THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 FRIDAY EXCHANGE 5A Three rounds f Bryan Pease, the lawyer rep- resenting the “animal rights group” suing the U.S. Coast Guard (“Animal welfare group sues Coast Guard,” The Daily Astorian, May 3) would like to demonstrate the “75 yard sufi- cient safety zone for a shotgun,” may I be the irst to offer my services. I will gladly (free of charge) ire three rounds as you face me at 75 yards. MIKE AHO Warrenton I Protect our docks would like to say I have enjoyed working on the sea lion rail deterrent project with the Port of Astoria and Knappa High School. I am hopeful that the rails will make a difference in keeping the sea lions off of the docks, and protect the boats that are moored there. I know the tourists enjoy the sea lions, but as a commu- nity we need to ind a good solution to protect our docks and salmon population. The East End Mooring Basin is being overrun by the sea lions, and that means that the Port loses money on moorage fees that could go to repairing or replacing docks for future use. If we work as a community to ind a permanent solu- tion, we will all beneit. CONNOR MORGAN Astoria I Experience, dedication am writing to let you know why we support Dawn McIn- tosh for Clatsop County Cir- cuit Court judge: Experience and dedication. Dawn has been a prosecutor, defender, civil lit- igator and active advocate for children and families for over 23 years. The position of Circuit Court judge is best served by a hard-working and dedicated individual with a strong legal mind and a tireless approach to legal studies. The judge must have the ability to listen to the witnesses and testimony, allow the appropriate evidence while overseeing the courtroom, and then correctly interpret and apply the legal standard to the facts. I believe Dawn McIntosh is the right person for the job. It is important to me that my clients have the opportu- nity to receive timely, impar- tial and legally sound rulings on issues ranging from review- ing an estate’s annual account- ing, to determining appropriate child support amounts during a pending dissolution for custody matter. Dawn has the experience in both criminal and civil law to effectively and expertly take on the role of Circuit Court judge right now. Vote for experience. Vote for Dawn McIntosh. JEREMY RUST Seaside I Forest values t was sad to read that Sky- ler Archibald, director of the Parks and Recreation Dis- trict of Seaside, is supporting the Linn County lawsuit which would mean increased log- ging here in Clatsop County (“Protect programs,” The Daily Astorian, April 15). As a municipal employee in a town almost totally reliant on tour- ism, why would the director want more trees cut down — especially in light of the butch- ered hills on Seaside’s eastern horizon? But let’s forget about aes- thetics. It’s about the money. Archibald repeats the mantra of the Linn County commission- ers, “the greatest permanent value.” The lawsuit is based on a 1939 contract between the state and counties to provide the “greatest permanent value,” which the litigants assume to be money from timber harvest on state forest lands. Apparently they didn’t get the memo in 1998, when the Oregon Department of Forestry was mandated to balance for- est usage for recreational, eco- logical, aesthetic and timber harvest values. Even in 1939, the “greatest permanent value” was never deined to be strictly I a monetary take from timber harvest. The basis of the more egali- tarian 1998 approach to manag- ing forests lies in the irrefutable truth that change is inevitable. When the 1939 contract was signed, nobody had ever heard the term “global warming.” Now there is good reason to leave trees standing and pro- mote carbon sequestration as a means of gleaning funds from the forests. In 1939, Oregon was barely in the national consciousness. Now people are locking to Ore- gon for the livability and the environment. In 1939, there wasn’t a multi-million dollar tourist industry grounded on the beauty of the state and the recre- ational opportunities here. While ish and wildlife were in decline in the 1930s, we hadn’t yet seen species pushed to extinction. In 1939, there was no Environmental Protection Act, which just made Oregon the irst state ever to lose federal grant money for failure to clean up coastal streams polluted by logging. Archibald states that it is “obvious” that we can have all of the mandated beneits from the state forests and “harvest public timber at increased and sustainable rates.” He rightly calls for “sensible conserva- tion measures that preserve our forests.” These two seemingly con- tradictory statements are at the heart of the debate about how forest will be managed in Ore- gon, and throughout the west. It is important that individuals and agencies with a monetary stake in the outcome acknowledge that the meaning of “value” is much broader than money alone. ROGER DORBAND Astoria Our way of life am a Democrat. I hate Repub- licans, but I love my country. We need to stop being ostriches. Vote for Donald Trump. We need the fence along the Mexican border. Each state can put up their own part. All the wealthy can donate for expenses to have a barbed wire fence with a land mine strip after that. If this doesn’t happen, then our country will be overpopulated like India. Our own people will suffer. I put aside my own personal feelings for the sake of our coun- try, our future, our way of life, that we take for granted. Trump is the only real man to say what we’re all thinking but too afraid I to say, while these other invasive people take our jobs. DIANA CARSON Astoria Buy him out ’ve found what I consider an excellent way to set- tle the Gearhart Grocery/brew pub question. Jeanne Mark, Rick Sabol, Kent Smith, and their other supporters, should pool their inances and buy out Terry Lowenberg and keep the grocery. They could then ind out what working 12 to 16 hours a day seven days a week is like, and they could lose all the money they want without wor- rying about having a neighbor- hood brew pub darkening the streets of Gearhart. Seems very logical to me. Twenty years or