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Grateful to Hospice
As a recent article noted, there is conflict within Hospice of The
Gorge and I don’t intend to pursue that.
What I do want to say is that my father began Hospice care after the
resignation of the five RNs. In the week that he was under Hospice
care, I believe that he and our family received quality and
compassionate care from all Hospice staff members. I am very grateful
to them and their services and believe that this is an extremely
important service to provide to families here in the Gorge.
I would also like to thank the PHRMH staff, Doctors Vogt, Peterson and
Regalbuto, the Parkdale Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department, the
Department of Human Services and Anderson’s Tribute Center for their
support during a very difficult time.
Mary E. Zenorini
Mt. Hood
Yoke with York
Hurray! There is one area wherewith most politicians agree. That
is, most schools need more money. But-it’s apparent that not all
think that this northerly flow of “educatees” should be a concern.
When Patti Smith first tossed her hat into the ring, I asked her
to take note. She is applauded for her support of that 12th Stret
stop light while at the same time she seems to approve of a green
light at our Southern Border.
And Mr. Metsger is apparently blind of the fact pointed out in a
2005-06 letter to this column titled, “population threat.” Our
county’s schools are over crowded now with a Hispanic ratio
hovering at 50 percent. Why isn’t he concerned?
My choice: I will yoke with York! Also, the editorial page for
that same issue contains a grossly misrepresentation of Measure
43. This measure will not prohibit murder via abortion. However,
it does require that the child’s best caregiver be notified.
Shame on you!-who authored that.
Alan Winans
Hood River
Thanks to painters
We had a small turn-out for Saturday’s Paint Day, but it was a
good one!
Thanks to our little crew, we now have 17 shiny new-looking doors
and door frames. We also have a better sense of the labor and time
needed: one volunteer-hour equals one door.
Special thanks to Super Painters, Linda McMahan and Paul Woolery.
Thanks, too, to Tony Freni, who supplied us with all the paint and
paint tools we needed.
And thank you to all of you who were with us in spirit. We’ll do
it again, soon!
Daniel Ward
director, LaClinica
Hood River
VanOrman ‘upgrade’
All of the voters in the Hood River area, that have not yet voted,
should be sure and click on
www.voteVanOrman.com before
filling their ballots.
They have an opportunity, in this year’s State Representative
race, for a free upgrade. They shouldn’t miss this chance to get
some better representation.
Unlike some years, voters really do have some options on this
year’s ballot. They should give this one a look good hard look,
and then vote VanOrman!
Joe Trandum
Sandy
Support Smith
Some voting decisions are difficult to make, but whether to vote
for Patti Smith to represent District 52 is an easy decision.
Patti Smith is a woman with integrity and outstanding character.
She is sincere and deeply cares about the issues that affect her
constituents. I appreciate the time she takes to respond to my
questions and or concerns. She has never failed to respond to any
of my inquiries personally, and in a timely manner.
Twenty-five Associations and four publications endorse Patti. She
is hard working and spends many hours conducting our district
business. She is an advocate for our schools, children, families,
law enforcement, business and veterans just to mention a few.
For these reasons and many more, I have decided once again to give
Patti Smith my support and vote to continue her excellent
performance as my Representative in District 52. The decision is
easy!
Chris Smith (no relation)
Sandy
Thanks, governor
I would like to thank Governor Ted Kulongoski for the hard work
and the accomplishments he has made over the last four years. He
has helped to get this state’s economy back on track and has made
the funding of public education a top priority.
He also has been a leader in developing renewable energy and plans
to work towards limiting the greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.
Most importantly to me he has stressed the importance of early
childhood education and wants all eligible children to benefit
from the proven Head Start program. Children being ready for
school are so important to the future of our state.
I found the gubernatorial debates to show me clearly who has the
experience and knowledge to serve well as our governor. Ron Saxton
focused on stating that he would not impose new taxes, he would
make further cuts in the government, and would find efficiencies
to save the state money.
I think a lot of cuts have been already made during Kulongoski’s
watch and that further cuts would endanger programs that help
strengthen and provide safety for our community.
Kulongoski already knows what further he needs to do in this state
and he has the experience to help make it happen.
