The inspirational story published March 21 about Pomona High student Dominic Martinez brings to light a topic no one likes to think about — what happens to a child when tragedy strikes and he or she is unable to live with family? Martinez was lucky his friends were able to provide him with support and a place to live — this is not always the case.

I think this story brings up an important area of service that needs to be expanded. Housing opportunities for youth who are unable to live with their families need to be more readily available.

Almost everywhere in the country it is difficult to find youth friendly transitional living programs and adequate foster care families, but this is especially true in the suburbs.

I hope to see the development of these types of services in Arvada because it is important for children to stay near their friends, schools, and support systems when they are experiencing times of family hardship.

Not all kids are as lucky as Martinez was to have such a well developed support system, and even he stated that the hardest thing for him has been finding a place to live. I am sure that being able to stay near his school, sports, and friends helped him cope with his mother’s passing.

It is important that all children have access to sources of support. Therefore it is important that Arvada develops more ways to help children living on their own stay close to home.

Amanda Bruemmer

Right time for gun talks

The March 21 editorial reported that some sheriffs believe it is untimely to consider gun control legislation in the wake of recent gun tragedies. Unfortunately, the politics surrounding gun regulation stifles rational debate during “normal” times.

Even though many of us have supported more effective gun regulation for a long time, it seems to take a tragedy to focus public interest on the matter. Furthermore, government is often reactive. Recent consideration of cruise ship regulation was prompted by problems with cruise ships. A traffic signal is installed after too many accidents occur at an intersection. Wouldn’t it have been better to install the signal before the accidents happened?

Regarding guns being a part of the Western heritage — slavery is a part of the Southern heritage and racial discrimination is a part of the national heritage. Heritage is not always worthy of worship.

David Wolf, Lakewood

Off the mark

Your “Our View” editorial, “A land with problems, a nation with laws” is off the mark. Our nation is a nation with most laws ignored because it has become a nation of men, not laws. For example, the following laws are and were ignored by the nation of laws — bankruptcy laws (General Motors and Chrysler), the Defense of Marriage Act, immigration laws, marijuana laws, etc. The laws enforced are only those selected by men to be enforced. We are a nation of men, not laws.

George Risley, Lakewood