Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 622

ET! OPINIONS 19 THE GLENDALE REPUBLIC FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008 The Glendale Republic GENERAL MANAGER: Venita James, 602-444-6932 EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR: Joel Nilsson, 602-444-4411 VISIT OUR BLOG: Go to blogs.azcentral.com and click on Plugged In West Valley Your voice counts E-mail: wvalley.letters(ffiarizonarepublic.com Fax: 602-444-7985 Mail: The Arizona Republic, West Valley Letters, 106 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, AZ 85210 Please include your name, address and phone number. Please limit letters to 200 words and columns to 400 words. COMMUNITY COLUMNIST YOUR VIEWS Reinvest profits into next Super Bowl 3 reasons women stay with abusive males Of course, the replacements will likely not be of the same quality. I'll bet everyone can guess whether the quality will be better or worse.

Kathleen Rust, Glendale Recall wasteful politicians I recently received a sample ballot for a special election on May 20. 1 am appalled that Glendale is wasting taxpayers' dollars for one proposition when it could have been added to a previous ballot or to the one in November. Perhaps if time to have a special election to recall the city officials who are wasting our tax revenues. Diane Potts, Glendale I've heard that there are talks of adding an extra tax for the next Super Bowl. Then I hear that the last Super Bowl generated $500 million for the state.

Why can't some of that $500 million be put toward the next Super Bowl instead of raising taxes? Yvonne Ford, Glendale It's a quality issue Is anyone wondering why the teachers in the Deer Valley school district are marching with signs? With increases in the deductions from their pay, they are actually getting a pay decrease. The district will not discuss the matter. Either sign your contract or be replaced. Fear, shame, and hope. These were the three reasons given to us by Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson and ex-sister-in-law of O.J.

Simpson, to explain why her sister and millions of other women stay with abusive men. As I heard these three words, I reviewed my life from so many years ago when, I too, was a victim of domestic violence. I realized that these three simple yr Jfi words did indeed sum it 1" i up very DEIRDRE HAMILlTHE REPUBLIC Hundreds participated in last year's Walk to End Domestic Violence in downtown Phoenix. Columnist should think, then write "5 Fear. The tear ot being killed if you ever at- tpmnfpd tn Ipavf as sr every four women will experience it JLul many women are.

The and three women die from it, on aver age, each and every day. My story has a happy ending. My Let's bill the country I could not agree more with Aimee Dobson in regards to having illegal aliens convicted of crimes in this country serve their time in their host or birth country. While we are at it: Send a bill to the host country for those serving time for crimes committed here, send a bill to the host country for those who receive "free" medical aid and hospitalization, and have the host country build and staff education systems to teach their population English. We are spending too much time and funds on education for people who should not be here.

Why should we support the political agenda of certain host countries that encourage their citizens to go to America to find the milk and honey? Steven Wright, Goodyear Regarding Aimee Dobson's column convicted of manslaughter should do time in Mexico," April 16): The young Peoria resident who was killed by Jocabed Dominguez-Torres, who was drunk and ran a red light, had a name. It was Robert Christopher Miller. He was an only son and grandson. To suggest that his killer should be returned to her own country to serve prison time is ludicrous. What guarantee would there be that she would remain in prison? She had already been sent back to her country and then returned here more than once: Dobson is entitled to her opinion, but we taught our children that before engaging their mouth or computer, they first engage their brain.

Donna Miller, Peoria Miller is Robert's grandmother. DEBBIE fear of your children be-LESKO ing taken or harmed. The fear of not knowing where to live or how you will support your family with little to no money. The fear of the unknown. Shame.

The shame of people thinking you were stupid to get involved. The shame of admitting that you, a smart person, put up with the things that you do. The shame that people won't understand why you stay. Hope. The hope that things will change.

The hope that this time he's telling the truth when he says it will never happen again. My husband and I heard these words at a recent charity ball for Eve's Place, a domestic abuse shelter serving the West Valley. The ball was held at Glen-dale's Renaissance Hotel and many great people supported its efforts including state Sen. Jim Waring of Scotts-dale, Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett and Glendale Police Chief Steve Conrad. To some people's surprise, Denise told us that she did not know her sister was a victim of domestic violence while she was married to O.J.

She shared stories from Nicole's journal, which detailed how she was beaten, locked in rooms and how she hid her bruises so no one would know. Unfortunately, Nicole's experiences are all too familiar. Domestic violence is an epidemic in the United States. One in daughter and I left my abusive husband 15 years ago and I am now happily remarried with two more wonderful children. However, other women are still facing violent and abusive situations each and every day.

Fortunately, there are ways you can help. On Saturday at 7:30 a.m. The Arizona Republic and other Valley businesses and groups are sponsoring a walk to end domestic violence starting at Wesley Bolin Plaza. If you can't join that, you can still help organizations already in place. I serve on the advisory board of Eve's Place which helps women and children in need.

The West Valley Advocacy Center (glendaleaz.compolicewvac), investigates, counsels and helps victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. A New Leaf (www.prehab.org) provides shelter and counseling Valley-wide. If you can donate your money or time, please give them a call. If you are being abused or suspect someone else is being abused, please contact these organizations or call 1-800-799-SAFE. Debbie Lesko of Glendale is a community advocate.

She can be reached at commentsdebbielesko.com. QUICK HIT MONICA ALONZO-DUNSMOOR, EDITORIAL WRITER A little competition is always good for business. And at Lake Pleasant, that competition comes in the way of a second marina, the Scorpion Bay Marina and Yacht Club. It's opening May 1 after surviving a series of legal challenges from Pleasant Harbor Marina, which operated for years as the sole marina at the lake. It's great news for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy boating, fishing and other water play because this competitive environment is driving down prices for boating customers and Scorpion Bay will be open to the general public.

Pleasant Harbor Marina will become a members-only venue on May 3. Chat with West Valley leaders and commentators at wvblogs.azcentral.com.