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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 2020)
A4 The Dalles Chronicle Weekend of February 22-23, 2020 TheDallesChronicle.com OPINION YOUR VOICE Pass NORCOR bill To the editor, With the wide partisan division we see in the news every day at the state and federal government level, it is heartening that two Oregon state representatives in the Columbia Gorge—Representative Anna Williams, a Democrat, and Representative Daniel Bonham, a Republican—are sponsoring House Bill 4121 during the current Oregon legislative session. This bill pro- hibits Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility (NORCOR) from pursuing any new contracts with federal ICE officials to detain immigrants. It would also stabilize the operations and budget for NORCOR, which has been needed for a long time. Thank you to representatives Bonham and Williams for your bipartisan efforts on behalf of immigrants, and for your leadership in charting a course for a viable op- eration of our regional jail focusing on region’s needs, not on the needs of the federal government. Let’s get this HB4121 bill passed. Michael Stevens Mosier, Oregon transportation and raise the cost of everything Oregonians use. It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is especially discouraging that Oregonians are not being told about the huge costs associated with this tax bill which will cost them in every way and in reality will make a mi- nuscule difference, if any, regarding the environment. Larry & Susan Snyder Condon Clear cuts harm the Gorge To the editor, In preparation for Senator Ron Wyden’s 967th town hall which was held on Saturday February 15 in The Dalles, I wrote up the following question: “Senator, thank you for your support on past support protecting the Columbia Gorge. However, the National Scenic Act has a huge loophole that allows massive clear- cuts that are destroying the scenic beauty of the Gorge. For example, over 300 acres of forest have been destroyed over the past eight years just east of Hood River. People in my community of Hood River overwhelmingly oppose clearcuts in the Gorge. Logging should be treated like any other kind of development to avoid harm to the resources of the Gorge. Can To the editor, We’ve been bombarded by a con- you help us change the law to end industrial clearcuts in the Gorge stant litany about the corruption and support selective logging in in Ukraine by the Oligarcy. I was curious about the definition of this suitable locations?“ Senator Wyden agreed to give type of government. The dictionary this some thought and will get back shows this to be a form of govern- ment in which all power is vested in to me. It is time to end the destruc- a few persons or in a dominant class tive practice of clear cutting forest or clique; “government by the few.” lands in the National Scenic Area. A state or organizations so ruled. Peter Cornelison Words related to “oligarchy” Field Representative, Friends of include domination, monocracy, the Gorge high-handedness, unreasonable- Hood River ness, coercion, authoritarianism and imperiousness. We were dismayed by the tragic revelation that this describes To the editor, Oregon’s government ruled by Thank you editor for your well Governor Brown and her elitist written Opinion piece in the supporters. It is understandable Chronicle’s weekend edition of Feb. why Governor Brown’s adminis- 15-16, “Environmental regulations have their place.” In it you pointed tration has utter disregard for the concerns of the 31 counties that did out Superfund site cleanup around The Dalles and how Nixon signed not vote for her—It is obvious that Governor Brown’s supporters have the Environmental Protection total disdain for the Oregonians that Act into law. In addition, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean did not vote for her. Senator Ginny Burdick was asked Air Act, and the Clean Water Act were ALL products of Republican by a reporter why the emergency administrations. This was back clause was being placed on SB in the 70’s when there was strong 1530, which eliminates the oppor- environmental support from both tunity to send this proposal to the sides of the aisle. Oregon voters. She stated the bill My question is: what’s happened was “too complex” and would be hard to understand by the common to Republican leadership since voters, so the legislature must pass then? Citing burdensome regulations as it and eliminate any opportunity for the problem, the Trump adminis- Oregonians to have a voice in the matter. tration is doing it’s level best to gut SB 1530 is being promoted as the environmental protections of an environmental bill but it will all these acts. His real unstated goal devastate agriculture, timber, is simply more votes, as he has no commercial fishermen, miners and regard for protection of our public Government of the few Thank you, editor Chelsea Marr/Publisher • 541-296-2141 Ext. 119 cmarr@thedalleschronicle.com CeCe Fix/Business Manager • 541-296-2141 Ext. 110 cfix@thedalleschronicle.com Tanya Lindsey/Circulation Manager • 541-296-2141 Ext. 108 tlindsey@thedalleschronicle.com Mark Gibson/News Editor • 541-296-2141 Ext. 107 mgibson@thedalleschronicle.com • Established 1890 • Ray Rodriguez/Sports Editor • 541-296-2141 Ext. 105 541-296-2141 rrodriguez@thedalleschronicle.com 811 East Second, The Dalles, OR 97058 A member of Eagle Newspapers, Inc. Joe Petshow, President Neita Cecil/Reporter • 541-296-2141 Ext. 115 © 2018 The Dalles Chronicle All rights reserved ncecil@thedalleschronicle.com lands, or our air and water quali- ty—or science in general for that matter. Please