Letters to the Editor for April 29

Chris Reitz is one of those people! She has played a strong role in our community, not just for her own school, but for all elementary schools.

As the co-founder of the Gorge Kids Triathlon, she saw the need for PE support at the elementary levels. For the last four years, with her team of community volunteers, she led one of the most successful kid-only events in the gorge, raising just over $31,000 for enhanced PE programs. People just don’t do this because they have nothing better to do with their time. They do it because they want things to be better!

As a team leader, Chris is objective, honest and not afraid to ask the hard questions. She is a “do-er!” She is willing to roll up her sleeves and dig in. From my perspective, school board volunteers need to be dedicated and committed to the results. Chris Reitz is that kind of person. I encourage you to vote for Chris Reitz.

Megan Spears

Hood River

For Wilhelm

I support Kris Wilhelm for School Board Position 1. Kris is well informed and passionate about the current issues facing our schools. She listens well and is not afraid to speak up on important matters. Honest and forthright, she will do her best for our students.

Mary Bokovoy

Hood River

Better way

I’m glad that economic sanctions are sometimes used as an alternative to war, but I think there is a better way of using sanctions than the way we are using them now.

As far as I know, the current method we use is to impose general sanctions and then leave them in place until the targeted government changes policy due to the hardships created by the sanctions.

But in reality, I see very little positive effect from the use of sanctions. Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, for example, have been subjected to sanctions for decades, but they still have not crumbled under the weight of their economic difficulties.

Perhaps at least one of the reasons for their ability to withstand prolonged periods of sanctioning is that humans are very good at adapting, both physically and psychologically, to whatever conditions they find themselves in, especially over time.

I think a more effective method of using sanctions would be to impose randomly timed periodic sanctioning cycles that are measured in terms of many months, or even years.

This strategy would need to address and deal with the defense of stockpiling goods and resources. Some commodities would need to have sustained sanctions or strictly limited and timed periods of availability, while others could be cycled at various intervals without quantity limits.

An entire field of psychology and methodology could be developed around this concept.

The idea is to prevent people from adapting to the sanctions. People will tire much more quickly of repeated, unpredictable cycles of having, and then not having, than they will of simply not having.

The ultimate goal is to create conditions that will provoke the general population into rising up and forcing their government to change, and to achieve this effect as quickly as possible.

In a world of rapidly evolving technology and sociology, the science of sanctions seems to remain lost in the Stone Age.

David Conner

The Dalles

No to Nestlé

The below letter I wrote in 2012 is ever more relevant now, but shows that as Nestlé continues its persistent push on this issue, we too need to keep our persistent presence and voice on this issue as well:

I am deeply saddened and concerned to see the momentum that is happening in regards to Nestlé’s proposed water bottling plant in Cascade Locks.

If you think this might be OK and a good thing for the local Cascade Locks economy — or whatever reason you think it might be OK or not a big deal — I would strongly urge you to pull up your Netflix queue and put as number one the movie “Tapped.”

It is a horrifyingly informative documentary film on the history of bottled water and its effects on the planet, and if not stopped, the possible effects on the future of our sacred rights in regards to water on this planet.

Please educate yourselves on this matter. I’m certain many of you who think it’s no big deal would come to change your minds. Inform yourself sooner than later because they are in their less-than-upfront, sneaky and powerful bulldozing, corporate-greed way pushing big-time to do their thing right here in our neighborhood, and if you wait too long it could be too late and you might be sorry! I know I will!

Pamela Dussault

Hood River

‘Under attack’

Just an alert to let you know that parental rights are under attack by the Oregon Legislature. HB 2758 will require that health carriers adopt procedures for enrollees (your child) who receive sensitive services (the bill does not define sensitive services so it could be anything ... Urinary tract infection? Syphilis? HIV? Abortion?) to request to have personal health information protected from disclosure to the policyholder (parent) if the enrollee (child) fears that disclosure will result in harassment or abuse of enrollee or will undermine enrollee’s ability to access health care. On its face, this bill seems to be directed toward keeping minors safe from abusive parents. However, it can also keep good parents from knowing things they need to know regarding their child’s health and welfare. After all, what kid won’t say, “Don’t tell Dad, he might get mad!” If your child undergoes a procedure, and complications develop, you, as a parent, can be prohibited from knowing, but you will be held responsible for paying for it. Keep an eye on this, folks. This might be a bill you really don’t want to become law.

Carolyn Hattrup

Mt. Hood/Parkdale

Vote Watson

Please vote for Stu Watson on your Spring election ballot for the board of Columbia Gorge Community College.

Stu has been the ONLY board member to question the leadership at the college and the ONLY board member attempting to extract information from the president.

In essence, Stu is the ONLY board member fulfilling is responsibilities as an elected official.

Rob Kovacich

Hood River