at $4.79 per
pound. I just visited my local store to find that
it is $5.99. What gives?
N.M. Wright III
Roswell, Georgia
The Costco “salmon story” was run as an example
of corporate storytelling showing Costco’s commitment to value for our members. Market conditions have indeed mandated a price increase at
Costco, but it still represents a great value in price
and quality.—Ed.
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