Letters
May 8, 2010

Hang up

The other day, someone nearly killed my son. He was walking home from school, crossing at the marked crosswalk at the busy intersection of 22nd and Belmont in front of our house.

A car had stopped in the north lane, but as my son crossed the center of the road, he was narrowly missed by a speeding car. He said he could have reached out and touched it. He said it was driven by a woman, who was talking on her cell phone. If he had been running instead of walking, he would have been killed.

I am a novelist, so part of my job description requires I spend a lot of time staring out the window of my home office. I can’t count the number of people I see every day who negotiate this busy intersection with one hand on the wheel, the other pressed to an ear.

I lost my wife less than two months ago, to a natural death after a long illness we could do nothing about. Some days I can barely get out of bed. I would be destroyed if I were to now lose a son to a preventable accident due to someone’s thoughtless and selfish stupidity.

Please don’t do that to me or anyone else. Hang up. Drive carefully. You have no idea how much pain you could cause.

Craig Danner
Hood River

Vote for Peachey

Be sure to mail your ballot in the May election and make your vote count!

I would like to encourage you to vote for Tom Peachey for Circuit Court Judge in the 7th Judicial District.

Tom and I have both served as board members of Hospice of the Gorge for several years. I have seen how much he gives to our communities.

Tom has the experience and background to serve as Circuit Court Judge. He has the ability to judge the variety of cases that come up before a circuit court judge, including criminal and domestic.

Tom has served in various positions in the Oregon Bar Association and is a well-respected Mid-Columbia attorney. With his well-rounded background of law, community service and integrity, I wholeheartedly encourage you to vote for Tom Peachey for Circuit Court Judge.

Clarice Knoll
Hood River

Make affordable housing a goal

Recently moving back to Hood River with my family I had a new appreciation for the beauty that is here. Reading RaeLynn Ricarte’s recent article “Developers, city officials study housing options” it became apparent that my family and I might not be able to afford the cost of living here. “Thirty-point-three percent of renters pay more than they can afford for housing in Hood River County (www.aocdo.com).”

This is a very disappointing statistic because the people who cannot afford their housing are the working middle class as described in Ricarte’s article. These middle-class working people are the foundation of what makes this community great. Teachers, police officers and social workers are necessities to this community and it should be made more of a priority to build housing that these people can afford.

I hope that city officials and county government can work to change building laws, so contractors can build more affordable housing in Hood River County.

Rosanna Schneider
Hood River

Potentially tragic

I live on the Heights and often drive the 12th and 13th one-way streets. Today I witnessed another almost-tragedy. I say another, as I have seen the same situation happen numerous times. There was a young boy on a bike heading west waiting to cross on the Belmont Street-12th Street crosswalk.

A car in the right lane of 12th had stopped and was waiting for him to cross. The boy started and got about one-third of the way across the street when a car in the left lane passed the stopped car and shot through the crosswalk at about 30 mph.

Had the boy been a few feet further along, he probably would have been killed. I am writing this letter to ask, or should I say plead, that drivers be aware of pedestrians on this busy and historically deadly stretch of city streets.

Don’t assume that a stopped car in the other lane is simply waiting to turn. Slow and stop to be sure they are not waiting for a pedestrian.

And to pedestrians, although Hood River is known as a town where drivers will generally stop for you to cross a street, please make sure that both lanes are either stopped or clear before you proceed.

Brian Robb
Hood River

Reform too late

The article “Cancer battle brings big bills” in your April 28 edition, should convince even the most skeptical holdouts that are against health care reform (that includes you, Greg Walden) of the immediate need for reform.

Why in the world should a person be canceled because he moved 13 miles outside the insurance company’s coverage area? What difference does it make where a customer lives as long as they are willing to travel to a doctor or hospital that is in their company‘s coverage area?

And why should anybody be denied coverage because they had a heart attack? What good is insurance if it isn’t available once you are sick? To those of you who currently have coverage and don’t think we need reform I ask, do you think this could not happen to you?

How much would your life change if you were suddenly burdened with a $500,000 debt for cancer treatment? Thank God we have some politicians who had the courage to risk their political future to do what had to be done. The health care reform bill did not go far enough but at least it is a start; but unfortunately for Ralph McKee it comes too late.

Darrell Roberts
Mosier

Library ‘Porkulus’

Remember that progressives insist on never missing the opportunity of exploiting a good crisis. It’s the mantra of their Whitehouse thug, Rahm Emmanuel. Take a look at the panic projects of Y2K, Global Cooling/Warming, Stimulus and bank Porkulus.

