I am writing this letter to express our family’s deep gratitude to this wonderful community.

We are so grateful to the many amazing people who helped us after the loss of a family home. People are so loving, generous and kind when it is most needed. It is so overwhelming!

Many possessions were lost in the fire, but overall we were so lucky. We were lucky that no lives were lost. We were lucky for the wonderful businesses that reached out to help: Secure Storage, Providence Down Manor, Gary Hornbeck’s and Dr. Stephen Vogt’s loving staff.

We were lucky for anonymous helpers as well as so many family, friends and neighbors who dug for treasures in the rubble of ashes, washed what could be saved, brought food, clothes and flowers, and helped us through this difficult time. Thank you to every single one of you!

Most of all we are lucky for this special little town that we have loved for so long! Our only hope is that we can return the favor some day.

See you all back on Tucker Road soon! The entire Chrisman Family

Pheasant Ridge: no

As one of the last residences on the paved portion of Summitview Way, I am deeply saddened and surprised that our planning committee is actually going to consider the possibility of a PUD (Planned Unit Development) containing 71 homes in an already-congested area that borders national scenic land where wetlands, creeks, trees and wildlife all abide.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our location, we are off of Frankton and northwest of May Street in an area of fields and trees that are soon to be replaced with concrete, traffic and a hodgepodge mess of multi-use housing in which its residents will have little room to park their cars, let alone have a yard for their children and pets to play in.

The PUD in question is in a “low density” zone which Randy Olmstead and crew are asking for an exception — which has not yet been explained to me as to why they should have permission to obliterate rules that were already set in place to protect our land and community.

Surely there are other areas that would be more accommodating of such a development, where its residents might actually receive some sort of benefit from that style of living, other than its cost, such as access to schools, parks, shopping and essential services within walking distance.

While the Pheasant Ridge PUD is proposing that their PUD will have sidewalks with access to some of the above-mentioned services, the reality is that NONE of those features are present in our location.

Furthermore, this development will increase the amount of traffic on Frankton, May, Country Club and Summitview just to get to these places.

Along with the increased traffic comes an issue of safety, road maintenance and repair, emergency services for fire and police, a need for traffic signals and an increased burden on our already-overcrowded schools; not to mention the displacement of all the wildlife from its natural habitat.

Hood River was once known to me for its quaintness and quality of life. It’s my hope to preserve this image — please help me by writing to our planning committee and joining the next meeting on April 9 at 7 p.m. to tell them NO to Pheasant Ridge.

Clear the brush

Let’s start rebuilding our national forests and stop destroying them.

Where do we start?

By clearing out all underbrush and dead wood. This is where most of our forest fires start. This underbrush and dead wood could be a source of valuable wood chip which we now import from Asia.

A good place so start might be in the area of southwest Oregon burned by the Biscuit Fire.

See ‘The Crucible’

Congratulations to the HRVHS theater department on their debut this last weekend of “The Crucible.“ Rachel Harry expertly directed her veteran and younger actors in executing amazing, heartfelt performances.

“The Crucible” is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner and the theater students approach this very intriguing, insightful drama with a great deal of maturity.

Arthur Miller’s play about the Salem Witch Trials is meant to be an allegory for McCarthyism and the hysteria and intolerance that divided a country over communism. “The Crucible” will be performed at HRVHS in the Bowe Theater at 7 p.m. on March 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15. Tickets may be purchased at Waucoma Bookstore or at the door, $8 for adults, $5 for seniors/students.

I hope community members will take time to attend, support and enjoy this performance by our talented performing arts department.

Sold out

As a resident of Cascade Locks I am appalled at the size of the proposed casino. When this casino was first brought up in 1998, it was going to be 75,000 square feet; now it is between 500,000 and 600,000 square feet including a six-story hotel — plus there would be a three-story parking garage, parking lots and maintenance buildings.

