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Reduced library services would be detrimental to community

Reduce services of public libraries/shorten hours when they are open? Stated goals for Rockford and Winnebago County: Better prepared, skilled work force, more college-bound, college-ready individuals, higher rate of employment, lower crime rate.

It would be interesting to know what percent of required homework from all area schools requires a computer and printer and what percent of area students have access to a computer and printer at home.

I have no idea to what extent reduced library services and hours would affect the crime rate, but it takes little imagination to envision how reduced library services and hours would affect a better-prepared work force, college-ready, college-bound students.

Reduce library services and reduce hours of availability, and you have a high probability of damaging the future economic survival and growth of Rockford and Winnebago County.

Valerie Forster Gorski

Rockford

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Congress should support Right to Repair Act to help small businesses

We often hear members of Congress ask about the challenges facing small businesses and the need to help them compete. Passage of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) is a chance for Congress to demonstrate their commitment to small businesses throughout the country.

The Right to Repair Act simply requires that vehicle manufacturers provide car owners and their trusted neighborhood repair shops with equitable access to accurate service and repair information. Allowing these small businesses to compete on a level playing field will ensure the long-term survival of a competitive automotive repair industry.

Many of our members have small businesses that have been in their family for generations. They are not seeking an unfair advantage, nor are they looking for access to the proprietary information protected by the bill. Instead, they are asking Congress to ensure that they are able to compete fairly now and in the future.

We encourage all vehicle owners to visit www.righttorepair.org ^[1] to send a letter to their congressional representatives urging them to support passage of the Right to Repair Act.

Paul Fiore

Executive Vice President

Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades (SSDA-AT)

Bowie, Md.

from the July 29-August 4, 2009, issue