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
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