Hotel concerns
I am writing to express my concern about the proposed construction of a hotel complex at 419 State St., on the Hood River News building lot. While I understand the desire to promote tourism and economic growth, this project has already had serious unintended consequences for many low-income families in our community, including mine.
Until recently, that building was home to a A Kidz Dental Zone, a dental office that accepted Medicaid patients, one of the few in the Hood River area. With the sale and redevelopment of the property, the clinic was forced to close its local office and move all its patients to The Dalles. Now, many Hood River families are left scrambling to find new providers.
Finding a dentist who accepts Medicaid is already extremely difficult, and those who do often have long wait lists or are no longer accepting new patients. One Community Health, for example, reportedly has a year-long waiting list. For families without reliable transportation, traveling to The Dalles for care simply isn’t an option.
This situation raises an important question: How does building another hotel serve the people who live and work here year-round? How does it address the real needs of our local residents, especially our most vulnerable, rather than catering primarily to tourists?
Our community deserves thoughtful development that balances economic growth with the essential services our residents depend on. I urge city leaders to consider the human impact and ensure that future projects don’t come at the expense of those who can least afford it.
Viviana Ortiz
Hood River
Bentz not doing job
What is the job of a United States Representative?
They are elected to “make laws, represent their constituents and provide services to the people in their district,” according to the House.gov website. I am wondering how an official who does not make himself available for townhall meetings (KATU News, Aug. 20), and has been absent from Congress, can represent his district? Congressman Bentz has missed six weeks of work representing the voters of District 2 in the 119th legislative session. Congressman Bentz has stood by while SNAP benefits were stopped and healthcare benefits move further out of reach for his constituents. Mr. Bentz supports tariffs that hurt his constituents (Newswatch12, May 26).
Mr. Bentz is failing to represent his constituents of the 2nd district. Oregonians deserve better.
Katharine Goe
Mt. Hood-Parkdale
Many victims of crime
First, I would like to thank you for reporting the dismissal of Columbia Fruit Growers Association (CFGA) Executive Director Mike Doke following the allegations of prolonged embezzlement against the organization (“Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers Association executive director fired following theft allegations,” Columbia Gorge News, April 9). While the article states that it’s an ongoing investigation, this case shines light onto the vulnerabilities of small, nonprofit organizations as consequential results of white-collar crimes.
Priding itself on a profound agricultural identity, Hood River is home to family-owned orchards that provide fresh fruits to its residents. Given its significant role in Hood River’s economy and identity, any misdeeds within agricultural organizations that represent growers can have a lasting harm on the community overall. Yet, such incidents don’t receive the same attention as we would typically see for street crimes, despite having much more pervasive impacts. CFGA promotes using their funds for scholarships, support of agricultural-based organizations, and workforce sustainability. But members of this association, who are growers/providers for our city, were not only victims of financial loss. They likely also experienced an erosion of trust extending from an institution that was intended to serve them and their communities. These individuals provided funding for this association, towards initiatives they deeply care about. That diminished trust can be just as damaging as the financial loss itself.
These cases can be quite common within small organizations with limited staffing, and per the article, Doke was the lone employee of this association. This could possibly mean that he may have handled most of the finances, raising the question of whether there were proper internal procedures in place. Furthermore, transparency on the extent of this loss and what precautions will be taken going forward to prevent any future misuse of funds is crucial. Perhaps an annual financial audit should be implemented, or even a training for the board to recognize the red flags of white-collar crimes.
These crimes are very clearly not victimless in nature. Their misconduct extends beyond the organizational sphere; families, growers, workers, and the economy itself faces the consequences of this unfortunate case. Therefore, we must place close attention to these offenses and recognize its detrimental outcomes.
Maricela Castro-Rodriguez
Hood River
Foreign Policy 101
Search: AI Overview.
Question:
QUOTE: What is the diversionary theory of war?
Answer:
QUOTE: The diversionary theory of war posits that political leaders facing domestic unrest, economic hardship, or political scandals may initiate foreign policy crises or a war to divert the public’s attention, bolster their approval ratings through a “rally around the flag” effect, and enhance their political survival.
VENEZUELA: It’s not “rocket science” (pun intended), people. Neither will be the body bags when they begin showing up at Dover Air Force Base.
Robert White
Mt. Hood-Parkdale
Help support Books for Kids
When you were growing up, you can likely remember someone like a favorite teacher, parent, grandparent, or aunt who read to you. You can remember books in your home that you enjoyed reading. Some kids in the Columbia Gorge, where I live, do not have books in their homes. They learn to read at school and then go to a home without books to read. As one of my favorite Dr. Seuss book says, “Oh the places you’ll go” ... with books. What were your favorite childhood books?
You can donate $5 or more to get books in the homes of children in the Columbia Gorge. On the First Book “Marketplace,” where we send our donated funds, there are quality, desirable books that our local teachers pick out for the kids in their classroom to take home and read, READ, READ, READ, which brings these children “JOY, JOY, JOY” ... Happy memories and reading skills for a lifetime!
We are awarding book grants in January 2026, so NOW is an awesome time to give the gift of books to a local child. My favorite thing to do with our literacy effort is to attend books distributions at the schools. When the students get to pick their three or four books, they are so excited, happy, and suspenseful to pick their favorite books that they write in their name on ownership stickers and take the books home, often in a book bag. Some students go home and set up a special place to read and enjoy their NEW books. These are their books to keep and enjoy anytime, anywhere, and forever!
