Reader bothered over property taxes

Reader: Property taxes unfair

Enough is enough!

The point has arrived that property owners and voters need to put a stop to the practice of being penalized for owning property by being taxed by every entity that needs money from schools, human services, etc. Everyone uses these services, just not property owners, but we are the ones being singled out to be taxed. If we vote no to everything that is associated with taxing just property owners, then that will force the government to find a more fair system of taxation that would include everyone paying and not just the property owners. Stand up and say no to all the tax levies that want to have you pay with property tax. — JEFF PETERS, HUBER HEIGHTS

A visit to the Dayton VA

As you are aware, the Department of Veterans Affairs has come under fire recently due to issues associated with wait times, accessibility, quality of care, and “secret lists” in VA hospitals around the country. On July 11, I visited the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DVAMC) with Tim Gorrell, Director of Ohio Veterans Services, to see how well the Center takes care of our veterans, and we were pleased with our visit.

At the DVAMC, all established patients are seen by their Patient Aligned Care Team within 90 days after making an appointment. Their wait lists are transparent and reviewed by leadership on a daily basis to ensure no one is missed.

The DVAMC also makes a significant economic impact on our region. The VA employs more than 2,000 Miami Valley residents and contributed more than $3M in taxes to the region last year. Additionally, non-VA providers around the region received more than $30M in 2013 to provide medical care for our veterans.

Although there are serious issues with our VA healthcare system, it is evident to me that the DVAMC's staff is committed to timely and quality care for our veterans. I'm convinced this occurs the vast majority of the time, and most veterans are pleased with their care at the Center. More importantly, I believe the DVAMC will work tirelessly to ensure ALL veterans receive the quality care they deserve. I encourage veterans who have not enrolled with the Dayton VA to sign up today by calling 937-262-2128. — RICK PERALES, BEAVERCREEK

MR. PERALES IS A USAF VETERAN AND OHIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 73RD DISTRICT.

Speak up

Re the Confederate flag: Those from south of the Mason-Dixon Line have many contributions to this country's heritage to be proud of, but slavery and the Civil War are not among them. An American waving the stars and bars is equivalent to a German waving a flag with the Nazi swastika— an action that is more than insensitive; it is an intentional insult.

As horrendous as it was, consider how much worse the Beavercreek Walmart shooting might have been if all those misguided people who think they have the right to conceal carry decided to get into the action. After all, isn't that supposedly why they carry a weapon?

About the Author