Your Voice: April 24, 2024

Dan has deep roots in our community, and he cares deeply for his neighbors. He is ethical, honest, and values transparency. Dan is an independent leader who shows up prepared, listens, asks hard questions, and finds common ground. He has the proven skillset and demeanor to keep local government transparent, accountable and under budget. He does not run away from difficult issues or conversations — he embraces them to find solutions.

Dan has a broad vision about the future of our county where folks of all ages can afford to live and thrive. He has a plan to support smaller communities to upgrade their water systems, engage community partners to incentivize housing, strategically allocate the new Google funds, and protect homes and farmlands from the increasing risk of wildfire.

Dan has the proven experience, independent thinking, and ideas we need to be an effective leader for the whole county. Please join me in supporting Dan Richardson for Wasco County Commissioner in the May 2024 election.

Marcus Swift

The Dalles

We support Dan Richardson for Wasco County Commissioner. Please vote for him on or before our Election Day of May 21, 2024.

Dan has extensive governmental experience including being an elected official on The Dalles City Council. He also has volunteered for the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency, The Dalles City Budget Committee, The Dalles-Wasco County Joint Climate Resilience Committee and many more. Dan is a good listener and a problem-solver, as well!

Dan works in natural resource conservation management and was born and raised in Wasco County, choosing to raise his family in the area.

We feel that Dan Richardson is the best candidate for our Wasco County Commissioner.

Karen and Steve Murray

The Dalles

Vote in November

The policies to eliminate wildlife in our county and the wholesale callousness in our county jail are despicable.

Sheriff Songer’s disregard for wildlife regulations is just one of his ill-informed policies. Fish and Wildlife implemented an educated, humane, law-abiding intervention policy with cougar encounters, where killing is the last recourse. A report of a cougar in its normal habitat away from homes causing no problems, so Sheriff Songer called out his posse to chase it down with dogs and kill it. He has also made comments about his intent to kill all predators in our county. Doesn’t he realize the loss of equilibrium of predator/prey ratio will cause problems with other wildlife like rodents, rabbits, and deer?

Suspect incidents involving Deputy Culp include an inmate suicide, resulting in a $20 million lawsuit against the county that would be paid by we, the taxpayers. Another inmate was long overdue for admittance to the hospital with a case of potentially fatal septic shock. These two incidents alone indicate an extreme dereliction of duty. Both inmates were Native American. Both indicate utter disregard for basic human rights and possible racial malfeasance. These incidents at best are egregious negligence by jailer Culp.

Sheriff Songer is the self-proclaimed highest authority in the land, enforcing laws only of his choosing. He may not like gun regulations like background checks, but as sheriff it is still his duty to uphold the law. How much of this dereliction and disregard for our system of government by Sheriff Songer and Deputy Culp will we allow?

Our commissioners Anderson and Zoller rightfully voted to close the jail. Let’s do right and vote out Songer and Culp in November.

Chris Connolly

White Salmon

Be proactive and research

As a generational resident of Wasco County, it deeply saddens me that one of our local candidates has chosen to run a smear campaign against their opponent. This candidate’s supporters are destroying campaign materials and spreading inaccurate, slanderous accusations. As a competent leader, if you are aware of negative things happening on your behalf, all you have to do is say, "stop." The other candidate is letting grace and integrity speak for itself. Please take note that I have not used any names for a specific reason. This is because I want to highly encourage Wasco County voters to be proactive and research who you are voting for to learn the facts and not just what you see on social media. Feel free to contact candidates to get the answers to your questions and ask yourself what kind of leadership you truly want for Wasco County. I am respectfully requesting that if you comment on this letter that you refrain from negativity and bashing. Wasco County is better than this.

Kim Mead

Maupin

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Every April, SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center plants fields of pinwheels in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. First recognized in 1983, with the purpose of encouraging communities to be supportive of families, and play an active role in preventing child abuse and neglect as well as taking action to promote child and family well-being.

This year the pinwheels are noticeably absent. Unfortunately, it is because the rate of abuse cases we see has increased by 45% since the same time last year. We have been too busy with assessments to distribute them.

