My name is Barbara Robinson and I have two sons that are incarcerated in Wisconsin. I am writing this letter in support of their petitions. My sons have been incarcerated for 20 years. They were juveniles when an Armed Robbery crime was committed. They were charged and convicted as Party to A Crime Armed Robbery. They were both sentenced to over 100 years plus. My sons were both high school graduates with jobs, but, made a wrong choice. They both realize that and over the past 20 years have grown into young men with values of life. The crime they were convicted of did not result in any one's death or serious injury. I, along with my parents who are 82 years old and other family members, have always been there for my sons. They come from a loving background, Christian family. My family and I have always been there for them and will continue to be very supportive because they have changed and learned a lot from the consequences they have suffered and paid to society. Lawrence and Shulburt Williams have completed all programs required of them that were offered, along with additional college courses. They both have a very good report with staff workers. My family have been owners of our Bowling Alley for thirty years, and my sons would have no problem with job opportunities. We stand behind them 101%. I am a retired Police Officer as well as a 23 year Veteran in the United States Air Force. My sons are not a threat to the community. They have paid the price to come home. It has been a long 20 years. As a caring mother, wife, daughter, sister and aunt I am requesting my sons be released from prison at this time. My parents' health is not the best, and would like to reunite with their grandsons. Please sign my sons petition as it goes forward. Thank you very much. Barbara

The Reverend John C. Flynn is deserving of having a street co-named in his honor after leading by example , dedicating himself to helping others, & being there during the times of need for many . He was a beloved Catholic Priest who passed away on September . 23, 2012 after having served the County of the Bronx for fifty ( 50 ) years . In particular he served the St. Martin of Tours Parish from 1989 till he retired in July 2011. Considered one of the Last Street Priests, he was an advocate for housing & other issues, who also served the poor in South America . While at St . Martin of Tours he started the " Save a Generation " program for young people, which allowed youths to obtain their GED' s work for one ( 1 ) year in Bronx Parks , & prepare for college . He is remembered for walking the streets in the Community passed the midnight hour & asking kids to " trade in their Guns for a Crucifix . "

As you know, the Syrian refugee crisis is unprecedented in recent history. The United States for long has been a destination of the oppressed and those fleeing persecution based on their religion, sect or nationality. As America welcomed oppressed peoples of years past, let America welcome the oppressed peoples of today. Will you welcome Syrian refugees to Ann Arbor?

With the person having served 30 years, the Board of Commissioners has not given him a fair chance because of his sentence of life without parole. The system has convicted him unfairly, and because of past criminal history, he was railroaded.

There are approximately 80,000 residents in the proposed area and would become inholders and subject to many new regulations and restrictions that were not in place when the people moved in and invested in this area. The proposed area is in violation of the 1906 Antiquities Act. The additional costs for city and county services, such as roads, sewer, water, and power will have to be paid with a shrinking tax base due to the number of properties that will be removed from the tax rolls. This means significantly higher taxes that will force many people out of their long-time residences. This snowball effect puts the present schools and social services in peril.

Malheur County is not thinking about the community with this ban. They are spreading lies and propaganda purposefully to line their pockets with drug convictions.

The current rate of incarceration in the US dwarfs that of any country at any time in the world's history. The vast majority of our prisoners were convicted of victimless crimes, affecting only the users themselves. The costs of the current system to prisoners and taxpayers are unjust and unsustainable.

The cost of living has increased while the social security benefit has shrunk relative to expenses and lost retirement. Seniors cannot pay a mortgage, student loans, buy food, or pay property taxes. Most people are dead or have health problems by age 66 or 67. Job demands are ridiculous now and extremely hard on the older workers. People deserve to enjoy a portion of their lives and be able to have a life-sustaining amount of money coming in after it has been paid into for a lifetime.

There is no other country in the world that allows the kind of destruction we allow in the US from gun violence. It is time to stand up to the NRA and the gun manufacturers and do something to stop the carnage. We need to take back our freedom to live in a civilized country.

I live in Tucson and share the devastation of public acts of murder with those living in Roseburg, Charleston, Newton, Kileen , Blacksburg, San Ysidro, Austin, Edmond, Binghamton, Littleton and on and on-- all of our cities in which mentally ill individuals have sought fame by committing a mass murder. As a psychotherapist, it's obvious to me that major media collude in these heinous acts by rewarding the perpetrator with worldwide fame. At the same time, I am someone who has filed a federal lawsuit against the government in defense of the First Amendment, so treasure the media's right to inform the public about these events. I am asking Congress and the White House to create and adopt legislation that requires the media to RESPONSIBLY speak: In the same manner that we prohibit an irresponsible cry of, "Fire!", when none exists in a crowded theatre, we must limit the media from divulging specific identifying information about the perpetrator to only one readily accessible archival website where those who want to immortalize in their minds the identity of a mentally ill killer of children (or a terrorist committing a beheading) can go and do so.... ...BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE of encouraging other disturbed people to compensate for their feelings of powerlessness and damaging the American psyche-at-large by the systematic destruction of families, knowing they will be push-glorified, their rantings read and their faces globally seen and remembered for shooting bullets into school children, folks watching a movie, people eating lunch in a restaurant....folks just like us, future victims served up on a platter to all the would-be murderers watching the news, reading the headlines, surfing the web and plotting their immediate paths to similar fame.

Eliminating the pension for elected officials may encourage shorter terms in office. This would allow for more dynamic and innovative service to the people of Pennsylvania and a great savings of funds which could help educate our citizens.

It is my hope that the symbolic value of a flag so frequently at half staff will motivate change that recognizes the value of American lives.