The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington

Program benefits community

I believe that the Port of Vancouver should have continued to contract with Clark County Corrections for use of the community service crews to care for the port’s lawns and perform other landscaping work on port property for reasons apart from the obvious cost savings. (The Feb. 20 story reported “Landscaping debate: Port nixes contract with county.”)

The offenders receive quality supervision and on-the-job training. The landscaping work they perform is wholesome, particularly when it involves establishing and maintaining plant species native to our region. Offenders become members of a team bent on nurturing plants and enabling them to thrive. The program provides offenders with an opportunity to develop basic work habits and learn marketable skills in an environment that is similar to regular employment.

Rod Orlando

Vancouver

Stuart disputes editorial

The Feb. 12 editorial “Slippery politics” stated that a commuter toll credit approved by the Oregon Legislature on a new Columbia River Crossing is not possible, because it wouldn’t benefit or be accepted by Oregon. Two additional facts provide insight into why we have reason to hope.

First, $400 million to $600 million will be needed from each state, Oregon and Washington, for the CRC project. Second, the Oregon Legislature recently raised new road revenue for the first time in 17 years but with no monies earmarked for the CRC project. These points are critical to understand why my proposal is worthy of serious consideration by Oregon leadership.

An Oregon income tax credit on tolls paid would benefit both Clark County commuters and Oregon. Commuters would effectively pay less for tolls, and the cash-strapped state of Oregon could pay its fair share of the CRC project by counting the decrease in tax revenue, without needing to find $400 million to $600 million up front. This proposal has already gained the support of some Oregon elected officials including Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Oregon Metro Councilor Robert Liberty.

As a Clark County Commissioner, I know work to build more support will be difficult, but it’s well worth the danger of the slippery banana peels that the editorial described.

Steve Stuart

Vancouver

Conservatives resist change

Ann Donnelly’s Feb. 11 opinion column, “Reviving private sector imperative,” included commentary on the Southwest Clean Air Agency’s study of Albina Fuel Co. Her statement that “our elected leaders should come roaring to Albina’s defense before it is too late” is another attempt for conservative Republicans and other groups to oppose change. These groups have resisted change and recycled the same arguments.

We now take for granted legislative efforts that were opposed by such politicians and groups, to name a few:

• 1910: Women’s right to vote in the state.

• 1935: Social Security.

• 1938: Federal child labor laws.

• 1938: Federal food, drug and cosmetic regulations.

• 1970: Formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates emissions to protect health.

• 2000: Cleanup of the paper mill’s stinky Camas air. (Would Prune Hill have developed?)

Stinky air is not only unpleasant to breathe and threatening to our health, but is also threatening to entrepreneurs and other private development such as the proposed 30-acre, $1.2 billion waterfront development in downtown Vancouver. The bad smell is intermittent but should not be there at all.

Thank you Mayor Tim Leavitt, Vancouver City Council and SWCAA for doing your jobs well, and conducting studies of Albina and other industries in Vancouver.

Joanne Fitzwilson

Vancouver

Pay a little and get a lot of open space

One letter writer complained about the $5 annual state park fee being “hidden” in the auto license fee (only if one can’t read).

The Feb. 6 story “Picnics still a hot ticket despite fee” reported a big turnout for Clark County summer picnic-shelter rentals despite recent fee increases. A resident said he wasn’t happy about the increase to $25, although it will provide an area for about 70 members of his family. The $25 fee, which averages $1 per person, including $3 per car, still does not cover the full cost of cleaning and maintenance.

Another complaint was from state Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, who introduced a bill to repeal the Columbia River Gorge Compact, which commits Oregon and Washington to funding the Columbia River Gorge Commission, so Washington would save $300,000, or about 4.6 cents per resident.

Each time someone complains about the cost of maintaining our natural resources and open spaces, I want to scream, because most have no problem spending hundreds of dollars each year on a new phone or PDA. So please, upgrade your phone less often, turn it off a bit more often and go enjoy one of these spaces before they are all gone.

Ann Degenshein

Camas

Funding idea deserves support

I read with interest the Feb. 9 story “New funding source may be sought for parks” on the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department’s plan to look at ways to increase funding to support our parks. Parks are a vital part of a healthy lifestyle for families. They bring community together, and allow all of us to enjoy quiet places, trails and many other amenities.

As they look at funding options, I suggest they study the successful model in Tacoma that for many years has had a metropolitan park district with its own tax district and on which voters are asked to fund the parks outside of any county or city allocation. For too long our public departments have expected to be funded by government. Let’s find creative ways to end this reliance and still provide for more parks.

Greg Flakus

Vancouver

Prioritize school spending

While reading the Feb. 11 editorial, “Onward, educators,” I was both excited and saddened for the schools in Southwest Washington.

I have been in the Battle Ground School District since kindergarten and now work as a substitute teacher. I am earning a degree to become a full-time teacher, and nothing pleases me more than to see the county get out and vote to make things happen for our schools.

I am saddened though by the worry that, even though the levies passed, the money will not be distributed well or used for what really needs to be done. Like the editorial says so eloquently, educators need to be able to focus on educating instead of whether or not they can afford to continue to provide books, pencils or even paper for students.

I feel like the students need to become the focus for our communities, and we need to worry less about the aesthetics of our schools.

Samantha Zeiner

Ridgefield

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