Out of every 1,000 girls, 8.7 will experience some form of abuse. It is 7.5 per 1,000 boys. The children most often abused are under the age of 5 (43%), when they are most dependent on their caregivers.

Usually when we hear about child abuse, it is the more heinous cases of physical (16%) or sexual (10%) abuse. However, neglect (76%) is the most common form of abuse.

Neglect is defined as the failure of a parent or other caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs. These include:

Physical — failing to provide clothing, shelter, food, or supervision

Medical — failing to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment, or withholding indicated treatment for life threatening illnesses

Educational — withholding access or failing to obtain services for child with special needs

Emotional — failure to attend to emotional or psychological needs, or permitting them to use drugs or alcohol

The majority of offenders are the child’s parent (77%) or another close relative (~6%), which is why awareness and prevention are so important. It is someone outside of the family structure that makes the difference in a child’s life if they suffer from abuse.

DHS is responsible for determining if a child is a victim of abuse, however, all you need is a reasonable suspicion that a child is experiencing abuse to call the Oregon Child Abuse Hot Line: 855-503-7233.

Glen R Patrizio, MD

Medical director, SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center

Hood River

Beware of source

This is an alert: I am concerned that AI [artificial intelligence] apps are being used to generate mushroom identifications and the results are often unreliable, sometimes identifying very toxic species as choice edibles, and errors are common and sometimes widely off-base. An additional concern is with Amazon marketplace, which has AI-generated foraging guides for each of the 50 states which are using unattributed and uncredited sources of information. If you are purchasing mushroom field guides, make certain to purchase a book from an actual credible author. Also consider checking any identification you get from an app by posting your mushroom photo to Facebook or a similar social media site with mushroom identification sites where real people can assist you with the identification — even there, make certain that you follow the advice of a credible person, as anyone can post an answer.

Frances Beug

Husum

Budget concerns

I am writing to express my concerns over pending budget reductions that will impact Hood River County School District classroom teachers.

I understand that the enrollment is declining, and revenues will go down as pandemic-era aid ends and the state reduces funding for the district. As a result, budget cuts are necessary. But is cutting classroom teachers the best approach?

One of the appeals of Hood River Schools is the small classrooms and strong licensed, experienced in-classroom teachers. We know that students perform better, especially at the elementary level, in smaller classrooms. If they didn’t, the district wouldn’t be losing students to private school options like Hood River New School and Horizon Christian School, both of which offer smaller classes. Horizon offers a student to teacher ratio of 12:1. Hood River New School boasts a student to teacher ratio of 12:1 and in math that ratio is 9:1. Hood River School District averages a 16:1 student to teacher ratio, comparable to Portland Public Schools, which has over 45,000 students. I don’t expect the same ratios as private schools; however, I expect to keep a low ratio that is competitive with the region and benefits students.

I expect the district to prioritize students and teachers. I expect district leaders to prioritize classroom over administration. I expect there to be cuts in other areas before classroom teachers are cut. For instance, does the district need instructional coaches at every school? Would we be better served with one instructional coach for elementary and one for middle school and high school? Does a district of our size truly need a communications director? As a parent and as a voter, I demand you look for cuts that do not directly impact students and classroom teachers.

Ginger Shepherd

Hood River

For parks levy

When I was elected to the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District last May, I was surprised to learn the many issues at play in “replacing the pool.” The measures on the upcoming ballot were informed by many years of outreach by HRVPRD about needs and desires of our community. They factor in the true cost of those items. Lots of info is available at both www.hoodriverparksandrec.org and www.yesyesPnR.com.

Recently, inaccurate information has been texted to voters from people opposing the measures. I know that our county is filled with independent thinkers, who care about where they live and the people around them. Considering that, here are some facts to know:

1. The pool replacement proposal places a new community recreation center next to Jackson Park, on the site of Collins Field. It would add amenities and more parking. It would serve many more than the well-used aquatic center.

2. A new multi-use ballfield would be built at Westside Park. HRVPRD is currently working with the school district to revitalize a long under-utilized baseball field at Wy’east.

