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‘Splash’ thank you
On behalf of the Waterfront Community Park Association, I would like
to thank all who came to the “Summer Splash” fund-raising event at 3
Rivers Grill Sept. 2.
It was a beautiful summer evening and an overwhelming number of
generous community members turned out to support the park. We want to
thank Brian Robb, Mark Hudon, Joan Chase and Karen Watson for their
fabulous donations of art for the event. The WCPA raised $25,000 and
it will go towards initial park expense.
Anyone interested in learning more about the nonprofit Waterfront
Community Park Association and how you can get involved, please visit
our Web site
www.hoodriverwaterfront.com or
contact Marianne Brevard at 386-4741.
Marianne Brevard
Hood River
Scandal distraction
Regarding two interesting letters from the Right Wing. First,
James Konopasek claims that he is “Sick and tired of the lie that
‘Bush lied,’” then ends his letter by repeating the lie that Al
Gore claimed to have invented the Internet. Al Gore never said
that. The Republican National Committee said that he said that and
the mainstream media repeated it over and over so often that now,
people who pay scant attention to the facts continue to believe it
to be true.
As for Brian K. Steeves, yes, you may be the only one who sees
hypocrisy in the Democrats’ stand regarding the Hastert-Foley sex
scandal. It is not the Democratic Party that is pushing for
investigations. It is the American public. So far the Dems have
been mostly quiet. This scandal is about abuse of young people and
suppressing information, not wiretapping at all. Also, you should
know that the Democrats aren’t against wiretapping in itself, but
are against wiretapping without a warrant, which is a BIG
difference. Democrats believe in the rule of law, not the rule of
“Good Old Boys.”
By the way, most liberals I know feel that the current sex scandal
is more of a distraction from the real scandals (the DeLay/Abramoff
scandal, either deceit or total incompetence leading up to the war
in Iraq, the Halliburton scandals, etc., etc.).
Rick de la Tour
Hood River
Work for change
Last night our church was a venue for the showing of “An
Inconvenient Truth,” the movie about global warming narrated by Al
Gore.
“An Inconvenient Truth” presented years of scientific research on
the impacts of global warming upon this planet. Global warming
poses serious risks to our economy and our environment. It poses
even greater risks to the poorer nations of this world.
Global warming calls for a positive response from every human
being upon this earth because global warming threatens human
welfare and ecosystems not only in the United States but around
the world.
As a pastor and concerned citizen I urge all members of this
community to become informed about this serious moral issue, to
take action and to advocate for change as to how we individually
and corporately use the resources which have been entrusted to all
of us. There are several Web sites to help us become informed:
www.climatechangeeducation.org;
www.climatecrisis.net;
www.ucsusa.org-/global_warming;
and
www.interfaithpowerandlight.org.
Write your congressperson and ask your elected officials how they
are going to respond to global warming.
Together we can make a difference regarding the future of our
planet.
The Rev. Ann Duffy
Riverside Community Church
Hood River
Re-elect Metsger
What is it with Carol York? First she attempts to impugn Rick
Metsger’s legislative record by passing along some patently false
gossip fed her by a source she refuses to name.
Then, in her voter’s pamphlet blat, she implies she is currently a
teacher. By now, most of us know she is not certified as such in
Oregon, and that her only certificate was issued by the State of
New York nearly 30 years ago!
About that, she will answer no questions, referring voters to her
spin doctor spokesperson Michael Gay who retorts that “She could
walk into a New York classroom today if she was hired, and be a
teacher” (Hood River News, Oct 4, 2006, page A1).
This rationale will astonish many teachers who regularly give up
their summer vacations to take classes which hone their skills and
keep them up to date on developments in their respective fields.
If Ms. York believes that gossip, misstatements, and out-of-date
knowledge qualify her to become a legislator, it is clear to me,
and I hope to you, that the citizens of this county will be best
served by re-electing Rick Metsger to the Oregon State Senate.
George W. Earley
Mount Hood
Vote VanOrman
When I am voting at the coming election it will be for Suzanne
VanOrman, for District 52 State Representative.
Suzanne has held positions of leadership at the state and local
level, therefore she is very familiar with the budget process. I
am impressed with her budgeting skills. She sticks to it no matter
how difficult it may be. She will work to improve our educational
system and use money wisely. Health care for all will be a
priority for Suzanne. She will work to improve health coverage.