Ron Saxton has little experience in our government and after
listening to his rhetoric and unclear vision for our state I urge
you to vote for our governor and let him continue working hard to
make Oregon stronger and healthier.
Nancy Johanson Paul
Hood River
Voting information
If you are feeling some negative emotions toward all the barrage
of negative campaign ads, besides the Voter’s Pamphlet, there is
another outstanding source of information.
This source will give you responses of thousands of politicians to
their no nonsense questionnaire, Though some politicians have
refused to respond to the questions, they found they received
greater censor for refusing to respond. This source also gives the
comments of competing special interest groups, from conservative
to liberal. And you can check their voting record, comparing how
they voted with what they say. You can even find out about their
previous professions to their latest e-mail addresses. And
finally, this source lists who financed them them and for how
much.
Just follow the money then vote.
The source is PROJECT VOTE SMART. It is run by volunteers up in
Montana, from college students to retired volunteers.
www.vote-smart.org
Judy Nelson
Hood River
Good ‘43’ stance
Many, many thanks for your excellent “No on 43” editorial. There
are so many of these ballot measures that make no sense, have huge
adverse effects on those who they are purported to help, or have
unintended consequences.
You have done a great service to help educate the citizens about
the serious flaws of 43. Thanks again.
Hugh and Linda McMahan
Mt. Hood
VanOrman’s voice
I have been greatly impressed by Suzanne VanOrman’s extraordinary
accomplishments and leadership in building our Mid-Columbia Head
Start program.
As the Oct. 7 Oregonian states, ”No one is running for the
legislature this year with more experience and passion for early
childhood education.”
Our children need this voice of “experience and passion” in
support for education in our Oregon legislature, which seems to
consistently come up short of funds to support the needs of top
quality education.
And what is of more importance to Oregon’s future than top quality
education?
Please join me in voting for Suzanne VanOrman for House District
52.
Kate McCarthy
Parkdale
Vote Smith out
The only one distorting Patti Smith’s record, in this years State
Representative race, is Patti herself. She has no choice, with a
95 percent partisan voting record, she has nothing good to stand
on. If voters were to ever get an accurate assessment of her
overall voting pattern, favoring corporate interests over the
interests of her constituents, they would vote her out of office
in a heartbeat.
Barbara Kim
Sandy
Say no to Smith
Voters should be aware that our present State Representative,
Patti Smith, is among those who favor “civil unions” for same sex
couples. She also says that she is looking out for our children’s
wellbeing, when she doesn’t even support legal protection for the
life of the unborn.
Dan Jones
Sandy
Cluster of lies
After writing to Oregon’s Senator Gordon Smith about the use of
cluster bombs, a letter from him on official stationery with the
following line was received. “The use of cluster munitions,
including large bombs, rockets, and artillery shells, is
imperative to the safety of our troops
overseas.” This kind of lie and twisted thinking is
unconscionable.
The recent documentary Why We Fight with Dwight Eisenhower’s
warning at the end of his presidency about the evolution and
escalation of the
military-industrial-congressional complex shows how the problem
has grown.
All elected federal Congressional leaders, Democrat and
Republican, are responsible for their role in the complex, and for
their justifications.
Tom Hons
Hood River
Steak and sleaze ad
The Oregon Leadership Fund thinks we are stupid. Their recent
derisive, mocking campaign mailer accusing Rick Metzger of gorging
on a $200 steak and lobster meal paid for by lobbyists was a
colorful, attention-grabbing promotional piece of mail, but didn’t
do much for voters concerned with real issues.
As we volunteer time and scrape to fundraise for our local schools
so they can afford technology in classrooms, you’d think we’d
receive campaign mailers that address how we can teach kids how to
function and compete in a global economy. That’s just one of
hundreds of issues the Oregon Leadership Fund apparently doesn’t
deem worthwhile.
Does the Oregon Leadership Fund really think this is going to
affect my vote? If this kind of sleaze is allowed to succeed, we
are all the poorer for it.
Dee Holzman
Hood River
York is informed
I am a registered Democrat. I am writing to you regarding a
registered Republican. Her name is Carol York. I do not agree with
all her positions every time. I do know of her work and her work
ethic as a commissioner: she served on our board for a number of
years.
