Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:46 AM PDT
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| Jeff koterba editorial cartoon for JULY 10TH 2008
iran |
Theft takes item untouched by fire
Editor,
My family and I want to take this time to thank the Payette Fire Department for their help last Sunday, July 6. Our daughter’s house caught fire, and the department’s prompt and most courteous assistance was appreciated.
She basically lost everything of material value, but she and her small children were unharmed. We just can’t thank them enough. God bless them all.
Now comes the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say.
A few days after the fire someone, and we do know who they are, stole the wooden swing from her lawn. They put it out in front of their shed.
She only had two things that were not ruined in the fire, and someone lower than a maggot on the food chain stole one of them. I guess we can be glad they only stole the one item.
I am not sure why people believe that kicking someone when they are already down and out is so much fun, but I guess it takes all kinds. I want to thank the people who have helped my daughter out since then to replace some of the things lost. We can never thank you enough. Just know that you are in our hearts.
Linda G. Hatfield
Ontario
Extremists hurt Oregon’s forests
Editor,
If you are on a fixed or limited income, you should really take some time to let environmental extremists know what you think about their role in stopping logging and new energy production efforts. For most of us, the cost of gas, food, housing, fuel, roads and law enforcement are getting out of hand, and the environmental extremists are primarily responsible. You should take the time to recognize these people and give them your “special” blessing because they have allowed you to give up so much on behalf of their extremist beliefs.
Environmental extremists have discounted the guiding principles of conservationist Gifford Pinchot who helped create the U.S. Forest Service. Pinchot understood values of nature and how to protect the forests with a balance of economics and management of our resources. Integrated forest management strategies look at the health of the forest within an adaptive management context. Plans call for the development of a variety of stand structures across the landscape. This will, in turn, benefit local and regional economies while providing ample opportunities for forest recreation such as hunting, berry picking, wildlife viewing and hiking. Healthy forest ecosystems with varied stand structures have an added benefit as a deterrent against forest fires. Plans also have strategies for properly functioning aquatic and riparian habitats, which will benefit the recreational and commercial fisheries.
Don’t blame Nancy Pelosi, U.S. speaker of the House, for not renewing the legislation to obligate money for federal timber payments. Activists have been pressuring and suing governments and agencies for decades now. Activists are excluding science and proven safe practices to scare people into paying more for fuel that is not safer for the environment. The result is a system of government that is bowing to special interests. It’s called tyranny by the minority, and the rest of us are paying the price.
Charles J. Hurliman
Tillamook County Commissioner
Tillamook
A fine hospital
Editor,
The City of Ontario is very fortunate to have a hospital of the caliber of Holy Rosary Medical Center.
On May 25, 2008, my mother, Velle Linegar, a longtime resident of Ontario, suffered a massive stroke that left her in a coma. She did not recover from her stroke and died peacefully June 8 at Holy Rosary Medical Center.
Throughout her stay, Dr. Stoune and the nursing staff were attentive, responsive, sensitive and very caring. Even though Mom was not expected to recover, they treated her with great kindness and respect. They washed her hair, spoke to her and made sure she was comfortable in every way. Our entire family deeply appreciates the quality of care we all received. The care received at Holy Rosary Medical Center is not the current norm for medical care. It is far superior to other Oregon hospitals. I speak with some experience in this area. My mother-in-law was treated at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland for terminal pancreatic cancer. My stepmother was treated for terminal heart failure at Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center in Portland. My father received treatment at the Marquis Care Center at Powellhurst, also in Portland, for multiple sclerosis in its final stages. The treatment received at these centers was adequate. However, in difficult emotional times such as these, the superior care Holy Rosary Medical Center delivers makes an important difference.
Holy Rosary Medical Center is a significant asset to Ontario and the surrounding community.
George Heider
Camas, Wash.
Thanks to Holy Rosary Medical Center
Editor,
We wish to thank the staff at Holy Rosary for the great care they gave our mom over the Fourth of July weekend when she fell and broke her hip and had surgery. From Bruce in the emergency room to the third-floor nursing staff, Lynnette, Chenowa, Jessie, Donna and others whose names we’ve left out. The care and compassion could not have been any better.
Dr. Gering and Dr. Foote were wonderful in dealing with an 82-year-old woman whose last hospital visit was 55 years ago. How fortunate we are to have such a good hospital and staff here in Ontario.
A big heartfelt thanks to you all.
Steve, Fran and Gloria Lewis
Ontario
Thank you, firefighters
Editor,
I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to the many fire agencies that were quick to respond to the fire on June 19 behind Center and Iowa avenues in Payette.
As one of the area’s residents, it was very reassuring to have such prompt responses from a variety of sources. It was wonderful to be able to witness firsthand the abilities of a number of agencies to work together like a fine-tuned machine to tackle the fire and secure the buildings threatened by the swift-moving flames.
The action of Payette’s fire chief, Mr. Sands, to make quick visits to assess those residences possibly affected by the fire and to communicate the goal of securing personal property was reassuring. Soon after his departure, two volunteer firemen arrived and went straight to work. Thank you again for those who choose to serve, protect and defend our citizens and property. Your hard work and dedication is appreciated.
MaryBeth Bennett
Payette
Newspapers should
inform electorate
Editor,
Another article on the front page of The Oregonian, “Rural Oregon Running Out of Money,” yet no focus on Greg Walden and his killing of a congressional bill that would have extended those federal payments.
No interview of Congressman Peter DeFazio who helped write the bill.
No focus on Greg Walden’s betrayal of his constituents and his colleague Peter DeFazio.
No focus on Greg Walden’s support of “big oil” — Greg Walden did not want Exxon, Chevron, Shell, etc. to have payments for existing oil leases on federal lands helping to pay for extending those federal payments to rural counties. What has protecting “big oil” got to do with supporting Eastern Oregon?
Why won’t The Oregonian’s reporters connect the stories and fully inform the electorate — don’t they read their own paper or are they just lazy?
Or, is there some other hidden agenda?
Steve Allen
Portland
Thanks for the votes
Editor,
I am writing to thank all of you who voted in the Supreme Court race and especially those of you who voted for me. I enjoyed visiting all of our beautiful and diverse state and meeting many of you while I was in your area. I learned that we share many concerns, especially in the rural counties.
As a district judge in three very rural counties, I want you to know that I share your frustration.
The rural counties need mental health and drug courts located in the counties where the mentally ill and addicted people live. Requiring them to travel to a city for treatment usually means they get no treatment at all.
A schizophrenic in Bonners Ferry or Homedale or Preston is just as sick and in need of treatment as those who live in Coeur d’Alene, Boise or Pocatello. The rural counties also need continuous and effective probation supervision since the probationer’s success often depends on it.
We all win if they succeed.
And finally, the rural counties need district judges in their courtrooms on a frequent and regular basis.
While the populations are not as large, their needs are as important to them as they are to the people in the more populated counties.
John Bradbury
Lewiston
