Letters to the Editor

Yuma, let’s register to vote, then vote!

The last day to register to vote in the general election for the three Yuma City Council open seats is Tuesday, Oct. 10. It is so very easy to register by simply going to https:// servicearizona.com/voterRegistration

In the primary election held late in August, the numbers of citizens that actually voted were appalling. Here are the stats from the County Recorder’s Office: 40,898 active city of Yuma voters, 24,284 early ballots mailed, 6,442 early ballots returned, 408 election-day votes at the voting centers. Please, Yuma, if you have requested an early ballot, learn, select, vote, and return the ballot. A 75 percent non-return rate is simply unacceptable.

Sometimes people vote because a candidate shares their views, or votes because a candidate will, and follow up with, a promise to make Yuma a better place to live, work, play, raise a family, and run a profitable business. Sometimes people don’t vote because they may not be familiar with the issues, or the candidates themselves.

In an effort to help you get informed, the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a Yuma City Council Candidate Town Hall on Wednesday, October 11th at the Civic Center. The doors will open at 11 am, the buffet lunch starts at 11:30 and the Town Hall starts at noon. All 6 candidates have expressed their intent on being there on the dais. All of the questions will come from the audience in a hand-written format. The candidates will each be given three “response” cards, so they will be able to comment on a previous answer given by an opposing candidate. We plan on being done at 1 p.m. The cost for the lunch is $15 and you can get your tickets via EventBrite or by calling the Chamber at 782-2567.

So let’s do all three; register to vote if you haven’t done so, get informed on the candidates, and please return those early ballots! JOHN COURTIS Executive Director, Yuma County Chamber of Commerce NFL protests not very effective

As a Cowboys fan for 47 years, I am glued to the TV during football season. When Colin Kaepernick first took a knee, I was annoyed rather than angry because I also acknowledged his right to free speech. I noticed this year that there was less prolonged focus on these players by the camera people. Then President Trump had to get into it by questioning their patriotism. That approach backfired as evidenced by the players uniting. It became a point of honor to link arms and act as a team. I was at the MNF game where the Cowboys took a knee well BEFORE the anthem and then stood during the anthem. More teams are separating the two actions.

What I find ironic is that seeing the protests does not make me want to go out and have a meaningful conversation about social injustice. I am more likely to talk about the uselessness of taking a knee. However, now that Kaepernick has gotten our attention, it makes me wonder two things: 1) how much money have these players contributed to organizations that address social injustice and 2) how much time have they spent volunteering for an organization that addresses their concerns? Maybe they need to get up off their knees and do something with more effective results. MARGARET GEIS Yuma Flag makes a difference on 4th Avenue

As of Saturday, Sept. 23rd, 4th Avenue is a much nicer drive going south to the Big Curve. A 20 x 30-foot flag now flies. I now drive a little extra to see our flag.

I had a terrible thought: what if our flag offends someone or a group and they want it taken down? Will people stand up and demand that it should fly? Just a thought.

May you always fly high and may God bless America and our flag. C.C. TYREE Yuma