Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public officials or written by others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication, its publishers, Editor, or staff.

To the Editor:
In regards of PRSYL having such poor undrinkable water quality due to PFAs, I can’t help to wonder why MAPS doesn’t just close it. How often has it gotten checked for PFAs in the last 40 years? Why don’t they just move the kids and teachers to Washington School? Financially it makes sense to, especially because they could just sell the property of PRSYL. MAPS keeps getting denied for the referendum saying they need more money but yet they only have one or two grades at PRSYL, Washington School, and Kate Goodrich. They should put those kids in one school, two at the most, and just sell off Jefferson school (which is getting only used for storage), PRSYL, and one of the other schools. Wausau Schools are consolidating the kids, so why doesn’t MAPS? Save the taxpayers money, especially due to the declining enrollment, and have a surplus of cash due to consolidating the kids.

– Chrissy Byers

Merrill, Wis.

To the Editor:
I am a US Army Vietnam veteran. I have had the honor of sounding bugle calls for military funerals and other service-related events.
The past decade has witnessed more of these missions than there are buglers to staff them. To alleviate the shortage, the US military authorized the use of a recording or an electronic bugle to sound Taps and other calls when a live bugler is unavailable.
From what I have learned through experience, is that there is misunderstanding about when it is appropriate to employ a “substitute” bugle. There are some that believe a substitute should only be used as a last resort; others believe it appropriate to only use a substitute, and not bother to locate a live bugler.

According to a description of the “Military Funeral Honors Program” from militaryonesource.mil, a live bugler is the preferred option. The American Legion website states that, “If a bugler is not available, an electronic recording will be played.” It is clear from these statements that a live bugler should be the first option.
There are two national volunteer organizations, the members of which are vetted buglers, who stand ready to provide their services: BuglesAcrossAmerica.org and TapsforVeterans.org. Families of deceased veterans, funeral directors, veteran service organizations, and others in need of a live bugler for events can request one through either of these websites.
If you have questions, I’ll be happy to answer them or direct you to someone who can.

– Ed Kemery

Merrill, Wis.

To the Editor:
It looks as if our elders, who need sustained, long-term care, have now become a burden to us. We can’t afford to take care of them anymore. Will it be like this for us, when we are old and frail?
When we were children, were we considered a burden to our parents? Did they refuse to pay our dental bills? Did they buy for us a much-needed winter coat when father might have liked to spend that money for a hunting rifle and mother needed a better vacuum cleaner?
Now it’s our turn to reach into our pockets and do the right thing. Pine Crest is not a business. It’s not an “industry.” It’s a good, safe place that belongs to all of us for the care of a frail, older generation, people who can no longer take care of themselves as they once did. We hope Pine Crest will remain ours and that it will be there for us when we are in need of its services.

If you agree, please call your County Supervisors and urge them to not sell Pine Crest Nursing Home.

– Susanna Juon-Gilk
Merrill, Wis.

Letters To The Editor Policy:

*Letters must be 250 words or less. (There will be no exceptions to this. Any letter longer than 250 words will not be printed.)
*The writer must include their full name, complete address, and a phone number where he/she can be easily reached for verification. Phone numbers and street addresses will not be published, but will be used for verification purposes, if necessary. Letters must be signed and the name, city, and state will be printed.
*Letters may be edited for style, grammar, and length. Form letters or those we determine to be libelous or slanderous will not be accepted. Any letter deemed derogatory, inflammatory, or involving vulgar language will not be published. We reserve all rights to reject material submitted to this publication.
*Letters will be published on a “first come, first served” basis. Any letters which we are unable to publish in the printed newspaper may be run online at www.merrillfotonews.com and/or may be printed in the paper at a later date.
*In fairness to all, and due to space constraints, there is a limit of two letters per year from an individual writer. Additional letters may be submitted to our Paid Letters to the Editor column and will require payment in full prior to publication at the same rate as Political Letters to the Editor (see policy below).

Political Letters To The Editor Policy:
All letters submitted as an endorsement for a political candidate, referendum, or political agenda will carry the same guidelines as above; however, they will be charged $40.00 per letter of up to 250 words in length. Longer political letters will be accepted but will be charged $10.00 per additional 100 words. All political letters must be prepaid prior to printing. Letters to the Editor will not be accepted from candidates running for election or representatives of an organization endorsing their own referendum, as these are clearly advertisements and not opinion letters; those submissions will be referred to our Advertising Department to be run as paid ads.