so ago, there was opposition to Paciic Way Bakery and Cafe being allowed to open, and opponents likened it to bringing McDonald’s into “downtown” Gearhart. CHUCK MEYER Astoria I Good communicator am voting for Dawn McIn- tosh for Circuit Court judge, and support her wholeheartedly. Dawn has represented me in legal matters since my father’s attorney recommended her 11 years ago. I also know her from working in the Tillamook County Courthouse, and both our children have been in some of the same clubs and events from middle school through graduation. Dawn not only knows the law, she is a good communica- tor, and highly intelligent. What I ind most impressive is that she listens and takes in all the facts, then advises and ights for what is fair. She is deinitely not afraid to tell someone that they are off-base. She also works hard. Whether it was getting an emer- gency family matter hearing together within a day; or com- ing in before the sun came up to do the inal draft of our heavily negotiated prenuptial agreement the day before our wedding, she is willing to put in extra hours to get the job done. I believe Dawn’s years of experience, depth of knowl- edge, fairness and work ethic are what make her the best can- didate to be our newest Circuit Court judge. Please join me in voting for her. TONI VANDERSHULE Seaside I Look in the mirror A true gift t seems as though there are quite a few parents who won- der, “Why does my child have anxiety, and depression?” Well news lash parents, start by look- ing in the mirror. When your child goes to talk to you, and you shut them out, say you don’t have time for them, or simply just say you don’t care, how do you expect any other outcome than for your child to distance themselves? When they inally come to you, and say you play a major role in their poor emotions, and you, the parents, shut them out and tell them they are wrong because, “I know how to parent, and I’m doing it right,” you’re probably not as great as you think you are. So maybe next time, listen when your child wants to speak to you. And if they say you play a role in their poor emotions, accept responsibility for what you did, and ind a solution. One of the biggest issues today is that parents never accept respon- sibility for their actions, and they say they are all-knowing because of their age. We are the most evolved and most knowl- edgeable generation this planet has ever seen. We might know something, as well. ANDREW BALCOM Astoria his letter is in praise of the administration and staff at the Clatsop Care Memory Com- munity in Warrenton. Our mother was one of the irst residents in this wonder- ful facility, and they made her, and us, feel immediately at home. Their concern for, care of and interest in every person in the facility, and of every fam- ily member of the residents, is simply stellar. Our mother was treated like the treasure she was, and we were warmly welcomed at every visit. We were imme- diately informed of any issue regarding our mother and of the steps involved in her care. When the doctor at Colum- bia Memorial Hospital put mom on hospice, we were unsure whether her return to Clat- sop Care Memory Community would be appropriate. Mindy Stokes, the administrator, called and said that mom was part of their family, and to bring her home so that they could care for her during her inal days. So we did — and they did take care of her, and of us, with love and compassion. Two staff members even came in on their day off to sit with mom, and were there to say goodbye when she died. My sister and I have been assured that we will always be a part of the Clatsop Care Mem- ory Community family, and we are, and always will be, grate- ful to all of the staff. The people who work there and the facility are a true gift to this community. ALLISON CELLARS Astoria CONNIE HALPERIN Portland I Deeply indebted he Fisheries Technology class and Aquatic Biology Program at Astoria High School would like to give a sincere thank you to all of our generous sponsors who donated prizes for our very successful sixth annual Fishing Derby fundraiser, which was held at Coffenbury Lake on April 30. We raised over $,1000 that will go directly towards paying for Aquatic Biology Program activities and projects. We are deeply indebted to our community — this pro- gram would not exist, and the derby would not have been pos- sible, if it were not for the gen- erous contributions from our sponsors. Thank you, everyone. CAMMY TETLOW KELSEY WULLGER Student Fishing Derby coordinators LEE CAIN Instructor, AHS Aquatic Biology Program T T Amazing asset am a volunteer with Clatsop Community Action’s Produce Pantry, and would like people to know how great it is. Right now there is a big pot of New England boiled dinner cook- ing on my stove, with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions and bacon. The only thing I had to pay for was the bacon. The rest came from the Produce Pantry last Thursday. This is available to so many people here who might not know about it. We are set up on Thursdays every week through Sept. 29: 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Astoria at the parking lot next to Burger King; 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the outlet mall parking lot in Seaside; and 3 to 4:30 p.m. at I the CCA warehouse in Warren- ton, on Chokeberry Avenue. It’s not just low income; most people who work in this area full time qualify for this. You can call CCA at 503-861-3663 to ask about the income qualiica- tions. They are generous. Each family leaves with an average of 37 pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, and can come every week. The people who come are so friendly, sharing recipes and helpful hints with others. Please come share this, and tell others about it, because it is an amazing asset to us all. We are so lucky to have it. SANDY REA Seaside Coal ired n response to the article “Trump returns to campaign trail, targets Clinton on coal” (The Daily Astorian, May 6): I would like to offer my American friends a cautionary tale of what will happen if environmentalists succeed in shutting down your coal-ired