CAT to Portland

I join Stefanie Weseman (Jan. 8) in thanking those neighbors who so much aid one another; I especially thank the kind Upper Valley people who helped me last Friday when my tire went flat.

But needs cannot always be timely met by neighborliness, and one we all recognize as ever-looming is for ready transport into Portland.

Two years ago, through efforts and petition by more than 100 area residents and the work of our CAT director and board, an ODOT grant was won enabling a weekly (Thursday) public bus to Portland; now, however, this bus route is threatened unless it is very soon more-used. True, this bus leaves Hood River at 8 a.m. and only gets back at 4:30 p.m.; yet what a wonderfully easy, affordable way to spend a day in Portland!

A specialist medical appointment, an elegant lunch downtown, a little shopping, or a visit to the Portland Art Museum (which, like OHSU and the Gateway Transit Center with its quick airport access, is among the stops) suddenly is in your reach without the need to drive (and further pollute) the Gorge.

But, as they say, “Use it or lose it,” and this is the time. While the roads are clear, and before mid-February, try CAT’s Portland bus (386-4202 will get you more information).

Paula Friedman
Parkdale

Senior Project kudos

Hood River Valley High School students delighted community volunteer evaluators Wednesday night with Senior Project presentations.

Sixty volunteers heard students tell about varied projects from hydrogen fuel cell experiments to humane society practices. Presentations showed the varied interests and skills of students. Some students found areas they wanted to study after high school. Others learned that their areas of study were not for them. It was a great exercise for students and gave community members the opportunity to interact with young people and school staff.

This was the first time Senior Projects have been presented and will be required for 2010 graduates. Another group of students will be presenting this spring. Contact Wendy Herman at HRVHS if you would like to volunteer.

Thank you all for sharing with the community.

Joella Dethman
Hood River

A hazy concern

The more than 50 Gorge residents in attendance at the public hearing Tuesday evening, Jan. 13 (regarding PGE’S Boardman coal-fired power plant and conducted in partnership by PGE and DEQ), were more than a little frustrated to learn that the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is not, according to DEQ, a Class 1 area.

That means the Gorge is not being considered as an area of concern relative to the toxic brew spewing from that facility. I suppose that not being a Class 1 area doesn’t matter much, since DEQ’s only concern is with air quality as it relates to visibility, and not with the health risks posed by the huge amounts of chemicals emitted — not the least of which is mercury, a well-known poison that causes neurological problems.

Oregon prides itself as being a “green” state, indeed a leader in promoting a healthy environment. The Boardman plant is clouding that image.

Why isn’t the Department of Environmental Quality taking aggressive action to protect our environment? And since the Columbia River Gorge is in closer proximity to the Boardman plant than the Class 1 areas, why isn’t the National Scenic Area included?

One thing is crystal clear: PGE needs to stop operation of their coal-fired plant which has no effective pollution control, or install the necessary equipment that would make it safe. And DEQ must oversee that this happens.

Here’s how each one of us can help make this happen: Send comments to: Brian Finneran, DEQ, 811 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204; e-mail regionalhaze@deq

John Wood
Hood River

Mingle in Gaza

On Rev. (John) Boonstra’s next trip to Gaza (Another Voice, Jan. 15) he should leave the comfort and care of his tour group and set out to mingle with the locals. He should walk up to the first male resident he encounters and announce he’s a Christian sent by Jesus to save Gaza from the Jews.

Dallas Fridley
Hood River

Some light on ‘Dark’

I’ve been hearing many concerns about the “Dark Store Ordinance,” most based on a few misconceptions. The sole purpose of this law is to protect our businesses from a neighbor who fails to do basic upkeep on vacant property — things like taking in the mail, trimming brush, repairing broken windows.

No business owner wants to operate next to an eyesore. There is nothing in the law about the city acquiring vacant property. There is no new bureaucracy to enforce it. No one will be sent out looking for problems. We will only respond to complaints by neighbors.

There is no fine to a property owner for having a vacant property. A fine only kicks in if a property owner fails to respond to a verified complaint.

We need to keep our business districts looking good so people will continue to visit them. One letter suggests we should spend our time working to keep businesses from closing. I think that comment is right on target. Five of the seven members of our city council are business owners, and we are acutely aware of the current business climate.

The city has been working with the port to see their new development plan enacted, working with the downtown businesses on parking and the recently completed urban renewal project, and working with Heights businesses on traffic and parking issues.

Please give us your suggestions on what else we can do to help our existing businesses and bring in new ones. We need to help each other to get through this recession, and work hard to build a strong, diversified business community so we’ll be in even better shape the next time.

Arthur Babitz, mayor
Hood River

Cell tower

Anyone living within a viewing distance of the Belmont and Multnomah/Frankton road intersection should be aware of a proposed cell phone tower to be installed in that location.

Verizon Wireless has applied for a conditional use permit P-08-0152: wireless communication facility. The proposal calls for a 150-foot-high cell phone tower with various antennas attached. You can get the full details from the Hood River County Planning Department at 601 State St. Contact Anne Debbaut, 387-6840 or anne.debbaut@co.hood-river.or.us with your comments or concerns.

The comment period ends at 5 p.m. Jan. 21. A decision will be made on or around Thursday, Feb. 5.

It appears this tower is incompatible in our rural residential zoned area. The comment period is very short, so if you have concerns, as I have, please don’t delay getting involved.

Ron Wilkins
Hood River

School Aid helps

Rosauers and School Aid Charitable Trust were responsible for more than 100 boxes of organic grown pears and apples being available to citizens of Sherman County during the recent snowstorms.

Sherman County Lions had come to Mt. Hood and packed fruit for sale as a fund-raiser for student health issues. As it happened, the fruit was sold and delivered just in time to be additionally appreciated as a source of fresh fruit while schools were closed and trips to market were canceled.

The Lions Club of Sherman County has been fortunate to have the option of raising funds in this manner for the youth of the community.

This year, they will be using the funds for many student needs. The youth who go to diabetes camp each summer are partially funded; eye glasses or hearing correction gear are also available thanks to this program.

A real win-win situation is again available thanks to the ongoing School Aid Program, courtesy of Kevin Harris and Rosauers.

Nell Melzer, president
Sherman County Lions
Moro