The library is being used in this way to grow the government. Crisis/overreaction.

The economy will rebound in due time — it’s a fact — with or without stimulus. Creative people on the sidelines will see opportunities to create goods and services that people want, need and desire and things will slowly improve.

But thanks to well-organized and galvanized progressives the aftermath is a wake of progressive taxes and new programs that drag us deeper during the next inevitable slow-down.

Passing this overpriced library tax at these ridiculous real estate values is insane. Longtime retired locals simply can’t afford it. And young families who bought at the peak of the real-estate bubble really can’t afford it.

Even Ben Franklin would laugh at this scenario and balk at the price tag (Um, he invented libraries). There is information everywhere and it’s available to everyone at numerous locations very cheaply. It wasn’t that way when he started the first library. Run the library on weekends for a year or two.

Be sensible, people. Do not grow the government. Grow businesses. When the economy is on fire again and things are ramping up and tax revenues are rolling in, are they going to take the windfall and build another annex on the building? Probably, then guess what happens? Anybody?

Joe Ropczycki
Hood River

Stauffer is dedicated

My wife and I would like to share our reasons for voting for Janet Stauffer for judge. We have known Janet since our sons, now both 16, started pre-kindergarten together at St. Mary’s here in The Dalles.

Over the past 12 years, we have served together at countless school, church and community functions and I have always known Janet to be a strong and active citizen. She is continually willing to help, no matter how small or large the task, from offering to babysit our kids to chairing the school board.

Janet has a special affection for children in need and has served the children of our community by providing foster care and volunteering her time as a CASA.

I have also known Janet to offer legal help to people who do not have the means to afford it. She is an open and approachable woman and a natural leader, who does not back down from difficult work.

In addition, Janet has the ability to look at problems from many different points of view. I am thankful to have such a wonderful candidate as Janet Stauffer to fill this important role in our community.

Ronnie Ontiveros
The Dalles

Peachey is model

I have lived in The Dalles for 25 years and the second family I met in 1985 was the Peacheys. Tom became my attorney and I became his dentist. Our boys grew up together.

I am fully aware of Tom’s experiences in his legal career and his many services to our community and counties. These are clearly summarized on the website, peacheyforjudge.com.

While all of this more than qualifies Tom to be a judge, it is Tom’s character that earns my trust and respect for him and my vote for judge. Tom’s personal integrity coupled with his heart for the people in our district assure me that he will model fairness and justice. 

I encourage you to vote for Tom Peachey for Circuit Court Judge of the 7th Judicial District.

Dr. Michael C. Murat
The Dalles

Permanent = forever

A PERMANENT property tax increase dedicated to the formation of a public library district is being requested in the Primary Election.

A county-wide vote on May 18 will decide whether an increase of taxes at the rate of $0.70 per $1,000 of property assessed value will become a permanent increase to property owners beginning 2010-11.

Funds for the library have been eliminated from the county’s general fund, leaving the only option to vote yes or it is said the library will close.

Forcing a public library district with a permanent tax assessment on already financially strapped property tax payers should not be an only option.

The current financial crisis has caused the need to re-evaluate expenditures, both private and public. It is a time to be innovative and resourceful — not to pass the buck forever.

Public officials need to fund all county obligations equally and fairly. But they chose not to fund the public library.

Instead, property tax payers are being asked to bail them out by paying a permanent additional tax for the formation of a library district.

Betty Foxley
Hood River

Poll lifts Stauffer

Over the 36-plus years that I have practiced in the Seventh Judicial District, I have observed the importance of mutual respect between judges and lawyers and their clients. My colleagues and I have been fortunate in having judges here who have been respectful of us and our clients. Given the importance of a good working relationship between judges and lawyers, the Oregon State Bar polls lawyers regarding the lawyers’ preference in contested judge races.

Recently, the Oregon State Bar published the results of the poll concerning Janet Stauffer and Tom Peachey. A majority of the lawyers voting in this preference poll cast their ballots in favor of Janet Stauffer.

I would ask all voters to keep the Seventh Judicial District lawyers’ preference for Janet Stauffer in mind when they mark their ballots for the May 18 election.

