Voice of the people

Ricard was asset to Herd community

July 5 was a sad day for the rest of my life due to the passing of my dear uncle Dr. Jose Ricard.

From the time I was born in Cuba, I have always looked up to him, and the love and respect that I have and will always have will never leave me. I can still remember when he came to America from Cuba to join me and my family and the hardships that he went through to come to the land of the free.

I, being a former resident of Huntington, know how much he will be missed by the people of your great city. The Herd nation has lost a gem. I am now preparing to make a very sad trip to Huntington for the funeral. My heart is at its lowest as I write this letter.

To my aunt Amy, my cousin Jackie and Raquel, we all must stay strong together and live our lives by the example that he bestowed upon us.

Jorge Benitez

Goshen, Ohio

Hospital staff had to go public

I am employed at Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital. We have been in the news recently due to our "over bedding and staff shortages." While they have all been true, the stories cannot stop here, as this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

While I am forced to believe that upper management understands why we have taken our plight to the media and to the public, some in lower level management do not seem to be able to place their own selfish demands in the background.

At this stage, I do not believe anyone can say we had any other options. We were forced, by the hand of others, to handle this situation as it is being handled. Please, do not embarrass yourselves or others by coming forth now and saying that "we had options." No, actually, we did not.

This has become a matter of public interest, and now we will see what happens. This is an opportunity for a difference to be made, or, to continue down the road we have traveled for way too long. And please, for those that think this is a personal vendetta, get over yourself.

Jeff Watson

Huntington

What happened to virtue in the U.S.?

Goodness, moral excellence, purity. It was said during the discussion on the U.S. Constitution that this nation could not survive without the Bible, the Christian principles and Almighty God the Creator.

Samuel Adams with his great knowledge of legislation and prolonged discussion upon the Constitution of this Republic, said: "In a democracy, virtue is the foundation; without which this country will not succeed."

No one should be elected to a representative office who would not upon his oath declare himself to be of Christian character and principles, because it is the Almighty Creator in whom all blessings flow.

This is still practiced by our presidents when they take the Oath of Office on the Holy Bible. What has happened to virtue?

Rex Bartholomew

Milton