Contrary to comments in a recent letter, Dana U.S. retirees' pensions are not being eliminated or reduced as a result of the company's Chapter 11 reorganization. Federal law, in fact, protects the funds in Dana's pension plans, which are government-insured and were approximately 95 percent funded at Dec. 31, 2006. Dana has no intention of turning the pensions over to the government. Furthermore, it should be noted that Dana is current on all funding payments to its pension plans.

Dana is seeking to remove itself from providing health and welfare benefits for retirees, as evidenced by the recent tentative agreement with the Official Committee of Non-Union Retirees in which Dana will contribute $78 million to a VEBA trust for retired non-union employees. Medicare will provide health-care coverage for those 65 or older; still, this initiative is one of a number of clearly regrettable, but necessary actions Dana must take to emerge from Chapter 11 as a viable company and employer here in Toledo and around the world.

Dana undertook this painful process because the company requires fundamental change in order to survive. Amid a turbulent industry climate, the company's U.S. operations have lost more than $2 billion over the last five years.

Unfortunately, such drastic results require drastic changes. Previous efforts to revive the company - including restructuring efforts, divestitures, and deep work force cuts - simply weren't enough. The initiatives the company is currently pursuing are critical to the survival of the Dana Corp., which is in everyone's best interest.

To live within an affordable budget, Toledo government should return to what it once was. Years ago, when our city had nearly 100,000 more residents, its business generally was handled very well by a city manager and district councilmen.

As upper- and middle-class families were moving to the suburbs and businesses were closing or leaving the area, Toledo changed to a strong mayor form of government with additional, at-large councilmen. The tax burden fell upon a decreasing number of people whose income was stagnant at best.

As private industry downsized and reduced or abolished benefits, as the cost of insurance, pharmaceuticals, utilities, and gasoline continue to skyrocket, the buying power of middle- and lower-income families has diminished. Add to that the onus of supporting an expanded government composed of politically ambitious opportunists.

Mr. Finkbeiner, who advocated for the change to a strong mayor, appoints commissioners and other administrators at salaries double or triple those of ordinary folks. These political cronies (our "civil servants?") head departments actually run by the people in the trenches.

That public employees receive pay and benefits exceeding those received by the average citizen who must support our city government is outrageous. Perhaps it is time for a referendum to change and downsize the top-heavy Toledo government.

For all of the nearby cities and school districts having difficulty with their finances, here is a news flash: We who work in the private sector can no longer afford your lavish compensation and benefit packages.

A recent USA Today article highlighted that those who are employed by the public sector enjoy better salary and far better retirement benefits than comparable people employed in the private sector. The trouble with local government and school districts is that they both play their trump cards when they get into financial hardship.

Cities want tax increases and fee increases or else they will cut police, fire, and other necessary services. School districts continue to put levies on the ballot until they pass and they always threaten to eliminate sports, busing, and other extracurricular activities. Public universities and colleges continue to hike tuition at three times the rate of inflation and have been doing so for the last couple decades. They know that a higher education is a necessity and continue to hold us all hostage to their tuition hikes.

How much longer can those of us in the private sector be blackmailed by these people so they can continue to enjoy a better lifestyle than those of us who are paying their bills? Enough is enough. It is time that the employees in the public sector pay for their cushy medical and pension plans. It is about time there is a correction in their base salary as well.

Once again the intersection at State Rt. 295 and Sylvania Avenue in Berkey was the site of a fatal car accident. As I was driving a group of softball players home from practice on March 13 my van was rerouted as a result of the tragic accident. As my van was approaching the intersection the first thought of the girls was that maybe one of our team members was involved.

Unfortunately, the accident may have been the result of a young man unaware of the intersection. The outcome will no doubt haunt him for the rest of his life. Every less expensive avenue has been exhausted to protect drivers at this intersection, including additional signs and a grated road near the stop signs on both sides of Sylavnia Avenue.

But the time has come to spend the additional funds and place a light at this dangerous intersection. Instead of spending tax dollars to prosecute this young man, why not take the money and purchase a light that will, no doubt, save lives and money in the future?

Wind power is here to stay. I think it would be a terrible mistake to install turbines in any of the Great Lakes. For that matter, a flag pole should not be allowed.

Once we let the fat cats and robber barons drill in these lakes, we will have to grant oil and gas wells - and there goes the best water any place in this region. It is difficult enough to try to keep this resource clean. Do not add any more obstacles.

We've all heard that exercise and a balanced diet are the keys to healthy living. However, if you take medications, they are also an important part of the plan to keep you healthy.

Medications are powerful and, when taken properly, can control many health conditions and lower the risk for complications. However, a survey released by the National Community Pharmacists Association found that three-quarters of Americans (74 percent) do not always take their prescriptions as directed. Many forget to take a medication, take less than the prescribed dosage, or stop taking it before the supply runs out. More than half make these decisions without talking to a health-care professional.

The first step to a healthier you could be as close as your local pharmacist's counter. Pharmacists are here to make sure you understand everything about your medication, including how and when to take it and what side effects to expect. Your pharmacist can help you keep track of what you are taking and make sure that your medications will not interact harmfully with each other. We can even work with you to develop a system to help you remember to take your medications on time.

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