WHAT’SYOURVIEW?

Re: April 6 commentary, “Botched execution should be end of death penalty.”

I find it hard to sympathize or have any feelings about the botched execution of Clayton Lockett. The media is all over this, calling for an end to the death penalty. Do they have no respect for the victim’s family and friends? By the way, her name was Stephanie Neiman. Clayton Lockett was a career criminal, cold-blooded killer and a monster. Stephanie Neiman’s family must feel offended and heart-broken by the lack of media’s respect.

Several years ago when Bergstrom Air Force Base was being decommissioned, the city voted on moving the airport. The choices were east of Austin or the Bergstrom site — I don’t remember how many times we voted on this, but after the last vote to move to Bergstrom, we stopped voting. If the city combines the rail and street bonds into one, it will once again be attempting to force the taxpayers into a bad choice. If city officials really want transparency, they need to have two choices and then they will get an honest read from the voters on their choice of transportation options.

I noticed the back of the property tax bill showed the taxes for the past five years, along with the percentage increases for each taxing authority for the five years. My appraised value had increased 9.61 percent and the city of Austin tax rate Austin has gone to extremes to accommodate the local bicycle community in safety — their own travel lanes; access to avenues in and out of downtown Austin; creative, alternative transportation vehicles used downtown for tourist and conventions; late-night rides and rallies — all of which I support. What I notice more is complete noncompliance with any bike laws in observation of traffic rules. Riding freely and creatively, with a disregard for us four-wheeled folks. I don’t know what should be done except the future does not bode well for them unless we separate the two. If I’m expected to be in compliance, shouldn’t they also? Time and again some bike person will get hurt and none of it was ever intended. had increased 25.3 percent, resulting in a 39.48 percent increase in taxes. That is excessive. The American-Statesman has reported that about 100 people are moving to the Austin area each day. That is about 3,000 people each month, and they are mostly single or two-member families since the Austin school district population is decreasing. That probably adds about 2,000 more cars on the roads each month. If they all rode the bus, about 40 additional buses would have to be added each month. Since the Metro Rail has only about 1,000 rush hour boardings each day, they are of no help in reducing Austin’s growing traffic problem. They should put a road tax on each business that hires more people instead of giving them discounts to move to Austin.