She did her homework and knew issues top to bottom. She considered
all sides before forming an opinion. She was objective and honest
in giving her opinion ... even if not popular!
In the last several years major issues have confronted the
legislative body. Education, economic development, health care,
mental health and addictions services, environment, tax reform,
etc. In my opinion there has been major gridlock with little
movement in addressing the very tough issues facing this state.
I want a candidate that will be informed, consider all sides, and
not beholding to special interests. A candidate that knows the
special issues confronting Hood River is a plus.
You make up your mind and I will do the same ... we can be civil
about this! Please vote!
Sharon Guidera
Hood River
Full protection, please
We pay land tax to Hood River County. Some goes to police
protection. In Cascade Locks we pay another large sum of money for
police that is to be here 40-hours a week. But why must our
business’s now put bars on there windows to keep the bad people
out. Where is our protection? It looks bad for visitors to see
this. Maybe some of this money should come back to the store
owners who aren’t being protected. It surely costs them more.
The blinking lights by the school don’t mean much. No one here to
give tickets. Cross walks are a joke, no one to write tickets, and
the speed through town is a wreck waiting to happen. At least give
us a FULL 40 hours for the money we give you, Sheriff Wampler.
Robert Foley
Cascade Locks
Political choices
I’m not saying I won’t vote, but it’s getting worse and worse. We
used to put up with the political whoopla for only a couple of
months before the election. Now it’s one or two years. By the time
the Election Day is here we have forgotten what they said and not
only that, they have changed whatever they were saying. I never
knew politicians could open their mouths so much and pass so much
gas.
Sure there are some hot issues. The politicians can sure make
issues wishy-washy. What happened to their solid statements they
would be willing to stand up for like immigration, land use,
health care, and the stupid war we involved in. What happened to
the grass roots independent candidates? Someone who believes what
he or she is saying and will fight for it. I cant blame some for
these good people not wanting to get involved. It takes money. So
much that people can’t afford it.
The Republicans and Democrats, commonly known as the reds and the
blues, are all the same. The greed, corruption and every other
thing under the table makes them all look gray.
Some suggestions that might change some things:
Walden, dead wood. Voisin might do a good job.
Kulongoski, dead wood. Saxton-Measure 37 and immigration folks
might get some help.
Metsger, really bad. York cross your fingers.
Van Orman, bad news. Patti Smith might do good things.
Jack Roberts out, Linder in
Ballot measure may the best one wind.
The most important, please read the Voters Pamphlet. May your
choices win.
Allen Ehl
Mt. Hood
Smith has done well
Patti Smith has done the job for our district. She’s responded to
the needs of the local fruit industry, business and organizations
by working on bills and issues that provided remedies for real
problems. She strongly backs education and has been recognized for
her effort with support from organizations like Stand for Children
and Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education. She has agreed to
sponsor a school siting bill to help our local school district
find options for locating a new school building. It seems to me
that we have a strong education advocate already in office.
Patti deserves our vote!
Fred Duckwall
Hood River
Linder for Court
Oregon voters will soon elect our next Supreme Court Justice. It
is critically important that a Supreme Court Justice be fair,
impartial and follow the law. One of the candidates, Virginia
Linder, a current Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, is just
such a person.
Judge Linder served for over ten years as Oregon’s Solicitor
General - the State’s attorney in charge of the Department of
Justice appeals. Judge Linder’s performance was so good she
maintained that job under both Republican and Democratic Attorneys
General.
Judge Linder has served on the Oregon Court of Appeals since 1997.
She has served with distinction. One of Judge Linder’s primary
opponents, Gene Hallman of Pendleton, has endorsed her candidacy
in the general election. Judge Linder’s remaining opponent in the
general election says that he respects her and that Judge Linder
would be a good Supreme Court Justice. He’s right.
I strongly urge you to vote for Judge Linder. This support is
based upon personal experience. I have had the privilege of
working with Judge Linder in several capacities, including working
together for over fifteen months on a task force created by the
Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice to improve the technology used
by all of Oregon’s State Courts.
