Your Voice: Sept. 2, 2026

Paul Woolery

Hood River

 Editor’s Note: Gorge Woman was included in our Aug. 19 print edition. If you missed it, copies are available for $2 at our offices, 1812 Belmont, Hood River, or 1800 W. 10th, The Dalles.

Attend show

The Columbia River Gorge Quilt Guild (CRGQG) is a charitable organization dedicated to the art of quilting and philanthropy. Each year we donate more than 100 quilts to various groups and organize a quilt show. The Quilt Show will be held this year on Oct. 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hood River Fairgrounds. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we will be offering cash prizes for our judged quilts. The annual quilt show is a way for us to showcase the varied talents of our members; they have been busy, and a variety of quilts will be on display for the public to enjoy.

It is my honor to recognize and celebrate our sponsors for their generosity and community-minded vision. Thank you, Gorge Stitches, Hood River Rotary Club, Hood River Sharpening, Les Schwab Tires, Modern Domestic, Mountain and River Dental & Associates, Phelps Creek Vineyards and Priceless Cruising for your ongoing support. It takes a village!

Come visit us at the fairgrounds and enjoy the artistry of our quilters. Please thank our sponsors as you frequent their businesses.

Susan Donnelly

Quilt Show Sponsorship Chair, Hood River

Thanks to Thrive, port

A big thanks to Thrive Hood River for their vigilance in defending the land use rules opposing the Amazon proposal to purchase port property in the middle of the Hood River Valley. Thrive Hood River is a local, but mighty, nonprofit organization protecting farms, natural resources and livability in Hood River County for almost 50 years. The appeal won by Thrive at the county planning commission level involved dozens of community citizens arguing against the land sale for the safety and well-being of our community. The appeal allowed more time for the port to issue a deadline to Amazon and put the property back on the market. We thank the port who correctly chose to sell to Juanita’s, a famous local family business for their expansion and continued success. This is a win-win for our community.

Ron Cohen

Mt. Hood-Parkdale

Roadless Rule

The Trump administration has recently proposed repealing the Roadless Rule for national forests (“Trump administration moves to open untouched national forests to logging,” NPR, Aug. 18, 2026). This rule, which protects about 45 million acres (an area equivalent to 25% of national forest land), has been in place since 2001.

Protected roadless lands include several thousand acres in the Columbia Gorge and near Mount Hood. The repeal of the rule would open these lands to road construction, logging, mining and development. If you’ve ever been crowded out of a campsite, dismayed at the number of cars parked at a trailhead, or struck out with the reservation lottery for campgrounds or backcountry permits, you know that we need more of these areas, not less. The smaller the “public land pie,” the more competition. These are undisturbed, pristine lands that may not be social media darlings but are local favorites. Not only are they important for recreation, but they protect water quality, biodiversity, carbon storage, and invaluable wildlife habitat (for game and endangered species).

The repeal is allegedly being done to reduce fire risk, but studies have shown that fires are more frequent and intense in areas with roads than in roadless areas. And this is an administration that refuses to do anything to address climate change, the root of the fire problem. Once again, the science is being buried or ignored by this administration so that private companies can profit. It’s part of a larger push to reduce federal protections, boundaries and funding for our public lands, and open them to oil and gas drilling, timber harvest, coal mining, real estate development, and other industrial uses. If you don’t want to see this repeal, get your comments to regulations.gov by Sept. 21. And let’s all send these greedy clowns a message in November.

Tim Mayer

Hood River

For Kallinen

Andy Kallinen will not cater to special interests or allow them to take advantage of Klickitat County citizens by securing favorable tax treatment. He will work to prioritize commonsense budgeting, putting essential needs ahead of wants and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

With the county facing a projected $2.5 million budget shortfall (as announced on gorge-radio.com), it’s time for leadership that will address the problem rather than continue kicking the can down the road. Andy cares about the future prosperity of Klickitat County and has experience managing budgets without spending more than what was available. He understands how hard people work for their money and believes their tax dollars deserve respect.

When you vote for Andy, you are voting for positive change and a better future for Klickitat County.

Delmer Eldred

Goldendale

Looking back

The recent firings of thousands of government workers are supposed to save millions of dollars. At the same time, Republicans have passed legislation that rewards corporations and billionaires with about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.

In other words, we have removed the jobs and incomes of thousands of workers and given their incomes, many times over, to the very rich. We, the people, actually see no increase in government savings.

Savings only exist if we do not increase spending and also do not decrease income. If we decrease spending and also decrease income, one party is actually taking money from the other party. In this case, it is the very rich gaining and the rest of our citizens losing.

Next on the agenda will be an effort to decrease spending on middle- and lower-class incomes. This will be by cutting (or killing) Social Security, Meals on Wheels, education funding, Medicare, etc. Cut funding to any program that helps any segment of our society other than the rich! Wait and see!

This letter was dated Feb. 3, 2025. I hope you can see how accurate this was. Also, at this time, participants in the riots of 2020 have been pardoned. Now, look for a repeat, only with control of the military, FBI and ICE, the president will be in a much stronger position and may, in fact, become a dictator.

There will be attempts to control voting. This is not the work of a person who believes in democracy.

Leonard Hickman

Hood River

Vote Hege

Fall rains begin soon, as do the mid-term political campaigns and elections, which are NOT as welcome but as necessary as the rains. This year’s candidates for HD 52 present interesting choices.