3. The current district rate is $0.3456 per $1000 of assessed value and was set when it was only for maintenance of an outdoor pool. The proposed bond adds $1.27 and levy adds $0.43; that’s $1.7 in new tax per $1,000 assessed. The District has provided average numbers, but to know your cost, you need to calculate it based on the assessed value of your property. Assessed value is MUCH lower than a home’s sale price.

When the board was considering options to bring to voters, I was concerned about the costs and moving parts. I asked a lot of questions and ultimately came to the conclusion that this is the best solution of an array of imperfect options.

Personally, I decided that the amount my family will have to pay is more than worth it for what these measures will bring to our community. I hope you too will do your research, consider what is at stake, and join me in voting yes-yes.

Christy (Paul) Christopher

Hood River

Vote no on 14-78

Vote NO, Measure 14-78 Hood River Valley Parks new pool bond levy. This excessive bond request will burden county tax payers with an additional $1.27 per thousand assessed value for 25 years. The current parks operating levy tax rate is about $0.34 per thousand. Together with 14-77 (the operating levy), the new pool and parks levies would represent a 500% increase. OUCH! This is especially painful for two reasons:

1) The 1995-96 Measure 50 created enormous assessed property values inequity in Oregon. And while proponents of the bond levy suggest median home value in Hood River is $220,000, those outside Measure 50 protections are well aware they will be hit with a much larger share of the tax increase. Homes in Oregon built since 1996 pay a disproportionately higher share of property tax increases, making newer homes (and rent) less affordable.

2) The county already enjoys a guaranteed 3% increase in assessed value/tax revenue. All this said, Measure 14-77, the five-year Operating Levy, even though increasing by about 25% above current costs, is a reasonable request. The West Side Rural Fire District Local Option Levy,14-79, a basic and essential service, is also a very reasonable request at $0.97 per thousand. Governments at all levels tend to spend money on programs, projects and related administration costs, far outside the scope of essential government services.

Changing spending priorities will only happen when "the people" say NO. Doing more with less can be challenging and hard choices have to be made. If a small group of people want a pool in Hood River, find private money, find donors, raise use fees for the very small percentage of the population who want a pool. County roads are falling apart and not safe. We all need safe roads. The county paving/asphalt budget for 2024 is about $0.5 million. Why spend $72 million on a pool and recreation? County law enforcement and public safety is operating on a shoestring. County bridges are aging. We need to prioritize government spending on essential services, first. Vote NO on 14-78.

Mark Smith

Hood River

Editor's Note: The county and parks and recreation districts are two different entities and do not share funding or budgets. According to www.hoodriverparksandrec.org, the median assessed value for homes in the HRVPRD boundary is $220,000; the median real market value for all residential improved properties in the county is $514,560. Property taxes in Oregon are based on “assessed value,” which is less than half (42.3% for residential) of a property’s real market value in Hood River County.

Trump not fit for office

The letter "No vote for Trump" (April 10, Columbia Gorge News) was spot on in several points, but none more informing than Trump’s declaration of being a "dictator for one day." One does not need to think that far back in time to remember Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot, Kim IL Song — the list goes on. Once the power of dictatorial success was felt, do you really think any of these despotic maniacs thought, “Wow! Being a 'fascist' felt so good I think I just might go back to being a civilized kinda leader?" We KNOW what it leads to!

Trump is a criminal! This was the example his criminal father put in his tiny brain. Never admit wrongdoing even if your caught with your "hand in the cookie jar." Never admit wrongdoing even if your caught with your "hand in the cookie jar." Lie until people eventually believe you. Cheat your workers until they take you to court (only a criminal needs this many attorneys to work for him). An honest person wants his day in court to establish their innocence. A criminal wants no part of the legal system (just pay people off). This man’s criminal past should disqualify him from holding office but the more obvious reason is that he is just plain unfit/unqualified. Even his most steadfast believers understand that most of what he spews on a daily basis is false. His followers just make up more excuses for him. This is the real problem — what kind of person votes for a man this terrible? Former President Obama was right when he said, "We are better than this"! Some people are just now listening.

