Neighbors give a helping hand after storm

Dear Editor:
I want to thank the community of Aurora for all the “neighbors-helping-neighbors” this past weekend following the disruptive wind storm. Almost everyone was affected in some way, but what I saw was everyone being willing to reach out and give a helping hand to their neighbor.
On my street on east L, everyone was out raking, cutting limbs or hauling debris away. The city crews worked all night so that streets were passable. Then the chainsaws, rakes and trailers began removal so that by midafternoon the lawns were raked and the streets swept.
I’m confident that most other sectors of the city experienced this shared community assistance and pride. Thank you for doing what Aurora does best -- caring for each other!    
Marlin Seeman,
Mayor of Aurora

Ignoring pleas for help doesn’t solve problem
Dear Editor:
I find myself currently living with a situation full of many emotions, and decided that a letter to the editor could possibly be of help, not just for me, but perhaps future experiences. I did not bring this dilemma upon myself, although I admit that my actions may not be helping matters very much. Here is the story as I see it.
Earlier this spring, a mother cat and five adorable babies appeared under my deck. I firmly believe they had been abandoned by someone else as they were healthy and roly-poly babies, although the mother is a good mother who catches my birds for them and whatever else she can find. She is not tame, very protective and therefore the kittens are not tame.
I immediately contacted different individuals to help me find some solution to the problem, but cats and kittens are a dime a dozen at this time of year especially. I have not been able to find anyone willing to give me a little of their time to help solve the situation, so I continue to care for them. That’s six cats for the last two months.
Meanwhile, the babies are growing up and who knows what the future holds. All I ask was that someone help to trap them as I found a good home on a farm and they would make a good addition. At my age, I can’t do it alone. Everyone I have asked, even a professional catcher, either does not call me back in answer to my plea for help, or just do a no-show when expected. I have been told not to feed them, but they need food just like we do, and as babies can’t fend for themselves.
I have decided to just let it ride for now, and eventually there will be six more feral cats wandering the streets of Hampton if, hopefully, they decide to move on. My biggest question is “Why do people not return your calls, or at least stop by and say they can’t or don’t want to help?”
Is everyone that busy? Even if they got paid? Think about it.
P.S. Ignoring requests for help does nothing to solve a problem.
Noni Troester,
Hampton