Readers Write (Nov. 4): Billy Glaze case, residential parking, NFL team's name, Capitol tree

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is wrong about the case of Billy Glaze ("Serial murder retrial opposed," Nov. 1). I always thought that Glaze, who was convicted as a serial killer in the 1980s and is serving three life sentences, did not kill those American Indian women. Now Freeman argues that Glaze waited too long for a DNA appeal.

Recently, in another state, a man was freed after serving 35 years for a murder he did not commit. Meanwhile, William Heirens died last year in an Illinois prison after serving more than 65 years. According to an "American Justice" program with Bill Kurtis, a former newscaster on Chicago's WGN-TV and WBBM-TV, there was no physical evidence linking Heirens to the crime. Heirens claimed he was forced to make the guilty plea to avoid a death sentence.

Circumstantial evidence is not sufficient to justify locking one up for life.

I agree with Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman and Council President Barbara Johnson in their questioning of the monetary outlays for bicycle routes within Minneapolis, at least under its current structure ("Council chewing on budget," Oct. 31). Contrary to recent letters to the editor ("Council members, listen to your mayor," Oct. 31), I applaud Johnson and Goodman for being the grown-ups in the room on this issue.

A roadway's upkeep and plowing is paid for by users via gasoline taxes, tire taxes and property assessments. There is an incoming revenue stream to support the infrastructure.

The staunchest supporters of bicycle paths overtaking city streets have absolutely no vested financial interest. It is something for nothing. That group's stance is simply fiscally unsustainable, and will fail.

A smarter path for the city, one that would require vision and would benefit many, not just a select group, would be to tackle parking on city streets.

The result would be wider streets that are more easily maintained and safer streets for both vehicular and bicycle traffic.

Everybody wins.

• • •

As a person who regularly visits St. Paul to shop or visit, I have been increasingly frustrated by the lack of parking available. This is especially true where there are three, four or more blocks in a row that are reserved for "permit parking." This problem is getting worse as public parking is limited on more streets.

For years, I have wondered why a more balanced approach cannot be taken. Many residences have off-street parking in alleys or driveways. I do understand their desire to have some street parking close to their homes, both for their own convenience and for that of their guests, but do they really need, and are they entitled, to have multiple blocks in a row on both sides of a street limited to personal use? I know that winter parking (with one-side-only parking for snow removal) is a huge problem for everyone, but it really seems like folks could share a little more.

If St. Paul wants a vibrant city, it needs to create more balance with its street parking rules.

The Star Tribune opinion pages have reached another journalistic low point with publication of two opinions about the name of the NFL team from Washington, D.C. ("Tribes around here are united: Change the name" and "Why take offense where unintended?" Nov. 2). One side of the argument is presented by eight elected tribal leaders, and the other side is presented by a clueless guy from Plymouth. Ironically, this may be a true presentation of the debate: intelligent objection to a racist slur vs. the ignorance of those who want to treat the issues of a historically oppressed people like objections from children.

As a white guy myself, I am embarrassed and horrified by our collective failure to accept responsibility for our sins against humanity and our refusal to make amends by granting even this very simple request by the native people of Minnesota.

A Nov. 3 letter writer wrings her hands over the harvesting of a pine tree from a northern Minnesota forest to become the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree: "[It] reminded me of a beautiful elk slaughtered on the ground …. Too bad we can't leave our natural world at peace. Every year our family saves a tree by putting up a replica that gives us the same enjoyment without the mess and fire threat."

While I, too, prefer to use artificial trees on the grounds of low maintenance, the letter writer may or may not be aware that many people who are greener than me feel that natural trees are preferable on the grounds that 1) they are a renewable resource — when one is cut down for market, another can be planted in its place — and 2) most artificial trees are made with petrochemical-based plastic, and most are manufactured in Asia, which means that they are shipped long distances for Western markets, using more fossil fuels.

• • •

The tree cut down for the Capitol was a spruce and not a white pine, as the letter writer stated. If it had been a white pine, I may have felt as she does, but a spruce is like a weed Up North. Nothing is lost here. It was near its end of life anyhow.