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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 2015)
A4 V IEWPOINT Hood River News, Saturday, April 25, 2015 O ur readers write JOE PETSHOW Publisher/President, Eagle Newspapers, Inc. TOM LANCTOT Past President, Eagle Newspapers, Inc. CHELSEA MARR General Manager Gun control needed 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 The spectrum Final weekend of Blossom Time is fun, but more than that T his weekend is the third of three for Blossom Time, which has evolved into a multi-faceted critical mass of activities and events by groups that are vital to the Hood River community. It’s conceivable to be out and about for the whole day Saturday, just to take in all that’s available. Procession of the Species, an Earth Day tradition that has ebbed and flowed in recent years, seems to be back in force this year, 11 a.m. at the waterfront. You could start your day by joining the 10 a.m. riverside cleanup on the Hood River, and then move to the Proces- sion and other activities to follow, coordinated by the Climate Action Network and HRVHS Climate Action Club. Or, enjoy wine tasting and lunch in the final week of Gorge wineries’ Passport Month, and take in Art of the Gorge at Columbia Gorge Hotel or the “Luminous Yel- low: A Color Show,” in its last days at Columbia Center for the Arts, for multimedia celebrations of spring via painting, jewelry, photography, glass, digital art, and more. You can end your day with dinner at Hood River Val- ley High School and the steak feed sponsored by the FFA chapter. FFA is a program that has developed a strong presence over the past few years, thanks to the efforts of advisors Nita Bozarth and Don Schmidt, and a succes- sion of hard-working students. FFA students are dedicated to continuing to uphold agricultural traditions while also developing business management public speaking and community service skills and interests. The work of the students reflects the spectrum of why it is people do the things they do in community: to serve, to learn, and to have fun. Lance Beckman, in his recent letter to the editor, argues against gun con- trol but seems to shoot himself in the foot with his statement: “I have stated publicly before that a gun is an inani- mate object completely incapable of any action until the human element is introduced. It’s like blaming vehicles for highway mortality.” Clear enough, Mr. Beckman, but motor vehicles are registered by the state to individuals who are required to be tested and licensed to operate them because they can be used im- properly and often become, by human action, deadly weapons. It is a univer- sally accepted part of the social con- tract we all agree to as members of this society. Further, to use gang homicides as evidence against gun control is like saying we don’t need laws governing motor vehicle use because some peo- ple are still going to drive drunk. Second amendment notwithstand- ing, we are the only Western democra- cy living with 18th century gun con- trol and we are paying the price in human lives. One can attempt argu- ments about “feeling safer” with guns but feelings aren’t worth much in the highly charged emotional circum- stances in which guns are used in homicide. The real world statistics are clear — the logic of the anti-gun con- trol lobby is not so clear. Michael Ballinger The Dalles Resource for all I am shocked that ODFW (State Fish and Wildlife Agency) just approved the water rights swap in Cascade Locks. With water being one of our most precious resources, we can’t allow Oregon water to be sold for the short-term benefit of a few. The long- term impacts are significant and un- acceptable. California is the example not to fol- low. In California, Nestle Corp is con- tinuing to draw out huge amounts of water at ridiculously low prices while the state is in a drought emergency. There is no connection between the large corporation with profit as the driving motive and what makes sense for the long-term sustainability of the communities and natural environ- ment. We need Governor Brown to step up and protect this natural resource now for the future of all Oregonians. Jody Behr Hood River For Brostoff W HERE TO WRITE I am writing to recommend Rob Brostoff for the position of School Board Member. I think a vote for him is a vote for someone that has the back- ground, desire to make a difference and integrity that is needed in this po- sition. He is/has been very involved with community development in the some of the following ways: past city council member, past planning com- mittee member, current school board member and for mer corporate teacher. He has been working hard on mini- mum wage and affordable housing in the Portland metro area and helped re- build fire and ambulance services in Cascade Locks. This is the kind of ded- President — Barack Obama, White House, 1600 Pennsylva- nia Ave., Washington D.C., 20500 E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov U.S. Senators — Jeff Merkley, SDB-40B, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., 20510. Phone: 202-224-3753; E-mail: oregon@merkley.senate.gov; Ron Wyden, 717 Hart Office Build- ing, Washington D.C., 20510. Phone: 202-224-5244. Web address: www.senate.gov/member/or/wyden/general/ 2nd Congressional District Representative — Greg Walden, 14 N. Central Ave., Suite 112, Medford, OR 97504. Phone: 541-776-4646; E-mail: www.walden.house.gov/contactgreg Governor — Kate Brown, 254 State Capitol, Salem, OR 97310. Phone: 503-378-3111; E-mail: www.governor.state.or.us/email.htm ication needed to keep the school dis- trict going in the best direction possi- ble with future planning and current issues. As a retired field engineer, he has the kind of insight and patience to see things through from the beginning to the end of any projects taken on. A vote for Rob Brostoff is a vote for a better future for future generations. Debbie Carr Tillamook ‘Eminent domain’ Historically, the concept of eminent domain has been widely used by gov- ernments to obtain property for, osten- sibly, the greater public good, at a fair price paid by tax payers. Roads, li- braries and schools are examples of projects resulting from eminent do- main. Good things that benefit the public. However, often we discover that there are agendas associated with the use of eminent domain that are more about personal or corporate power or monetary gain than the greater public good. It’s a crap shoot where the dice are loaded. Put another way, heads I win, tails you lose. It concerns me that We The People have become so used to these misap- propriation that we have missed the sleight of hand that has created the corporate domain wherein the uber rich who are sheltered there have lost all doubt as to their inalienable right to operate unencumbered by concerns over the public trust. Issues like pol- luted air, water and food, failing