Experience, knowledge, integrity, intellect and fairness. Judge
Linder has it all. She should be our next Supreme Court Justice.
Circuit Judge Paul Crowley
Hood River
Yes on 46, 47
Oregonians love to cut taxes. We’ve passed 2 ½ property tax
limitations since 1990 and enshrined the income tax kicker in the
Oregon Constitution. This November Oregonians will vote on Measure
48, a limit on state budget growth or TABOR. Opponents point out
that Colorado voters have suspended the TABOR law they passed in
1992. How did that happen?
In 2002, Coloradoans passed Amendment 27, which put strict
political contribution limits in their constitution. This led to
Democrats taking control of both legislative chambers for the
first time in 30 years. The legislature then referred the TABOR
suspension to voters, who approved it.
Amendment 27 is quite similar to Measures 46 and47 on Oregon’s
ballot. If you want to see education, environmental protection,
social services, and public infrastructure well funded in Oregon,
Colorado’s experience suggests that you should vote “yes” on Fair
Elections Measures 46 and 47.
Tom Civiletti
Oak Grove
Say no to Metsger
Rick Metsger promises continued promotion of homosexual agenda if
re-elected to Senate, in District 26. Last year Metsger voted yes,
passing Senate Bill SB-1000, making homosexual “Civil unions” a
legal equivalent to heterosexual marriage between a man and woman
in all State and local laws, for all purpose. At the Grange Hall
in Boring, Oregon, Metsger said “I would do it again.” Fortunately
SB-1000 died in the house. Oregon citizens passed Measure -36,
defining marriage in the Constitution to be for one man and one
woman. Supreme Court ruled Measure-36 constitutional. All citizens
have equal right and equal opportunity to marry another person of
opposite sex, not marriage laws is shocking. District 26 needs a
Senator that represents largest majority of his constituents,
instead of pushing agenda of special interest perverted behavior
groups. Do NOT vote for Metsger.
William Brookhart
Sandy
Editorial disappoints
I was very unimpressed with your Oct. 25 editorial opposing
Measure 43. It began in an encouraging direction with such
statements as “Clinically, it makes sense to require parents to be
involved in the decision over a serious medical procedure such as
this,” then quickly deteriorated into “Measure 43 is a solution
looking for a problem.” Nice rhetoric that, but that’s all it was.
In fact, your editorial was information looking for an argument.
Between quoting recent statistics about teen pregnancy and birth
rates and expressing concern about teen alcohol consumption, I
wasn’t quite sure which were your “larger considerations affecting
young women who face this difficult decision.” Pregnancy rates
going down? That’s good — but how is it relevant? The fact is
there were over 11,000 abortions in Oregon last year. For
comparison purposes, that’s about four times the number of all the
U.S. military deaths in Iraq over the last three years. Birth
rates going down? I hope that’s good but it can also hide the fact
that some pregnancies are being terminated early. And teen alcohol
use? Yes, that’s a problem, but lets not confuse things by mixing
apples and oranges here — stick to the issue at hand, please. The
concern mentioned about the possibility of parental notification
leading to teen children being further harmed by abusive parents
is a real one, but Measure 43 addresses this by providing a simple
and accessible judicial bypass procedure. Let’s put all the cards
on the table: The vast majority of parents really do care deeply
about and love their kids — and are rightly shocked and outraged
that current Oregon law continues to discourage critical family
communication and support at a time when a decision must be made
that has such potential for harmful and life-long consequences.
Legislate family behavior? You bet! — especially if it promotes
good communication and will prevent a life sentence of deep grief
and regret (or worse) for a young teen — and her family. As a
clinician, I have known women who have suffered years, even
decades, of suffocating guilt, mood swings, depression, suicidal
thoughts, personality changes, marital breakdown and more — all
secondary to hastily completed abortions in their teen years,
absent of parental notification and support. It’s time to dump the
empty political rhetoric and join the other 35 states in this
country who have seen the light and embraced the wisdom, logic,
and common sense of parental notification for unemancipated minors
seeking an abortion. Oh, and one more thing: A minor is defined by
Oregon law (per ORS 125.005) as someone 17 and under, not 16 and
under as your editorial stated.
James Brauer, M.D.
