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Join the ‘Convoy’
For the third consecutive year the church that I pastor will
participate in something which I feel is worthy of sharing with our
entire community.
For many years I have been moved with compassion and concern for those
who live in abject poverty or those who face the terrible horrors of
natural disasters, but I have not been comfortable with sending money
to people or organizations that I didn’t know.
Three years ago I introduced our congregation to the organization,
Convoy of Hope. We learned that they can leverage every dollar we give
into six dollars’ worth of much-needed relief and life-sustaining
supplies. One can read more about the organization at their Web site
at:
www.convoyofhope.org.
Our church has committed the Sunday before Thanksgiving to give each
person in our congregation an opportunity to share one day of their
annual income to meet the needs of the hungry and hurting of our world
through Convoy of Hope. We call the commitment, “One Day to Feed the
World.”
Perhaps there are a number of our neighbors and friends in our
community who would like to get involved in making a difference in the
lives of thousands of people (like the victims of Katrina) who are in
great need of help … and just want to give in a way that makes sense.
You can send donations through Hood River Assembly of God and mark it
“One Day.” All funds will be forwarded to Convoy of Hope on the first
Tuesday of December and through Convoy to meet critical needs of
hurting people throughout our world.
Making a difference,
Terry Abbott, Pastor
Hood River Assembly of God
‘Scare’ over rights
Re: Residents’ group starts Measure 37 state appeals.
In your Nov. 1 article describing the Hood River Residents
Committee’s lawsuit against the state, Scott Franke is quoted as
saying a person who acquires land in 1990 “has no rights.” And
Larry Martin is concerned about the impact of a 232-lot
subdivision next to his farming operation. As if the landowner
would actually develop something that large and Hood River County
find it to be in the public interest if it were proposed tomorrow.
Mr. Franke is playing fast and loose with the English, and it
appears that Mr. Martin is being used to perpetuate a myth. That
myth being that Measure 37 has granted Hood River County carte
blanche authority to approve land divisions it finds NOT to be in
the public interest after conducting the required public hearing
where the Martins and anyone else concerned can testify as to
adverse impacts.
I can’t speak for the county, but I would wager that it doesn’t
have the authority to approve anything it concludes not to be in
the public interest after facts are found that the adverse impacts
outweigh any benefits that might be gained from such developments.
It may be good scaremongering, but doesn’t describe reality. The
reality is that anyone who acquired property in 1990 has the
right, under Measure 37, to be compensated for any regulatory
takings where more stringent regulations may have been adopted.
The reality is that that person now has the right to file an
application for a development, just as he had the right to do in
1990. I don’t read anywhere in Measure 37 where it states that the
jurisdiction is required to approve a development once it is
proposed and then found not to be in the public interest.
What I do read is that you have the rights you had when you
acquired the property consistent with current health and safety
regulations if the jurisdiction decides not to pay you
compensation for the diminution in value those new regulations
have caused.
Steven B. Andersen
Mosier
We are survivors
At the end of this Breast Cancer Awareness month (October) I would
like people to be aware of the thousands of women with metastatic
breast cancer, stage 4. Even with regular mammograms this could
happen to any woman.
Once you have BC, you always have BC. METs can come along 23 years
later as mine did. Some of us live a long time with MBC as a
chronic illness with long periods of remission.
Unfortunately, many women do die within a few years and the
scientists don’t know why. Women with METs come in all shapes and
sizes and ethnicities. We range from exceptionally fit to total
couch potatoes, from vegans to fast food junkies. We have not
“failed.”
We need to be included in the breast cancer community. We should
not hesitate to go to a breast cancer support group for fear of
frightening others.
We are also survivors and every day is a victory. As scary as it
is, we need to include metastatic breast cancer in the dialog. We
needed to drag it out from the dark corners and speak of it in
public.
We are your wives, sisters, mothers, daughters, friends and
coworkers. Until science can tell who will reoccur and who will
not and prevent reoccurrence, we will always have women who have
metastatic reoccurrence. Which is why we need a cure!
Denise Berty
Hood River
Forest bike takeover
Recently I spent seven days camping in the forest west of Hood
River. I set up camp in the area between Post Canyon Road and
Kingsley Reservoir. I spent the vast majority of my time from
pre-dawn to post-dusk hiking through remote areas of the county
and National Forest for reasons which I will not get into as they
do not pertain to the topic of this letter.
From Post Canyon Road to the hills and mountains above Dee, west
of Dee Highway, and all areas in between, the forest has become
one huge mountain bike and dirt bike trail. I kid you not, there
is literally nowhere in that 10-15 mile stretch of forest where
anyone, or any animals, can get away from speeding mountain bikes
or motorbikes or the extreme decibels that they produce. These
bikers have claimed nearly every animal trail as their own, not to
mention hiking trails.
These bikers have cut down trees to make berms, ramps, drains and
bridges. They have eroded the soil into 4-6 inches of dust and
mud. Hiking up some of these trails is nearly impossible because
there is no hard ground for traction.
Do you think I saw any wildlife? Not hardly, and here’s why:
At first light the trucks, SUVs, vans and cars with mountain bikes
and motorbikes in tow begin to arrive. They pack their vehicles 10
feet from your campsite and begin to unload. They fire up their
overly loud motorbikes, waking up anyone who may be sleeping in
your camp. Then they begin whirling around and around your camp,
warming up I suppose, creating a cloud of dust that only Mount St.
