Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (April 4, 2015)
A4 V IEWPOINT Hood River News, Saturday, April 4, 2015 O ur readers write JOE PETSHOW Publisher/President, Eagle Newspapers, Inc. TOM LANCTOT Past President, Eagle Newspapers, Inc. CHELSEA MARR General Manager Summing the parts KIRBY NEUMANN-REA Editor JODY THOMPSON Advertising Manager TONY METHVIN Columbia Gorge Press Manager DICK NAFSINGER Publisher, Emeritus (1933-2011) DAVID MARVIN Production Manager Subscription $42 per year in Hood River trade area. $68 outside trade area. NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION OREGON NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Printed on recycled paper. Official Newspaper, City of Hood River and Hood River County Published Every Wednesday & Saturday by Hood River News, P.O. Box 390, Hood River, Oregon 97031 • (541) 386-1234 • FAX 386-6796 Member of the Associated Press Proclamation Governor Kate Brown names April as Child Abuse Prevention Month G overnor Kate Brown encourages the citizens of Oregon to join communities around the na- tion in proclaiming April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month. April is dedicated to rais- ing awareness of child abuse and neglect and the factors that create risk. In Oregon alone, 10,630 children were victims of child abuse and neglect in 2013; 55 percent of cases in- volved children age six or younger. For those children, our state will pay upwards of $2.1 billion in expensive inter- ventions and lost educational and economic success over the course of their lifetimes. Research shows that when par- ents lack support for basic needs, so- cial connections, and knowledge of child development, their children are at greater risk. In response, community orga- nizations, businesses, hospitals, government offices and indi- viduals across the state, in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Oregon and the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon, are joining forces to host pinwheel gardens to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect as part of the national Pin- wheels for Prevention campaign in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to Susan Lindauer, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon, “Pinwheels are a positive symbol of the happy, healthy childhood that all children deserve, and represent our vision that great childhoods lead to great futures. “At Prevent Child Abuse Oregon and the Children’s Trust Fund, we know that we can make a positive im- pact on the future by preventing child abuse and neglect today,” said Lindauer. “The best way to increase that im- pact is by involving citizens and communities in our work.” Prevent Child Abuse Oregon and the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon are dedicated to preventing child abuse statewide by investing in evidence-based prevention pro- grams that provide parents with the resources they need to provide safe, stable homes for their children. In 2014, the Children’s Trust Fund helped more than 46,000 chil- dren and families through investments in 39 proven pre- vention programs statewide. The Children’s Trust Fund also supports public awareness, research and sound public policy to create lasting change for Oregon’s chil- dren. During Child Abuse Prevention Month, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon and the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon encourage citizens to visit www.ctfo.org to learn more about how they can take an active role in helping to ensure all Oregon children have a healthy beginning and lifelong success. “We need your involvement to ensure our communi- ties are equipped to help children and families thrive,” said Lindauer. “Join us and learn how we are strength- ening Oregon families.” ■ The Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon is the only statewide organization focused exclusively on the issue of child abuse prevention and strengthening families. Since 1985, the Children’s Trust Fund has provided strategic investments in proven prevention programs across Oregon, public awareness and education cam- paigns and advocacy for best practice policies related to child abuse prevention. Prevent Child Abuse Oregon is a chapter of the national organization, Prevent Child Abuse America, and acts as an advisory committee to Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon. For more information visit www.ctfo.org. Chelsea Marr General Manager CMarr@hoodrivernews.com Founded in 1905 419 State Street Hood River, OR 97031 P.O. Box 390 Phone: (541) 386-1234 Operations: Joe Petshow Publisher President, Eagle Newspapers JPetshow@hoodrivernews.com Chris Stenberg Bookkeeper CStenberg@hoodrivernews.com Front Office/ Classified Advertising: Kelly Gallagher Eagle Classified Director KGallagher@eaglenewspapers.com Stacey Methvin Classifieds/Receptionist HRNClass@hoodrivernews.com SMethvin@hoodrivernews.com The “Tunnel Of Plum” picture, A2 of the March 28 Hood River News issue, is a twice-demanding viewing image, one that puts the v i e we r in the a r t i s t ’s shoes, inhaling the fragrance of the blossoms while humming along with the buzzing bees gathering their nectar. (I hope to see it on the “Panorama” cover.) Then again, on A4, I found an ar- ticle which I expected to be a play on egotism, but I gave it a “thumbs- up.” I found it to be quite amusing, for if I had written it, its title would had consisted of only six let- ters (HAWADO), in lieu of the 11 words. (These editors generally amaze/amuse me with titles; when it may take me hours with my one- fingered-hunt-n-peck typing skills to compose a letter, then they sum it up with just a few words.) But the “Cream-of-the-Crop” of the March 28 issue is a must read! It awaits you at the right top of A4, authored by Sen. Chuck Thomsen, a 1975 alumni of HRVHS, dealing with education and the “funding games” that the D e m o c r a t s l i ke t o p l ay. T h e “losers” are speechless. (They can’t vote.) Alan Winans Hood River Thanks to Walden Thankfully we have Greg Walden standing up for freedom. Walden is the only congressman from Oregon who is working to keep the Internet free and open. As a student at COCC, this could not be more important to me. Greg Walden has spoken out against the FCC’s power grab, and is working hard to write a plan that protects Internet freedom without a heavy- handed government takeover. Over the past two decades, the Internet has helped grow Ameri- ca’s economy and increase freedom around the world. If we let the FCC take the reins, this growth will stop and young people, like myself, will pay the price. Thank you, Greg Walden, for standing up for us and shame