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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (July 31, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 FRIDAY EXCHANGE Thanks to police I t seems not a week goes by these days without reading a disturbing head- line about an incident of police violence and the re- sulting disconnect between police and the community they ostensibly serve. Against this national scene of mistrust, it’s heart- ening to see our very own Astoria Police Department open their doors and their arms to us, the citizens in the community they serve. For the past several weeks, every Wednesday night, I, along with several other community members, at- tended the Citizens Police Academy, an opportunity to learn about life on the “thin blue line.” The Academy included presentations, open forum discussions and hands-on training (including an eye opening “use of force” sim- ulation). At all times, our questions were welcomed and answered candidly — a model of community in- volvement and transparency that other government agen- cies can learn from. If you have an inter- est (or healthy skepticism) about how police operate, and why they do what they do, I encourage you to par- ticipate in the next Citizens Police Academy. You’ll learn a ton, have a sur- prising amount of fun, and leave realizing that our po- lice officers aren’t a “blue line” at all, rather they’re our friends and neighbors who share our same passion for making our community a better place. I want to recognize and thank Chief Brad Johnston and the entire Astoria police force — from patrol and dispatch, to investigations and records — for walking the talk and practicing real community policing right here in Astoria. MICHAEL ANGILETTA Astoria Sen. Johnson cares O pen letter to state Sen. Betsy Johnson: Thank you, Betsy Johnson, for your responsiveness and 5A Spirit and soul of AMF O n my third reading of the arti- cle regarding the mass resigna- tion of the Astoria Music Festival’s board of directors, I finally realized with relief that both Artistic Direc- tor Keith Clark and the Astoria Mu- sic Festival are viable; the board of directors have abdicated over “unresolved differences” between them and Clark. It is sad that such differences have led to such drastic actions (“Music Festival directors resign in dispute,” The Daily Asto- rian, Ju ly 21). There is irony in this scenario. Linda Magee, who had been brought aboard as a consultant, had been try- skill in personally respond- ing to me when I contacted your office with a sensitive professional question for a client. I only expected a response from an assistant. Instead, you researched re- sources and contacted me three times with essential information I was able to pass on. Clearly, you care about the people you serve. DANA DEDOLPH Astoria Forgive director K eith Clark puts on a great music festival. Of course he doesn’t do it alone, but he is the foun- tain from which it flows. Classical music lovers are in heaven for the last half of June. Creativity, excite- ment, surprises, and truly great performers are just a few of the things he brings to the event. He has explained that what makes this possible is the ability to be “light on our feet” to take advantage of last minute opportunities, an ability that depends on community support and the relatively small scale of the festival. But in my opinion, it also depends on his ge- nius. In the process of being light on his feet, Clark is notorious for stepping on toes. Victims often feel it could have been avoided. But remember, there is no ing to “professionalize” the festival and to make it more like other per- forming nonprofit organizations; to alter the structure and leadership, and to smooth out the differences between our local organization and that of others. Excuse me, but to put out a public press release that causes harm to the festival, and chagrin to its Artistic Director Keith Clark, is at the height of unprofessional. Such tactics smack of small mindedness, duplici- ty, and unconscionable behavior. Keith Clark has given 13 years to the Astoria Music Festival, has brought audiences and musicians and one busier than he is. If he delegated more, we would not get that special brand of excitement. Forgive, and then go enjoy the con- certs. If your toe gets stepped on, it is usually recommend- ed that you not shoot your- self in the foot. STEWART BELL Astoria Rethink the ferry W ith regard to the fer- ry “available” to add color to Astoria’s wa- terfront, a few thoughts: I owned and operated six old wooden boats for over 30 years, and from 27 to 72 feet in length, most of them built in the 1920s (one new- er, 1939). That being said, I feel qualified in my follow- ing statements. If some citizens want to take this on, more power to them, and I hope they have funding with deep pockets. If, on the other hand, this is noise to get all of us in- volved (public monies), it is a very, very bad idea. Old wooden boats require constant maintenance; the larger the boat, the larger the expense, and a ferry is a very large wooden boat. Then there is the pollu- tion potential, with inad- vertent oil/fuel spills, which in these modern times of regulations can be very expensive, and a wooden celebrities and international stars to our town, has generated a volunteer program that has engaged dozens and dozens of our citizens, has been a catalyst for our music education, and has given us years and years of spectacular music. We are indebted to him and his view of the future for the festival. May he find board members that he can work with in harmony. I am counting the weeks... 43 ... until the opening of the 14th Sea- son of the Astoria Music Festival in June. CELIA TIPPIT Astoria boat complicates containing those spills. Lastly, speaking of fuel, those interested in this dream need to understand how much cost per operat- ing hour is involved, and once again: Larger boat, larger expense. I saw a brand new Tesla sports car the other day I would love to have, but alas ... you get my point? SAM DEVEREAUX Astoria River vistas I n regard to the Bridge Vista Plan letter, “Silent majority?” (The Daily As- torian, July 3), I support Mayor Arline LaMear, and council members Zetty Nemlowill and Russ Warr. In my informal survey, I found many people are sat- isfied with the vote. I do find it disturbing that many alders and various shrubs along the Riverwalk, across from the Mill Pond town homes, have been cut on the river side to enhance the view. Everything that’s left over on the bank will end up in the river. Whoever cuts them needs to pick it up and haul it off. Yet I can’t enhance my own river view. I can’t cut the scrub trees, blackberries and huge high laurel — that have not been maintained for several years now — growing across the street from me on a property that is on a very long short sale. DIANE FINUCANE Astoria Service dogs only R ecently, in Fred Meyer, a woman with a dog in each arm was in the produce section grocery shopping. Placing her hand under the dogs’ butts to support them, she then touched fruits and veggies. The dogs were not service animals. It isn’t the first time I’ve seen dogs in the food section, and previous com- plaints to management changed nothing. I’m not sure how many people want to buy produce after a wom- an has been holding her dogs under their butts, and then touches produce, but I sure don’t. A while back, while wait- ing at a glass repair shop in Warrenton, I went next door to the restaurant/espresso shop. A woman was sit- ting up at the food counter with her dog. After sitting a while visiting with the em- ployee, she told her dog, “stay,” and left the dog un- supervised while she went into the restroom. A woman came in with her 2-year-old daughter, and as soon as the little girl saw the dog, she headed right over to him and grabbed him, which could have been disastrous. Recently at Costco, a woman was grocery shop- ping, touching meats, fruits, etc. while holding a dog that was not a service animal. When I complained to the manager, he said they are not allowed to ask if it is a service animal or not. I have my food handler’s card and have for many years, and know that having animals in food establish- ments is a clear health code violation. When I called the Health Dept. to report Cost- co, they told me that every business is allowed to ask, “What service does that ani- mal perform?” In order to park in a handicap parking spot, ve- hicles must either have a handicap sign hanging on their mirror, or have a spe- cial license plate. Otherwise they are fined, and the ve- hicle can be towed. Service dogs (or working dogs) need to also display a sign saying “service dog” because that dog must be focused solely on the person they are look- ing after, and cannot be dis- tracted by people petting it, talking to it, etc. Not just any car can park in a handicap spot, and not just any dog is legally allowed into stores that have food. Many people are aller- gic to dogs. Many have been bitten by dogs and are afraid of them. Many don’t want to listen to them bark. There is a time and place for animals, and shopping is not one of them. Dogs shed, they have dander, and many have fleas. When businesses are more willing to cater to the one person who is pretend- ing their dog is a service dog, rather than following health code regulations that are there to protect every- one, it doesn’t speak well for that business. LAURA RAY Naselle, Wash. 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