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KEEP AMTRAK STAFFED When properly staffed, Amtrak train stations provide a vital transportation link for many communities with limited transportation alternatives. However, Amtrak has recently begun eliminating customer service representative (ticket agent) jobs at many stops across the country.
While Amtrak trains will continue to stop at these stations, passengers will lose access to:
• Local employees with knowledge of area attractions and accommodations.
• Meet and assist services for elderly or disabled passengers.
• Assistance with checked baggage.
Additionally:
• Passengers who would otherwise qualify for discounted fare (such as disability discounts) will be ineligible when purchasing tickets with cash onboard the train in addition to extra fees.
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to board or disembark at unstaffed stations.
• Firearms are not allowed to be checked in at unstaffed stations.
Please direct your concern to local and state representatives, as well as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors, 1 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20001. Adam R. Isley Springfield
UNITE TO END BULLYING Walking into my sophomore year of high school, I was excited for surprises. But now, as the school year comes to an end, I look at random students and wonder if the surprise will be that the student walking next to me could be a shooter.
17. That number stains my mind. 17 innocent students and teachers were shot and killed at Parkland High School. A high school just like mine.
If we could eliminate bullying in our lives, school would be a safer place. Unfortunately, 1 in 4 students said they have been bullied and have a higher risk of committing suicide. Bullying victims are twice as likely to bring a weapon to school.
Although bullying can be difficult to identify, parents, teachers and students should invest time in creating a healthy student environment. A parent could have a child who is a bully or a bullying victim. Whatever the case, many students feel like no one can help them, and they are ashamed because they have been told by others that bullying is a part of growing up. However, society can no longer complacently allow this commonplace notion. Parents: Start talking to your child about bullying, ask them how their day was, and check their grades. Teachers: Keep your door open to all the students in your class. And students: Please consider those who are different than you with empathy rather than ridicule.
If we all unite, we can end this. Kaitlyn Ting Springfield
CROSSWORD PUZZLES Please continue printing the crossword puzzle. It’s the only one I do, but it is the main reason I pick up this paper every week. Thanks. Kathy Mauger Springfield
