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Real Christmas gift
I have never submitted a letter to the editor for publication, but
today I cannot hold my joy to myself, and so feel that a letter to the
editor is most appropriate.
Recently, my 7-year-old daughter received a precious, thoughtful, and
possibly the most exciting Christmas gift she has ever been given.
So, my thanks goes to you, Mrs. Claus (postmark Parkdale) for
responding so quickly to her letter to Santa, and most of all for
including the magical bell from Donner’s collar.
We have faithfully mailed our Santa letters every year for the last
six years, but this year included our return address (don’t know why
we didn’t think of that before!) and so received a response back.
Of course we understand that the big man himself is very busy this
time of year, so we want to thank you for taking the time to write us
back, and for including the bell that was on the Christmas wish list.
I am of the understanding that somewhere around the age of 7 (second
grade), different versions of what really happens on Christmas Eve
begin to emerge. Thank you so much, Mrs. Claus, for helping keep the
magic alive for my second-grader, and all of the other children who
will hold their belief a little longer because of the playground
chatter that will result from the box received at our house yesterday.
Merry Christmas to you, and all of your helpers at the North Pole!
Angie Green
Parkdale
Stop digging
If you throw a rock at a hornet’s nest, the best next move is to
cut and run. Some decisions are just so bad that it becomes the
best strategy.
We are continuing our arrogance of power if we think that the U.S.
can solve a problem by force in a country where 70 percent of the
total population wants us out (that statistically must include a
lot of Shia as well as Sunni) and 60 percent think it is okay to
attack U.S. forces (Program on International Policy Attitudes,
University of Maryland September 2006).
The civil strife there is as much about collaboration with the
U.S. as it is any theological issue.
It is possible that rapid, orderly withdrawal may cause a
temporary spike in violence, but our presence will just prolong,
not avoid, that violence.
Waiting even until early 2008 as the Iraqi Study Group proposed
will mean, at present rates, that 1,000 more U.S. families receive
that horrible knock on the door, another $100 billion will be
added to our children’s debt, and tens of thousands more Iraqis
will die. How can anyone be so confident of a positive outcome
that they could take that risk?
I also believe in Colin Powell’s “pottery barn” rule — if you
break it, you bought it. Instead of trying to fix the problems we
caused with $100 billion in military goods and digging our hole
deeper, let’s spend the $100 billion on fixing Iraqi
infrastructure, enabling the peacemakers of Iraqi society, and
compensating the injured.
David Rath
Hood River
Don’t rush proposal
City and county in conflict. The city has an RFP (request for
proposal) out for parking needs and the county has an RFP out on a
project that will provide for 23 units with no parking allowances.
County project is located on State Street next to the Asbury
Church, and will take up to 40 cars on the street. Also, the lot
is probably the most valuable asset the county has and they are
going to sell it under market value to provide for low income
housing.
Have all the alternatives been researched? What about a transit
system to move low-income residents into the city for jobs? What
about selling the property at market rates, with restrictions, and
requiring the winning developer to buy land within county lines
and develop for low income?
The county is rushing a project through without feedback from what
the community wants. Putting a low-income housing project in the
heart of the main historical downtown neighborhood?
We need low-income housing, but let’s slow down, get the facts and
come up with a plan that benefits the whole community.
Deanne Woodring
Hood River
Thank bowling cops
The end of autumn marks the end of another great Special Olympics
year and our third annual Bowl With A Cop event. It is the
highlight of our year and athletes who wish to participate in this
fund-raising event do so with vigor.
An excited team of athletes converged on the bowling alley
wondering, “Who will my cop be?”
The officers arrive, are assigned their team and really give them
a go. Good-natured teasing, serious competition and many smiles of
encouragement later, the bowling team disbands for another year.
A big thank-you to officers Kristi Dirks, Dave Thompson, Donny
Cheli, Sal Rivera, and Erin Mason for helping make this a great
event.
Another big thank-you to sponsors of Bowl With A Cop: New York
City Sub, Rosauers, Safeway, and Spooky’s.
And thank you to all the volunteers. We couldn’t have done this
without you.
Ronni Simmons
Barbara Langer
Special Olympics
Broughton won’t fit
Reading about the proposed “Broughton Landing” development in The
Columbian dated Nov. 27, being a resident of Underwood and
frequent user of Cold Spring Hatchery Windsurfing Park, the
following troubling thoughts occurred to me:
1. The Hatchery Windsurfing Park is rather small and on a windy
day it is already filled to capacity.
2. The proposed development would create major crowding and
unwanted user confrontation.
3. The rocky terrain, railroad right of way and adjacent Highway
14 make the proposed sewer plant’s effluent percolation nearly
impossible. It is dangerously close to the river, and the
inevitable effluent would create an unacceptable health hazard for
the users of the surf park. No doubt the adjacent Spring Creek
National Hatchery does not allow such pollution, either.
4. The highway traffic is getting heavier every year (particularly
the 18-wheelers, etc.); the entrance to the Hatchery Park is
located at the downhill side of a curving 60 mph highway. It is
just barely safe now! The proposed rather large (estimated
120-plus buildings!) development would further compound the
problem.
5. The ever-frequent train traffic with its inevitable blaring
warning horns and rail noise creates frightening noise pollution.
6. Neither points 3, 4, and 5 are positive contributors to the
beauty and serenity of the Columbia River Gorge, which many of us
consider to be a nature’s wonder and our national treasure.
7. Due to the inclement weather in the late fall and winter months
there will be limited recreational value of the proposed
development, so if it is allowed to be developed it eventually
becomes a settlement or small town, sans fire department, schools,
police protection, etc. It could become a tax burden of the
adjacent Underwood community. Furthermore, it would create a
considerable strain on the fresh water source/supply of Underwood,
and Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery.
Sorry, I could not come up with just one point which would make
this proposal development, in my mind, welcome.
Joe Csizmazia
Underwood, Wash.
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