Suzanne VanOrman really cares about Oregon, so let’s vote to put
her ideas and hard work where they can help us all. Vote Suzanne
VanOrman.
Gayle Gray
Parkdale
Error in judgment
I always thought the Republican Party and Property Rights went
hand in hand. Boy! Was I wrong. Former County Commissioner Carol
York is now running on the Republican ticket for the state
legislature. She was one of the signers of the Hood River County
Riparian Growth Ordinance in 2004 that was an effective tool to
restrict my use of more than one third of my land.
This is the same land that I have spent 35 years paying taxes on
to build up our schools, support our library, fire department and
law enforcement just to have a good portion of my property’s value
and use swept away by ordinance.
I am not in a position to suggest who you should vote for in the
coming election. I do know who will not get my vote.
Richard D. Kenward
Hood River
Time for Voisin
I find it ironic that our brave men and women are fighting a war
to keep us free, when we have been rapidly losing freedom under
the current administration. If you haven’t been paying attention
you should know that our representatives voted to curtail the Writ
of Habeas corpus with bill S.3930. Habeas corpus is the right of a
person to demand to know why they are being imprisoned.
Hitler started throwing people in jail who didn’t agree with him
after his rise to power in Germany.
We have a chance in November to vote for new representation that
will safeguard our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Our current
representatives, Gordon Smith and Greg Walden, have repeatedly
voted to undermine our Constitution. They voted to take away a
citizen’s rights, no court hearing, indefinite imprisonment and no
legal council. I won’t even go into the roll that torture can now
legally play.
Did you also know that, while we have been distracted by daily
life, the government is quietly having detention centers built, by
Haliburton no less, around the country for large numbers of “enemy
combatants”? Be careful of what you say! This summer Steven
Howards of Beaver Creek, Colo., was arrested and thrown in jail by
the Secret Service for expressing his displeasure regarding the
war to Vice President Cheney. Now they could have kept him in
prison indefinitely.
I urge you to vote in November; let’s replace this
Administration’s yes men.
Vote Carol Voisin for Congress; don’t send Greg Walden back to
take away more of our rights. Gordon Smith should go next.
Kathy Semmes
Mt. Hood
York got sideways
Normally I do not take the time to point out the inconsistencies
of a candidate for the pubic to see, but I must make an exception
this time.
The candidate in question is the opponent of Senator Rick Metsger.
This individual first got sideways with a claim they could not
substantiate, and then blamed the mistake on an un-named
individual.
Then, the Hood River News pointed out a technicality — that she
was a certified teacher, which, upon checking with the Oregon
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (the licensing agency
for Oregon), I find she is not currently licensed to teach in the
state, and may never have been. Picking up a certificate about 30
years ago does not equate with current certification! I received a
flyer stating she is a certified teacher, and she is not! I do not
believe she has ever taught in a public school.
Today I received in the mail a flyer indicating her desire to
place 65 percent of the education dollar in the classroom. So —
being ever-industrious, I checked the Web site
openbooksproject.org and find out the following: Hood River School
District — central office administration 2 percent; building
administration, business office 5 percent; buses, buildings,
grounds 17 percent; and here it comes — classroom instruction 70
percent. So — it looks like we already are achieving what she
points out as being a need.
I searched the Internet and Googled the 65 Percent Solution, only
to find it is a system of smoke and mirrors sponsored by
ultra-conservative folk who primarily want less taxes and less
government — kind of an “I’ve got mine and no one else needs what
I’ve got” mentality.
So, in conclusion, I will vote for our current State Senator, Rick
Metsger, who solidly supports education, does not claim to be a
currently certified teacher (and he has taught in Oregon, at Sam
Barlow High).
He does not believe in gimmicks to solve Oregon’s problems and has
a solid record of support for schools, economic development, good
health care for all, adequate police protection and accountability
throughout the complete system of government.
Paul Zastrow
Hood River
Nurses’ farewell
To all the Hospice families, friends and doctors of patients we
have loved and cared for.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to be with you during the
sacred transition of your loved ones.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives. We leave
Hospice with precious memories.
Karen Kemper Lee, R.N.
Merilee Webster, R.N.
Leslie Moon, R.N.
Martha McMahon, R.N.;
Judy Cobb, R.N.
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