Blaming the wrong ones
There is a big misconception that state financial problems are due to the unionization of teachers, firefighters and other state employees, and that these unions have held the state hostage in order to get lucrative salaries, benefits and retirement packages.
In reality, the benefits costing our government big bucks were negotiated in good faith by administrators and unions over many, many years.
For example, we teachers in Roseburg during the 1980s agreed to not ask for a cost of living raise one year and negotiated medical benefits instead. The school district and voters were happy with this. In other years the district agreed to pick up part of the PERS retirement payment if teachers didn't ask for a raise.
Although the bargaining sessions were and arduous, there was never the threat of a strike and teachers started work many years on their previous year's salary and benefits package.
Now some 20 years later, unions are still negotiating in good faith for contracts to make schools and other government systems work. They continue to work even though benefits are cut and salaries do not keep up with the cost of living. New personnel no longer come into PERS under the old system that is continually touted as outrageous in its payouts.
The public seems to forget that it was not teacher unions than set the PERS payouts, but state administrators who had suddenly been allowed to invest PERS dollars in the stock market. These administrators didn't factor in the market collapse to keep the plan solvent.
It's no use blaming the teachers, fire department and state troopers for the incompetence of government officials any more than we should blame the gas station owners for current outrageous gas prices due to stock market speculators.
It's time for us to get away from our amateurism in budgeting our state finances. It's time for the legislature to put in a non-partisan budget office and to be required follow their recommendations for getting our state budget back onto a sustainable footing.
Rick McBee
Hood River
Library PERS misconception
The Hood River County Library District Board would like to clear up a misconception stated in Kurt Osborne's letter to the editor (Feb. 26).
The board is planning to provide benefits for library employees, but will not be using PERS. We are currently considering alternatives.
We welcome public attendance and input at our regularly scheduled meetings: first and third Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. at 601 State St., Hood River. Also, please feel free to e-mail or call any board member when you have questions and/or concerns.
You can readily find all of our contact information, and current library news, at www.hoodriverli-brary.org.
The board takes its responsibility seriously to manage taxpayer funds carefully.
Sara D. Snyder
Library district board president
Hood River
Go see
'Is He Dead?'
Please come to Hood River Valley High School's production of Mark Twain's "new" play! This wonderful effort of the school's drama department is proof to me how HRVHS scores higher than national or state SAT scores for critical reading.
Effectively communicating a complex written story by an acclaimed author, about a revered artist, to audiences after school all day would be tough for adults, but these young people do it with joy. Drama, like music and athletics, builds confidence - just the sort of activity we should be supporting for our children.
Having just read the 2009-10 School Report Card, 80 percent of our sons and daughters participate in after-school activities that could be lost in budget cuts this year.
My son was a homeschooler and now attends full-time so he can have access to great teachers like Rachel Harry and Mark Steighner. They offer to share what they love and learn with us, please support them! (Friday and Saturday nights until March 12!)
Jules Burton
Hood River
'Essential' issue
I heard that if the government doesn't find a way to fund itself it will have to curtail non-essential programs and lay off non-essential personnel.
Wait a minute! The government has non-essential programs and personnel? Isn't that the problem?
Mike Farmer
Hood River
Waterfront fees make sense
In the Feb. 26 issue of the News, the article "Preparing for a busy summer" states that parking fees generated from the Event Site raised $4,800, leaving a $1,200 shortfall to pay for a manned toll booth.
As an avid outdoorsman I pay several fees for the privilege of enjoying the local recreation. Some of these fees are per use and some are attached to various licenses.
I pay a fee to have a picnic at many of the parks. I pay a fee to park along numerous hiking spots. I pay a fee to hunt in local units. I pay a fee to fish and launch my boat in the Columbia. I pay a fee when I park at a snow park on the mountain.
Why shouldn't we pay a fee to use the launching areas for windsurfing and kite boarding? By offering annual, monthly or day passes for a small fee we can generate enough revenue to maintain these areas. Rather than a manned booth, passes could be purchased at various local businesses bringing in customers that will probably purchase other items.
The local law enforcement can do an occasional drive-by (I'm pretty sure they're already doing this) and ticket non-payers. Sure makes more sense to me.
Kenneth Neal
Hood River
Come hear local talent
Congratulations to the "Heart of the Gorge Singer Songwriter Showcase" performers, organizers and sponsors for this wonderful evening of music at Old St. Peter's Landmark last Saturday night!
Local musicians Tony Garcia, Jyto Gatewood, Lou Marzeles, Leslie Geatches and Slava provided a wide variety of original music to entertain and inspire.
This was the first in a series of three "last Saturday of the month" events and a new slate of local musicians will be on stage March 26 and April 30. I encourage my neighbors to come out and enjoy our marvelous local talent!
Link Shadley
The Dalles
Play nicely;
do homework
The Cascade Locks mayor and council are not setting a good example for a productive meeting. This should be done so citizens will know what is going on.
Note: not studying the items on the agenda. Full knowledge of each is needed to make correct facts statements.
Good manners, correct English plus knowledge equal productive meetings. You were elected to study, learn about items. If you don't take the time or want to, then quit.
Now is the time to get our meetings in order.
Nancy Renault
Cascade Locks
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