Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Dec. 25, 2022

Litterbugs betray Austin's environmental reputation

Each Sunday morning I pick up garbage on a quarter-mile strip of Westlake Drive. And, each week, I collect about 25 pounds of trash.

There’s a fiction about the environmental character of Austin. What city committed to the environment tolerates massive amounts of roadside trash?

In my time picking up garbage, I’ve experienced highs and lows. Some people see me and toss more trash from their passing cars. But, recently two people stopped to thank me and that felt pretty good.

Most of the trash is bottles, cans, and food wrappers and utensils. I’m confident that it’s never going to stop. No one enforces laws against littering.

I wish we had the sense of community that might discourage people from littering. I pray we have the sense of community that will encourage some of you to get a trash bag and join me in trying to clean up Westlake Drive.

Steven Zager, Austin

Allow ready-to-drink spirits sales in grocery and convenience stores

Did you know that beer and wine-based ready-to-drink products are available to be purchased at grocery stores and convenience stores, but spirits RTDs are not? It’s a weird restriction given that spirits RTDs can have the exact same or even lower alcohol-by-volume.

I think if a bill were to be proposed on the matter, Texas lawmakers should pass legislation that would boost the economy, streamline shopping and keep up with consumer tastes. Spirits RTDs can be sold in grocery stores in 31 states and in convenience stores in 29 states, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, with other states also considering new legislation.

Texas is a state that has always prided itself on championing personal freedom — we should be a leader on this issue, rather than a follower.

Annie Bonnot, Austin

U.S., Vatican are behind the curve on biodiversity protection

Shame on the United States!

While more than 190 nations signed on to enter into an agreement to protect protect biodiversity, only two countries — the U.S. and the Vatican — are not parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Convention participants have pledged to protect 30% of the sea and 30% of land by end this decade. A worthy goal.

Irene Pickhardt, Austin

More parity needed between teacher and administration pay

It seems to me that an appropriate way to handle overpayment of senior education administration and underpayment of teachers would be legislation that ties them together.

For example, superintendent pay could be limited to three times the pay of the lowest full-time teacher.  That is both an incentive to increase the base pay of our professional educators and to control administrative compensation.

It could also include a limit on non-educator staff numbers (and paperwork).

Russ Collins, Round Rock

Gov. Abbott is to blame for mistreatment of immigrants at border

Re: Dec. 22 article, "El Pasoans troubled by National Guard tactics, fate of Title 42 caught in litigation."

Texans know the person to blame for inhumane tactics at the border is the governor of Texas who did not respond to the "cry for help to the state of Texas for beds, buses, public safety and shelter support for the hundreds of migrants," as reported in the article. He looked away from the thousands of human beings left literally out in the freezing cold.

This is not the image Texans want for this state. You need to help care for the people, get them registered and keep them safe from the weather with shelter, as well as provide police protection.

E.H. Hall, Austin

Please be careful walking or driving over New Year's Eve weekend

Re: Dec. 10 article, "Austin pedestrians at highest risk as traffic deaths hit near-record levels this year."

Thank you for shining light on the increasing danger facing pedestrians in the Dec. 10 article, "Austin pedestrians at highest risk as traffic deaths hit near-record levels this year."

Your readers should also know that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 35% of the 6,516 pedestrians killed in the U.S. in 2020 had alcohol in their system when they died. And 47% of the 2020 deaths involved either (or both) a driver or pedestrian that had been drinking.

Human decision-making is therefore a major contributor to the alarming statistics in your article. As New Year’s Eve festivities approach, it is critical that both drivers and pedestrians make responsible decisions that will allow our loved ones to make it home safely.

Elizabeth De La Garza and Ned Minevitz, Grant Administrators for Driving on the Right Side of the Road and Texas Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives, Texas Municipal Courts Education Center, Austin

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor: Dec. 25, 2022