News Tips Letters to Editor Subscriptions Classified Ads Legal Notices Contact Info

Even though I would prefer to discuss the benefits of having a library for our citizens and the community, I found the underlying question was how much it will cost. In order to answer this question, I looked at the budget prepared by the task force appointed by the Hood River County Commission last fall.

I then called all eight of the people running for the board together to discuss the budget. At that meeting it was concluded and supported by all eight board candidates that the rate that will be taxed is about 56 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. However, on the ballot it will state that it is 70 cents per thousand.

What is important to note is that the 70 cents is the maximum amount that can ever be taxed by the library district. That tax rate was set to take the district into the future and is not what will be assessed at this time. The task force that prepared the budget had to set an amount that would handle unforeseen expenses such as a furnace replacement or a new roof in the future. The tax base of 70 cents is permanent and final, and can’t be increased.

I am satisfied that these board candidates will not only be good stewards of our tax dollars, but will be open to public comments on other ways to supplement the budget. Michael Schock, Paul Blackburn, Meg Euwer, George Earley, Anne Holmstrom, Paul Romans, Deborah Phillips and Glenn Harris are all good candidates that you can trust to manage the new library district.

You can’t go wrong with choosing any of these people. Give them the opportunity to run the three county libraries with much less than 70 cents per thousand.

Mike Schend
Hood River

Retain Judge Mitchell

Very soon we will receive our ballots by mail. This is our opportunity to vote for whomever we believe to be the best candidate for each position.

For the position of Justice of the Peace for the Justice Court for the District of Cascade Locks, please mark your ballots for Cynthia Mitchell, the presiding judge. Judge Mitchell has the experience, integrity, and most definitely the skills to perform the many duties of the office of Justice of the Peace.

The Cascade Locks Justice Court has a small staff of two, both of whom work full-time with many responsibilities. This means the presiding judge must be a full-time working judge in order to deal with the large caseload.

Judge Mitchell has a working knowledge of the court’s computer system and must use it on a daily basis. She also has a working knowledge of the software used by the County of Hood River and uses it regarding county budgeting matters.

Judge Mitchell is active in the Oregon Justice of the Peace Association and was elected by her peers as treasurer of the association. She has served her community by being elected to the city council, volunteers many hours with the food bank, the SMART reading program, and is active on many committees and service clubs.

Judge Mitchell was on the court staff when the Oregon Department of Transportation initiated electronic citations. ODOT worked with the Cascade Locks Justice Court as a testing ground when the new system was introduced. This means she fully understands the software and the reports necessary for a check and balance system regarding the electronic citations.

Throughout the state, agencies have been gearing up for many years to have electronic citations available. It is a very expensive undertaking, and more than likely will not occur in the near future due to budgetary setbacks every public agency faces.

I retired nearly two years ago as Justice of the Peace. After letters of recommendation were submitted to the governor’s legal counsel on her behalf, and after a lengthy interview, Cynthia Mitchell was appointed by the Governor of Oregon to fill the position.

When I vote for Justice of the Peace, I want an individual with strong moral values, integrity and a sense of fairness when adjudicating issues that come before the court. Cynthia Mitchell meets these standards and will have my vote.

I encourage you to mark you ballots for Cynthia Mitchell for Justice of the Peace.

Robbie Lee
Cascade Locks

Vote no library

“Dear Pacific Power, can you please let me have five months of free electricity? I need to pay my library tax!”

Please vote NO library!

Michael Sullivan
Hood River

In defense of Foster

In light of the recent resignation of Brent Foster, I am writing to voice my support for him.

I do not know the circumstances or details of the events that led to his resignation and criminal charges. I do know, however, that Brent is an amazingly passionate and highly motivated advocate for our environment, and society at large.

As anyone who follows our state news knows, it is obvious that groups who stand to profit by bending, weakening or breaking environmental laws have been targeting him for quite some time in the media. I believe that they act in fear because they realize what an honest, intelligent and passionate counsel that Brent is — their muckraking is unfortunate for all citizens of Oregon who value our environment.

Brent has effected much change for the better over the years and I stand behind him wholeheartedly during this time. As a former resident of York Hill, I drove past the Ryan Orchard plant almost daily, and I always found the stench to be amazing and quite an obvious sign that something wrong was happening.