power plants. Ontario was once an indus- trial powerhouse, and the home of thousands upon thousands of well paid manufacturing jobs. But the province lost at least 300,000 manufacturing jobs in the last 15 years when compa- nies either went bankrupt or left Ontario. This happened largely because our electricity prices have increased 318 percent since 2002, now giving us the highest rates in North America. A major reason for this staggering rise is that, in the name of “stopping cli- mate change,” we shut down all of our inexpensive coal plants, which, in 2002, provided about 25 percent of our electricity. Things will be even worse for the U.S. if Hillary Clinton becomes president, and contin- ues President Barack Obama’s climate policies. After all, the U.S. gets 37 percent of its power from coal. Ontarians were too fright- ened of climate activists to oppose the plan to end coal-ired power generation. As a conse- quence, we are now dependent on the charity of more wealthy Canadian provinces to survive. Who will bail out the U.S. if you follow our tragic example? TOM HARRIS Executive director, International Climate Science Coalition Ottawa, Ontario I It’s time to bring Hillary and Bernie together By GAIL COLLINS New York Times News Service ernie Sanders is not going away. And why should he? The weather is nice, the crowds are enor- mous and he keeps winning primaries. Hillary Clinton has what appears to be an insurmountable lead in delegates, but hope springs eternal. B “It is a steep hill to climb,” he admits. Actually, probably harder to surmount than Gangkhar Puen- sum. (Which is the world’s high- est unclimbed mountain. I am telling you this to distract you from the subject of delegate counts.) But about Sanders: Dem- ocrats, what do you think he should do? A) Convention loor ight. “Game of Thrones”! Jon Snow is alive! nie Sanders the party B) Go away. platform. When Clinton lost, He deserves a role. did she torture Barack Sanders has spent Obama over who the past year speak- was going to be on ing about narrowing the platform com- the gulf between the mittee? No, she rich and the bottom sucked it up and gave 99 percent, ighting an extremely nice climate change and endorsement speech. keeping special inter- Gail C) Why can’t we ests out of govern- Collins all just get along? ment. He’s inspired Personally, I think that last millions. It’s pretty much always one is possible. Although it the same speech, but he’s the one would probably be a good idea who can bring the music. to avoid saying a Clinton nomi- (Question: Will the Republi- nation could be a “disaster sim- cans have a ight about their plat- ply to protect the status quo,” as form? Nah — Donald Trump will Sanders’ campaign manager did let his opponents put in anything in an email Wednesday. they want. Look, the man has In an ideal world the Dem- convention entertainment to plan. ocrats would nominate a presi- Given the option of choosing the dential candidate who’s got an party position on health care or the inspiring vision of change and dance numbers, you know which the competence to run the coun- way he’s going to go.) try from Day 1. This person is The Democrats could just not going to be on the ballot this make the Sanders speech into year. So let Hillary Clinton have a platform, then join hands and the nomination and give Ber- march into the future. There actu- ally aren’t a lot of areas of dis- agreement. Clinton thinks his call for free public college tuition is … well, let’s not say dumb. Dumb is not going to get you a united convention. Let’s just say too much of a good thing. But she does want free community college tuition. Did you know that? She announced it on the very irst oficial stop of her cam- paign. Since then not, um, fre- quently. Feel free to remind her. They both believe in univer- sal health care coverage. Sanders wants “Medicare for all.” Clin- ton’s campaign says she does, too, in theory, but just doesn’t believe anything like that could get through Congress. This week she proposed a new option for 50-somethings that The Times’ Alan Rappeport and Margot Sanger-Katz called “Medicare for more.” And you know, if Clinton could actually deliver on those two promises, it would be stupen- dous. This is an excellent example of the Democratic bottom line: On many, many issues, her platform is what the Sanders platform would look like if it actually got through the congressional wringer. On other matters, the Dem- ocrats’ current policy divisions are just about doubting Clin- ton’s intentions. Sanders wants to bring back the Glass-Stea- gall Act, which bars commercial banks from going into the invest- ment banking business. Clinton says she can crack down on Wall Street better with more recent legislation. Sanders followers don’t believe she means it. I say, be impressed that there’s a party full of young vot- ers for whom “Glass-Steagall” is a big applause line. You can’t not want to encourage that. Put Glass-Steagall in the platform. Even if Clinton is right, all you’d have is duplication of effort, and it would be an excellent gesture of solidarity. Finally, there’s the inluence of big-money donors on Amer- ican politics. In theory, Sanders and Clinton are pretty much in the same place. But in practice, he’s built his entire campaign around the concept of throwing out spe- cial interest money, while Clin- ton’s barely provided lip service. “One of the four pillars of her campaign was going to be democracy issues,” said Fred Wertheimer, president of the reform group Democracy 21. “Well, the pillars haven’t been around too much.” Wertheimer had his heart bro- ken by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, who both promised to make campaign inance a top pri- ority, then didn’t. Hillary Clin- ton, he thinks, ought to promise something more speciic that she could implement right away. “Set up a task force in the White House whose job it is to pursue this reform. Of top staff people,” he suggested. Or a blue-ribbon committee featuring Bernie Sanders. Who would certainly never let her hear the end of it if she failed to deliver. Put that in the platform and smoke it.