Letters for December 22, 2016

Traffic injustice

Re “Red light, greenbacks” by John Flynn (SN&R News, December 15):

I recently appealed an Elk Grove right-turn camera violation. The Elk Grove Police Department submitted to the court photos of a pickup and driver, which were taken on a different date and time, as proof that I was guilty of the violation. The Elk Grove PD signed a statement under oath that the evidence was me, my car and the date/time. All were incorrect. The court upheld the violation even though Elk Grove PD’s evidence had nothing to do with me or my vehicle. I say the traffic courts and cities are in on this together.

Greg Harwell

Elk Grove

Check your protocol

Re “Specialized burnout” by Corey Rodda (SN&R News, December 8):

It is appalling that your paper would print such an outlandish, false, misrepresented and manipulated article regarding special education. My daughter, now in college, attended both Sutter Middle School and Folsom High School. In the seven years of her education at the two outstanding schools, she received the best, highly specialized education that included detailed annual [Individualized Education Program]’s and extra help when needed. For at least 15 years, I have known Sutter’s department head for special ed and know she has given her life not only to special ed kids and their families, but the most severely in need. Protocol and respect would call for a meeting, not a journalistic megaphone. Check your facts, please!

Debby Evans

Folsom

Remembering Michael

Re “Soldier of dignity” by Scott Thomas Anderson (SN&R News, December 8):

Michael Israel epitomized the concept of a purpose-driven life. I first met Mike in 2011, when I interviewed him for the Amador Ledger Dispatch about an event he was planning called “Punks Against Poverty” to raise funds for the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency. We were friends ever since. The last time I saw him was January 1, 2016, when I invited him over for lunch. He had just come back from his first tour of Syria and wasn’t sure if he’d go back. He and my husband—a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces—compared notes about the situation in the Middle East. If half the population had half as much conviction as he did, this world would be a much better place.

Gwen Clayton

Pine Grove

Correction

Re “Death year-round” by Matt Kramer and Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R News, December 15):

The story incorrectly reported that the homicide rate was 31 percent higher for homeless people than those who live indoors, rather than 31 times. SN&R regrets the error.