on the FCC for its Internet takeover. Joshua Dawson Bend Reitz for Position 1 How wonderful that there are three candidates for the Position 1 School Board seat. I applaud a community where folks are com- mitted to getting involved and making things happen. That is why I will be voting for Chris Reitz. Chris is a doer. She walks the walk. I have seen her in action and when this woman gets involved, it’s full steam ahead! I have known Chris for over 10 years. She is one of the finest people I know. I have had the opportunity to work with her on the Waterfront Park. I have been a board member with the Waterfront Community Park Association for seven years, leading the Adopt A Plot Program since its inception. Whenever we needed help with fundraising or Community Weed- ing Days, Chris has never hesitated to step in and get her hands dirty, which she does in her own adopted plot! She realizes the value and im- portance of the Waterfront Com- munity Park and has used the park as the staging ground for the very popular Gorge Kids Triathlon since its beginning in 2011. Chris is the co-founder of the triathlon and has put countless hours and ener- gy into creating an incredible ex- perience for the kids of the gorge. Its popularity continues to grow each year. Chris and husband Max are com- mitted parents to their kids Joe and Jill, who attend Westside School. Still, Chris finds time to continue to volunteer. She is a board member with the Providence Child Center Foundation. She was a Westside Elementary School PTO member for 2 years, served on the Westside School Site Council and is currently the PTO vice presi- dent. She was an Advisory Board Member with New Parent Services of Hood River County for 2 years and currently works as a Hood River Warming Shelter Volunteer. Chris cares about our communi- ty and will be a wonderful addition t o t h e s ch o o l b o a rd . S h e i s thoughtful, hardworking, dedicat- ed and determined. She embodies the quote by Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Elect Chris Reitz and you elect someone with the knowledge, heart and energy to make a differ- ence. Marge Gale Waterfront Park Community Park Association Board Member Adopt A Plot Organizer Hood River ANOTHER VOICE School superintendent calls for public engagement on Senate school fund vote Supt. Dan Goldman of Hood River County School District sent out this letter to district patrons this week: T ■ he Oregon State Senate is scheduled to hear a third reading of HB 5017, the State School Fund bill, on April 6. I am urging all Oregon Sen- ators to vote NO as the prosed fund- ing level will equate to approxi- mately $900,000 in cuts next year. I am also urging Gov. Kate Brown to send a clear message to the legisla- ture that a State School Fund below $7.5 billion is unacceptable. After reviewing our school dis- trict strategic plan, community and staff feedback on our school pro- grams, student outcome data, re- search, and our current program with principals and other adminis- trators, it is clear that the level of reduction required in our schools at the current proposed State School Fund level will negatively impact every student and every profession- al educator in our schools. I am urging everyone to make their voices heard. I am attaching a letter (below) I have sent to each Oregon Senator, a template that you, your friends, your family, and your co-workers might use to com- Circulation: Esther K. Smith Circulation Manager (541) 386-1234 Ext. 205 ESmith@hoodrivernews.com News: Kirby Neumann-Rea Editor HRNews@hoodrivernews.com Ben Mitchell News/Features BenMitchell@hoodrivernews.com municate your wishes to your elect- ed officials, and a funding level poster that provides an overview of how various funding levels will af- fect our schools. Thank you for continuing to fight for our students and our schools. ■ I am writing to ask you to keep fighting for adequate and stable K- 12 Education funding. With a grow- ing economy, we need to re-invest in Oregon’s education system. The proposed K-12 Education Budget of $7.255 billion would mean reduc- tions in teachers, programs, and services across Oregon. In order for Oregon to thrive we need an educated, capable work- force. We cannot get there without a significant investment in K-12 edu- cation funding. With an improving economy, Oregon needs to reinvest in our education system. After more than a decade of dis- investment, the state of Oregon’s K- 12 system is now defined by the fol- lowing facts: ■ Our students go to school the equivalent of one year less than the national average during the 1st through 12th grades; ■ Oregon ranks 49th in student to teacher ratio (class size); ■ Oregon is 46th in state expendi- Trisha Walker News/Features TWalker@hoodrivernews.com Liana Stegall Advertising Sales LStegall@hoodrivernews.com LisaAnn Kawachi News/Features LKawachi@hoodrivernews.com Kirsten Lane Advertising Sales KLane@hoodrivernews.com Patrick Mulvihill News/Features PMulvihill@hoodrivernews.com Ailene Hibbard Archivist Advertising: Jim Drake Entertainment JDrake@hoodrivernews.com tures for education as a percent of taxable resources; ■ Oregon has one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation. Over this same period of time, K- 12 education has gone from 45 per- cent of the state budget in 2003 to 39 percent (-6 percent), while public safety and human services budgets have increased by 5 percent each. In the Hood River County Schools, this level of funding would mean a reduction of approximately nearly $1 million in each of the next two years. A K-12 Education Budget of $7.5 billion would provide fragile stability for our children, but would allow us to sustain cur- rent programs and services while maintaining full-day kindergarten. Bottom line, even this level of fund- ing does not move the needle on re- ducing class sizes or increasing in- structional time. Don’t settle on the status quo for K-12 Education Funding. You can help Oregon take some important steps by re-investing in our chil- dren’s education and Oregon’s eco- nomic and democratic future. I pe- tition you to keep all legislators talking about K-12 Education until you adequately fund K-12 Educa- tion. Our children’s future de- pends on it! Jody Thompson Advertising Manager JThompson@hoodrivernews.com Production: 419 State Street Hood River, OR 97031 P.O. Box 390 Phone: (541) 386-1234 David Marvin Production Manager DMarvin@hoodrivernews.com Tony Methvin Plant Manager (541) 386-1234 TMethvin@columbiagorgepress.com Jim Drake Production JDrake@hoodrivernews.com Sarah Methvin Sales/Customer Service SDMethvin@columbiagorgepress.com Lisa Becharas Commercial Printing LBecharas@columbiagorgepress.com
