Letters to the Editor for Jan. 28

Nestlé is trying to eliminate the regulatory barriers and bypass the right of citizens to state their opinion about the water transfer.

Nestlé has an abominable track record, nationally and abroad, proving that they don’t care about people, only profits.

Curt Melcher, at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, needs to stay true to his original promise and not forfeit the water right for Oxbow Springs.

The larger issue is the concept of privatizing a public resource for corporate profits. Clearly put, the water Nestlé wants is currently owned by the State of Oregon.

As clean water becomes one of the most sought after resources on the planet, Oregonians should protect and profit from this natural resource, not a multinational corporation like Nestlé.

Pamela Larsen

Hood River

State Street concerns

Say it ain’t so:

Reading the Hood River News recently, we are told that the State Street work is now complete except for some small details. Certainly we are all happy to see the construction end, traffic, dust, noise, parking woes. There are varying opinions on design, something we are not about to change. Now, one would just have to think there was a contract with just about everything spelled out, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping and such. Now about that hump on State Street where the old pavement meets the new, and the manhole. Please, don’t tell me that was in the design, and that this is the finished product. The cold joint between the two is already holding moisture, and will become a pothole soon. Over all smoothness in the surface along the entire project leaves much to be desired. Has the City signed off on this, has the contractor been paid? Reminds me of the big puddle (small lake) at 28th and May. This was our money that paid for this work, we deserve better.

Editor’s note; Steffen Lunding had forwarded his letter to city manager Steve Wheeler, who replied: “It ain’t so. There is a one year warranty period and the situation described is already on our punch list to be fixed this spring when the asphalt plants are again producing.”

Steffen Lunding

Hood River

Punchbowl questions

The idea of the county owning some more land, especially with the call to “preserve it,” is not something I can sign onto. The Punchbowl has been just fine so far, eh? Just what can county ownership do? A park you say. Been to Tucker Park lately? Gated and locked off to the taxpayer. Why?

Try to go up Middle Mountain lately? Locked. As if it was private property. And most importantly, where are they going to get the money? Maybe a little increase in property tax. So some rich folks buy the place and limit access. So what? There’s easy access at Dee. When the Darwin award contestants do their thing at Punchbowl, who is liable? Who gets sued?

Arthur Chenoweth

Hood River