Thumbs Up/Down - March 1, 2013

Talk about it

SIMMONS TOUCHED HEARTS AND MINDS

Thumbs Up: When news broke that Douglas County Library Director Karen

Simmons died in a two-vehicle crash in dense fog near Glenwood, it sent waves of shock, sadness and heartfelt loss throughout the community, even among those who didn’t know her that well. Simmons touched many lives in her 25-plus years at the library, especially young children. She was the children’s library director for 23 years. She introduced the world of books to children who have since grown up and brought their own children to the library. Lorene Foner of Alexandria sent an e-mail to the newspaper that captures the feelings of many:

“I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Karen Simmons. Two of my children were tweens when Karen started work at the Douglas County

Library. She was wonderful. She knew their names. She knew their reading level. She knew what kind of material interested them. Sometimes she would say to them, ‘I saw a book the other day and thought of you.’ She nurtured their love of books and reading. They graduated and moved out of the area, but she would often ask about them and was genuinely interested in their life accomplishments. More than any public servant in Douglas County, she influenced who they became as adults. She will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers.”

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Thumbs Up: A couple who moved to the Woodhill Apartments in Alexandria about a year ago very much appreciate the care that’s been given to their parking lot after a snowfall. “The snow has been removed promptly and what I consider is above and beyond consideration for the tenants,” said Leona Schneider. “The maintenance crew comes to our apartments, knocks on our doors and asks us for our keys to our vehicles. Then after plowing the one side of the driveway, they move our vehicles to that side and commence to plow this side before putting our cars back in our designated parking spots. That’s what I call service with a smile.”

ICE CHALLENGE SUPPORTERS

Thumbs Up: The Alexandria Sertoma Club gives a thumbs up to all those in the community who supported the 2013 Ice Fishing Challenge. A long list of sponsors made it possible, along with all the individuals, businesses and groups who provided materials and services. Alan Iverson, chairman of the event, gave a special thank you to Cool 94.3 for broadcasting live on the ice and giving away more than $2,000 worth of prizes to people who brought their radios to listen. “We truly live in a great community with people willing to help and pitch in when needed,” Iverson said. “Thanks also to all who bought a raffle ticket and came out to the ice and participated. All of this work benefits our community with money we raise to give back to local charities, community projects and helping people in need with hearing and speech issues.”

INVISIBLE DRIVERS

Thumbs Down: The dense fog that descended on the area in the last few days has made driving difficult in low-lying areas. Yet there are still too many drivers out there who don’t bother to turn their headlights on. Remember the old adage to “see and be seen.” Whenever visibility is limited, turn your lights on, make sure they’re working right, clean your headlights and windows, and don’t forget the rear and side windows as well.

SHOPPING CART MAYHEM

Thumbs Down: Here’s a problem at parking lots everywhere: shopping carts that are scattered all around, taking up parking spots and waiting to ding up your vehicle. An Alexandria resident is fed up with the problem. “I get so angry when I drive into parking lots…and see these shopping carts scattered all over, in-between cars, blocking a parking spot,” he said. “Maybe we should hire 5th graders to be there and tell these stupid adults what it says on the cart rack and what it is for. These are not kids leaving these carts scattered. Then it would be a little excusable. But grown-up adults is a shame.”

Tags: opinion, editorials