Domino effect
Every once in a while, solving one problem can benefit many. Here is one such proposal.
I recently read in the newspaper that Google was scheduled to make the City of The Dalles a payment of around $6 million. There were many ideas of how to spend the money, but there was no clear answer, so it was tabled for another meeting. Here’s an idea of where to spend the money.
Build the much talked about sports complex on the old rodeo grounds, providing a central complex for our community sports leagues. A complex with multiple soccer and softball fields, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts, a multipurpose stadium (football/soccer) and could include a walking trail and off leash dog park.
If this were to happen, it would free up land at Sixth and Webber for the proposed new hospital. It would also free up land at the Wahtonka complex for the proposed new high school. The sports complex would also provide multiple opportunities for local businesses to profit. Hotels, restaurants, and stores would have the benefit of people coming to and possibly staying in The Dalles for sports events and/or weekend tournaments.
The Dalles is blessed with a dry climate, that cities in the west do not have. Sports competitions could take place in the spring and fall when our ground is dry and the west side is rainy and wet. All in all this exciting and beneficial development can be solved by turning Googles tax dollars into Google’s investment into our community. What a great opportunity to provide a destination for people to participate in outdoor activities, enjoy our town, and boost the economy. All within an hour or two’s drive from their home, and providing a benefit for all to enjoy.
Nancy Williams
The Dalles
E-bike safety
Thanks for bringing us up to speed, re: e-bikes ("E-Biking: With great power comes great responsibility" by Megan Ramey, Columbia Gorge News, Nov. 20). I had no idea on the age or speed limit. We live on the Heights and enjoy seeing many families peddling around the neighborhood. Quite a number of young kids (11, 12) zoom around, sometimes with a friend on the back. Keep on biking, just everyone be safe!
Maria Kollas
Hood River
Land swap
Two weeks ago at Rotary we had a presentation about a land swap deal that Mt. Hood Meadows (MHM) has been working on with the State of Oregon and the U.S. Forest Service for more than 20 years. Greg Pack, Meadows' general manager, gave an overview of the business, and Matthew Drake did the presentation on the timeline of the deal they are attempting.
At first, I was a bit puzzled because the amount of F1 land that MHM was giving up was huge compared to the small piece of government land they will be getting in the town of Government Camp. The plan is to build worker housing. Regardless, it has been a very long, costly, and complicated process. Everything had to follow specific steps and procedures to make it all happen. No less than three appraisals on all parcels — like I said, more than 20 years. Finally, everything is done. Done, that is, except for one small legal challenge — you might call it a technicality. And guess who is behind the challenge — THRIVE! Formerly the Hood River Valley Residents Committee. Yep — they're still at it!
Paul Thompson
Hood River
The power of one
Some of you will not remember the "victory garden." It was the beauty of one small garden counted by the millions. During World War II, food was needed overseas to aid allies and the military. It was suggested that families grow food on any small plot of land, even in the cities. If you had a 10x10, spot, grow tomatoes. One hundred square feet is nothing in itself, but if you counted 10 million households contributing, it would make a difference. That is why I want to recognize a recent letter (" Laughing on their superyachts," Nov. 13 Columbia Gorge News) and applaud the suggestion that individual households engage in the victory garden concept in the war against carbon. The author was making the reasonable suggestion of the power of one and his suggestion would be nothing if it was not seen in the paper.
This person is what this nation needs as leaders: Those who will suggest what people don't want to hear. Slow down and maybe even stop your individual carbon foot print. Enough carbon is ejected into the atmosphere through agricultural and moving of goods by ship, truck, train and plane. To increase the atmosphere's temperature by burning carbon just for your personal entertainment or amusement must end. The author saw the plight of America when "Mr. drill baby, drill" was elected.
This is why I have repeatedly suggested that the voice/vote system is a vain attempt to correct the insanity. You are using hate to gain allies and votes. All those hate-filled letters attacking and exposing Donald's sins and crimes, and there he is, not in jail as you hoped, but "King of D.C." Your vote will not "save" the environment, nor destroy those you hate. Placing any sort of hope in the voice/vote system is lazy and ignorant. There is a method, another "way" to accomplish your goals, or actually, everyone's goals.
Gary Fischer
The Dalles
Leadership questions
A couple weeks in and chaos already reigns, with the Republican Party (GOP) building on the so effective GOP House under Speaker Kevin McCarthy and then Speaker Mike Johnson.
Is a new Hood River bridge at risk with this group at the helm? Is our agricultural economy? Are our farm workers? Politics risk the Infrastructure Act. Tariffs risk the agricultural economy. Deportation risks our farm workers. What is the GOP thinking?
Tammy Neeley
White Salmon
Recognizable?
"Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism, as it is a merging of corporate and governmental power." — Benito Mussolini, fascist dictator of Italy.
Those who voted for Trump are learning that when he said that he would be a dictator on day one, he wasn't kidding. Just look at who is at his right hand: Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and avowed enemy of labor unions and labor rights.
This is the advisor of the man who announced to a labor meeting that he hated paying overtime — actually hated paying anything at all and avoided it whenever possible. The man who drove many small businesses bankrupt by refusing to honor contracts, the man with more than 1,000 lawsuits. The man who left nearly half a billion dollar debts still unpaid to hosting cities. The man who dodged debt by declaring bankruptcies five times — just part of the business plan you know. Alleged billionaire, felon, and pathological liar.
Look at who he appointing as various secretaries — donors and supporters, some who were his political enemies not long ago but have decided to kiss the ring and take a knee, none whom have any knowledge or experience to administer the agencies they will manage, but are willing to dismantle the America that we have fought for and love. Now he is looking to replace all the generals out of fear that they will refuse to turn our military against the civilians who voted him into power but now disagree with his actions.
These actions are foreseen by the records of any despots who have come to power over the last century and beyond, most notably the Axis powers of World War II. Our America may not be recognizable in four years. Hopefully we can fight successfully enough to have something to rebuild.
Brent Boykin-Hicks
Goldendale
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