James M. Habberstad
The Dalles

Yes to library district

Property owners know we pay a lot for services in Hood River. Services like fire, waste, water, and energy sit along a spectrum of need. If my house is on fire I have a direct need for fire services. I may not benefit directly from the fire station delivering a talk on fire safety to a kindergarten class but I do benefit — as do we all —-indirectly, as a community. A benefit for the common good.

Another benefit for the common good is a place of knowledge. Recently, this service has been eliminated from the 2010 County budget because of expense. I say we cannot afford to abandon this common good. Visitors to Hood River, Parkdale and Cascade Locks may learn how lucky we are to live in this beautiful place as well as how to avert fire damage along hiking trails. I benefit directly from these services in other towns when I travel, and it seems reasonable that others may benefit from me.

Libraries offer knowledge. Residents may save money and resources by borrowing books, indirectly providing local jobs to maintain that system. Current periodicals, newspapers and wireless keep news available to all and draw us together in knowledge. These services make us a knowledgeable community. Many have claimed that this expense for knowledge is too high. We know if the library closes, the direct and indirect expenses of starting again would be much higher.

I believe we must pay for knowledge and consider it a service that benefits our community. Can we say for certain we don’t value a knowledgeable community? Please vote YES on May 18 for the Library District.

Jules Burton
Hood River

Violated

To the Library supporter who vandalized the “Library TAX — No!” sign on Highway 35 by spray painting “Dumb Hillbilly” across the sign, thanks for violating my right to Free Speech.

I am removing the sign at the request of the property owners because they fear additional vandalism, not because of your message. I would rather be a “hillbilly” than a “vandal and a criminal” — which you are!

Still voting NO on the library tax.

Dan Miller
Mt. Hood

Choose Peachey

It is seldom that voters are given two qualified candidates to choose from. Such is the case with the Circuit Judge position. But Tom Peachey is our choice.

We know him to be honest and hardworking. He is generous with his time and talents in serving not only his clients, but the community in many ways. He has many years in the legal field. He is knowledgeable and experienced in all areas of the law.

He has served as a volunteer on Hospice of the Gorge, scholarship foundations, and cultural boards. He has the education, the experience and, most of all, the common sense we need in a judge.

Please join us in voting for Tom Peachey.

Sherry and Bob Briggs
The Dalles

Penny foolish

Pennywise, parking-meter foolish.

If Pulitzer gave a Most-Parking-Meter-Letters-to-the-Editor award I think Hood River News would win hands-down.

Either they don’t work, or just the plain fact parking meters even exist in our humble little town. The issue must be on the current Limbaugh/Beck list of “grade-schoolish ways to harass your local government.”

To the folks complaining about broken meters: You probably read this paper, and should know that city revenues are WAY down; they’re furloughing and laying off workers; so where is the city going to get money to repair meters? I read one where the author was complaining about broken meters in front of the library. Hello! There’s free parking just a few feet west, right there on State Street.

To the “tourists” that were offended by the mere presence of parking meters — is this the first time you’ve ever traveled outside Albany? Tens of thousands of municipalities around the world use parking meters. Ever pay for parking at Disneyworld, in Miami, Paris, Tokyo or even Seattle? Some areas of Seattle, especially the TOURIST-heavy ones, charge more for a half-hour than Hood River charges for a whole day- and the places are usually packed with visitors.

So instead of paying $3 for parking in Hood River, you drove an extra 50 miles to The Dalles for shopping. I don’t know what you drive, but assuming 20 mpg (higher than the national average) at $3 per gallon, you paid $7.50 going to The Dalles to save $3 in parking in Hood River. Factor in wear, tear, and depreciation and you wasted about five times what you “saved.”

No wonder this great country has fallen so far since the “triumph” of Republicanism in 2000.

Jeff Zipfel
Hood River

A judge for Peachey

I am writing to support Tom Peachey for the position of Circuit Court Judge in Judicial District No. 7. I know a great deal about Tom Peachey, and something about the qualities required to be a Circuit Court Judge. 

Between 1977 and 1994, I was the district attorney in Wheeler County (two years), Gilliam County (14 years). I also had a private law practice. In those capacities, I had frequent contact with Tom Peachy both in court and otherwise. He was uniformly well-versed in the law, and well-prepared. He was polite and cordial; but also a zealous advocate for his client.

I moved to Grants Pass in 1994 and was appointed and then elected as a Circuit Court Judge for Josephine County in 2006.  Looking back, I can tell you that a wide range of experience in court, with all types of legal issues; and with all types of people is invaluable to be an effective circuit court judge. Also helpful is a sense of humility about yourself and the job the people have given you.

