Thanks from Legion

The American Legion, Hood River Post 22 would like to express their thankfulness for the community’s support for our Memorial Day ceremony. A special thanks to Nick Kirby and the Hood River Valley Boy Scouts, Idlewilde Cemetery Association, HRVHS Band and Mark Steighner, and the Oregon Army National Guard.

Without these people contributing their time our veterans and currently serving military personnel would not be given the recognition they so strongly deserve.

‘Regulatory theft’

I have owned my property since 1962 and have filed my Measure 37 claim. For years, I sat back and watched as Oregon’s land use plan diminished the value of my property and limited my ability to use it as I could have when I bought it.

Measure 37 was the solution to me and so many other property owners’ woes, but now it is in danger. It is time for the Legislature to stop its misguided attempts to undo what Oregon voters called for. Now, after following all of the rules from the state and county, after paying for the claim to go through, the Democrats joined by State Sen. Rick Metsger are trying to undo what the Oregon voters did in 2004.

Sen. Metsger, you should be ashamed of the way you are acting in Salem — it’s simply not fair to steal from hard-working Oregonians with your votes!

House Bill 3540C, the Portland-Democrat’s "fix" for Measure 37, is nothing more than another legislative attempt at regulatory theft. HB 3540C (the third amended-attempt to kill Measure 37) would force approved claimants like my family to endure (and re-pay) for the entire process once again.

It is not what Oregonians or the residents of Hood River County want — Sen. Metsger, you need to vote against HB 3540C, because it is completely unfair to landowners.

Amos Phillips
Hood River

Two lanterns

The author of Kids’ Corner article (June 2) regarding church steeples concluded by quoting from "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." Had they read further they would have found there were, in fact, two lanterns placed in the church steeple signaling the British crossed from Boston by ship before their long march to Concord.

John Brennan, former U.S. history teacher
Hood River

Time for leadership

Rhetoric and rumor continues to surround the bridge traffic and safety for our community. Where is the leadership?

It is obvious at this point that the port chooses the additional $75-plus dollars it receives each workday rush hour versus improving safety for its travelers.

I was quite saddened that a toll collector (supposedly) said he did not care if serious injury occurred to someone from the traffic jam.

A quick and easy answer: Have an electronic sign placed on the eastbound side of the highway west of the Exit 63 ramp, saying "CAUTION: Traffic stopped on roadway." How much simpler can it be?

More importantly, why has no one thought of this simple and inexpensive solution to at least limit the likelihood of another collision? The cost of the lawsuit to the port if a serious accident occurs due to poor management of this pressing issue will far exceed the small amount lost by not allowing a hundred cars to cross the bridge without paying until a more permanent solution is achieved through project completion.

Could someone of authority please briefly respond to this suggestion and at what point we can expect its implementation?

Steve Kaplan
Hood River

Parking pressure

While downtown Friday evening I noticed the City of Hood River’s meter maid issuing tickets at 5:30 p.m. on First Friday. I am amazed that the city does not wish to support this awesome event.

I believe the original stated goal of parking meters was to discourage employees of businesses from parking in the downtown area. This was to free up parking spaces for people wishing to shop in the downtown area. It now appears the city’s goal is to use the parking meters and associated fines as a revenue source (aka tax).

If the city’s true goal is to discourage long-term parking, checking meters once mid-morning and once mid-afternoon would suffice. The added benefit of this approach would mean lower staffing cost to the city. As a result, the meter maid job would be part-time and the administrative time to process all the tickets would be reduced.

I encourage others that find this attitude objectionable to avoid the downtown shops and businesses until the city comes up with a better plan.

I certainly will continue to shop elsewhere, unless the business has its own parking facility.