Bring on the letters

We miss hearing from readers of The Enterprise about issues of local concern.

It's not like there is nothing much to comment on. In the news in recent weeks have been several controversies that ought to spark some interest and discussion.

Here are just a few of the topics we'd like to get your opinions about: The Bingen/White Salmon Police Department's proposal to buy four new police cars. This is a plan The Enterprise has endorsed, but, of course, we'll be happy to publish viewpoints of citizens who agree or disagree with this suggested purchase.

There is a proposal to create a regional parks and recreation district that would help fund construction of a new swimming pool. Is that a wise idea, or just another unwanted potential tax on local citizens?

The White Salmon Valley School District will have a two-year maintenance and operations levy on the ballot in February. Is this levy critically needed, or is it time to say "No" to the school district?

There is a move to have part of Fire District No. 3, which serves the Husum area, break away and form a new fire district. Good idea or foolish?

The White Salmon City Council and the Bingen City Council have voted to require the Huckleberry Festival, the White Salmon Spring Festival, and the White Salmon Arts Council's Art & Wine Fusion to pay for overtime costs associated with police patrolling during the festivals. Is it about time this move was made, or is it a ridiculous and unfair burden on festival organizers?

And then we have the big picture topics, of which there is an endless array. For example, will the proposed health care bill provide long overdue protections and improve health care for America's working class citizens, or is it a move that will cost too much and provide too little in benefits? And since it's an election year, do the Democrats or Republicans -- or some other party -- have better answers for our future?

You get the idea. There is a world of controversies out there, and we'd love to hear the views of our readers on any of these issues, or anything else that impacts our lives as citizens.

Please send letters to The Enterprise at P.O. Box 218, White Salmon, Wash., 98672; or via e-mail to: jburkhardt@whitesalmonenterprise.com.

We hope to hear from you.

JB