I, however, did what most of us do: assume that “someone else” will take issue with it. Luckily for lazy and distracted people (almost all of us?), we have Brent Foster to thank for using his knowledge and energy to bring these gross violations of both law and conscience to light.

While I consider his resignation to be a great loss for Oregon and the environment as a whole, we residents of the Gorge and more specifically Mosier will gain greatly by having him return here to reside full-time. Welcome back, Brent!

Silas Bleakley
Mosier

Foster dedicated

It’s disappointing that we no longer have Brent Foster defending our rivers from within the Attorney General’s office, but we are fortunate to have such a longtime local activist back in the Gorge.

I’ve known Brent for many years, and he is incredibly dedicated to the defense of clean water. While it’s unfortunate that he can’t currently discuss the Hood River Juice case, I have complete faith that he was acting in the best interest of our local water resources.

If he made any mistake at all, it’s likely that he cared too much, not satisfied to stand by as our state laws of environmental quality go without enforcement. He is a great defender of healthy rivers, and I know he’ll fight that good fight on our behalf wherever he can — right now it’s good to have him home on the Columbia.

Tara Keairnes
Hood River

50 cents per day

I think closing the library is a terrible idea.

When you buy a book, how much do you usually pay, $10 to $30? Yet this fund would only cost you less than 50 cents per day for unlimited books.

Please vote for the library.

Rory Krehbiel, 12
Hood River

Stauffer cares

I have known Janet Stauffer and her husband Jim Woods for 12 years. During that time Janet has always given generously of her time and knowledge by volunteering at school and in fundraisers, participating on both St. Mary’s and Dufur school boards, chairing the annual auction and being a finance committee member at St. Mary’s. Janet’s participation in school and professional organizations is phenomenal, but it is not what impresses me about Janet.

I am impressed by her tireless contributions to the local communities by volunteering beyond the activities and hobbies of her family. She has been a strong example of service through her years of being a foster parent, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), volunteer for Haven from Domestic Violence, The Next Door Inc., and YouthThink. She has also been a senior center bus driver and member of The Dufur Chamber of Commerce.

Janet has assisted many people and has helped to give an approachable, intelligent face to lawyers. She would make a respectful, fair judge.

Janet wants to continue to make legal issues less intimidating by repeating the Community Law School she held in January. If you didn’t have the chance to attend the sessions they were free and covered a variety of topics to make law less intimidating and demonstrated how to access resources to help with legal issues. She plans to hold sessions in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler counties.

Vote for Janet this May and make her our next judge.

Cynthia French
The Dalles

Help defend vineyards

The Columbia River Gorge is home to many families and businesses who earn a livelihood from the Oregon and Washington wine industry. From vineyard farmers to local wineries to tourism-based businesses that benefit from the worldwide interest in this highly regarded wine region we live in.

On Friday April 16, House Resolution 5034 was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by retiring Massachusetts Rep. Delahunt (Dem). The bill, which was crafted and supported by the National Beer Wholesalers Association, has a sole purpose of allowing states to enact legislation that goes against the U.S. Constitution and recent Supreme Court rulings, with said legislation being used to stifle consumer choice and protect the monopolistic distribution model that has been in place since Prohibition was repealed in 1933.

This legislation, if passed by Congress, would significantly impact the ability of wine producers in our community to market and sell their products to out-of-state customers, which would in effect hurt all of the wine-related businesses in our community.

Contact your U.S. Representatives and voice opposition to this legislation. Help preserve the livelihoods of Gorge-based farmers and wineries and stop special interests from telling us how our Constitution and courts should be interpreted.

Scott Hollowell
White Salmon, Wash.

Trail kudos

The Hood River Valley High School Earth Club would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped with the Post Canyon cleanup on April 24, especially Hood River Garbage. We would also like to thank all of the community members who braved the elements to lend a helping hand.

This trail is a great asset to the community, and ensuring that it will be looking great this spring was a wonderful way to wrap up Earth Week.

Alice Zanmiller
Hood River Valley High School Earth Club

Peachey cares

It should be clear that Tom Peachey has the ability, experience and judgment to excel as Circuit Court Judge.

I want to point out Tom’s kindness and generosity of spirit. When my father died a few years ago, Tom reached out to my family with sympathy and with others, sang at Dad’s funeral.

Tom has served faithfully on the board of directors of Hospice of the Gorge for a number of years. He is committed to the mission of compassion to persons and their families at the end of their lives. Such sensitivity to others at times of stress will be an asset to our circuit court.

