Thanks, gents

I want to thank the two gentlemen who helped me on Monday. I parked my car in Pietro’s Pizza parking lot and when I turned my motor off, my car slid sideways about 12 feet. I was afraid it was going to roll over, but it stopped.

I got out of the car and a nice gentleman came over and asked if he could help me up the hill as it was very icy. I took his hand and he got me up the hill and over to the restaurant door. I told him I was worried about how I was going to get my car out of there.

Then another gentleman came up and said if I would give him my keys he would get my car out of there and park it in front of the restaurant. He told me that he had to drive it over a snow bank to get it out! He gave me my keys — and the other man cleared the snow by my car so I could get to it. They were so nice and wouldn’t take anything for it — and were gone. I just want them to know how much I appreciated their great act of kindness.

Carol Bales
Klickitat, Wash.

How to share park?

I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of windsurfing. It’s been a significant asset to our community and the Gorge, but I find the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association buying their way into the Waterfront Park, with their offer of $70,000 if windsurfers can launch from the new park, creates a major community dilemma.

The original intent of this park was to be beach, play, picnic and community events areas for county residents and tourists who weren’t into windsurfing. Also I am surprised there was little opportunity for public input on this critical decision.

Let’s see now: There is a charge at the Event Site for windsurfers. Since the early plans for the park were to not charge the public for daily use, the question is, do the sailboarders get in free? That would surely empty out the Event Site.

Now, if the city expects there will be a fee at the Waterfront Park for windsurfing, will they need to charge for all users? That would put a damper on the public use of the park!

One solution would be to allow the locals free admission with required proof of residency. Unfortunately that solution hits the hot button political issue that now divides our country over immigration.

I must assume that the plans include setting aside part of the park for windsurfing. How much area are they planning to set aside for rigging, and, of course, the launching location is critical to keep the swimmers and children wading in the river safe. How do they plan to enforce these separations? In fact, a little daylight on these plans would be in order.

Nancy Moller
Hood River

Correct disposal

Have you had junk to get rid of and could not find a place to do so?

There’s more to life than to make calls; wait, make more calls, though. No one we called on could tell us rules — not garbage service, not moving guys, not until we were told to call Tri County Hazardous Waste Disposal Coordinator Patty in The Dalles at (541) 506-2636.

No need to keep the old microwave or defunct Wurlitzer by the street for a month, now (one would not)! We want to do it right. Best luck to you, too.

Donna Gray-Davis
Hood River

‘Pass the salt’

Early in 2007, you invited local (pastors) to submit short articles for publication in the Hood River News.

I have been watching, hoping to see some response to this invitation. The Sandy Post newspaper has a weekly feature “Faith in Focus” written by different ministers in that community. Perhaps local ministers could refer to the Sandy Post to get a feel for what their articles could be like.

This is an opportunity that should not be ignored. Share the Light! Pass the Salt!

Thank you.