public health and education, threatening weather patterns, wage stagnation (unlike their own), a faltering middle class and more are minor irritants easily shelved by the political prosti- tutes these plutocrats promote. Follow the money and you reach the epicenter of the shakeup taking place in our democracy, blessed by a majori- ty in the U.S. Supreme Court. Quake-proofing our culture and economy will take a dedicated pub- lic that shouts the loud and clear message that we’ve had enough and we are going to install representa- tives in our towns, states, and coun- try who have the courage to stand up to the oligarchs who think they own our country. Rus Hurlbert Mt. Hood Partkdale ‘Keep it local’ My name is Dave Lipps and I am running for the Port of Cascade Locks Commission Position #3. As a resident and business owner in Cascade Locks, I see the Port as a major economic de- velopment driver that has the capacity to create and foster locally owned busi- nesses and jobs to secure our future beyond the Bridge of the Gods. Our town has so much potential, but we have faced a number of divi- sive issues that have left our commu- nity without the jobs and opportuni- ties that we had hoped for. I want to move forward. Let’s get locally owned businesses to start here and stay here — I am great example of this myself, and I see a bright future for our town and economy here in Cascade Locks. As Governor Brown noted recently in her State of the State address, “Our own Oregon-grown businesses are key to the state’s economic recovery: Sev- enty percent of new jobs in this state are created when existing Oregon companies grow and expand.” Again, my own business has contributed to this equation here in town— I started my business here with 0 employees, and now we employee 17 and counting in less than 2 years. Let’s keep it local. I love living here and contributing to our growing Cas- cade Locks economy — from support- ing other local businesses to spear- heading the effort to bring 40 bike racks to town to creating job opportu- nities for locals. I am here and I am committed to the future of Cascade Locks, and I would like to help facili- tate this as a Port Commissioner. If you have questions, please contact me at facebook.com/davelippscascade- locks or dave@thunderislandbrew- ing.com. Dave Lipps Cascade Locks Pass SB478 As a middle school teacher, I can at- test to the hard work many students face in overcoming learning, intellec- tual and behavioral disabilities in order to keep pace within the class- room. It’s not easy for kids, families, or educators. Indeed, helping students cope with disability can more than double the cost of a student’s educa- tion. Meanwhile the percentage of stu- dents with special needs has grown steadily. If we’re to control educa- tion costs and improve quality of life, it’s time to start looking up- stream for ways to reduce risk of these learning challenges. We need to take a good, hard look at taking toxics out of children’s products. In infancy and early child- hood, when children’s brains are de- veloping with incredible speed, it just doesn’t make sense to surround them with toys, clothing and lotions made with hazardous chemicals. That’s why I sincerely hope our law- makers will pass the Toxic Free Kids Act (SB478). Adam Smith Hood River ANOTHER VOICE Can we change the decline before it kills the college? I By Dr. RICHARD CHARLES read with great interest and sadness the two articles in the Hood River News of April 18, 2015, regarding our Columbia Gorge Community College. On page one, Mark Gibson discussed the new board proposed tuition in- crease and in a letter to the editor by Lynne Davidson, she talked about her recent retirement from the college. I believe both are symptomatic of major issues with the college. After 22 years as a teacher and se- nior administrator in three com- munity colleges in California, I re- tired to this, our dream area. I have taught for 20 years here in Hood River as a high school and community college instructor of Spanish. I love the Gorge and the college. When the college was first pro- posed, we were led to believe that this was going to be a place that would allow our young high school graduates and others the opportu- nity to receive their continuing academic pursuits in a more af- fordable and student-friendly envi- ronment. Many promises were made and many, such as the open- ing of the Hood River center, were kept. However, over time, it has been clear that neither our chief admin- istrator nor our board really un- derstands the importance of see- ing and actively working toward an environment of trust. The first 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 step that cemented my opinion came when it was stated that be- cause of shortfalls, the Hood River center would be closed. Then be- cause of student, staff and com- munity outcry, the decision was canceled. The faculty, support staff and students have been uniformly unheeded. Every answer to a diffi- cult decision is a reduction. It is important to always remember that students, staff and the com- munity have long memories. At the current time, students seek academic answers regarding trans- fer, graduation and course content. They seek counselling and don’t find it. The front desk of the Hood River center is not covered. Often they leave campus without ques- tions being answered and services 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 undelivered. We need to ask our- selves now, is the product worth the money? If every class will have at least 20 students, will they be able to get that second or third critical class in a series for trans- fer? From a faculty perspective, is the senior administration and board now planning rapid decline? Ask yourselves the question — if a local food vendor told you they wouldn’t be open on weekends or Friday, they were increasing their charges on the food and decreasing the product, would you continue going there? I have found myself asking late- ly where are those community folks who pushed for the college in the beginning. People with vision and the long term commitment to 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 Jody Thompson Advertising Manager JThompson@hoodrivernews.com see things through. How could we have left such an important local resource in the hands of people who see the proposed $174,000 in- crease in tuition as an answer to a $2.4 million short fall? Obviously, we are facing a real need for an ad- ministrator/board reinvigoration. Do our chief administrator and board do anything positive to change our fiscal relationship with Salem? Do we have people on the board who realistically see the problem? Can we change the “de- cline” before it ultimately kills the college? ■ Dr. Richard Charles is Adjunct Spanish instructor at Columbia Gorge Community College. 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