I urge voters to support Tom Peachey for Circuit Court Judge.

Ned Kice
The Dalles

Stick to facts

A recent Harris Poll found that a majority of Republicans believe that President Obama is a Muslim and a Socialist!

We are not talking about radical “tea party” or Palin enthusiasts only, but about respectable, mainline Republicans. Nor would I be surprised if some Independents and conservative Democrats also shared this belief.

It is one thing to hold a political view that borders on the absurd. It is another thing to base these views on claims that have no basis in actual fact.

The same national poll also found that nearly half of all Republicans believe that the president “resents America’s heritage” and one-quarter think he is the “Antichrist.”

When ordinary American citizen members of an honorable historic political party are led to affirm such ridiculous untruths (and presumably base their voting and political contributions on these untruths), we shouldn’t wonder at the degree of polarization, violence, verbal rancor and lack of public civility recently displayed.

Much of this misinformation is the result of talk radio pundits and bloggers, who under the protection of the First Amendment, are free to claim anything to be true or false. The disheartening thing is that so many otherwise rational and intelligent Americans accept this misinformation as the gospel truth.

Although I didn’t vote for him, I had the greatest admiration for John McCain, who once during a political rally, publically corrected and admonished a supporter who claimed Obama to be a Muslim.

So why hasn’t the current Republican Party leadership made a similar effort to refute and counter these unfounded “facts” about our president?

David C. Duncombe
White Salmon, Wash.

‘Cold, uncaring wind’

Once recent, windy Saturday I blew into the library to return a few books. At the “Return Books Here” counter I was unable to see the young lady, at work, due to the columns of stacked books waiting to be checked back into the library. (And some say, “Nobody reads anymore.”)

One my way to the fiction section I passed the tables of computers — all active with patrons’ eyes glued to the screens and fingers tapping the keys.

After finding a new choice of books I retraced my steps, noting more folks relaxing in the comfortable chairs facing the favorite window view of the river and the greening Washington hills. Windsurfers and kiters, on the river, were entertaining doing pirouettes in the wind.

In one of the glass-enclosed cubicles near the division of the old and the new library buildings a mother and several youngsters were grouped around a table enjoying toys and books.

As I plodded back to my car the terrible thought of the library CLOSING was like an icicle in my heart. It’s been providing so much pleasure to so many people for so many years. My eyes began to burn and tears streaked down my face. Was I CRYING? Nah! Must just be from the cold, uncaring wind

A.V. Armstrong
Hood River

Stauffer experienced

Much has been made of the relative experience of Janet Stauffer and Tom Peachey in the upcoming Seventh Judicial District judge race.

I have reviewed the candidates’ experience and have determined that Janet Stauffer has the legal experience that merits my vote.

The Oregon Judicial system has an information network (“OJIN”) which, since 1987, has recorded cases filed by Oregon attorneys. I find that, since the start of OJIN, Ms. Stauffer has filed 590 cases and Mr. Peachey 536.

Not only has Ms. Stauffer filed 590 Oregon cases but she has also filed approximately the same amount in Washington state courts. In addition, she has had cases in Oregon and Washington federal courts. Her opponent has no experience in Washington or the federal courts.

The lawyers in the Seventh Judicial District have been polled regarding which judge candidate they prefer. A majority of those voting have stated a preference to have Janet Stauffer as their next judge.

I urge other voters to join with a majority of the lawyers and me in voting for Janet Stauffer for judge.

Mavis A. Starnes
The Dalles

Preserve library

Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

We in Hood River County are standing on the shoulders of those thousands of individuals who have donated time, money and energy to create, expand and maintain our majestic library and Georgiana Smith Park, the centerpiece of our community.

Georgiana Smith was a turn-of-the-century visionary whose children did not have the benefit of a library. She wanted more for the children of the next generation.

Andrew Carnegie required matching funds from residents of Hood River County in order to donate half of the cost of constructing the library, which opened its doors in 1914.

In 1999, the Hood River Library Foundation raised $1.4 million and the voters approved a $3 million bond for the library renovation. The libraries in Cascade Locks and Parkdale provide essential and crucial resources. Will we permit our three libraries to close on July 1, or will we choose to preserve and maintain these crucial community resources for generations to come?

