In January, the Hood River News invited readers to briefly give us their ideas for “Improving My Community.”
We asked for positive suggestions rather than criticisms, and received a rich variety.

They are intended to be food for thought for readers to chew on, to gain a few new insights into how some of our neighbors view their community and its rich potential.

Sometimes people come to a party when they know others have arrived. If you would like to add to the “Improving My Community” discussion, send your suggestions to: hrnews@eaglenewspapers.com

There are two rules: Keep comments positive, and try to limit your entry to 100 words or less.

Here are three of those ideas; more “Improving My Community” comments that have already been received will be published over the next two issues; look for others in future editions.

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Adrian Fields, Hood River: Plan construction to use space better. Put parking lots on top of or underneath the building. If there isn’t a parking lot on top of the building, the roof should be used somehow. Cover it with solar panels or plants. Turn it into a deck.

Encourage trees to shade roads; this makes a big difference in the summer heat.

Plan for housing and workplaces to be close enough to shopping areas that people can easily walk or ride a bike instead of driving.

Reduce light pollution so we can see the stars. Have streetlights only at intersections, and only one per intersection. Require security lights, floodlights and such to shine only on the intended property — this has an added benefit to the owners: They can use smaller wattage bulbs to get the same illumination on the area they’re concerned with.

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Anatole Fetisoff, Hood River:

It is essential to remember that ALL points of view are valid.

They may be different from your own, but nonetheless deserving your respect.

By learning to listen without bias and judgment, you can understand the position of the other so that a real discussion can take place.

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Peny Wallace, Mosier: All it takes is a smile.

A smile that starts from within .... and grows because it is nourished by the glow of a morning sunrise; the flight of a lone bird gliding across the quiet shore; the beauty of icicles as they glimmer, hanging from the cliffsides....

A smile starts from within, grows .... with always enough to share ... with anyone.

You probably are one of those who lives among the cultivators of smiles. You live here.

I am. And as I look everywhere around me, I can feel my smile start to expand. I am thankful to live in this place along the river, surrounded by the mountains.