Letters to the Editor for July 11

I previously lived in Whistler, Banff and currently live outside of Calgary. Affordable housing is not a new topic to me.

I think what your article and interviewee miss as the greatest pressure on affordable housing is a vibrant economy. A strong economy should not be seen as a curse but must be worked with. The home we stayed in by no means would be deemed “affordable housing.”

I do not believe affordable homes were demolished to build it either.

While there we had 10 people through each for an average stay of five or six nights. We employed a local fellow known as “Chef Bob” for some of our meals. We dined at Pourhouse, Romul’s, the Trillium Cafe, Full Sail, The Taqueria and my favorite, the Subterranean. Art (and beer) were also purchased in Parkdale, a mountain bike and accessories for $3,000 plus windsurf lessons, rentals and other shopping. The home is managed by a company that employs staff and cleaners.

All of this has an impact on the area economy and should be considered carefully. A big part of why we come is the home we stay in. Our group is not interested in staying in a hotel and I am sure many are similar. Looking around Parkdale, Mosier and White Salmon I doubt they have the same “affordable housing” pressures. I also doubt they offer the same job opportunities. Housing and affordability is a large picture and takes more consideration than skewed surveys and statistics or a quick leap to find a culprit. It is usually tied to a vibrant economy which must be considered as part of that bigger picture and managed together.

Jim Uffelmann

Cochrane, Alberta

Canada

Parade thanks

Thank you for the respect we received in the 4th of July parade. It was not fun being a G.I. during the Vietnam era. I got goose bumps.

Hood River has a plethora of volunteers, the most per capita of any place I’ve seen.

That reminds me of a story: a Karate Master had 101 students. There was one student that was very slow and took up a lot of the Masters time.

The rest of the class told the Master they would all leave if he continued to accept the slow student.

The Master told them to leave. One student asked why he would lose 100 students because of one student. He calmly said “If I don’t teach him, then who will?”

Dennis Cullington

Hood River