Eugene Saldivar

The Dalles

Tree Fest appreciation

Do you ever write letters to the editor in your head and then never get around to actually writing them? I wrote one of these imaginary letters about the wonderful event that was Tree Fest in White Salmon, a few weeks back and then time slipped away. A recent letter to the editor about the parking at the event has motivated me to actually write mine. No doubt parking can be improved, and senior citizen access is an important consideration. Nonetheless, I think some positive recognition and thanks are in order. The many volunteers created a lovely community event. The Underwood Conservation District distributed more than 13,000 native plant starts to more than 300 customers. Native plants are so important in helping pollinators survive. Two thirds of our foods are pollinated by insects, and they are having a hard time.

I remember the days when you got your order handed to you out of the back of cooling van. Now Richard Tillinghast played pleasant guitar music and there were tents full of informative folks offering a variety of help. Mountain Top Wildlife, who help injured wildlife, had a great horned owl on display. Northwest Grazing provided a friendly goat, used for weed control and wildfire prevention. Humble Roots offered native plants for sale and, along with Suksdorfia Native Plant Society, offered advice on growing them. There were many other organizations represented. It was big enough to make it worth the effort to attend, but not so big as to be crowded or overwhelming. It was like White Salmon itself, just the right size-active, but still laid back.

Joan Chantler

White Salmon

Are you better off?

With a 2024 election rematch of Biden and Trump, we know for sure what we will be getting:

President Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, and worked tirelessly to serve the American people. Despite relentless obstruction by extremists in congress he still believes in bi-partisan compromise. He had a middle class upbringing and then lost his first wife and daughter in a tragic accident. His sons survived but as adults Beau died of brain cancer; Hunter overcame drug addiction. He knows about middle class struggles and personal tragedy.

Donald Trump was born into a wealthy family and inherited a fortune, but his companies declared bankruptcy six times (Washington Post, Sept. 26, 2016). Shareholders, contractors and employees all lost millions. He was elected president in 2016 with no prior experience in governance, but many saw that as an asset because, as an outsider, he promised to “drain the swamp” and said he would have “only the best” people in his administration. Instead, five members of his cabinet were forced to resign in disgrace under investigations of corruption or ethics violations (Huffpost, July 12, 2019). Eight of Trump’s former associates have been sentenced to prison; two others, Michael Flynn, and Elliot Broidy, pled guilty to crimes but were pardoned by Trump (CNN, The Po!nt, July 21, 2021). Trump has been indicted in four criminal cases. In the separate New York Civil Fraud case he was judged to be liable on claims of falsifying business records and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud (New York v. Trump). In the E. Jean Carroll case he was found liable for sexual abuse, and defamation (US District Court, SDNY, E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump). Trump claims all of these charges are part of a vast conspiracy directed by President Biden, but no evidence or whisleblower has come forward.

The question often asked of voters before an election is: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” Maybe what we should be asking is if we would be better off after four more years of Trump crime and chaos.

Howard Bulick

Bingen

Spiritual Circle

My family is hosting a bimonthly online (via google meet) Spiritual Living Circle in collaboration with Centers For Spiritual Living and the Guide For Spiritual living. Our circle takes place on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

 My family has been practicing our faith with Centers For Spiritual Living (CSL) for some time now but there are no physical centers in the gorge. The closest one is Portland so we decided to share the wonderfully nourishing interfaith wisdom of the Guide For Spiritual Living with others via this circle.

There is no cost to attend circle and when an individual joins the circle, they receive a free six month digital subscription to the magazine. You can learn more about the magazine here scienceofmind.com.

This is not a drop-in circle. We host seasonal sessions that ask a regular commitment from attendees so that deep connections can be formed and meaningful heartfelt discussions can be had. This is a “brave space” circle where diverse religious and political views are discussed, it is not a surface social group that avoids deeper conversations. We are a LGBTQIA2S+ friendly community and we encourage people from the BIPOC community to join us. Our next session is Thursday, May 2. We cap attendance at eight to keep it intimate. Anyone with interest in attending can email or call me directly at 541-340-4711. Folks interested in learning more about CSL can visit csl.org/about-us; more info on exactly what Spiritual Liv-ing Circles are can be found at csl.org/spiritual-living-circles.

 Beth Slowik

The Dalles

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