While I think this is the greatest country on the planet, the reality is that not everyone wants to be a citizen here. We do have an immigration system for those who want to citizens. It may be a surprise to those of you who think the only answer to the current problem is just a path to citizenship. Those of you who think citizenship is the answer are missing the point. Many come in search of safety, and better conditions than they have in their own country. Not all wish to stay, assimilate and become American citizens. What is needed is a practical, workable, revived guest worker program as many other first and third world countries have. Any shouts for that?
In response to Mark Thomas’s letter to the editor (May 3) regarding paid protesters — yes, there are paid protesters. Understood there are genuine protests. I hate to burst some illusions, but my daughter has been paid to train, by the Left, and protest. She has been flown, at the Left’s expense, both to New York and Los Angeles for training. My view is that protests should be organic and from the heart. Her view is that the person who is paying is using their freedom of speech in this manner. Makes for some great family dinner conversation, but we respect each other’s views and we are family. If Mr. Thomas considers the opposing view as always “delusional” and “tragic,” how can there be a genuine understanding conversation?
Steve Nybroten
White Salmon, Wash.
Mixed use housing
As the City of Hood River looks at rezoning the entire west side within the Urban Growth Boundary to smaller 4,000 square foot lots, with multiple housing density at the expense of larger single family home lots of 7,000 square feet, one must think why are they not seriously looking at other options. One major one being “mixed use housing” in commercial/retail neighborhoods. Living above or adjacent to work has been part of the landscape for centuries around the world.
It prevents urban sprawl and needs little infrastructure. Most roads, water and sewer are already in place along the 63 acres of undeveloped retail and commercial zones in the purposed west side plan. This area could easily accommodate mixed use and higher density neighborhoods.
Walking to work with grocery and other stores nearby eliminates stress on transportation. Yet here in Hood River, for some reason the west side planners seem uninterested. Page 11 in the proposed plan sums up their attitude:
“Mixed use and additional housing in West Cascade Avenue district is a desired goal, but not a mandate … Even with a strong housing market and high land values, the feasibility of vertical mixed use development in the West Cascade Avenue district is not strong.” Therefore, mixed-use is considered an aspirational land use goal, but not an assumed or mandated land use in this area.
Why not?
A “15” year county and city tax incentive (no taxes to the new mixed use developments) could be the driver in getting high density mixed use neighborhoods up and running and address Hood River’s affordable housing shortage.
I would ask the city council to postpone their decision on the West Side Area Plan until there is a “adequate” and “serious” study made on mixed use developments.
Jim Reed
Hood River
Better choice?
Congressman Walden’s own past statements need to be constantly exhumed and reexamined by his constituents. Here’s a great example with relevance to recent news, from Mr. Walden’s own website:
Walden said Trump, with his faults, is still a better choice than Clinton, who has clearly shown that she cannot be trusted to safeguard national security, or put American interests before her own.
“She mishandled classified data and she got away with it — so what will she get away with as president?” he asked (walden.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/dalles-chronicle-walden-offers-better-way).
Nick Eby
Hood River
Someone?
What would New York City be without Central Park? Someone fought for it years ago. And someone saved it.
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