Continued: West metro letters

Job losses in name of greed hurt us all

The U.S.A. is in a lot of trouble and one of the main reasons is loss of jobs.

When you call a help line you get someone in India or some place outside the states. Some of the worst offenders are the companies that took our tax money in the form of a bailout. The nerve of them to send jobs overseas, hiring foreign workers because they work cheaper.

Another shocker is when you go into one of the large supermarkets or chain stores. I see Americans (believe it or not) actually checking merchandise out themselves. Are they just stupid or very selfish? Is there any discount for doing this? No.

They are taking jobs away from fellow Americans and lining the pockets of greedy CEOs. Folks, wake up. We have almost 8 percent unemployment and people losing jobs everyday. Let the clerks check out your stuff and bag it. You will feel better.

EUGENE J. NORLING

TONKA BAY

Bike path between lot, lake is bad idea

Regarding the Lake Calhoun windsurfers, I'm a cyclist and a kayaker. While I'd love to be able to ride my bike closer to the water, the windsurfers are right. Putting a bike path between a parking lot and the lake is a problem.

As a kayaker I have problems crossing the bike trail to get to the lake. As a cyclist I have problems with people crossing the trail without looking.

I regularly use the bike trail at East Medicine Lake Park, and a number of times I've had people stop in the middle of the trail while crossing from the parking lot to the lake without even looking.

It's an accident waiting to happen.

KIM FISHBURN

PLYMOUTH

Bill would save money and health

There's a lot of complaining in the news as politicians try to deal with painful budget cuts. It gets a bit depressing for those of us watching and hoping they get this right.

The good news is that there's a bill that would accomplish some really great goals and not cost Minnesota a penny. The Clean Cars Bill has our state set tougher pollution standards for cars and light trucks, something I completely support.

Minnesota's transportation sector accounts for more than half of the state's air toxins that contribute to asthma. Health is a big concern for me, so it's important to me that we do something about this. Eden Prairie's new representative, Jenifer Loon, will be hearing the Clean Cars Bill in committee soon. She has a chance to really make a difference on this.

The changes will not only cut air and water pollution, they typically make cars and trucks more fuel-efficient as well.

That's right, something that saves drivers money, protects our health and our environment.

ASIA SCHULZ

EDEN PRAIRIE

Novak is a top coach and teacher

Your article in the paper [March 3] does not accurately portray [Hopkins basketball coach] Ken Novak Jr.

Not only is Kenny Novak Jr. the best basketball coach in the state, he is one of the best teachers I've ever had. I played for Novak at Hopkins back in 1993. We entered the state tournament that year with a 25-0 record.

Not one of my teammates came from a different school district. Novak is unfairly portrayed as only having winning teams because of players coming from other districts. This is simply not true.

Novak is an outstanding coach, teacher and person. He cares much more about his individual players than he does about winning basketball games.

DAVID BREITENBUCHER PARK CENTER BOYS BASKETBALL

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