Move BPA line to nonresidential land
Bonneville Power Administration’s Interstate 5 corridor reinforcement plan is fatally flawed. Its “cram strategy” closed public comment on the scoping process on Dec. 14. Readers should understand this boondoggle will most likely decrease counties’ tax revenues by reducing property values along a 76-mile scar across Clark and Cowlitz counties. Co-extensive tax districts (e.g., Fort Vancouver Regional Library, Battle Ground school district) will also suffer. Power carried may not even serve our counties.
BPA and elected officials must answer: “Why should our counties take a hit on tax revenues to benefit power producers in Canada and power retailers in California?”
Responsible public stewardship demands anticipation, transparency and even-handedness. By negligence or design BPA has failed.
There were five Washington state public meetings compressed into 12 calendar days. California power retailers’ interests have been more carefully considered than Washington citizens’. BPA must answer: “What possible public benefit is there to denying a responsible extension of the scoping period for 60-90 days, allowing resident (vs. nonresident) stakeholders’ issues to be considered?”
If this travesty proceeds north of the Columbia River, it should pass over nonresidential public (nontaxable) lands well east of the currently suggested routes.
Patrick Borunda
Yacolt
Lack of sacrifice from leadership
I see by reading the Dec. 11 story about the county increasing the general-fund levy by 1 percent that our fearless leaders, the Clark County commissioners, have stepped up to the plate and are leading by example. Our property tax rate and oddball fees will rise to make up for some of the losses in revenue. Meanwhile, they and some of their brethren will continue to rake in not only their impressive salaries, but the ridiculous car allowance of $400 per month on top of that.
Congratulations on representing the “do as I say, not as I do” rule so well.
Ron Abbey
Vancouver
Room for all views under one roof
Regarding Beverly Hohman’s Dec. 15 letter, “Being PC during season is dull,” and her concerns toward seasonal political correctness at our state Capitol, I agree with her in that it renders us bland and falsely homogenized, but also posit that she missed the point.
She first laments that decorating at the Capitol ought to represent various seasonal celebrations, then goes on to say that she hopes there will be a Christmas display for Christ, because “he is the reason,” and, “even Santa began as a godly man,” yet both the seasonal celebration and Santa pre-date Christianity.
Hers and others’ very insistence that everyone accept a common world view has led to this political correctness she is resenting. Both fundamentalist Christians and atheists posit theirs is the only valid world view, disdainfully disparaging any expressed views to the contrary. Our holiday season might rather be enlivened by a variety of festive celebrations, all of us appreciating the various reasons each of us chooses to celebrate, if we might also appreciate the variety of world views which espouses these celebrations, feeling genuinely glad that so many people do in fact hold such heartfelt reasons to celebrate. Perhaps then we might be able to enjoy multiple holiday displays under one roof without fear of contention.
Erin Lund Johnson
Vancouver
Four lanes invite more traffic
The intersection at Northeast 18th Street at 112th Avenue needs to be upgraded to have separate left- and right-hand turn lanes. However, the planned widening of 18th Street to a four-lane divided street with bike and walking trails from 112th Street to 164th Street is ludicrous.
The widening would encourage commercial traffic to flow on a street that is exclusively residential (except for Evergreen schools area), from 112th Street to 164th Street (and beyond).
It makes a lot more sense for a residential street such as 18th Street to be widened as Burton Street was a couple of years ago; one lane each direction with a center turn lane. I would think that it would be a lot less expensive, too.
Vancouver is ruining a lot of neighborhoods in addition to the one surrounding Joe’s Place Farm.
Marlin Binder
Vancouver
Changes are for the worse
President Obama promised us change, but we didn’t think he would change it for the worse. If his desire is to kill any hope for a better future, then congratulations, he seems to be on his way to that goal. And to think, I not only believed and voted for Obama but was so stupid as to send him money and campaign to get others to do the same. I should have expected no less. After all, Obama did learn his politics in Illinois.
Please send him a message that we need to come home and spend our resources putting the U.S. back on track and rebuild the U.S. Give us health care, rebuild our infrastructure, lead by example rather than by trying to dictate other nations’ actions.
Richard Hartwell
Battle Ground
Bill should have had more support
Regarding House Resolution 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, “to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives, markets, and for other purposes,” 175 Republicans (all those voting) and 27 Democrats just voted against this bill. Amazing.
After what this country and the world economy have been through, any human with a whit of intellect would realize that this is precisely what is needed to avoid another economic meltdown, and it is needed now. Fortunately, for all of our futures the bill passed 223-202 in the House. But this clearly illustrates the mob mentality currently at work in the GOP ranks. Shameful. Pathetic.
Ray Keim
Vancouver
Work together, or get voted out
Fixing our broken health care system has quickly gone from “doing what’s needed” to “I win, you lose.” This partisan, convoluted process will result in change only for the sake of winning and not in the best interest of the country. It’s time for Congress to step back from this debate. The 2010 elections should remove from office Democrats and Republicans alike who fight only to win, at any cost. The message to the newly elected leaders will be clear: Work together for the people’s best interest or your time will be short. America needs common people, working for the common good to tackle the tough issues, not pompous, lifetime politicians only interested in getting re-elected. Only the voters can send this important message.
Scott Stratton
Vancouver