Candidate Scott Hege has both business and leadership experience that is sorely needed in Salem. As an engineer, business leader, county commissioner and port director, Scott has practical and relevant experience. Engineers like Scott are disciplined thinkers, and I have no doubt he will bring new, well-thought-out ideas to state government issues. His focus looks to be on sound fiscal management, and in my view, that’s right on target. While likely contending with a Democrat-majority in Salem, Scott has the ability and personality to work with all legislators, of either party and of any age, to get positive and appropriate work accomplished for the people he will represent from HD 52.

Scott’s opponent, Hank Sanders, is a young carpet-bagger with no visible means of support other than his wealthy parents. He never had a residence in HD 52 until recently renting an apartment in Hood River, probably with gifted money from his mother, State Senator Dr. Lisa Reynolds, representing downtown Portland. That should give you a clue about Hank’s political leanings. Never held a private sector job, lived on trust fund money and fellowships from the NY Times and other liberal-leaning newspapers, does not think “old” people are competent enough to hold public office and generally likes socialist ideas and more taxes. Hank defines “old” as anyone over the age of 50, except Bernie Sanders. Seriously, he said that. Salem Democrats would have Hank marching in lockstep for every vote, and Oregonians do not need or benefit from more of that.

HD 52 is my home district in Clackamas County, and I want the best leadership for Oregon to represent me.

My choice is clear: Scott Hege for HD 52 Representative.

David Buoy

Brightwood, Oregon

Gambee a leader

Effective, compassionate, and conscientious leadership is more important than ever, and Wasco County needs candidates with a proven record of service. That is why I am grateful Lisa Gambee is running for Wasco County Commissioner.

I served with Lisa on the Wasco County Board of Property Tax Appeals (BOPTA) for two terms while she was county clerk, and I witnessed firsthand a leadership style grounded in strong moral character, integrity and fairness for all. While overseeing the Board of Property Tax Appeals, Lisa ensured board members were properly trained and encouraged them to listen and respond fairly to residents’ appeals.

As the former executive director of the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, I appreciate her awareness and understanding of our community’s housing needs.

Based on her proven leadership as county clerk, Lisa will represent all of Wasco County fairly and develop practical solutions to our community’s needs, regardless of politics. She understands how Wasco County government works and is ready to serve on day one. I can think of no one better equipped to help guide us through the challenges we face today.

Please join me in voting for Lisa Gambee for Wasco County Commissioner, Position 1.

Ruby Mason

Mosier

On data centers

There has been considerable concern that data centers, like Google’s in The Dalles, are using water and electricity at an unsustainable rate. Already, electrical output is limited in BPA’s region due to poor transmission facilities that are unlikely to be fixed in the near future. The millions of gallons of water used to cool Google’s data centers come from limited aquifers that The Dalles community will rely on for future development. The Dalles City Council and Wasco County have given Google huge tax breaks to site these data centers in our community. The threats these data centers pose to local resources have been well documented, and still the city council and Wasco County commissioners continue to support more data center development.

There has now been another threat documented that these data centers pose: toxic pollution from PFAS chemicals (www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/27/pfas-datacenter-cooling-epa). The Trump administration’s EPA has fast-tracked the use of toxic forever chemicals (PFAS) for data center use. Google specifically uses these chemicals to help cool its data centers. The article I cited states that, “Recent research has found it is more toxic than previously thought, and the European Chemical Agency this month classified it as a hazardous chemical, finding that it probably disrupts thyroid function, reduces sperm quality and is toxic to the liver, among other health impacts.”

So, city councilors and county commissioners, please reconsider your full blown support of more data center development in our area. It is not worth the trinkets you receive from Google to overuse our water and electricity, and pollute our air and water with toxic chemicals to the detriment of your present and future constituents.

Gary Wade

The Dalles

Will serve with integrity

I am writing in support of Lisa Gambee’s campaign for Wasco County Commissioner. As the executive assistant to the board of county commissioners, I worked closely with Lisa throughout her entire tenure with the county, and I’ve seen firsthand how she turns thoughtful planning into real results for residents.

Lisa doesn’t just show up to meetings — she does the work. She brought countywide initiatives to life, from leadership summits to employee development programs to the county’s 100% love culture initiative, always grounded in what would genuinely help our community function better. Every item she brought before the board was thoroughly researched and built around practical outcomes, not politics.

As commissioner, that same approach will serve Wasco County well. Lisa understands the challenges facing both our urban and rural communities — wildfire preparedness, affordable housing, and making sure south county isn’t overlooked in county decisions. She knows how to bring people together, ask the right questions, and follow through until a problem is actually solved.

Wasco County doesn’t need more promises. It needs a commissioner who knows how county government works and will use that knowledge to get things done — collaboratively, transparently, and with integrity.

That’s exactly what Lisa Gambee will deliver. My vote is going to Lisa Gambee, and I invite you to stand with me.

Kathy Clark

The Dalles

News praise

Congratulations to Columbia Gorge News on their recent state and national awards. (“Columbia Gorge News takes state, national awards,” CGN, Aug. 4, 2026). Hard work and quality results are rewarded and well deserved. I would include an award for the letters to the editor forum. Readers have the chance to express their opinions on local, national, and global issues, and discuss what others have written. Whether it is calling for fully funding the SNAP program to end hunger locally and nationally; passing the End TB Now Act, which makes a global difference while protecting us locally; or asking candidates what they stand for, letters are published and open a discussion. CGN is a number-one award winner in this category.

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish