Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 2015)
FRIDAY EXCHANGE 5A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 Toxic project hat a shock it is to learn that there is someone in Warrenton still singing the siren’s song of jobs and dollars that liquefied natu- ral gas (LNG) purportedly would bring in exchange for building a toxic industrial plant that would obliterate one of our few remaining estuarine wetlands, dredging away millions of cubic yards of salmon habitat, and rais- ing water temperatures ever closer to lethality (“LNG a good thing,” The Daily Asto- rian, Dec. 18). I need not summarize the many past articulate letters, apparently missed by the writer, that have aired a lita- ny of negative effects to the environment, and our local economy, that the proposed Oregon LNG project would cause. Gross errors contained in the letter (“minus 2,500 de- grees) and the lack of under- standing of the basic physics of heat exchange do little to build confidence in the validity of other arguments made. The question of LNG ex- plosivity was raised — call it what you will, but most would call a rapidly expand- ing fire ball that can rip steel apart an explosion. An ex- plosion in an LNG facility near Plymouth, Washington, in 2014 injured workers, required a 2-mile radius evacuation zone and sent 250-pound chunks of shrap- nel flying 300 yards. One chunk ripped through the double walls of a 134-foot LNG tank. Do you really want this in Warrenton? Can one be so blinded by dollar signs as to ignore or trivialize the inevitability of a large earthquake and resulting tsunami that will destroy the proposed facility, potential- ly releasing vast quantities of flammable gas and toxic substances that will further challenge post-disaster re- covery? The wetlands and salm- on habitat that would be destroyed, the public open- space lost, the river vistas forever gone that charac- terize our region: These are our assets. Why would one choose to replace this splen- did beauty for the 24-hour noise, traffic, bright security lights, alarms, and air pollu- tion — all of which would degrade neighborhoods and property values, increase costs for emergency ser- vices, drive away tourists and their dollars, and pro- vide little benefit to local residents. The Warrenton LNG project is toxic whether by chemical definition or so- cio-economic outcome, with explosive consequences for our region’s future that would be disastrous to Clat- sop County’s economy and character. The views, fish, wildlife, clean air, clean wa- ter will all be gone. Where will the money go? Warren- ton or Asia? CHRISTOPHER FAR- RAR Astoria W Numbers talk he city of Astoria now has some eye-opening numbers for developing the old Safeway block (“Sticker shock, second thoughts on library and housing project” The Daily Astorian, Dec. 8). It’s a good time to make a pragmatic decision, take down the money pit of an eyesore Waldorf Hotel, then make a functional, maintain- able library. If there are points of in- terest in the old Waldorf (I’m sure there’s at least one), document it for poster- ity then, please, bring in the wrecking ball. BILL HARPER Astoria T Support public land ounded in Oregon, and now with membership in all 50 states and Canada, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) applauds the Congressional three-year ex- tension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) ZLWK ¿UVW \HDU IXQGLQJ DW D higher level than in past years. We applaud Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley for F Oregon Motor Voter Law is coming Jan. 1 O regon Motor Voter, the state’s new voter registration law, takes effect Jan. 1. This law was created by House Bill 2177, passed by the Oregon Leg- islature in the 2015 session and signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown last spring. As your county clerk and secre- tary of state, we want to make sure you know how this program will work for Oregonians. Oregon Motor Voter will modernize voter registration in Oregon and provide a secure, simple, and convenient way for more Oregonians to become regis- tered voters. This innovative program LVWKHPRVWVLJQL¿FDQWFKDQJHLQYRWLQJ since statewide vote-by-mail was imple- mented in 2000. We are already seeing other states follow our lead on this pio- neering program. Here’s how it will work: Starting Jan. 1, automatic voter reg- istration is available if you are eligible to register to vote and you apply for your original, renewal, or replacement their efforts to make this fund permanent. Over the 50-year history of this tax-free fund, over $300 million LWCF dol- lars has helped ensure access to our public lands in Ore- gon. It also helps fuel a robust $10 billion outdoor economy that employs approximately 100,000 people, according to Travel Oregon estimates. The LWCF is especially