I recently saw a letter to your newspaper stating that By diverting water from the Mississippi River, Lake Powell will be filled in a year. Let’s be very clear here. As a resident of Wisconsin, a state that borders the river, I want to say this is never going to happen.
What states in the Southwest have failed to do is curtail growth and agriculture, which is naturally water-powered. Measures to save water are now being implemented because it has become necessary.
We can’t have our cake and eat it too. People think they should be able to live wherever they want, even if it’s a desert environment. This drought has been going on for more than 20 years. I’m sure the Great Lakes are also being watched.
Think again before Southwestern states think they can get water from another part of the country.
Margaret Melville, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Lupine Plaza Decision Shows Need for Five Palm Desert Council Districts
Despite the objections and concerns of local businesses, the Palm Desert City Council appears determined to spend $4 million in reserve general dollars to build a plaza for food, drink and special events on Lupine Lane. No surprise that the project is located near El Paseo, which appears to be the headquarters of four of the five members of the city council. The residents of the rest of Palm Desert should be so proud that their tax dollars are going to another project to support this shopping area.
I can’t believe the rest of Palm Desert doesn’t also need similar spaces for pedestrian plazas, using “high-end materials” for street parks to serve the residents. Big chance of any studies for the rest of the city. With this one part of Palm Desert served by four councillors, El Paseo gets what a few think it needs — even if business owners in the area doubt its benefits.
Palm Desert needs five boroughs so that every neighborhood can be heard and all local needs addressed. It is time for equal representation in Palm Desert.
David Middleton, Palm Desert
July 4th reminds me that we are a nation striving for freedom and justice for all
As we celebrate this 246th Independence Day, we are reminded that we Americans are a nation that encompasses everything.
This is America. With the exception of Native Americans, we are a nation of immigrants.
Yes, this is America, in which the authors of the Declaration of Independence stated: “We take for granted these truths that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of of happiness.”
In addition, our ancestors followed up the Declaration of Independence with the Bill of Rights—especially that First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state.
Our patriotism today is not a narrow-minded nationalism that the rest of the world ignores. Nor is it a theocracy that would impose one religious belief and morality on others. Our patriotism is love for the country and for a democracy that honors diversity and freedom.
So as I say, Happy Birthday America, I focus on the words in the Promise “…..with freedom and justice for everyone.”
Charlie Ara, Palm Desert
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: As a Wisconsinite I promise West will never get our Mississippi water