Letters to the Editor for April 15

They are used by more than 200 species of native wildlife — birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is an essential habitat for many.

Recently, I discovered a free, online booklet that describes this in fascinating detail. Just Google, “Guide for Restoring and Managing Oregon White Oak Habitats.” I think you will be impressed.

Existing stands, in a city like this, are extremely rare. Some of the oaks are hundreds of years old. So be sure to visit Morrison Park (20th and Wasco) this spring to enjoy the trees, wildlife … the only city park with Grass Widows!

And consider, wouldn’t it be great if the city protected this five-acre site from development, from rezoning it to R-3 for development?

Larry Jones

Hood River

Same protections

I think people need to understand something. Congressman Walden did NOT vote to take away your online privacy. Don’t believe me? Simply take a look at Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen — the heads of the two agencies tasked with protecting your online privacy — who stated that, “Congress’s decision last week didn’t remove existing privacy protections; it simply cleared the way for us to work together to reinstate a rational and effective system for protecting consumer privacy.”

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation being swirled around right now on the Internet that seems designed to scare people.

The bill that was recently signed into law prevented overreaching rules from taking effect and creating a disjointed and unclear privacy regime on the Internet. Nothing has changed in the way your online privacy is protected. The rules Walden voted to roll back never even went into effect. Simply put, you still enjoy the same privacy protections that were in place before this bill was signed into law.

Just thought people might like to know.

Holly Gove

Hood River

‘Beat and Greet’

After attending the Hood River town hall today put on by Congressman Greg Walden, a couple of thoughts come to mind. First, I would like to thank the congressman for reaffirming my decision in college to study agricultural science rather than political science. My fruit trees and berry plants may be tough on me when it freezes in the spring or rains during harvest, but they are still much kinder than what I saw today (April 12) out of many of Walden’s constituents. My science degree would not have prepared me for a beat and greet like that.

My second thought from the town hall revolves around our new little German short-haired puppy. When little “Ru” first came to our farm a few weeks ago, she whined and cried every time we would put her in her sleeping kennel inside the house at night. She would cry and whine when she couldn’t eat all the “big” dog’s food along with hers. Over time, as we ignored her outbursts and whining and rewarded her good cooperative behavior with constructive play time as she desired and treats, she learned that more whining just means less fun time for her. It sure seemed like there were a lot of whining puppies in the audience today.

The number of constituents in the audience that felt compelled to interrupt both Congressman Walden as he addressed questions and fellow audience members trying to articulate their thoughts into questions with loud demeaning outbursts should be embarrassed by their lack of respect for an orderly exchange in a public forum. Do we really want America to fall into a complete state of anarchy?

Jeff McNerney

Parkdale

‘True colors’

True colors come out.

I know one thing for sure. I hope I never attend another town hall meeting like the one Wednesday at the middle school in Hood River.

I am sure a large percentage of the folks did not vote for President Trump or Representative Walden.

Some of these people were out of hand, yelling out slurs, calling out stupid comments and stomping their feet while Rep. Walden was talking.

One person thought it was appropriate to yell out that President Trump was a “pig.” These folks made fools of themselves in front of a lot of middle school kids.

If you folks think acting as you did will get your point across, you truly are fools.

Representative Walden, please accept my apology for the rude conduct of some people at your meeting today. Their comments did not represent a lot of us.

Jerry Petricko

Hood River

Renewable fuels

Whether it’s for cattle or crops, farmers and ranchers have been on the forefront of conservation. Many frontline harvesters of the land and sea are also leading efforts to find new ways to cultivate and care for soil and water, fisheries and farmland. Partnerships, like the Renewable Fuels Standard, between the agriculture community and the alternative energy industry, show the valuable opportunities that can arise when we all come together.

Confronting our environmental problems requires us to remember that our states, our communities, and our professions — our people — are more complicated than we often think. But changes like this don’t come easy. Congress must stay consistent so that our industry can do what we do best. I encourage Congressman Walden to maintain the RFS as it is and give Oregon’s agricultural community and economy the certainty to grow.

As a rancher, we want to leave the land, air and water a little better for our children. Long-term stability in biofuel production and the Renewable Fuels Standard is good for Oregon and the ranch.

Curtis Martin

North Powder

Vote for Cavaleri, Kraemer

Hood River is a wonderful place to live and work, and our population is exploding rapidly in response. The city is now planning to rezone the west side of town — and possibly all of town — to encourage development of new housing to accommodate this growth. By one estimate, the number of planned new homes in the west side may nearly double in the next 20 years. Yet there are almost no city parks in this area.

As we pack more people into our limited space, we need to preserve important things that make this town a healthy place to live: a sense of connection to open green spaces, trees and gardens; walkability; and access to the natural world. Preserving and expanding our parks and trail systems must be linked to providing for our expanding city population.

Two candidates in the coming election for two seats on the parks and recreation board particularly appreciate this linkage: Anna Cavaleri and Nick Kraemer. Nick is a professional planner who knows how the planning pieces will need to fit together. Anna is a lawyer and young parent with great energy and a desire to keep Hood River the livable place we all love.

Please cast your vote for Cavaleri/Kraemer in the upcoming parks and rec race. We owe it to our growing community.

Susan G. Crowley

Hood River