The INDEPENDENT, October 5, 2006 Page 3 Letters One step forward, two steps backward To the Editor: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back for Seniors. Passage of Ballot Measure 44 will enhance the lives of seniors and others without pre- scription drug insurance. It will expand participation in the Ore- gon Prescription Program to any Oregonian who does not have prescription drug cover- age. Those who choose to en- roll in the program still pay for their prescriptions, but at lower discount rates, and there is no cost to taxpayers. This will im- prove the lives of many seniors who do not have Medicare cov- erage as well as others who lack health insurance. Passage of Ballot Measure 41 and 48 would reduce the availability of state funds that fund important senior services like Oregon Project Indepen- dence, which pays for in-home care so seniors can remain liv- ing in their homes. Many sen- iors in Columbia County benefit from the program and it saves taxpayers money by reducing the time indigent seniors spend in nursing homes. The Columbia County Coun- cil of Seniors recommends a strong no on Measures 41 and 48 and a yes vote on Measure 44. Dan Garrison, Chairman Columbia County Council of Seniors YES vote urged for county sheriff’s levy To the Editor: One of today’s headline news stories is “Organized Crime Growing in Oregon” and that triggered me to write this letter. On November 7, Columbia County voters will have a chance to vote for more deputies, stronger enforcement and safe communities by cast- ing a YES vote for Measure 5- 154. We, like others in the state and nation, are seeing a dra- matic increase in crime most of which is related to illegal drugs. In addition, the extraordinary increase in population is com- Between the Bookends By Sarah Vandehey, Library Assistant Banks Public Library Due to unforeseen cir- cumstances, author Nel Rand was unable to at- tend her scheduled ap- pearance on September 19th. Ms. Rand will read from and autograph cop- ies of her novel, Mississip- pi Flyway, at the Banks Public Library sometime in November. Stay tuned for a more specific date! Autumn is a wonderful time to take advantage of the Cultural Passes available for checkout at the library, and visit such inspiring destinations as the Japanese Garden. Brilliant fall colors ac- centuate the year-round beauty of the garden this time of year. The library also has Cultural Passes to the Chinese Classical Garden, Port- land Art Museum, and Washington County Mu- seum, among others. The library wishes to thank our local sponsors for funding these passes. Remember, the library is a great resource for help with your homework. The staff would love to help students find books and other reference material for their projects. For information about how Measure 34-125, the library levy, will affect the Banks Public Li- brary, please stop by the library. Join us for the upcoming Preschool Story times. Miss Kathy will read about the following themes on Wednesdays at 10:15 am: October 11th: Fowl Play (Ducks and Chickens) October 18th: Another Year Older October 25th: Yucky Stuff (Spiders, etc.) November 1: Funny Folks Some of our newest books include: Cordina’s Royal Family: Bennett & Camilla by Nora Roberts. New York Times bestselling au- thor strikes again with two tales of romance and royal families. The first tale, The Playboy Prince , focuses on Prince Bennett. He may begin to take the game of love more seriously after a mysteri- ous woman catches his heart. In the second tale, Cordina’s Crown Jewel , royal Camilla aids an archeologist in rural Vermont. Will she unearth love? The Bum’s Rush by G.M. Ford. In this Leo Water mystery, the investigation into the beating of a homeless woman and her knowledge of a local rock star’s death seem related. The Seattle author intrigues readers with this exploration of the world of homelessness and crime. The Judas Judge by Michael McGarrity. The author of Anthony-Award nominated works com- pels readers again with this Kevin Kerney mys- tery. The Deputy State Police Chief, Kerney is nearing retirement when the murder of a retired judge and five others occurs in rural New Mexi- co. Faced with a lack of clear suspects, Kerney distrusts the deceased’s son, who refers to his father as “the Judas Judge.” New non-fiction: What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Nel- son Bolles. This 2007 version of the practical manual for those seeking jobs or a career change is completely rewritten and updated. This book is a popular and proven tool for those seeking to follow their passion. What Should I Do With My Life? By Po Bron- son. The author, struggling with this question himself, traveled the country asking others how they approached and answered this question. As the respondents—people from all walks of life— share their mistakes and triumphs, universal truths become apparent. This book would go hand-in-hand with Bolles work above. Banks Public Library: 111 Market Street. Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 12 - 7:00 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 12 - 5:00 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. Phone: (503 ) 324-1382 for information (503) 846-3245 to renew material Internet: Browse library resources, reserve or renew materials online. Call for information. pounding our problems with cit- izens who are breaking the law. We need to get ahead of the curve and take a proactive stance to fight crime. We need more deputies on the road which will ultimately lead to stronger enforcement and bring us safer communities. Vote YES on Measure 5- 154. Diane M. Dillard Co-Chair, Citizens for Safer Communities NOW! Loss of our rights is nothing to laugh about To the Editor: I received a cartoon today. It was the picture of a telephone surrounded by what looked like an official seal with the motto “One Nation under Surveil- lance.” With the picture was the caption “Bush is listening. Use big words.” The person that sent it to me said that she thought it was the funniest cartoon that she has seen in weeks. I didn’t laugh. I did not think it was funny. The situation is too serious to be funny. As a result of legis- lation passed this last week, the “government” can declare “anyone” an enemy combatant. Now the President (be it Bush or Gore or Hillary Clinton) can determine what constitutes be- ing an enemy, and who is an “enemy.” Habeas Corpus can be suspended. No trials, no lawyers, no formal charges. A person can just be “disap- peared.” The President re- serves the right to have you in- terrogated in any manner that they want…and you can be spied on in your homes, your bedrooms, your work or on the streets. You don’t have to be Al Quada, heck, you can be the member of an opposition politi- cal party. Who can tell? No war- rants, no accountability, no pa- per trails. What in the world just hap- pened to the Constitution and our Bill of Rights? 100 percent of the Republicans voted for this, joined by 12 Democrats. You know they no longer teach civics in high school. They have not done so since the Reagan era...perhaps that is why few seem outraged at this injustice done to America. Ben Franklin said, “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve nether liberty or safety.” Bill Eagle St. Helens Local PTA members support local schools To the Editor: October is PTA membership month! The Vernonia Commu- nity PTA is holding a member- ship drive the entire month of October with some great incen- tives for kids whose class gets the most new members. We are encouraging people to sup- port our school community by becoming a PTA member. Becoming a PTA member is not as demanding as some people think. Many people seem apprehensive about be- coming a member. Schedules are already so busy with other activities that they feel as though they will not have enough time to contribute to the PTA. The good news is that’s fine! Becoming a member does not obligate you to attend every meeting or to volunteer at all the many PTA sponsored events throughout the year. It simply means that by becoming a member you are indeed sup- porting our children, schools and teachers! If you want to come to our monthly meeting…GREAT! If you can find the time to help at even one event during the year…GREAT! If you simply pay your $10.00 dues once a year to show your support…GREAT! The PTA is not demanding or scary; it’s an organization in place to benefit our children, schools and teachers. So, parents, grandparents, business members and teach- ers; please help support the Vernonia Community PTA so we can continue to make a dif- ference in our schools and community! For membership application go to the WGS or VMS office, call Stacy Adams at 429-0317 or email StacyRAdams@aol. com. Amy Cieloha Vernonia Community PTA Hunter’s Raffle was a great benefit event To the Editor: The Vernonia Senior Cen- ter’s Hunter’s Raffle was held on September 22, at the Cen Please see page 22