At the Pavilion meeting the architects said it would cover five “Portland” city blocks. Talk about overkill. In going over a small part of the DEIS the statistics that were gathered for this document state that the proposed casino would employ approximately 39 unemployed people from our town. That is if none quit their present jobs and those 39 qualify. (DEIS Vol. 2 Appendix H1) That is all.

We are going to have our town run over with strangers, taken over by others, put up with an interchange that will bypass our town and threaten the environment.

Cascade Locks would no longer be a bedroom community where we feel safe for children, our seniors and ourselves. There would be crime, there would be employees moving in who don’t care about our town; only about their jobs.

It has been stated time and again that this town is dying and needs the jobs. Wrong, this town is commercially dead and has been for some time. However, those 39 people who are unemployed need to look elsewhere for a job if our city and port can’t come up with another solution.

It would be nice if we had a bank, pharmacy and other things, but I will gladly put up with the inconvenience to keep our town safe. They promote the $31,000 annual average wage, but that average includes the management wages. Most jobs would be at minimum wage or a little higher. (See Oregon Dept. of Labor information.) Key management jobs are usually held by tribal members of which they state approximately 86 would be bused to the site.

The Tribe claims impoverishment, yet has spent over $20 million, so far, for this project. Yes, their lumber industry business is way down. It is all over the state. Between 2001 and 2005 they received federal grants totaling $132,980,153. Those were just the grants that are over $300,000. (Audits from the Office of Management and Budget.)

So the smaller awards, grants and monies from the state are not included in that figure. In addition, they have the income from their businesses. That is a lot of money coming in to claim impoverishment for less than 4,000 tribal members on the reservation.

The port, city and the Tribe have done a very professional snow job. All of the towns and counties along the Gorge said they support this project. Darn right they do; they don’t want it in their back yards. Furthermore, they may get a few bucks if they support it. How about that? Being sold out by all of our neighbors by supporting this casino.

As boring as it is to read the DEIS, anyone interested in our town should read it. It is full of exceptions; exemptions, “mays” and “ifs”, and we could end up holding the bag with a monstrous casino for pie in the sky.

LunaFest success

A big thank-you the LUNAFEST supporters!

The Soroptimists of Hood River would like to thank Andrew’s Pizza and Skylight Theatre for donating their space and time to show this film festival for women, by women and about women.

Their support made it possible for us to bring this festival to Hood River County and provide funds for our community service projects. This year we were able to raise $1,200.

Soroptimist of Hood River organizes this film festival for three reasons: to help educate the community about different cultures and show why we are passionate in our mission to help women and children; to give female artists a forum for their art and projects; and to recruit like-minded women to join our cause.

If you attended, I hope we gave you something to think about. If you did not attend, we hope you will in the future.

This event is also made possible through financial support from the Clif Bar company, manufacturers of the Luna Bar, Tammy’s Floral, Knot Another Hat, and LindaMay Woosley of Century 21. Thank you to these generous sponsors.

Casino in CL

Hood River! Wake Up! Remember! The casino issue is not about whether “to have” or “not to have” a Warm Springs Tribal Casino in the Columbia Gorge.

I think we crossed that bridge about seven or more years ago. It was made pretty clear to all of us in Hood River at that time that there is plenty of tribal land just to the east of Hood River.

If necessary, the Warm Springs Tribal Casino can be built legally on tribal land just around the corner on the way to The Dalles. Remember, the issue is about whether “to be” or “not to be” THE CASINO TOWN!

We worked hard to assist the Warm Springs Tribe find a better place than Hood River for the placement of a casino. Remember! It was Cascade Locks that was the depressed economy. It was Cascade Locks that could benefit from the boost in employment and tourism associated with the draw of the casino.

Remember, this compromise of an off-reservation casino was to benefit all Gorge peoples. How can we let the Grande Ronde Casino group, a group of outsiders, who have big money and a big casino, force a decision on Hood River, Cascade Locks and the Warm Springs Tribal Council? Believe me! (Do I sound like one of those radio guys?)

