Meals on Wheels needs your help
Help! Do you have a couple of hours a week and a desire to contribute to your community? The Hood River Valley Adult Center needs several additional volunteers to serve as Meals on Wheels drivers. As a driver myself, I can attest that volunteers get a lot of satisfaction providing homebound seniors with a hot lunch. The commitment is only an hour or so once a week, with lunches going out around 11.
If you’d like more information, call Amy or Eric at the Center at 541-386-2060. Thanks in advance.
Anne Saxby
Hood River
Thanks for support
The Gorge Chapter of Ducks Unlimited recently held our 37th annual fundraising banquet at the Hood River Inn. The Gorge Chapter Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended the event for their support and participation. It was a sold-out event and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves.
We would especially like to thank the local business communities for the many generous donations that made our banquet a great success. We would particularly like to thank this year’s Mallard Sponsor, CH Urness Motor Co, The Dalles. Our Pintail Sponsor — Columbia Gorge Toyota/Honda, The Dalles — provided the funds for some of our game prizes. Appreciation also goes to our Wigeon Sponsors — Fresh Tracks Ag and Dominguez Family Enterprises. Our Teal Sponsors — Frank Davido, Hattenhauer Distributing, Oregon Equipment, Precision Automotive — chipped in to cover the cost of several game prizes. Special recognition goes to the Albert Duddles family and the Gorge Fly Shop for their support of our Greenwing youth programs.
Additionally, sincere appreciation goes out to the multiple volunteers and committee members who tirelessly worked to put the 2024 banquet together for the enjoyment of all who attended. The banquet truly could not go on without the dedicated work of its volunteers. Excellent work! Thanks so much! We are looking forward to doing it all again next year.
Ducks Unlimited is the leading international organization in its efforts to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s water-fowl.
Susie Thurman
Chapter co-chair
The Dalles
Reproductive freedom at risk
Washingtonian and Oregonian Women may feel secure that our states will protect their reproductive freedoms. However, the Comstock Act of 1873 is still on the books and prohibits sending through the mail “every article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine or thing” that could be used in performing an abortion. In other words, on direction by a President Trump in 2025, the Department of Justice could decide that it is illegal to mail mifepristone, a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug which is safe and effective, to medical providers and pharmacies. Surgical instruments used in abortions could also be impacted. Abortions across the country and in Washington and Oregon would effectively be impossible to access. The Comstock Act could also limit the availability of certain contraceptives.
On the radar of the Supreme Court, the Comstock Act was mentioned three times during oral arguments in a case dealing with access to mifepristone. If an anti-reproductive choice president decided to direct the Justice Department to enforce the Comstock Act, at least two Supreme Court justices would welcome this challenge.
The Comstock Act can be repealed by Congress, and it’s vital to elect pro-choice legislators who will vote for this repeal. Reelection of Joe Biden will also assure that this Act will not be enacted during the next four years. Meanwhile, a Democratic president and legislature can codify abortion rights in law. Your vote matters.
Sources: www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/opinion/comstock-act-abortion-repeal.html; and www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/opinion/trump-abortion-states.html.
Sandy Montag
White Salmon
Volunteers support Measure 14-79
The volunteer firefighters of the West Side Rural Fire Protection District encourage you to vote YES on ballot Measure 14-79. As Hood River grows, so do the needs of our community. This has led to increased housing density, more commercial businesses and added daily pedestrian and vehicle traffic; not a surprise for anyone who tries to make a left turn in summertime. As a result there has been higher demand for fire and rescue services.
Historically, the department has been able to maintain relatively lower levels of professional staff by relying on trained and experienced volunteer firefighters. However, like nearly three quarters of fire departments across Oregon, West Side has seen a decrease in volunteer firefighter commitment over the last five years.
Meanwhile, our community faces threats of natural and man-made emergencies such as wildfires, natural disasters and other low frequency/high impact incidents. A timely and effective response to these threats is critical to minimizing loss to life and property. Moreover, inflation has driven sharply higher the cost of staffing, materials, supplies and equipment.
Measure 14-79 will fund crucial improvements in operating capacity involving paid staff; in particular it will enable us to be staffed from 10 hours per day to 24 hours a day. The measure replaces the expiring levy of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value with one at $0.97 per $1,000 of assessed value (an $8.50/month increase). If granted, it will be the first increase in nearly a decade.
Kim Durnez,
Volunteer Firefighter President
Hood River
Not on CL ballot
Information for Cascade Locks Residents: I was concerned when I received the 2024 Voters' Pamphlet and did not see the Hood River Measure 14-78 from the Parks and Recreation. So I checked it out. Cascade Locks residents do NOT vote for this measure as we are not involved with Hood Rivers' Parks & Recreation. We will not pay any property tax if the measure passes. Just to let you know.
Margie Curtis
Cascade Locks
Pool needed
The voters of The Hood River Valley are being asked by the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District to consider two different funding measures in the May election. A couple of years back, the district met with stakeholders to gather information to determine what action they should take. I, as chairman of the Hood River County Commission at that time, stated that “we NEED a swimming pool. Everything else being discussed are things some people want.”
In the '90s, we rebuilt the current swimming pool and created eight new sports fields on school property for $1 million. The current bond measure is asking for $72-plus million. The proposed operating levy is for $0.43 per $1,000 of assessed value. Any time we go out for measures that increase property taxes and hence the cost of housing in Hood River, we need to weigh the benefit of the measure verses the cost of living here.
