Readers Write (Sept. 3): Neighborhood project, runaway dad, elder care, psychiatric drugs, Michele Bachmann

I was disappointed by the one-sided reporting in Jon Tevlin's recent column about the Linden Corners project in Linden Hills ("Plan for 5-story condo builds resentment in Linden Hills," Aug. 16). After giving many inches to opponents of the project, he included just one short quote from a proponent, and a lukewarm one at that.

I'm an 18-year resident of Linden Hills who lives just three blocks north of the site, and I am strongly in favor of the condo/retail project for both environmental and personal reasons.

The environmental reason: Our city and neighborhood need more density to make better use of mass transit and to stop the spread into the exurbs and rural areas surrounding us.

The personal reason: I'm married to a middle-aged, disabled man who badly needs to live in a one-floor unit with an elevator and underground parking.

We would welcome the chance to have well-designed housing of that nature in our beloved neighborhood. We don't want to be forced to move out of the area to accommodate our changing housing needs.

We're not alone in this sentiment: Many of our older neighbors are staying in their houses longer than they should because they hate to leave Linden Hills. In short, I urge my fellow residents of Linden Hills to consider the future, both the city's and their own.

LYNETTE LAMB, MINNEAPOLIS

My heart breaks for Steven Cross' young son, who woke up one morning to find his father gone ("Runaway dad is arrested," Aug. 30). On so many levels, I fear this is a sign of the lack of values that appears to be prevalent in our country at this moment.

Whatever happened to the idea that we stick together through the good times and the bad? How will this 11-year-old boy ever get over what his father did to him? How will Cross get the help -- psychologically and financially -- he so desperately needs? So many questions, so many sad answers.

JUDY GELINA, BLOOMINGTON

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At the Center for Elder Justice & Policy at the William Mitchell College of Law, we've long maintained confidence that state legislation to address the most serious, intentional cases of neglect can be written to achieve justice for vulnerable adult victims while respecting the complex caregiving performed each day by family and direct care workers ("State needs tougher laws on elder abuse," Aug. 27).

Anyone may make a report to the proper authorities. If you believe there's immediate danger, call 911. For any other suspected harm to a vulnerable adult, call the designated "common entry point" in the county where the vulnerable adult resides.

County common entry points accept calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The reports may be anonymous and may prevent a troubling situation from turning tragic. A directory of these numbers is available at www.mnaging.org/advisor/cepd.htm and from the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433.

IRIS C. FREEMAN, ST. PAUL

The writer is the center's associate director.

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However, I wouldn't put the blame exclusively on family doctors prescribing them. After all, many people suffer severe side effects from these same drugs when prescribed by expert psychiatrists.

Rather, I suggest putting the blame on a health care system that uses dangerous drugs as a first rather than a last resort. In many other countries, doctors routinely use such things as nutritional supplements, herbs and homeopathic remedies first and often successfully. Pharmaceutical drugs are viewed as a last resort.

There are many safe and effective alternatives for treating mental illness. Homeopathic medicine can often effectively and safely treat mental illness. Read "The Chemistry of Joy" and "The Chemistry of Calm" by Minnesota psychiatrist Henry Emmons to learn how nutrition can balance brain chemistry and meditation can effectively support healing.

Look up the Harvard studies on Truehope, the Canadian company whose supplements for mental illness have helped tens of thousands of people get off of psychotropic drugs and live normal lives. Shifting to these non-toxic approaches would save money for our health care system and, more important, save lives.

JERRI JOHNSON, EAGAN

If Michele Bachmann wants to believe God is trying to send a message via earthquakes and hurricanes, that's fine. But how arrogant of her to think she knows what that message is. There are many things God could be trying to tell us other than reigning in government spending.