CGCC is a ‘sinking ship’
These are dreary, dismal times at Columbia Gorge Community College. With a $2.4 million budget shortfall created by the college’s current leadership, there is a pervasive sense of mistrust and low morale among much of the faculty/staff of CGCC. This has led to the voluntary departure of numerous staff over recent months which, along with rolling layoffs and a hiring freeze, has resulted in a critical staff shortage, with crucial tasks now falling by the wayside.
Remaining staff members are being stretched to fill voids for which they may have little training or expertise. Sadly, it is the students themselves who stand to suffer most from this tragedy, with reduced course offerings and diminished services available to them.
It’s frustrating that CGCC’s Board of Education has repeatedly chosen to ignore the many complaints lodged by students, staff and faculty over recent years, despite continued mismanagement attributed to current college leadership. I have attended several board meetings, and with the exception of Stu Watson, it often seems that the other members are totally disengaged, indifferent — SOME EVEN SLEEPING — as they just blithely rubber-stamp leadership proposals. It is just such passivity to CGCC’s reality that has led to the college’s current abysmal financial situation. This ineptness on the part of the Board is devastating to CGCC’s future and is an egregious injustice to CGCC’s students.
After 11 years working at the front counter of the Hood River Campus, I am one of five CGCC employees this month choosing to voluntarily leave this sinking ship, because the college’s future appears murky, the leadership’s intentions are questionable, and the board itself remains dispassionate about employee concerns. Mine wasn’t a decision made lightly, as CGCC’s faculty are top-notch, my co-workers are like family, and CGCC’s students repeatedly inspired me with their tenacity, perseverance and friendship. It is for the students especially that I submit this letter, in hopes that CGCC might be navigated upon a more cogent course, with fresh leadership, a tenable vision, and bolder, more vibrant board members.
Lynne Davidson
Hood River
Testimony flawed
This letter addresses a story from staff writer Patrick Mulvihill (March 18) regarding Dr. Bonnie New’s proposed firearms control and a commentary from Kevin Herman (March 25). Kudos to Herman for his clarification of the facts.
New’s solution for violent crime does not address the fact that many of the homicides in Oregon were gang-related. Would gun registration solve that situation? Of course not! And how many of those were committed under the influence of drugs? While that does not legitimize the mortality, it puts a good part of the blame where it belongs. Those who try to advance gun control by presenting lies and twisted impressions must assume people are dumb enough to believe their misconceptions.
It’s sad that some journalists perpetuate this garbage.
Dr. New, as a physician, ought to know that compared to guns many more deaths occur each year in the U.S. as a direct result of preventable medical mistakes. As published by respected medical reports, nearly 400,000 medical mistake deaths occur each year. In addition, there are 10,000 serious complication cases resulting from medical errors each day! The medical mistake deaths is the third highest mortality rate after heart disease and cancer, far greater than traffic accidents and homicides (including suicides) combined. Dr. New ought to consider putting the medical house in order before attempting to put in place unrealistic restrictions that do nothing to reduce violent crime.
I have stated publicly before that a gun is an inanimate object completely incapable of any action until the human element is introduced. It’s like blaming vehicles for highway mortality.
Society’s concern should be with the people committing the atrocities.
We need to address the revolving door judicial system that puts the mentally disturbed and criminally insane right back out on to the streets.
It’s not about gun control but people control.
Where would America, the freest nation on earth, be today if the people had no means of defense and offense?
Come on, America, wake up and smell the poison!
Lance Beckman
White Salmon
Climate thoughts
Shifting views on climate change have a majority of Republicans wanting action to reduce greenhouse gases. Politicians, businesses and even conservative advocacy groups are slowly moving from climate denial to reluctant acceptance. As climate related costs mount, voter demands for action will increase until they reach a tipping point. The question is whether that tipping point comes before we see irreparable harm.
Republican administrations were instrumental in creating the EPA, passing the Clean Air Act and implementing emission trading to reduce acid rain. Conservatives have an important voice in forwarding market-based solutions that minimizes economic disruption while making polluters responsible for their actions. They offer a needed counterpoint to climate activists.
Continuing opposition to climate action has less to do with a lack of facts than a lack of imagination and courage in proposing solutions reflecting conservative values. Instead of operating at the behest of the fossil fuel industry, Republicans should offer a climate agenda based on their own ideas, e.g. eliminating market distorting subsidies, a revenue-neutral carbon tax and rebate system, carbon cap and trade legislation, support for nuclear power and funding for carbon sequestration and clean coal technology.
Without Republican support there is little hope for timely action. The sooner conservatives become a part of the solution the better we all will be.
Richard Davis
The Dalles
‘Strikes again’
Nestlé strikes again with the same tactics they’ve always used. You can’t con me into thinking Governor Brown’s office, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the short sighted government of Cascade Locks haven’t been bought. Among other things they’ve been offered the time honored bait of jobs and increased tax revenues and they’ve jumped on it like a fish on a fly. Nestlé is just reeling them in. The hell with the public good, our children’s future, our water supply and the environmental health and quality of life in the Gorge. And on top of this, parts of the state are under a drought and the rest of us are looking at possible drought and water shortages this summer.
Follow the money!
Jerry Giarrapuo
Hood River
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