Tom Peachey has all of these qualities in abundance. If I were a voter in District No. 7, I would certainly vote for him.

Pat Wolke
Josephine County Circuit Court Judge
Grants Pass

Board should approve charter

Last Monday, April 26, the Hood River County School Board met in Cascade Locks to once again hear the people of Cascade Locks explain what the loss of our high school has meant to us and to ask the board to approve a community charter school in Cascade Locks. They sat quietly through nearly two hours of testimony but it was easy to tell they may have heard the words but they had shut their minds to the message.

I suppose that in the beginning, when the proposal was made, they disliked closing the school but felt they had no alternative. The truth is that there was an alternative. They could have bused students from the west Hood River district to Cascade Locks to bring up the student numbers here and alleviate overcrowding in Hood River Valley High School. Of course, all hell would have broken loose in Hood River so we are who had to suck it up.

A charter school committee was formed over a year ago and since then they have put in untold hours to do the paperwork, explain to the townsfolk and move the project forward. We have had the help of the charter school in Corbett where 25 of our students attend. We see no reason our school should not be as successful as Corbett’s.

We need help! We need the approval of the school board to form the school and we need to be allowed to rent the school building. Our taxes helped pay for the building and fund the school program. Why in the world would they not want our school to be as successful as it could be?

If we are not allowed to rent the building you might remind the board that next time there is a bond issue that there is a building in Cascade Locks that is half empty.

We need the support of the Hood River County School Board and the people of Hood River to keep our high school here just as Cascade Locks supported the effort to bring Cardinal Glass to Hood River by expanding OUR Enterprise Zone to the valley. It’s the right thing to do!

Jean McLean
Cascade Locks

Support Foster

I am writing in support of Brent Foster. As the full details of his resignation from the attorney general’s office are not yet public many people are already rushing to judgment.

Brent’s enemies are hopeful that “killing the messenger” will also kill the message, but they are wrong. Brent’s visions of cleaner rivers, wildlife habitat protection and climate change mitigation are totally supported by many of us.

I want to thank him for the tremendous positive efforts he has made on our behalf. He has always been there to plant a tree, sample the river on a frozen winter day and fight difficult cases in court. Welcome back to the Gorge, Brent. Oregon’s loss is our local community’s gain.

David Berger
Lyle, Wash.

Helpful article

I want to thank Hunter Peterson (Young Voices, May 1) for her informative and accurate article on people who are deaf.

Both my parents, whom have since passed away, were deaf. My dad especially was always highly insulted that anyone would think he was handicapped and to be called “deaf and dumb” was not only untrue, it was very hurtful.

My parents were two of the smartest, hardest-working people I have ever known. My mom, whom I thought spoke well, was very shy about using her voice because of the looks she would get. Her voice was a little different but if given a chance you would understand her rather quickly.

Hopefully Hunter’s article will help others to see deaf people as they really are and to never use the term “deaf and dumb.”

Judy Phemister
Underwood, Wash.

Let’s keep library

“The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” (Author unknown.)

In other words, our true worth is determined by the values we preserve when times are hard. In these hard times that we face today I believe the people of Hood River County will vote yes to preserve our library. If we should vote no because money is scarce we will only impoverish ourselves further.

We stand to lose or to preserve the valuable contents of our library, its beautiful, historic building, and the lovely Georgiana Smith Park that surrounds it. Even more important than these physical treasures, at stake are all the public services available through the library.

Quoting from the library’s mission statement, “The three branches of the Hood River County Library support learning, personal development, enrichment, recreation, and an overall informed citizenry ...”

The library also provides a venue for the community to gather for meetings, entertainment, and cultural programs.” Last year alone the library offered 272 programs to adults and children. In order to keep their libraries open, many other communities throughout Oregon and the rest of the country are creating library districts. They provide independent and sustainable funding with an elected board that is directly responsible to local residents.

On our east side, Wasco County formed a library district in 2006. On our western border, Clackamas County formed its district in 2008. Today Oregon has 24 library districts. Now is our opportunity.

Libraries are unique as public facilities that are open for free to all comers at regular hours without appointment or membership. Let’s make sure we keep it that way.

Please join me in voting yes for the Hood River County Library District.