I suggest that we not only ask what the library means to each of us individually, but to also consider the young children whose love of reading begins with their first visit to the library; the unemployed among us who use the free library computers to search for work; and those on fixed incomes who can read newspapers, magazines and virtually any book published, without charge.

Will we foster community with a visible symbol of our love of knowledge for all?

Or will we risk seeing an “Offered for Sale by Greg Colt” sign on the lawn of Georgiana Smith Park?

Deborah M. Phillips
Mt. Hood

Arizona and Oregon

Arizona just passed the first “common sense” law to combat “illegal” immigration. Liberals are screaming murder!

One local liberal recently quoted some rubbish by the poster boy of liberals, Michael Kinsley. Kinsley works at the ultra-liberal L.A. Times. A while back the L.A. Times published the following:

1. Forty percent of all workers in L.A. County (population 10 million) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants, working without a green card.

2. Ninety-five percent of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegals.

3. Seventy-five percent of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegals.

4. Over two-thirds of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal Mexicans on Medi-Cal whose births were paid for by taxpayers.

5. Nearly twenty-five percent of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

6. Over 300,000 illegals in Los Angeles County are living in garages.

7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegals from south of the border.

8. Nearly sixty percent of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.

9. In L.A. County 5.1 million people speak English; 3.9 million speak Spanish (population- 10.2 million).

The fact these statistics were published in one of the most liberal newspapers in America illustrates the scope of the problem.

Opponents of Arizona’s new law want to make it about race. About keeping down a class of people. I say bull plop. It is about enforcing America’s laws. Oregon needs this law.

What really disgusts me is looking through the NORCOR inmate list and finding illegals who have been arrested on PROBATION violations. How did an illegal, who breaks the law by breathing Oregon oxygen, get on probation in the first place? Liberals.

Liberals want us to leave the illegals alone, because their families vote Democrat. Buying votes at the expense of our laws and our safety.

Cliff Mansfield
Odell

Stauffer qualified

As a trial lawyer for 32 years, I have appeared before many judges throughout Oregon, in administrative hearings and in both state and federal courts for more than 150 trials, hundreds and hundreds of motions and to argue appeals at the Oregon Court of Appeals, the State Supreme Court and the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The best judges are not only intelligent; they are compassionate, even-handed, fair and judicious students of the law. They are strong-minded when necessary and understanding when the facts require it. They are unafraid to make tough decisions when the law requires it. They neither curry favor nor do they rule unnecessarily. They understand that the law requires a balance and they bring a love for the job that honors their position and serves the community.

After careful consideration, it is my opinion that Janet Stauffer is the candidate who has all of these qualities and how can best fulfill the community’s needs as a competent, skillful and balanced Circuit Court Judge. Please vote for her in the upcoming election.

Stephen E. Lawrence
The Dalles

Library tax reasonable

In a recent letter to the Hood River News, the writer summarized the county library situation well: “We either vote for the library district or the library is closed. And if this happens on June 30 the next time the people of the county have a public library available to all citizens will likely be far into the future.”

I don’t like the situation, but I am not excited about an increase in my property taxes. However, I like even less the idea that we will be without one of the most important and positive public institutions a community can provide for the education and intellectual development of its citizens, a public library.

My wife and I use the library and it is hard for us to imagine this fine county without such a basic public facility, especially one with almost a 100-year history of service to the people of the Hood River area.

We have lived in many parts of the United States, some dirt poor, but always there was a library and always it was the pride of the community.

I have served as a volunteer with the Hood River County Library Advisory Committee for a number of years, and had the opportunity to observe firsthand the value it provides to both children and grown-ups in our communities. The Internet, videos or school libraries can not provide the same quality intellectual opportunities and assistance furnished by our Carnegie Library.

A library district means county residents own the library and our elected peers will be responsible for managing it. The library board, all county taxpayers, will be responsible for directing effective and efficient library programs for the entire county.

The 70-cent tax rate that has caused so much discussion is the permanent tax ceiling and the most that can be charged for library support.

The library board of directors will set the actual tax rate on the basis of an operating budget they have approved. I believe the board members will be wise and frugal managers and will provide us with quality library service at the lowest possible tax rate.

John F. Marker
Mt. Hood

Voting for library

I’m voting for the library! I wouldn’t want to live in a community that did not provide itself a public library such as we have. I seldom use it, but I want it there for those children, students and others who use it some or a lot.