Please join me in donating to my favorite literacy effort! You can go to our website at www.booksforkidscg.org, or send a check to Books for Kids, PO Box 221, Hood River, OR 97031. We are an nonprofit organization with dedicated volunteers. If you can help us with our literacy effort, please email us at booksforkidscg@gmail.com.
Nancy Johanson Paul
Hood River
Get involved
I was so impacted by Emily Harris’ article, “How to Drive on a (very) Low Rated Bridge” (Columbia Gorge News, Oct. 1; provided by Uplift Local). In particular, I was unaware that there is sound reasoning behind the 15 mph speed limit on the bridge. It makes complete sense to me that vehicles moving at faster speeds cause more “bounce” and strain on the very old structure, thus shortening its life and requiring more repairs.
I have recently been attending the meetings of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, and I want to call attention to this amazing group of volunteers. They represent a great deal of knowledge, skill and commitment to this project which is critical to everyone in the Gorge, and they do so with professionalism and transparency. The entire meetings are posted on YouTube the day after they occur in person, and, of course, the meetings are open to the public both in person and by Zoom. I encourage folks to take a look and see the great work that’s being done behind the scenes for our communities.
Kathy Omer
Mosier
Where are policy-makers?
Recently, I attended a powerful community screening of “No Place to Grow Old,” a documentary highlighting the growing crisis of older adults in Oregon “aging into houselessness.” The event, hosted by the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative, included a panel of local housing and cultural leaders who shared data, stories, and solutions about what it really takes to help our neighbors find and keep stable housing.
At one point during the discussion, the moderator asked everyone in the room who works in direct service (the “helpers”), those on the front lines of social and human services, to stand. Nearly three-quarters of the audience rose to their feet. It was a moving moment, a reminder that this community is full of helpers who show up because we care deeply about the people we serve.
But it also raised a question I can’t shake: Where were the people with the power to change the system? I didn’t see elected officials, city and county leaders, or representatives from agencies that make policy or allocate funding. The room was filled with empathy, expertise, and lived experience, but missing the decision-makers who could most benefit from listening.
The stories shared that night weren’t easy to hear, but they matter. They reveal the human cost of inaction and the urgency of collaboration. I hope that in the future, when our community comes together to talk about solutions to houselessness, the seats at the table are filled not only with helpers, but with leaders willing to listen.
Lynn Meuer
The Dalles
Editor’s Note: See story on the documentary by Reporter Sean Avery on B3.
Equipment concerns
Back in July, I was driving along Methodist Road when a good-sized rock hit and broke my windshield. The rock came off a county maintenance tractor that was flailing the ditch along the road. I pulled over, and the nice operator got out of the tractor, examined the damage, was very apologetic, and talked briefly about how dangerous flails can be. He told me to go to the maintenance office on 18th Street to report the incident, which I promptly did.
More than a month later, after several phone calls, emails, and two office visits, I received an email from Public Works Director Cori Wiessner stating: “Everyone drives at their own risk, and the county cannot be responsible for these repairs.”
I don’t care about the cost of the windshield, but I do very much care about the damage a roadside flail can do, especially to pedestrians. Many people walk that road every day. A flail is not safe in such confines. I told the director this. She did not seem to care. I hope someone who can will set her straight.
Hector Samkow
Hood River
Editor’s note: “The county has limited funding to maintain the more than 200 miles in the County Public Works road system,” said Director Wiessner in response to a request for comment. “Mowing is one of the activities we perform to maintain our roadways. Mowing within our right of way serves several purposes — fire mitigation, sight line safety, and ditch maintenance. The county uses mowing equipment consistent with other jurisdictions performing this work and follows all safety guidelines for the equipment we use.”
Amazon in Odell
The port’s proposal to sell its land in Odell to Amazon for a 49,000 square foot warehouse off Highway 35 needs to slow down. Amazon’s massive regional hubs in North Portland and Woodburn are being replaced as its shipping model with rural locations. The Odell site represents Amazon’s new “last-mile” strategy to cut delivery times of packages destined for the Mid-Columbia region.
Has this proposal had sufficient time for the public to respond to Amazon’s placement in our rural area? The port, usually supporting the growth of local business, hopes to sell the Odell land to Amazon for $3.47 million. This mammoth corporation has put so many local small businesses out of existence.
More information for the public is needed to determine the impacts on:
1) Traffic congestion on Highway 35, including intersections at I-84 and State Street. How was ODOT brought into the assessment and planning? Did the Florida traffic consultant visit our area? How will concentrated Amazon traffic impact agriculture, school buses, skiers, mountain recreation, tourists, residents living and working in Odell, traffic on side streets, and Tucker Road? Entrances of the proposed facility are on a blind curve on 35.
2) Air pollution and public health in the mid-valley with 548 additional truck and van trips a day plus employees coming and going. How many of the trucks are diesel? Will Amazon be using electrified vans and trucks like they do in other locations? How long will the trucks be idling? What are the projected air quality levels? Current air quality in the mid-valley is already challenged at certain times of the year.
3) Noise and additional night light pollution.
A well-advertised public hearing is needed to address questions about this proposal. Is it too late to change the plans? Are local businesses also seeking this land? Will the Hood River County replat the port property to accommodate Amazon? New housing in this location would be a much better option.
Fran Finney
Odell
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