4 I OPINION I Safe deer management January 9, 20<strong>19</strong> WEST NEWSMAGAZINE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: There have been numerous [Letters to the Editor] in this magazine and others regarding the pros and cons of hunting deer within county limits. I’m very much in favor of keeping the deer herd to a manageable size. Note that I’m not in favor of eradication [impossible], but just “management.” I’ve lived in my current home in Chesterfield for 30 years, south of Hwy. 40/I-64 and west of Hwy. 141. My garden has been featured in the Chesterfield Garden Tour twice over the years, mainly on account of my extensive hosta collection. I still host local garden clubs in early June, when the garden is at its peak of beauty. As few as 10 to 12 years ago I was able to maintain a massive collection of hostas in the woods on my property. I had a resident doe, who had raised her fawns in the area, and they’d munch on some of my hostas. We were able to coexist. But the recent population explosion has resulted in having to downsize the collection by 65 percent, and protect them by spraying commercial repellents every 10 days or so. I don’t really mind going to this trouble to have a beautiful garden. I am a professional horticulturist with dozens of “deer-proof” and “deer-resistant” plant species. While the vegetation isn’t browsed to the point of death, deer will eat the flowers of most plants they happen upon; however, ferns are fantastic. The top two predators of deer in our county right now are automobiles and bow hunters. Some areas allow sharpshooters, which I support, too. Mammalian predators are moving closer and closer to our homes, especially coyotes and bobcats, but folks report the occasional mountain lion. When these predators become better established in a subdivision, they may kill young fawns, but it’s far more probable that they will kill pets! There is certain to be public outcry. My guess is that the same people that oppose deer hunting will cry the loudest when the bobcats and coyotes start to eat their dogs and cats in greater numbers. They’ll want those critters trapped and removed. The abundance of irrigated landscapes, providing tender vegetation during droughts will sustain the local deer herds. Healthy and fat deer will continue to escape chronic wasting disease, which is present in our rural areas. In the meanwhile, the hunting programs in the county have proven to be safe. Jeff Travers Regarding Medicaid expansion To the Editor: Recent letters concerning the “need” for Medicaid expansion in Missouri miss the simple fact of unsustainable costs. One letter mentioned the plight of rural hospitals. While Medicaid assists in lowering the uncompensated care burden of hospitals, the costs of Medicaid increase the burden on state [and federal] budgets; of which our Missouri legislators have become acutely aware happening in expansion states. In this case, good judgement has taken precedence over “common sense.” Medicaid is one of the two biggest budget-busting items for states. Medicaid had already expanded beyond its initial scope when Obamacare hyperexpanded the program. It was politically advantageous for progressives to offer the states “free stuff” while playing shell games with details and costs. The Obama administration even threatened to withhold Medicaid funding from states refusing expansion. Since 2000, Medicaid expenses have increased in every state budget. In expansion states, Medicaid for the able-bodied has created massive budget shortfalls. Expansion of benefits does not guarantee access to care or quality outcomes. By lowering reimbursement rates to providers, Medicaid effectively reduces overall access and timeliness to care. Evidence of this was discovered in the Oregon study, and recent studies from Harvard and the University of Virginia. Findings revealed “no significant improvement in measured health outcomes” over those without insurance. Findings further revealed no significant reduction in mortality and worse post-surgical outcomes. Under Medicaid expansion in Illinois, hundreds of enrollees have died while waiting for medical care through “death by queueing.” Medicaid was originally created to protect the most vulnerable of society and the evidence clearly shows that it is failing to deliver while the costs are spiraling ever skyward. Yet, we suffer people encouraging us to keep surrendering our liberty and bounty to government entities that squander those resources and have no accountability for the failures of said programs. Mark T. Ryan Replying to ‘Weapons, armor of the Democratic Party’ To the Editor: It’s striking to me what a different universe I must live in from Terry Sater after reading his letter in the Dec. 12 edition of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>. However, I did find comfort with his proclamation that “blacks, Hispanics, women, and gays” are all “doing better under President Trump.” I’d be interested to know how many folks from those population segments have been in contact with Mr. Sater to offer their assurances. By my reading he also seems to have concluded that any non-Republican is somehow aligned with Cuba, Venezuela or name-your-own Communist regime. Whatever. Tom Albert • • • To the Editor: After reading the letter by Terry Sater, in the Dec. 12 issue of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>, I must say that I have never read such a truthful and succinct analysis of the tactics employed by the Democrats. I could not have said it better myself. If the Democrats loved America 1/10th of the hatred they have for President Trump, they would be helpful in solving this country’s major issues! So to Mr. Sater, a loud “Oorah,” from this old Marine. Larry Schwartz • • • To the Editor: To Mr. Sater, who suggests that hate, fear and division are the weapons of Democrats, I would remind him that Don T. regularly encouraged violence at his campaign rallies. In May 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, right-wing, white nationalists marched with torches and chanted Nazi slogans. Sounds like hate, fear and division to me. Right-wing media outlets, such as Fox News Network, Rush Limbaugh’s show, and others have for years been openly biased, showing favoritism toward Republicans and hostility toward Democrats. Scott Risdall Want to express your opinion? Submit your letter to: editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com • 636.591.0010 Founder Publisher Emeritus Publisher Managing Editor Associate Editor Features Editor Business Manager Graphic Designer Graphic Layout Tech Advisor/ Website Admin. Assistant @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Advertising Manager Vicky Czapla Writers Doug Huber Sharon Huber Tim Weber Kate Uptergrove Ellen Lampe Lisa Russell Erica Myers Ryan Moore Emily Rothermich Brian Miller Melissa Balcer Advertising Account Executives Nancy Anderson Jim Barrett Terry Buescher Denise Candice Classified Advertising Sales Chris Oth Suzanne Corbett Jim Erickson Brian Flinchpaugh 754 Spirit 40 Park Dr. Chesterfield, MO 63005 (636) 591-0010 ■ (636) 778-9785 Fax westnewsmagazine.com Please send Comments, Letters and Press Releases to: editor@newsmagazinenetwork.com <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> is published 30 times per year by <strong>West</strong> Media Inc. It is direct-mailed to more than 68,000 households in <strong>West</strong> St. Louis County. Products and services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> and views expressed in editorial copy are not necessarily those of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>. No part of <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong>. All letters addressed to <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> or its editor are assumed to be intended for publication and are subject to editing for content and length. <strong>West</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or editorial submission. © Copyright 20<strong>19</strong>. A PUBLICATION OF Ellen Hartbeck Linda Joyce Joe Ritter Sheila Roberts Bonnie Krueger Warren Mayes Jessica Meszaros ON THE COVER: Union Baptist Church in <strong>West</strong>land Acres remains the center of the community. [Jessica Meszaros photo]