Your Letters for July 18, 2025

Show us the mathematics

Where does the St. Joseph School District go from here?

There is only one probable answer…show us the mathematics.

1. What will be the true mathematical senior high school population numbers in 2030, 2035, and beyond?
2. Without prejudice, if the numbers are less than 4,000 each year the SJSD would benefit with one senior high school…Trails West Senior High School.
3. The never ending divisions (south, north, midtown, and east) must end. We are one city.
4. The SJSD would be wise to show us the mathematics.

Richard Demarest
St. Joseph

A slap in the face

The 250^th birthday of the US Army was 14 June 2025. A large celebration was held in Washington D.C. including a parade tracing the long history of the Army since the Revolutionary War. The speaker shared lots of information as the parade progressed with period uniforms and equipment. It was clear soldiers worked very hard to prepare for and participate in this parade. 

I sent numerous emails and called multiple times to ensure our elected leaders would be attending and sharing in this celebration. Unfortunately, Senators Hawley and Schmitt decided not to attend and have flatly refused to respond as to why they did not attend. Congressman Graves also did not attend; his staff finally told me he was in Paris, France. He attended the Paris Airshow. 

As an Army veteran, this feels like a slap in the face. The event was family friendly with lots of displays and deserved the attendance and respect by our elected officials. I realize none of them are veterans so perhaps they don’t understand the significance (?) of this milestone. Seems like a stunning lack of judgment to skip this once in a lifetime event.

Beth Franklin
Plattsburg

No way to run a democracy

I have just finished reading a breakdown on the costs and benefits of President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" that all three of you voted into law. If you and/or your staff studied this bill at all, then you know that despite the hype it increases the budget deficit by a few trillion dollars over the next decade.

Moreover, it takes money, food and health care from the poorest people in our country. Senator Hawley admitted as much, but it didn't influence his "yes." The bill continues and even expands the huge, obscene tax cuts for the wealthiest people and corporations. These cuts were passed during the first Trump administration and set to expire at the end of this year. Their extension will cost some 4.5 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.

All three of you have expressed pride in helping pass this bill in the face of opposition by the Democrats and the many who will have to deal with its consequences. There was virtually no attempt by you and your party to cooperate and compromise on the multitude of issues involved. This approach to governing has led Congress to forfeit power to Trump and the Supreme Court — both of which are trying to neutralize the power federal courts, and weaken, if not eliminate our Constitutional rights of due process and birthright citizenship to ever person born in the United States. Should these rights be taken from a few of the least powerful people, it is a simple step to expand the law and apply it to any of us the admiration views as an enemy.

This is no way to run a democracy.

Keith Evans
St. Joseph

Watching with pride

At a time when many colleges, public and private, are concerned about retaining enrollment levels, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, continues to grow annually — and to gain national recognition. 

The fall enrollment is anticipated to be over 620 freshmen, bringing the school's total enrollment just over 2,300. Students are coming from 48 states and 18 countries. A record 2025 graduating class of 520 indicates an excellent retention rate — students entering as freshmen and graduating. 

The Catholic college has earned mention with the big schools. U.S. News and World Report ranks Benedictine 6th among Midwestern colleges. The Wall Street Journal also ranks the school 6th among its most recommended colleges — sharing space in the top 10 with Princeton, MIT, Brigham Young. RegisteredNursing.org ranked Benedictine's nursing school as No. 1 in Kansas, for the 3rd straight year. 

Under the strong leadership of President Stephen Minnis (a 1978 Bishop LeBlond graduate) and a dedicated board, the school's ambitious future includes a $50.3 million library, modeled after Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. It's scheduled for completion next year and plans are for opening in 2028 an osteopathic school of medicine. 

Athletics play a major role at Benedictine, with 20 athletic programs. Last fall's Raven football team made it to the final 4 in the NAIA, and the undefeated women's lacrosse team won its 2nd national title. 

On an ever-expanding campus, Benedictine has built nine new residence halls in the last 20 years, which provide an opportunity for 80 percent of the students to live on campus. 

The college's reputation is bolstered by the fact that it has graduated a Nobel Peace Prize Laureat, seven bishops and eight college presidents. 

As a 1954 Benedictine graduate, I watch with pride as President Minnis and his dedicated team carry out his vision, "Forward, Always Forward." 

Bob Slater
St. Joseph