Letters - August 3

We were really sad to hear the news of Scott’s death (page A1, July 30) and wanted to share some memories. We met Scott when a mutual friend, Jim Greenleaf, invited him on a snowboarding trip to Whitewater, B.C. Scott found one out-of-bounds chute that he enjoyed dropping so much that he would make a dozen laps a day on this one chute. He would always radio us, “This is Scott, dropping in.” We ended up naming the chute, Scotty’s chute. Scott wore a pair of 1980 Burton snowboard boots because they were his lucky snowboard boots that he learned to snowboard in.

Donna Young and Jim Judd

Morgan, Vt.

A rescue lesson

Re: “Dramatic rescue saves young Hood River man” (July 30):

Great story! Is there no greater event than when people strive to come to the assistance of others desperately in trouble and struggling for life ? Thank You! You are the example this nation needs to re-learn.

Mike Stroud

Hood River

Wal-Mart entices

Wal-Mart: Any thing would look better and more inviting than what is there now. We already have a dump and a sewer plant let’s get rid of the ones on Country Club and entice people to stop in Hood River. I live here and never go downtown because they have nothing I need or want unless I sail.

Scott Wimp

Hood River

Developing traffic

You may not have noticed, but Wal-Mart has quietly made a change to its traffic plan. The original scheme, which called for the entrance to Country Club to be moved further from the freeway, was denied by ODOT. In desperation, Wal-Mart has proposed to abandon the current roadway, diverting traffic right around its 16-acre site.

This would mean that if you’re heading toward the freeway on County Club, the road would bend right, then bend left. Next straight ahead, following a new road to be built near the old Frankton School grounds, then a sharp left turn onto a new road that would be built along the road to Stonehedge. Now you’d wait at the light at the entrance to historic Highway 30 (Cascade), make another sharp left turn, go one block, then wait at the light at Exit 62. Finally, you’d get onto the freeway.

In other words, instead of a one-third mile trip, and one stop sign, you’d be traveling more than a mile, making two left-hand turns, and a waiting at two stop lights. By the way, this stretch of road would be carrying somewhere between 7,000 and 20,000 vehicles per day — estimates vary, but it’s likely to be higher, not lower.

I’m not a traffic engineer, but I am a driver, and it seems that for most people on the West Side, it would be quicker to avoid this mess and travel through town to join the freeway at Exit 63. Roads most affected would likely be May, Belmont, Tucker, Fairview, and the whole downtown area itself — more traffic lights, more delays, and more traffic jams.

Wal-Mart finds the current location of Country Club inconvenient, so it proposes moving the road, ignoring the inconvenience to the residents of the county. In my opinion, Wal-Mart’s development is incompatible with existing features (the roadway, in this case), and that is contrary to the county’s comprehensive plan.

Find out for yourself — visit the site: www.hoodriversfuture.org, and take a look at the map. Written submissions to the County Planning Office are still being accepted, so take the time to make your views known. Hood River’s future is at stake.

J.P. Harrison

Hood River

Keep dogs cool

Man’s best friend treats you well, try doing the same. I have seen at least three dogs in the past week left inside vehicles in town with just a pinch of fresh air filtering in through the windows and 30 minutes left on the meter. Who knows how many have gone unnoticed? It’s hot out! Think before you lock up the car to enjoy a sit-down meal with friends. Would you enjoy sitting in the car wearing a fur coat? This practice is life threatening to your beloved pet. Please leave Fido or Fluffy at home in the shade with plenty of water. Treat them as you would like to be treated.

Keely Reed

Hood River