Google: “Trump and environment” for an eyeful. Worse, with his bullying he’s dragging good Republican leadership into the gut- ter as well. For example, Rep. Greg Walden’s voting record score from the League of Conservation Voters in 2018 is 6 percent. Compare that with Democrats Wyden and Merkley’s record each at 100 percent. To the editor’s point about the Superfund cleanup in The Dalles, currently there are more unfunded sites listed for cleanup nationally than at any time in the last forty years—and Trump has requested a 30 percent reduction in the EPA’s budget. In order to counter the effects of global climate change we are going to need hard bipartisan work and shared goals. Continued political warfare is not the answer. We must demand conflict reso- lution from our elected representa- tives or replace them. Our environ- ment is sacred. Protect it. Bruce Schwartz The Dalles meaning of the plate is, “Jail Donald Trump.” It was cute, clever and witty and of course, typical American sarcasm and humor. Well some other Texan was of- fended by the plate and complained to the Texas department of licensing and the owner of the plate had to turn it in. Well I felt sorry for the Texan that had to give up his plate. I really liked the label! So I have come up with an idea on how to be supportive of that poor abused Texan. But I need your help. My request is this; borrow a Make America Great Again hat from one of your friends or family mem- bers. Then write on a piece of paper with a heavy sharpie, JAIL45. Then please set that piece of paper to the right of the hat and take a phone picture. It should read, “Make America Great Again JAIL45.” Then send the photo to family and friends in Texas, showing true Oregonian support for the poor Texan that lost his license plate. Thank you, Earl W. Burt The Dalles other special items from Oregon for my project, I would really appreci- ate it. I really appreciate your help in making my project the best! Leo c/o Mr. Flores Salia Elementary School 4519 Finney Rd. Salida, CA 95368 Support OR bills To the editor, With the Oregon Legislature in session it’s time to take action on three bills vital to all Oregonians and our collective future. The Opportunity Zone Bill (HB4010). This bill would discon- nect the Oregon tax code from Trump’s federal “Opportunity Zone” tax provisions that will otherwise give Oregon tax revenue to the very wealthy. This is not where I want my tax money to go! The one percent have more than enough. We need be savvy about how federal tax provisions can serve all Oregonians. The Gun Storage Bill (HB4005). The human heartbreak of children shooting children while “playing” EDITOR’S NOTE: We do not typically should never happen. Some form publish letters from outside the region, of gun control legislation is critical. but could not resist the following re- This action can protect our children quest, with its “please” and “thank you” and ourselves. It’s time to step up and detailed request all carefully printed and take a stand. To the editor, The Climate Bill (SB 1530A). This All of us have seen those person- out in pencil. bill helps build the green economy alized auto license plates. The ones in our state. Although “cap and I have seen are usually pretty witty trade” has been shown to work in and clever and sometimes I have other states to both ratchet down had to really decipher the intended meaning. One time I asked a driver Dear people of the great State of CO2 emissions and stimulate the economy, Republicans in our what his plate meant, and learned it Oregon, Oregon Senate are again threat- was his ham radio call sign. That is Greetings! My name is name is one I would never have figured out. Leo and I am a 5th grade student ening to walk out like they did I recently heard about a Texan in Salida, California. We live in the last session to prevent a quorum that had his personalized plate ap- central valley east of San Fancisco. for this bill. The Senators were This year we are to complete our elected and are paid to do their job. proved and then the state of Texas state project. I picked Oregon! I am Senators, show up, stay put, and do made him give it back. asking for any and all information your job. The plate read “JAIL45.” from and about your great State I urge Oregonians living in the When is saw the plate label I of Oregon to be sent to me. If you Columbia Gorge and our local legis- instantly knew what it meant. The 45 refers to the 45th president of the would please send my any post- lators to support these three bills. United States of America, and the Mimi Maduro cards, articles, maps, pictures, pins, word “JAIL” is jail. So the implied Mosier pencils, posters, pamphlets or an License freedom Oregon State project The Dalles Chronicle is published Wednesday and Satur- day except: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Entered as Periodicals postage paid at the Office of The Dalles, OR and additional mailing offices. EDITORIAL GUIDELINES The Dalles Chronicle welcomes letters. They must be accurate, free from personal attacks, and include the writer’s name and contact information for verification. Those without identification of the writer will not be pub- lished. Letters containing advertising will not be printed. Digital submis- sions are welcome and can be submitted online or emailed. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Dalles Chronicle, P.O. Box 1910, The Dalles, OR 97058. 400 WORDS MISSED DELIVERY: Please contact The Dalles Chron- icle Circulation Manager at 296-2141 Ext. 108. Writers are limited to one letter per month and 400 words per letter. 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