I usually enjoy Cliff Mansfield’s letters to the editor, but his last letter (“Money real issue,” Saturday, April 5) was terribly misguided, in my opinion. Mr. Mansfield claims orchardists are not paying a “real wage,” but fails to cite what he feels a real wage should be.

Last harvest, our employees averaged over $16 per hour, over twice the minimum wage. I can’t speak for all growers, but I think this rate is comparable to other farms. Mr. Mansfield considers this chump change? In addition, the worker has the benefit of housing at no cost. With housing and utilities included, the hourly cost to the grower goes up considerably. Does Mr. Mansfield supply housing to any of his engineers?

Mr. Mansfield is willing to pay a few more cents in the marketplace to offset higher labor costs, but needs to realize the grower has little control over the price at which the fruit is sold to the retailer. Therefore, the grower has no way to raise prices to offset increased costs.

Another issue to consider is that the farm work these workers perform is seasonal, hence the term migrant worker. Historically, trying to find quality American workers for short periods of time is difficult, at any wage.

Finally, I have found it frustrating that after recent land use decisions that have clearly supported the preservation of farmland (Measure 49), there seems to be no shortage of folks writing letters to the Hood River News criticizing the manner in which we have to farm our land to make a living.

Role models

I was deeply saddened when I recently learned of the passing of two fine gentlemen, Mr. Leroy Mauroni and Mr. Earl Fowler. I was fortunate to have both as teachers at Wy’east High School a few years back.

As we make our way there are those who show us the way by their example, good and bad. These two men were teachers because they were meant to be. Sometimes the positive push they gave all of us dumb kids isn’t appreciated until we all smarten up a bit.

Each time I bumped into one of them, I was always greeted with a smile and handshake, and when they asked how I was doing, it was because they cared how I was doing. I always felt better the rest of the day after getting to talk to them for a few minutes. I’m going to miss them.

Clarity

I would like to add some clarification to Kevin Gorman’s “Clarification” letter in the April 2 edition of the Hood River News. He listed four conditions the Friends of the Columbia Gorge needed to agree to their taking a neutral position on locating a casino on port property in Cascade Locks.

When Gov. Kulongoski approved the siting of the casino in Cascade Locks he did so with some caveats that would absolutely benefit the city, county and state and the National Scenic Area. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs readily agreed to dropping the fee-to-trust application for their Hood River property and donating their trust land to Oregon State Parks. They had already decided to do this if the Cascade Locks site was approved. It should also be noted they agreed to pay the state of Oregon 17 percent of their gross in lieu of taxes.

Let me ask you, what entity or enterprise would agree to the other two demands: Freezing the size of the enterprise with no opportunity for expansion and allowing FOCG to dictate the design of the building? No business person in their right mind would agree to such limitations. No wonder Mr. Karnopp said the discussion was over.

Mr. Gorman stated the size of the Bridge of the Gods Casino and Resort has increased from 75,000 square feet to 600,000 square feet. This statement is totally misleading. The actual gaming area has increased from 75,000 to 90,000 square feet. The remaining 525,000 square feet is for usage very comparable to Skamania Lodge with about 245 guest rooms, several large conference rooms, four restaurants with support facilities, gift shop and a museum/interpretive center.

Mr. Gorman also asserts that in the opinion of their attorneys it would be illegal for the tribes to build on their Hood River trust land. I believe he is mistaken. The National Scenic Area Act specifically exempts Indian-owned land taken into trust before 1988.

The Friends of the Columbia Gorge is not the benign organization it would have you believe. It was Sam McKinney and several of the original founders of FOCG who prevented the Port of Cascade Locks from building a tramway to Benson Flats. We are still asked if we are going to build it. The answer is “no.” We had the money then. We don’t now.

Too graphic

Last week an article appeared in The Oregonian containing vivid details about the body that had been found in the river. There are hundreds of missing people — some reported and some not. Check it out on the Internet under MissingAdults.com. This person could be missing from some other part of the world.

Why is it necessary to give this much info — for the sake of selling a paper? Missing parts are certainly not going to aid in anyone coming forward to help identify this person whereas a tattoo or scar would. This is pretty tough reading for friends and family members of a missing person. We have no control over what is printed in other areas.

Out of common courtesy and sensitivity family members should know ahead of time that an article is going to appear in the paper — at least a phone call. When Kim’s daughter went to work last week, she was greeted by a fellow employee with the news of an article in the paper about finding her mother. HOW CRUEL CAN YOU BE! If the employer has not had a stern visit with this employee regarding this, it certainly should be done as well as an apology from that employee.

None of the articles said who this person is but the rumors and phone calls ran like wildfire they had found Kim. Maybe DNA will disclose this in approximately eight weeks.

Folks, stop and think how you would feel if your loved one is the subject of conversation before you open your mouths and blurt out something.

Davidson for Sheriff

I’ve spent a few years in Hood River during my life, what an amazing and beautiful place. I currently reside in the Portland area because of the work I do, but often find myself imagining the day when I can, once again, call Hood River County my home.

My father, Bob Davidson, is currently campaigning for sheriff of Hood River County. I won’t try to deny or hide the fact that, of course there is a bias that exists; after all, he is my father.

However, I not only wish for his campaign platform to gain more attention (www.bob-davidson.net); I also want to take the opportunity to implore the citizens of Hood River County to get involved! Learn about what the candidates have to say. Educate yourself, make up your own minds, and VOTE!

I believe that my father’s campaign platform speaks for itself. Furthermore, I believe that his experience, education, dedication, and exemplary performance in law enforcement are also self-evident. His campaign promotes communication and involvement, as well as openness to new ideas.

He has great excitement and vision about what the department can become, and how its relationship to the community can develop and improve over time through involvement, awareness, cooperation, education, solicitation of new ideas and available avenues.

So please, be involved, listen to both sides, make up your own mind, and most importantly, turn those ballots in on time.

Authority intoxication

Intoxication from power: A product of authority.

Examples: Former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto and those who comprise the NORCOR Sheriff’s Advisory Board, all had or have symptoms of this disease. And so did the fearful King Herod as recorded in the book of Matthew of God’s Holy Word; whereas he ordered all baby boys less than 2 years old to be killed, due to a self-imposed threat to his kingdom from the virgin birth of God’s anointed King.

These Sheriff’s Advisory Board members act like they are “above the law.” “My hat goes off” to the one who listened to the many complaints and had the courage to attempt to bring these power-intoxicated sheriffs to their knees.

An article in the Jan. 24, 2008, issue of The Dalles Chronicle, “Pryor Outlines Jail Issues,” names the Sheriff’s Advisory Board as one of NORCOR’s problems. This does not surprise me, having had an “eyeball to eyeball” discussion with our local sheriff wherein his deputies wrongfully mishandled the investigation and report filing of an incident that I witnessed. I personally possess the incident report and the 911 tape.

I saw a woman brutally attack an innocent woman. The one attacked was charged with Assault IV while the attacker became the “victim.” Sheriff Wampler gave me his best grin, and then turned his back to the incident. He can only sweep so many cases (and this was a very serious ordeal) “under the rug” before they leave a hump.

Honor farmworkers

I am so pleased to see that the Oregon Governor’s Office has proclaimed Farmworker Awareness Week to honor our communities’ agricultural workers, from March 30 to April 5.

It’s been my privilege to serve with and live among farmworkers since 1981 (1984 in the mid-Columbia). I try to acknowledge internally their material contributions to my life whenever I walk amidst the orchards or eat a meal. The non-material, intangible enrichments are harder to describe but no less real.

I hope that the Hood River Valley will join me in giving special thanks to all those who have done, and all those now doing, agricultural labor in our region.