important to rural areas where the economy lags. Headwa- ters Economics studies show the closer a rural community is to public lands, the better the economy. While the re- cent extension included in the year-end Omnibus bill is en- couraging, BHA will continue to support full and permanent funding of this law which has overwhelming bi-partisan support. Full and permanent fund- ing was held up primarily be- FDXVH RI RQH HOHFWHG RI¿FLDO — Congressman Bob Bishop of Utah, who wants to restruc- ture and redirect LWCF funds. LWCF expired in September because of Bishop. Had it not been for the insistence of Senators Wyden and Merkley and others, this three-year ex- tension would not have hap- pened. It’s time for all those who love and support public lands tell Congressman Bishop WR WDNH D KLNH +H PD\ ¿QG something worthy of support if he takes that hike in public lands. BRIAN JENNINGS Bend Help her visiblity was saddened when reading about the elderly lady who was hit while riding in her electric wheelchair in a cross- walk. I was then sickened to read about all the other times she had been injured while riding in her chair (“At an Up- pertown adult foster home, a crash course in responsibili- ty,” The Daily Astorian, Dec. 14). I can only imagine how liberating her chair feels to her and applaud her for get- ting out and about. How my mother-in-law would have loved being able to explore the neighborhood around her assisted-living home instead of having to stay within the walls all day. Without knowing all the details about this woman’s situation, I have to wonder whether there is anything like D ÀDJ RU ÀDVKHU RU OLJKW RQ her chair. A young man in my neighborhood can be seen in his electric chair riding up and down the street because of the pole with brightly colored ÀDJV DWWDFKHG &DUV FDQ VHH him from a few blocks away and get into another lane, or lightly beep their horn at him so he can move. I am sure someone in the community can do something to help this poor woman to continue her treks safely. SUE POSO Alta Loma, California I Congratulations! pen letter to Catherine Sautner (“Job Corps stu- dent tackles the U.S. Senate,” The Daily Astorian, Dec. 21): Congratulations on your in- ternship with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. I am a great supporter of Job Corps. Job Corps vol- unteerism is a great asset to O driver’s license, permit, or ID card at the Oregon Department of Motor Vehi- cles (DMV). To be eligible to register to vote in Oregon you must be an Oregon resident, a U.S. citizen, and at least 17 years old. Once you have engaged the Oregon Motor Voter process by visiting the DMV, you will receive a card and a pre- paid postage return envelope from the 2UHJRQ6WDWH(OHFWLRQV2I¿FH With this card, you have three op- tions: Do nothing. You will be registered to YRWHDVDQRQDI¿OLDWHGYRWHUQRWDPHP ber of a political party). Choose a political party by returning the card. Joining a political party will al- low you to vote in its primary elections. Use the card to opt-out and decline to register to vote. Once registered, you will receive a ballot and voting instructions in the mail about two weeks prior to Election Day. When you vote, your ballot is secret and your choices cannot be matched up with your name. Oregon has a proud tradition of trail- blazing. It’s in our state’s DNA. In addi- tion to the simple registration methods already available to Oregonians — like online voter registration — Oregon Motor Voter will help expand access to voting and help us put a ballot in the hand of nearly every eligible voter in the state. As we work toward making voter registration more secure and accessible, we are setting an example for civic en- gagement that can become the model for the nation. For more information contact us at WKH &ODWVRS &RXQW\ &OHUN¶V RI¿FH DW 503-325-8511 or visit www.oregonmo- torvoter.gov VALERIE CRAFARD Clatsop County clerk Astoria JEANNE P. ATKINS Oregon secretary of state Salem Jesus returning, just like he said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which he held in his hand, was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as he searched for my name, when he said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love, he gathered to take to his fa- ther above. With those who were ready he rose without a sound, while all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late, I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight, oh if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear, the coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life and when comes the last call, we’ll find that the Bible is true after all. ROBERT REGISTER Seaside Police should help hy would a law en- forcement dispatch- er fail to send help to two women stranded in a pool of water on the roadway, especially after