I want to comment on the illegal dumping article (“Illegal dumping continues at city’s western edge,” Surprise Independent, Jan. 26, 2022). It’s not a Surprise problem. It’s a nationwide problem.

Our president gets us out of one war only to perhaps get us into another. The sad and costly way Biden got us out of Afghanistan has embolden our enemies, especially Russia and China. Russia now threatens the Ukraine and China threatens Taiwan.

I would like to thank Steve Stratton for his year of service as chair of the State Transportation Board in 2021 and welcome incoming Chairman Jesse Thompson. I look forward to working alongside you and the board in 2022.

It isn’t just puppies who can benefit from training! Dogs of all ages are capable of learning new behaviors or skills. Many dog owners think that after a puppy reaches a certain age you can’t break their bad habits or teach them new skills, which simply isn’t true. You just need to take the time to train them and have patience during the process.

I was born White and I am sorry. My birth certificate even has blocks labeled “Color” for my parents; and the block lists “W” for both. I cannot even claim to be partly Black or brown. I am sorry for that because, for that reason, I cannot claim to be free of racism.