Looking at a short term budget 'fix' is the wrong reason to make a decision that will affect our city and community for decades to come. Small business is one of the major factors contributing the the health and diversity of a community. Stores like Walmart that enter a community have historically destroyed much of the small business infrastructure on which those communities were built and thrived. When making decisions, we should look at least two or three generations into the future, and try to envision what long-term consequences those decisions would bring.

What a nightmare. Whoever may be responsible, there is not nearly enough information to start casting blame. To be falsely accused, then tried and convicted by people following the story remotely, is a fear that we all should have. Remember 'innocent until proven guilty'? More information needs to be gathered, and speculation kept to a minimum to try and insure perspective and fairness in the investigation. My thoughts to the family. I truly hope that they are innocent, the baby is returned safely, and whoever is guilty tried and convicted. But let's be sure.

People seem to think that teachers have it so easy. Let's take a look at some points:

-Class sizes are already large. Asking one person to watch over 20+ students is crazy. Most parents, when visualizing being tasked with watching not only their own children, but the rest of the neighborhood, would agree. On top of trying to engage all of those students at once, now try to teach them all something.
-Students bring much more diversity to the classroom than they did even 10 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I think this is a very good thing, but it does make it harder for one person to engage a classroom with many of the students sharing different backgrounds and experiences. Learning is built on past knowledge and experience, which demands getting to know a person to determine the best way to help them learn. Hard to do with so many to work with.
-Teachers have to do much more than teach. Most come to the profession because they love teaching, and recognize how vital an education is to a person wanting to achieve their dreams. But now they are asked to not only teach, but also supply the teaching materials, and in many cases raise and nurture those students whose parents can or will not do it. If the children misbehave or are unable to achieve a certain grade, the parents blame the teachers. How fair is that?

Teaching our youth is one of the most important jobs that our country has. It is also, unfortunately, often one of the most vilified. The main point here isn't about money, it rarely is. It is also not about being happy to have a job. It is about being able to do your job, and have the support needed to do it well.

Protect the innocent.
This woman and her daughter have been living in fear for how long now? Afraid to leave, enduring physical, mental and spiritual abuses. The most dangerous time for a domestic abuse victim is when they try to leave. Hopefully this 'man' has now used up all of his chances in our criminal system (there should be at least 2 felonies in that long list that Tekov directed us to), and will be put away, period.

Stories like this always sadden me. Especially reading comments where folks seem to disregard the story and loss a family has suffered, and jump on their soapbox to stereotype and complain about about a group of people.

I am a cyclist, as well as a car and truck owner. So I've paid for the use of the road, regardless of what vehicle I am in... after all, you can only 'drive' one at a time. My experience is that those who follow the rules of the road, and are considerate of others, are so regardless of what mode of transportation they are using.

These families have lost loved ones. It seems that both were experienced cyclists that took safety seriously. My thoughts are with them.

Bicycles legally are supposed to ride with traffic, not against. This is not true in some other countries, but is here.
I am both a bike rider and driver, commuting a few days a week. If there were bike lanes the whole way, even if they took me a mile or so out of my way, I would gladly stay on them. However, many are not connected, and do not go to a variety of places. Luckily, that is changing.

I have found that most riders are considerate and follow the rules of the road, as do most drivers. However, the riders (and drivers) that get the most attention are those that are inconsiderate of others, and do not feel that the rules apply to them. I would hazard a guess that if we look at the operator, and not the vehicle - those tend to be the same person(s) whether they are in car or on a bike. I often find myself wishing for a police officer to be present when I see people blowing through stop signs, weaving through traffic, ...

In a perfect world, all would have personal responsibility, follow the rules, have compassion and consideration for everyone that shares the road.

Good drivers are always looking out for what is one the road, or what could suddenly appear. If you cannot miss a cyclist - who is usually pretty big and dressed brightly, how would you expect to miss a child who suddenly steps from around a car, trips and falls toward traffic, or wanders into the street?

A heart-wrenching story, and such a senseless tragedy.

Thoughts and prayers to Mr. Vilog and his family.

Thoughts to this man and his family. Sure hope he makes a speedy recovery.

There are safety rules to every activity - from gun safety, to SCUBA diving to driving a car, to (pick an activity). I have again and again seen people forget or simply not feel that the rules apply to them with absolutely no negative result. Not to say that it happened in this case, but after a while of not following the 'rules' with nothing bad happening, you simply think the rules do not apply to you. Unfortunately, you can be safe 99 times, but that 100th time -wow and ouch. Just the one time that following safety precautions saves a life, is worth the 99 times that it maybe it wasn't.