The casino CAN be built just east of Hood River on tribal land. What the Grande Ronde group doesn’t say in their ads is that what they think is fair, is not fair for the people of the Columbia Gorge. The Grande Ronde group just wants to cut out competition. Business competition is a time-honored American tradition. I say support the Cascade Locks Casino!

Broughton improper

Regarding the proposal to turn Broughton into a tourist trap: As a one-time worker in Hood River and more than causally involved in the windsurfing community, it is with great fear of the spoilage of the area that I have been following the developments at what is known as the Hatchery.

I am a commercial realtor and I understand the desire to make the highest and best use of a property. In this case this is NOT a development that is the highest and best use of this property that is being proposed; instead as it is planned it will be an economic windfall for the Stevenson family.

If anything, it should eventually belong to the public. I’ve read that Washington State Parks has expressed an interest in this property and would possibly be able to buy the property at fair market value, to create a resource that is truly public and enhances the recreational resource of the Hatchery as the Scenic Area Act mandates. SDS’ plans are in direct violation of the Gorge Scenic Act, in my opinion.

From the Heart

We would like to thank Dan Ross of Silver Wire Productions for the wonderful benefit concert put on last Friday at The Mint for the Heart of Hospice Foundation. The concert was hosted by Erin Glenn Winery in The Dalles and featured fantastic performances by Mick Doherty and Kevin Shay Johnson. Thanks to the sponsors: Hattenhauer Distributing, Ernie’s Locks and Keys, Fly Shop of The Dalles, Hidden Mountain Productions for sound and the Shilo Inn for providing accommodations for the musicians.

We would also like to thank the 150-plus people who attended the concert to enjoy great music, fabulous wine, and support a good cause. The event raised a substantial amount for the Heart of Hospice Foundation whose overhead and administrative costs are covered by Heart of Hospice employees and volunteers, so that 100 percent of donations can go directly to patients and families.

Through its Heart-to-Heart care the foundation provides celebrations of life, emotional support, and financial support for hardships relating to end-of-life care. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to you for supporting our patients and families as they journey through this very challenging but sacred part of life.

Downtown traffic risks

As someone working near the intersections of Second, Third streets and Cascade, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the traffic problems.

There have been at least two wrecks and multiple near-misses since the construction on Oak began. We are beginning to keep score and the score is becoming too high. When they planned the construction on Oak Street, did they think traffic was just going to go away?

A couple of temporary stop signs at these two intersections would have prevented these wrecks but it appears the city has been asleep at the wheel. A blinking red light at Second and Cascade would be even better, especially this summer. This situation needs to be dealt with ASAP before someone else gets hurt. Traffic safety was apparently not even an afterthought during the planning process for the Oak Street construction. And parking, oh my ....

Cycles of support

On behalf of the Hood River Valley High School Bike Project, I would like to thank Sue Ryan and the Hood River News for the excellent write-ups on Feb. 20 and Feb. 23.

It is good to know that the community knows that we are not just studying in school, but learning useful hands-on skills and applying them to the real world as well!

As I was remarking the other day, the great thing about Hood River County is that not only are the teachers very supportive of the students, but the entire community is as well. Our supervisor, Jeff Blackman, has been instrumental in helping us keep the Hood River Valley Bike Project going, and has even expressed enough faith in us to allow us to act as a small nonprofit organization.

As such, the students are able to make decisions in how it is run and have a voice in its management. Since we are a student-run organization, it would probably be easiest to contact us directly at 2008hrvhsbikeproject@gmail.com.

Currently, we are making plans for more community projects later in the year. We have received a number of generous donations from Mountain View Cycles, and are looking for donations from the community to help us continue to repair bikes for children in the community.

Donations of bicycles or parts may be made at the northwest end of the Hood River Valley High School. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your support.

Nevin for President

If people continue to do what they have done, they will get what they got. I ask for your write-in vote to be President of the United States.

Why? Because I can (Constitution). I am not qualified to be a lawyer like the other candidates, but I can be president.

Paul Nevin, a clear choice.