Neither do I use the fire department, the many streets that I seldom or never travel, nor most of the public parks. Nevertheless, I want them there for those who do use them. That is only being a good citizen instead of an indifferent individual.

“Taxes are too high!” say some. Compared to what? Not compared to taxes in most of the other developed countries in the world. Those who I hear say “No more taxes” appear to me to be fairly well-off financially unless they have overextended themselves. I mentally translate what they say into, “I want to keep more of the money I have for myself.” I have never heard such a person offer to give up any of his or her own needed public services to lower taxes.

What our community and country need from us is good citizenship, not more self-centeredness. So I’m voting for the library.

John Ihle
Hood River

Yes to charter

Since I moved to the Gorge last year, I have been interested in the school closing in Cascade Locks. When I read a recent article about the possibility of a charter school opening in the town, I thought it was a wonderful idea. A charter school would increase opportunities for learning and, more importantly, allow the teens of Cascade Locks to stay close to home.

This past year those students were forced to leave the comfort and familiarity of the school they had attended for years only to swim amongst a sea of strangers in the much-larger Hood River Valley High School.

By opening a charter school in Cascade Locks, a strong sense of community will also be restored. In small towns such as this, there is a strong bond between residents which is increased by things like pride in both community and the local schools.

When the Hood River Valley School District was faced with the tough decision of how to deal with a reduction of funds for the 2009-10 school year, they may have neglected this union that is formed between town and school. So I say, bring a charter school to Cascade Locks and repair this damaged bond.

Erica Dahl
White Salmon, Wash.

Stauffer for court

Janet Stauffer will bring some unique qualities to the position of Circuit Court Judge. Janet has been a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for 10 years. A CASA is a volunteer advocate for children who have been abused and neglected.

Janet is also a foster parent; another sign that she walks the talk. When I was a Citizens Review Board member, our responsibility was to review cases of children removed from their homes. Janet was a CASA for some of these children.

It was apparent she was a concerned volunteer who put out much effort to have a positive impact on the children and their families. I am impressed by her dedication. Cases involving children, young adults and families are a large part of what our court oversees. Janet is committed, is well-suited and has the experience to take on this role.

With over 23 years of litigation experience, she is well-acquainted with the court system, having represented clients in Oregon, Washington and in federal courts. She handles a variety of cases including discrimination, real estate, adoptions and contract disputes.

Janet is fluent in Spanish. Having a bilingual judge, combined with her other positive qualities, is a real plus for our area. Janet is also committed to community involvement and education.

Janet’s varied experiences in her law practice and her many volunteer efforts all add up to her being an effective and committed Circuit Court Judge. For more details of her accomplishments and goals, see www.janetstaufferforjudge.com.

Brenda J. Ponichtera
The Dalles

Peachey for court

Tom Peachey’s 30 years of legal experience and active involvement in both the Gorge community and the state make him the obvious choice for circuit judge.

His participation and leadership within the Oregon State Bar Association and his service as a court-appointed arbitrator for the 7th Judicial District demonstrate both his professional commitment and judicial temperament.

Tom has served on the Hospice of the Gorge board of directors since 2004. Please support Tom Peachey for Judge of the Circuit Court.

Sharon Mulford
Hood River

One CL school

The idea of having a charter school in Cascade Locks sounded like a great solution to bringing and keeping our high school students in our community.

Now I am starting to have second thoughts. A public school K-8 and a charter school K-12 will not be beneficial for our children. The first idea of bringing a charter school to our town was to unify our children in one location, and to bring back our high school students.

If the Hood River County School Board of Directors decides the charter school cannot use the current K-8 school, the Charter School Committee wants to establish a new location. This new location would provide education for children K-12. Parents have been asked which school they would like their children to attend.

I have a son who will be in the fourth grade, and a daughter who will be going into high school at the start of next year’s school season. Our children have already experienced changes when the high school was closed. Please don’t separate our younger children as well.

One school, one community and one decision: a Charter School K-12 at the current Cascade Locks School.

Christina Fehd
Cascade Locks

Sustain library

I am writing in support of our community library.

Having followed the arguments both for and against, it seems that the only argument against is that it will cost too much money in these hard economic times.

However, this is exactly when a library is needed most. For those who can’t afford a computer or Internet at home, the library offers them free of charge. For those who can’t afford movie rentals or trips to the movie theater, the library provides DVDs and VHS’s free of charge. For those of us who don’t have cable TV, the library has books, magazines, music CDs, tapes, story hour, book clubs, and presentations to educate and entertain us.