Helens could equal. Then off they go, roaring off into the
peaceful, quiet, resting forest, until they arrive.
I am not wholly opposed to these two groups of adventurers riding
in our forest. I am, however, opposed to the amount of new trails
they create, the amount of noise they blurt out, their
disrespectful nature, their lack of consideration towards others
and the dangerous speeds at which they drive, or ride, on mountain
roads, trails and through campsites.
My plea is this: No more new trails; you have plenty. Show some
respect and consideration to others, and please slow down and turn
down the volume. You are just too fast and too loud.
Thank you.
Jonathan Bigelow
The Dalles
Saint in waiting
As I write this, it’s the day before the election. By Wednesday
we’ll have the winners and the whiners, and no more letters
glorifying people’s favorites. As a mere mortal I was astounded to
read some and found out that there were those among us who could
move mountains and walk on water.
So there is no doubt in my mind that some of these icons will
sometime in the future qualify for sainthood.
I believe the waiting period is two years or until the next
election.
John Codino
Hood River
See ‘Beauty’ soon
Congratulations to Mark Steighner and the entire cast of “Beauty
and the Beast!”
Each year I am amazed by the talent in our community’s youth. The
musical was absolutely wonderful. There were so many “standout”
performances that I cannot pick just one to mention. You’ll have
to go and judge for yourself. The set, the costumes, the music; it
all was so fun to watch. Please go be their guest soon!
Debbie Dorich
Hood River
‘A timeless tale’
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme...
Beauty and the Beast
A timeless tale for young and old, told with wonderful music,
extravagant costumes, and youthful talent.
Mark Steighner and his HRVHS students continue to enchant and to
amaze with their not-to-be-missed production of “Beauty and the
Beast.”
Don’t miss this one!
Joan Yasui Emerson
Hood River
Farmers need 37
I feel I must comment on the recent article in Saturday’s Hood
River News written by the Hood River Valley Residents Committee
(“Reshape land regulations, don’t give in to Measure 37”).
Yes, we do need to reshape land regulations but not at the expense
of Measure 37.
My husband’s family has been in the orchard business for three
generations. We love the land and we love the Hood River Valley.
When I married into the family I chose to carry on the orchard
business with my husband and our family. I say business because
like other businesses we need to be able to support our families.
The time has approached that financially this is becoming harder
to do. Increased growing costs over the past several years, and
the labor shortage this year during our harvest have created
challenges to remain profitable. Next year’s labor may be worse,
according to the Department of Labor, not only in Hood River but
neighboring states. My point is if farming can no longer support
our families, then all we have left is our land to sell, but only
when farming cannot earn us a living. Our goals are no different
than other people who have worked in a job that gives them
financial support and a retirement.
Hood River Valley has been irrevocably changed the last 20 years,
some for the positive and some for the detriment of farming. To
expect growers of the valley not to be able to adapt to these
changes is what Measure 37 is about.
Debra Laraway
Hood River
Choose Voisin
Your endorsement of Walden makes one critical error.
While he has a position of power and respect now, he will lose the
position in November because of the almost certain takeover of the
House by a Democrat majority.
With that in mind, and with two (by your own admission) good
candidates to choose from, I choose to vote for the Democrat
(Carol Voisin) who will do an equally good job and be more likely
to be in a position to have her votes actually accomplish
something for the nation and her district.
Even moderate Republicans tend to vote the party line and that is
especially true of those with the position of whip. That not only
makes Walden a rubber stamp for Bush but he is also in charge of
ensuring that all other Republicans also toe the party line.
We can do better than staying on that course and so can the Hood
River News!
Stephen Schneider
Parkdale
Figures too high
Some of the information in “The $385,000 question” Hood River News
article of Oct. 7 was incorrect.
According to the Regional Multiple Listing Service, residences in
the city of Hood River sold for a median price of $299,000 and an
average price of $300,119 (not $385,000) from June 2, 2006, to
Nov. 2, 2006.
2. According to the Housing Market Analysis for Hood River County,
the average selling price in Hood River was $229,921 in 2004, not
2005.
3. Currently, 5,500-square-foot lots are selling between $125,000
and $159,000 (not 7,500-square-foot lots for $90,000 to $100,000).
Anyone interested in local real estate can ask any real estate
professional for current market statistics.
Jim Tedford
Hood River
Hospice cares
I have had a good deal of experience with Hospice of the Gorge and
I have found the organization to be very proficient, caring and
never without adequate staff to handle the needs at hand.
My experience is that this community of the Mid-Columbia area
supports the Hospice of the Gorge wholeheartedly for their care of
people in need for their services.
I am sure you will find this true throughout the Mid-Columbia
area.
M.D. Van Valkenburgh
The Dalles
York says thanks
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to this community for
your support and confidence during the election.
Regardless of outcome, this has been a tremendous experience,
debating the issues that affect our state and meeting so many of
the amazing people that make up Oregon.
The comments and support I received throughout the district have
been humbling and encouraging. It has been a marvelous adventure
and I thank you for being part of it.
In whatever capacity the future might hold, I look forward to
working with you to make our communities a better place to work,
live and play.
Carol York
Hood River
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