Dirty pool
I was heartened by the Clean Lakes Alliance's taking the initiative ("Can We Save Our Lakes?" 4/19/2013). Particularly impressive was the "costing out" analysis regarding phosphorus reduction: $25 per pound for reducing construction-site erosion; $860 per pound for processing through municipal sewerage systems. Absent was the "costing out" of manure runoff.
At the Second Yahara Lakes Conference (October 2010), Prof. Richard Lathrop made clear that 80% of phosphorus entering the Yahara River watershed came from agricultural operations. Many of these farm operations receive subsidies from the federal government. It seems inequitable that federally subsidized operations (free money from taxpayers) are not held accountable financially for cleaning up the lakes they are polluting.
Richard Reinke
Near miss
I can't help but comment on the description of the Holly Near concert at the Barrymore Theatre (Critics' Choice, 4/19/2013). She has deep roots in Madison's women's community. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Holly Near cut her teeth with Pete Seeger and Ronnie Gilbert of the Weavers and the countless talented women musicians active during her early years. The political atmosphere in our state at this time is contrary to the progressive history we share. Having the likes of Holly Near stir up a crowd at the Barrymore is a real shot in the arm.
Please, Isthmus, realize when a real gem is here. Holly Near is so much more than someone who acted in The Mod Squad.
Jane Hilton
A nonstarter
The article about "wunderkind" Nathan Lustig has left me wondering if Mr. Lustig has really done anything of importance for Madison or mankind in general ("Nathan Lustig Takes His Talent Abroad," 4/26/2013). Furthermore, does Madison want to be another monstrous city like Austin, Texas?
Has Lustig created jobs, and if so how many? Selling tickets at the UW and giving seminars in Chile isn't going to get our economy jumpstarted.
Wouldn't he be much more of a help to society if he worked to bring jobs back to Wisconsin from overseas? Or to help improve our educational system and to maintain a working wage for American families?
The article leaves me cold and even unsure about the value of the high-tech startups. Our educational and financial systems are in horrible shape. Let's give priority to them, and then Mr. Lustig can work on the startups.
John Murphy