I would like to see a comprehensive plan for the pool replacement, which we desperately need and that I could fully support.
Mike Oates
Hood River
Can empathize
I can empathize with the Trout Lake residents expressing concern over the 106-acre clearcut planned by Green Diamond within their city limits (Columbia Gorge News, April 24). A lot of Hood River residents now look across the Columbia River to a barren, scalped Underwood Mountain, thanks to recent Green Diamond logging. There seems to be a lot of clear cutting happening on Green Diamond lands these days. The company claims clear cutting is the best option and that selective logging isn’t financially efficient. While it may be most profitable, I question whether this much clear cutting makes sense aesthetically or ecologically. Is it responsible and sustainable, especially as the climate dries and warms? I hope this isn’t a version of the “cut and run” policy that Plum Creek followed in Montana in the 1980s. I would like to see Green Diamond slow the pace and do more thinning or selective logging instead of clear cutting. Otherwise, I’m probably not the first to quip that the company may be more aptly named Greed Diamond.
Tim Mayer
Hood River
Will fill a need
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation creates safe, affordable experiences for our kids to learn and grow. Right outside our doorsteps. When the opportunity comes to reflect on what my, and so many other families in the Gorge have the possibility to accomplish, I've got no problem looking towards the future. The Yes-Yes Parks and Rec measures are designed to meet the growing needs of our Hood River Valley community members. Collins Field claims a travel team of 70 youth and 300 adult players across three months of a year. The last time a Babe Ruth youth team played there was 2018. In contrast, the Hood River Aquatic Center had more than 65,000 people pass through their doors last year alone. Many of which were children throughout the school district learning life-saving swim lessons to protect them across our many local waters throughout their lives. When you combine the facts that the Yes-Yes measures will also see Parks and Rec build new, year-round multi-purpose fields at Westside that accommodate several sports (including little league), all while restoring the baseball/softball field at Wy'east for youth and adults alike, we can see that the needs of the many are being addressed over the needs of the few.
As our county continues to grow, so do its needs. The efforts taken by Parks and Rec to absorb and enhance the youth/adult recreation and summer camp programs once run by Community Education shows that dedication to their mission. Previous generations of Hood River citizens chose to invest in the future of this community through its parks and recreation. An opportunity is once again upon us to ensure our children and our future generations have access to the health and delights which HRVPRD has continued to provide over the years. It's time to fund and secure the health and wealth of our community for tomorrow. As the proverb states, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today."
Mike Howard
Hood River
Vote yes
Yes, vote for the Parks bond and levy measures. Passage of the bond measure will provide essential community services for the population base of Hood River County. Passage of the bond will also allow for the purchase and permanent public ownership and community use of the "Parkdale Park" to serve the residents of the upper Hood River Valley. This insures that the public use of the "park," owned and supported for several decades by Jack and Kate Mills, will continue and not be sold and developed for private use. The people of Parkdale and the upper valley have made clear that the "Parkdale Park" is a top priority for their community's future and for other Hood River County residents venturing up the valley.
Michael Mills
Mt. Hood-Parkdale
Vote for Richardson
I'm supporting Dan Richardson for Wasco County commissioner in the upcoming May election. Wasco County needs more leaders with his practical, down-to-earth approach to public affairs. Dan has roots in Wasco County, growing up in The Dalles and starting his working life as a teenager in the cherry orchards. He knows the struggles of working families, young people just starting out, seniors, and farmers. His natural resources background and local government experience give him real insight into some of the big questions facing Wasco County. Wasco County needs to get beyond the status quo on challenges like housing supply and how to use Google money, and Dan will lead in that direction. He seeks out a wide range of views — and he listens to people. As a bonus, I know Dan to be a kind and respectful person. Being a former Wasco County commissioner, I know what it takes to do the job. Dan will be a great commissioner for Wasco County.
Kathy Schwartz
Port Townsend
I support Dan Richardson for Wasco County Commissioner. Not only does Dan make the right decisions and the right votes, he acts for the right reasons. Dan has taken a leadership role on many issues, some of them quite complicated. Examples include the Google negotiations involving the financial and the infrastructure aspects, homelessness and climate change issues.
Dan does his homework, comes to The Dalles City Council meetings fully prepared, is dedicated and is a quick study. His votes, actions and words are done with the best interests of the community in mind.
Dan Richardson would make a fine Wasco County Commissioner.
Rich Mays
The Dalles
It is a great privilege to support Dan Richardson as Wasco County Commissioner.
I have worked with Dan through his career at the Underwood Conservation District, collaborated with Dan on the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit education organization, and watched him serve with distinction on The Dalles City Council.
Dan has tremendous legislative gifts of thoroughly researching current issues, consulting with various viewpoints, developing strategies and plans, and ultimately seeking consensus to produce community-benefiting and community-supported results.
Dan also has many personal gifts: being a great listener, caring about people, and being a persuasive and effective when it comes to public engagement.
Bill Weiler
Lyle
New playground
I support the plan to build a playground at our school. Kids use the playground. But ours is old. There aren’t enough fun things to do either. Need more swings and slides. The climbing gym is broken too. We should have a good one. And a bigger slide. At the school meeting people talked about whether a new playground is a good idea. Or not. I believe it is because kids need a safe, fund place to play. It is important to get fresh air and exercise. Playgrounds are the best places my mom and dad agree with me.
I think we should join to make this happen. I’ve even heard that kids can help build playgrounds if grownups help them. I would volunteer to help.
Pat C.
Hood River
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