being told that a 71-year-old woman, with a knee injury, was in the vehicle and needed assis- tance getting out of the car (“Women stranded in high water,” The Daily Astorian, Dec. 11)? The person at the dis- patch center was also told that the vehicle had stalled, and that water was coming into the passenger compart- ment. At this point it appears the dispatcher, with great calm, told the caller to call a tow truck, which the lady did, but apparently none re- sponded. Finally after some time a police officer did stop and the Oregon Cultural Trust and praying, not one in the house. offer them a ride. He took the Oregon Community Foun- Their Bibles were lain them to the Safeway park- dation support arts and culture on the shelf without care, in ing lot in Seaside, told them in Clatsop County, and that hopes that Jesus would not that he had other things to ZH KDYH VR PDQ\ QRQSUR¿W come there. do, dropped them off cold, groups in the area worthy of The children were dress- wet, and alone, to take care their funding and support. ing to crawl into bed, not of themselves from there on. JANET BOWLER once ever kneeling or bow- I’m dumbfounded by this. CHARLENE LARSEN ing a head. I thought the number one job Co-chairwomen, Clatsop And mom in her rocker for law enforcement was to County Cultural Coalition with baby on her lap, was protect life and property. If watching the Late Show this is so, how could a peace officer, on a rainy cold De- I took a nap. Fire¿ ghters still here while When out of the east there cember night, take an injured n response to “Recall need- arose such a clatter, I spring elderly woman to a Safeway ed” (The Daily Astorian, to my feet to see what was parking lot and drop her and 'HFUHJDUGLQJ¿UHSURWHF the matter. the lady who was driving the tion: To the communities of Away to the window I few car and tell them to call a Falcon Cove, Arch Cape, and OLNH D ÀDVK WRUH RSHQ WKH cab. I’m stunned. It appears to me the ap- Cannon Beach — your pro- shutter and threw up the sash. tection has not been jeopar- When what to my won- propriate thing to have done dized. The dedicated group of dering eyes should appear, on a rainy and cold night ZHOOWUDLQHG RI¿FHUV DQG YRO but angels proclaiming that would have been to take them to the Seaside Police XQWHHU ¿UH¿JKWHUV KDYH \RX Jesus was here. covered. With a light like the sun Station, and let them make BOB CERELLI sending forth a bright ray, a phone call to a friend for Cannon Beach Fire I knew in a moment — this help. Shouldn’t this be part of an officers training? District Board Member must be the day. SAMUEL PATRICK Arch Cape The light of his face made Astoria me cover my head, it was W our community and, of course, creates a promising future for young career seekers. Your remark, “I discovered that everyone in Washington, D.C., makes people in Ore- gon look like hippies” could only come from a 25-year-old starting to experience the real world. You have differentiat- ed why people love Oregon and hate Washington, D.C. You go, girl. Put on your tasteful, professional attire, kick some D.C. butt, and when you come home, I’ll bet you’re going to be a wiser and better citizen. LARRY ALLEN Astoria Smiling at lights lot of things make me smile. But today I went around the block and got to smile twice, because Danish Maid Bakery had its Christ- mas display in the window. Thank you. BETTY HOGAN Astoria A Fortunate hanks to Steve Forrester and The Daily Astorian for publicizing the details of the Clatsop County Cultural Coalition/Oregon Cultural Trust grants awarded Dec. 10 at the Liberty Theater, and printing an editorial support- ing donations to the Oregon Cultural Trust (“We exem- plify the goals of the Oregon Cultural Trust,” Dec. 14). While it is correct that the local coalition made awards totaling almost $11,000, not all funds came from the Or- egon Cultural Trust; $2,000 came from a Small Arts and Culture Grant from the Ore- gon Community Foundation. The Oregon Community Foundation is another part- ner making cultural enhance- ments to the North Coast area. In addition to their grant to the Cultural Coalition, we are also aware of grants to the North Coast Symphonic Band, Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association, and the Friday Musical Club scholar- ship fund (through the Patri- cia Friedland Fund of the Ore- gon Community Foundation). We are fortunate that both T I Get ready n inspirational thought: ’Twas the night be- fore Jesus came, all through the house, not a creature was A Visit us online at DailyAstorian.com What are your New Years Resolutions for 2016? Tell us in 30 words or less what your resolutions are and have them printed in The Daily Astorian on December 31st! Call or e-mail Jamie by 5pm on Monday, December 28th at (503) 325-3211 ext. 231 or classifieds@dailyastorian.com!