For someone who can’t even afford a subscription to this very newspaper, the library provides it free of charge. The library offers reference books on cost-saving topics from how to fix a leaky pipe to how to grow your own food.

Imagine if you were a kid whose parents couldn’t afford a computer at home and you had to do a report for school; where would you go to research, type and print it? The answer is the library. Imagine you lost your job and needed a place to search for job openings, type a resume, or learn new job skills; where could you go? The answer is the library. What if you just need a quiet, safe place to spend a few hours on a rainy afternoon, where might you go? The answer is the library.

Yes, I think all options, including trimming the library budgets wherever possible, is justified, but let’s not do something now in the name of hard times, that we will all regret when the sun comes out again. Please vote yes and support our library now when it is needed most.

Dana Higgins
Hood River

Peachey deserves vote

I have practiced law in Hood River since 1979. Tom Peachey has practiced law in The Dalles since 1978.

Over the years I have known Tom to be a solid lawyer. He is an experienced trial attorney who has dealt with a broad spectrum of legal matters.

Moreover, Tom Peachey is a fair person.

By experience and demeanor Tom Peachey is well-suited to be a circuit court judge.

Jerry Jaques
Hood River

ANOTHER VOICE

Library tax is a small price for a vital resource

By TODD HANNA

I’ve read with interest recent letters to the editor encouraging voters to vote “no” on the upcoming “library tax” vote on May 18.

With all due respect to those folks, I could not disagree more with them or their reasons for encouraging people to vote “no” on this critical issue for Hood River County. As reported in The Oregonian newspaper on Friday March 26, a study released this March 25 conducted by the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation presented some startling statistics.

Approximately one-third of Americans 14 years and older use public library computers for a variety of everyday tasks including doing homework and looking for employment. If almost everyone now has access to a computer at home, as some of those encouraging “no” votes claim, why is this number so high?

The study found that public library use is very high among the general public but is particularly so among people living below the federal poverty line (defined as a family of four with a household income of $22,000 or less). Of this group, 44 percent report using public library computers (including Internet access) during the last year. The number is even higher among 14-24-year-olds in these households — 61 percent used computers in public libraries and the Internet for educational purposes during the last year.

One more major finding in the study is that almost one-half of 14-18-year-olds in the U.S. reported using a library last year and 25 percent of teens used a library at least once a week. I don’t know how Hood River County’s statistics compare to the U.S. as a whole but my guess is they would be pretty similar, meaning a very large number of our youngest county citizens would be greatly harmed by the closing of our public library.

I teach at a community college and I see the results that a lack of computer and Internet access at home has in my classroom every day and I teach very few teenagers or even very many students in their 20s. Most of my students are older (30s plus) and a lot of them do not have reliable computer or Internet access at home or even current e-mail addresses, for that matter.

We are being encouraged as faculty to put more and more materials online in order to save paper, printing costs, etc. These are worthwhile reasons to make materials available digitally but they will only work if people have reliable access to computers and the Internet.

Public libraries can and do help fill that critical role as pointed out in the University of Washington study. One solution that has been put forth if the public library were to close is to keep the school libraries open longer hours. While that is a great idea, and might help address the library needs of school-age people, it would not help the general public that is not of school age and it would still not come close to replacing the assets and benefits of the public library we currently have.

In addition, where would the money come from to accomplish this (i.e. hire additional librarians, trained library aides, etc.)? One might suggest that parents could step up and volunteer to work in the school libraries after school, evenings and on weekends but with most parents working one or more jobs and parent involvement with most schools decreasing rather than increasing, I don’t see that as a very likely scenario.

I’ve focused most of this letter on the vital role public libraries play in providing computer and Internet access to those who do not have this access elsewhere. There are myriad other reasons to support keeping the public library open in Hood River County. Many of these have been pointed out by other writers.

The proposed tax is a small price to pay for keeping this vital resource open to all in Hood River County and those who visit and use the library while they are here in our county. I encourage everyone to think very hard about the consequences of our public library closing if this levy does not pass. As the saying goes — you won’t know what you’ve lost until it’s gone.

I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen on May 18. I encourage everyone to vote yes on creating the new library district in Hood River County.

Todd Hanna lives in Mt. Hood.