Our readers write

Customer service needs to improve

If I may jump on my soap box for an “off the chest” moment: Those of us live in Oxford year-round notice. We notice when service and quality are diminished when the students leave (but at least we can get a parking spot to take note of it.)

But in these days of almost record high unemployment, why do you permit such mediocrity from your employees who serve your customers?

Some examples: A major Oxford rental property owner has not painted some of his/her properties in so long that they resemble something in the ghetto areas of Cincinnati, and cuts down healthy trees due to some inconvenience. (Aren’t we a town designated a Tree City?)

A grocery store (there’s more than one in town) employs cashiers and even management who wouldn’t smile and say “thank you” if they were paid to do so. (And they are.)

And the restaurant servers who obviously views serving a customer as a chore. Servitude, not service.

But recently I had a stellar experience with Bike Wise that is noteworthy, and Steve Friede’s Alexander House routinely gets it right.

I want to do business in Oxford, but our dollars spend just as easily in Hamilton or Cincinnati. I challenge you to set the bar much higher.

Carol Bales

Oxford

Lane ‘Friends’ support offerings

Almost six years ago I moved here from Tucson, Ariz., and instantly came to rely on the incredible community resource of Oxford’s Lane Library. I have benefitted tremendously from the services the library provides, found the staff to be consistently helpful and creative, and made enduring friendships with patrons I first met there.

During the current economic recession, we can all benefit more than ever from the Lane’s extraordinary programs, staff and collection. In the last year alone, my children have attended tea parties, taken a photography workshop, seen puppet shows, and participated in story times and book groups, including The Big Read this past spring. And of course, we have borrowed countless books and movies from Lane’s holdings. The wonder of it all is that each event, recommendation and lending period comes at no charge.

If you have ever meant to give back to an institution that provides the entire community with so much, please consider becoming a Friend of the Oxford Lane Library now. Brochures are available at the Oxford Lane’s circulation desk.

Kathleen Veslany

Oxford

Many supported group’s trip

Thanks to all of the kind people who helped us, the Monkey Grinders, get to Knoxville, Tenn., for the Destination Imagination Global Finals.

These people are: John and Marilyn Curry, Sandy Huggins, Patty Frizzell, Ruth Pettitt, Joseph Jackson DDS, Temple Barbers, Jeffrey Leipzig M.D., Oxford Pediatrics, Richard Kennedy DMD, Beaton Insurance, Hugh and Barbara Clawson, ReMAX, Kiwanis, Talawanda City Schools, Kathy and Geoff Fishburn, Jeff Gesell, Joanne Williamson, Krogers, Tammy Wagner at Attitudes, Talawanda-Miami Partnership, Oxford Community Foundation and Bill Greene.

Also, we send a big thank you to all of the people who bought our hot chocolate, cookies, and coffee at the community park.

The Monkey Grinders: Alex Hughes, Matthew Snell, Vilppu Anttila and Stephen Milders

Oxford

Be careful 
of heat in vehicles

With summer upon us, I wanted to remind all parents and caregivers of a very important safety issue that can be death to children and pets. Please don’t leave your children or pets in a hot car, especially on hot days. Your car will turn into an oven and will kill your child and pet. Every summer in the paper, there is always the fool who kills their child this way.

If you are hot, your children and pets are hot, too. Think about it. If you want to run into a store or a hair dresser appointment and don’t want to take your child in with you, find a sitter. Leave your pets at home instead of taking them with you to cook in the car.

Cracking the windows just a bit does not make a difference. It is still hot in there.

Emily Varano

Middletown

Graduate proud of Miami workshop

I am proud to be a Miami University alumna for many reasons and the National Summit on Youth Culture, Popular Culture and Sexuality Education gives me one more. Current abstinence-only education programs are outdated and exclude students of diverse sexualities, genders, races, classes and ability levels.

The conference’s focus on democratic sexuality education represents a critical advancement not only in the teaching of sexuality, but also the empowerment of all young people. That Miami is hosting the conference reveals its commitment to its students, diversity, and the future of the field of education.

Nurit Yastrow

Miami University Class of ’08

Good Apple Gang thanks supporters

Mrs. Milders’ class would like to thank everyone who made our school year fun. On our first day of kindergarten, each of us got Good Apple Gang T-shirts donated by the Bogan PTG. This helped us feel like a family from the very beginning.

The Talawanda-Miami Partnership awarded us a grant so we could tour the Miami athletic facilities and talk with coaches, players and staff.

We were able to see that all of us, if we believe in ourselves and don’t quit, can go to college. Finally, we would like to thank our second-grade buddies who worked with us, played with us, talked with us and treated us with respect.

Christy Milders’ 
kindergarten class

Bogan Elementary