Hood River
Smith works hard
I would like to put in a good word for our Rep.. Patti Smith. My
wife and I live in unincorporated Multnomah County and are
represented by Ms. Smith. Over the past two years Patti has been
stead fast in working towards a solution to a property rights
problem that we, along with other neighbors, have needed. The
problem required the diligent efforts and cooperation between
several local, county and state agencies which cooperation would
not have occurred without Patti’s good work. Patti Smith is a
diligent hard working person who I believe represents the interest
of her constituents in her role as a State Representative. We urge
support for her in the upcoming election.
Brian D. Black and Dianne L. Black
Troutdale
Defend America
Because some claim President Bush shouldn’t have started this war
against terrorism, let us review the history of wars in this
country. FDR declared war on Germany. Germany did nothing to us.
Japan did. Japan thought they would defeat us while we were busy
in Europe. Thanks to the courage of the American people and
military, this did not happen. Winston Churchill said: “World War
II was not necessary if someone in Europe had the courage to stop
Hitler early in his plunder of Europe. By not doing so, he ended
up being responsible for 152 million people dying. The U. S. lost
approximately 250,000 soldiers during World War II. Truman
finished that war and started one in Korea. North Korea never
attacked us. From 1950 to 1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average
of 18,334 per year. John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict
in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us. From 1965 to 1975, 58,000
lives were lost, an average of 5,800 lives per year. Clinton went
to war in Bosnia without U.N. or French consent. Bosnia never
attacked us. He also sent troops into Rwanda, Somalia and Haiti
when they did nothing to us. He was offered Osama bin Laden’s head
on a platter three times by Sudan and Clinton did nothing. Osama
has attacked us on multiple occasions. We now have a President who
is willing to take on the terrorists to protect us from a future
catastrophic event that could kill hundreds of thousands instead
of 3000 at the Twin Towers in New York. We must win this war.
Dick Birkett
Hood River
Life is sacred
Life is sacred. Measure 43 is needed to protect our teen daughters
or wards. Anti life groups are protecting their million dollar
industry by using fear tactics and misinformation. The life of our
daughters is precious as is the child within. Measure 43 gives the
opportunity for a scared, disappointed teen the chance to take
back and seek the guidance of those who allowed her life. There
are exceptions built in for cases of rape and incest. A teen, with
the help of a counselor or mentor can use the judicial by-pass to
seek an abortion. The editor states that we don’t need this
measure because teen pregnancies are down? Is that because there
are more abortions being performed? Check out the CDC website and
click on Abortion; read the part about non-reporting especially
between states. The information given at abortion clinics is
minimal and misleading and TRUE numbers will never be known. Teens
are often taken to abortion clinics by their boyfriends who are
several years older. If known, the boyfriends could be facing
statutory rape charges. How is allowing them secrecy to do the
same crime again helping our young teen girls? Are the parents
financially responsible for the procedure complications that can
happen? Should the state be held liable? Complications do happen,
even death or year of mental pain that can manifest much later.
Don’t be fooled! Parents must sign for ear-piercing, a tooth
pulled, or to take a Tylenol at school. How much more precious is
the daughter’s life and security?
Bobbie Anderson
Hood River
VanOrman, for people
The House District 52 election between Suzanne VanOrman and Patti
Smith is an interesting one in many ways. Suzanne recently retired
as director of the regional Head Start Program after serving
efficiently and compassionately for 22 years. After listening to
both candidates, I believe that each is sincere in their beliefs.
My vote goes to VanOrman because she wants efficient government
and believes that “we the people”—who collectively are the
government — can really make a difference in people’s lives
through stable funding for schools, wise energy and land use, and
affordable health care. One example of this is VanOrman’s
endorsement of SB329, which would have allowed Oregonians without
insurance as well as small businesses to join in the statewide
purchasing pool to reduce prescription drug costs. Smith voted
“no” on this bill. Smith has voted with her Republican colleagues
95 percent of the time. This is to me the main reason not to
endorse her re-election: she supports and is a member of a party
that seems to feel that government should be cutting every social
safety net while handing out tax cuts and tax breaks to wealthy
donors.
Mary Anderson
Sandy
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