Paul Woolery
Hood River

Soul Café’s end

On Sunday evening 75 people helped celebrate what Soul Cafe has meant to them over the past seven years. I would like to thank the Hood River community for its support — for the hundreds of dinners prepared, for the countless organizations who provided support and partnered to care for people of all ages through gifts of time, money and equipment.

Thanks to the staff of the Hood River News for its excellent coverage of our activities and events. Thanks to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for its financial and spiritual support for the past seven years. Thanks to all the volunteers who have prepared and served thanksgiving meals and to the entire Youth Advisory Board and the Leos Club for their energy, spirit and support.

Special thanks to the volunteers who were there keeping the doors open — to Doug Busby, Dee Perez, Linda Rouches, Roger Schock, Don and Ruth Gibbs, Don and Bonnie Benton, Gary and Gean Rains, Daren and Adrianna Starwing, Gwen Richards, Judy Poage, Judy Nelson, Larry Visser, Sandra Ferrick, Dory and Tim Norgren, Gary Young and the entire Cole family.

Soul Cafe has been blessed to have Perry Cole as our manager and volunteer coordinator. He is not just well-organized and resourceful but he has given his whole heart and soul to the mission and people of Soul Cafe.

Soul Cafe may have had to close its doors but I challenge the Hood River community to find new ways to feed and care for our youth and people on the margins.

Debby Chenoweth
Hood River

Foster ‘tireless’

Recent articles about Brent Foster compel us to share our experience with Brent. Brent has been a tireless defender of our community and all the communities of the Gorge. He may not have made a lot of friends with industry but he has earned our thanks for trying to protect the water quality of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

We have known Brent for over a decade and during that time he has inspired us. One thing we are confident of is that Brent did nothing which would have enriched himself, at the public’s expense. He gives generously to a broad selection of causes throughout the Gorge both in time and money. It would be a travesty not to recognize his contribution to our communities!

While it is unfortunate that Brent will no longer be part of the attorney general’s office we are excited that he will now be back in the Gorge full-time.

Brent, continue your life’s effort protecting the environment. Those of us who have had the experience of working with you admire you and thank you for your many years of service.

Ron and Brenda Carroll
Mosier

ANOTHER VOICE

Vote, and if you don’t vote, don’t complain

By PAT MCALLISTER

As you read or listen to the news these days everyone is having concerns over the economy, government spending, business taxation, “am I going to keep my job or find a job,” etc.

Listening to everyone constantly complaining is getting very divisive, and a lot of the problems are not getting solved to anyone’s liking.

We live in the best country in the world. We have the best type of government in the form of a democracy, where all sides are allowed to be heard; whether we agree or not this is afforded to us under our first amendment rights. 

The problem is that neither side is willing to listen to the other side. I feel we can always learn something from each other, or maybe find a common area to agree upon even if it is to agree to disagree. Then as Americans we have the greatest right afforded to us as citizens, and that is the right to vote our beliefs at the ballot box.

The continuing decline in voter turnout, whether it is a local, state, or national elections, has been a concern of mine for numerous years. This is the one true place where we can make a difference.

I’m tired of hearing people say “My vote really doesn’t count.” Well, you’re wrong! An issue I have been closely connected to is the Hood River city gas tax, which passed by just three votes last September. Since its passage I have had literally dozens of city residents tell me they were against the tax and they didn’t think it was going to pass so they didn’t take the time to vote.

The election had approximately a 48 percent voter turnout. That means that 24 percent of the registered voters passed a tax on the remaining 76 percent of the register voters. If you really want to get depressed, that represents only 12 percent of the city population.

In recent elections, when reviewing the numbers, the vocal minority are carrying some of elections and the silent majority are standing by and letting it happen.

I’m a firm believer that if you do not vote you shouldn’t have the right to publish a letter to the editor or voice your concerns at city or county public meetings. I know this goes against our first amendment rights, but if you don’t vote then don’t complain! It’s time for the silent majority to do their part and vote!

Your vote does matter. All registered voters should be receiving their ballot for the upcoming primary election shortly, if not already. The State of Oregon has made the voting process very easy by allowing us to vote by mail; all you have to do is fill it out and mail it back. The State of Oregon should never have a voter turnout of less than 85 percent for any election.

We have an important local issue concerning the creation of a library tax district on the upcoming primary ballot. I do not care which side of the issue you are supporting, all I’m concerned with is that all citizens are heard and that can only be done if you vote.

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Pat McAllister lives in Hood River. This is his first letter to the editor.