Larch closure is a bad idea
“Expedited Larch closure spurs anger” was the headline in the Jan. 22 Columbian. The headline really shocked and angered me because it clearly demonstrates how little value our governor places on those of us who live in Clark County.
In my 91 years, this tops the list of irresponsible and mean-spirited retaliation from a governor.
The closure of the Larch Corrections Center is wrong on many levels and the manner in which it is being done is something you read about in Third World countries, not in the USA.
At least I am pleased that our representatives have all joined together to fight the closure and they should be commended for listening to the citizens and acting in our behalf.
I would also like to thank The Columbian for doing such a good job of keeping us informed about this important issue.
Helen Wallis
Vancouver
The reason for costly textbooks
I agree with Jay Nisenfeld regarding the high cost of books at our colleges and universities (“Textbook costs are too high,” Jan. 12).
A few years ago I was an instructor at a community college. At the beginning of each term I would tell the students in my class that they could probably get by without buying a new book or how to get the book elsewhere at a lower cost. I let them know that a used book would be just fine and that if they wanted to share a book with another student, that would be fine, also.
I explained that my handouts would cover the most important components of the instruction.
As a result of my position on used books or sharing of books, I had an ongoing battle with the administrator of the program.
I was informed that the school depended on the revenue from book sales and insisted I tell the students that they must purchase a new textbook for the course.
I felt then, and still do, that the cost of textbooks is higher than necessary and that minor changes are made to the books to simply force students to purchase new ones.
James A. Brady
Vancouver
School levies deserve support
Here in Clark County, we’re celebrating 100th birthdays for many of the things we take for granted. Our county’s founders provided the equity to build public schools and pay for the supplies and teachers they needed. They had the foresight to want not only their own children’s children, but every child, to learn to read, write and learn to live a productive life as well or better than did they.
When did it stop being a privilege to own property, paying taxes for the services for living far better than most of the world’s peoples? Downsizing isn’t an easy solution, but if one’s taxes are too high, why keep living in a big home on so much acreage?
If a public school doesn’t represent the populace in its neighborhood, equality for all can’t easily happen. I will continue to support each school levy as one way to provide better schooling and learning opportunities for all.
Judy Blevens
Battle Ground
Ridgefield schools: a good investment
It is time for us to renew our support of Ridgefield schools.
For those of us who are parents of students in the schools, the decision is easy. We’re being asked to continue a levy to provide a fraction of the cost of operating our schools. The cost of this levy is much less than those of most districts in Clark County and the results are very good.
Those of us without kids in the system also have strong reasons to vote for the levy.
It’s a continuation of an existing part of our current property taxes and ensures the maintenance of a healthy community which will mean that we will see our property values rise as they will in other parts of the county that maintain good schools, roads, parks, sewers and the other systems that keep a community going.
We have every reason to keep the schools and the rest of Ridgefield’s infrastructure healthy. Please vote yes on the school levy.
Ken Wanderer
Ridgefield
Campaign finance editorial flawed
I was dumbfounded by your Jan. 22 editorial, “Politics Intensifies,” praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to throw out 100 years of settled law regarding the ability of organizations (corporations) to freely spend whatever money they wish in pursuit of government favorable to their interests, regardless of the value of those interests to the overall society.
It’s bad enough that corporations themselves already have been granted “personhood” in rights but not in responsibility, that political action committees allow special interests to covertly defame opponents and coerce voters, and that the spending of money is the equal of free speech.
Money is now free speech, and those without money have no voice. Freedom of speech is meaningless when no one can hear what you’re saying.
William Sterr
Vancouver
Massachusetts editorial hit the target
Your Jan. 21 editorial “Mass Defections” is a well-done reflection on reality. Scott Brown’s acceptance speech hit core issues that Sarah Palin addressed in detail in her book “Going Rogue.” Obama can’t pass the blame to Bush anymore. Bush started the bailouts, which are wrong. Obama had his chance to clean it up and instead he continued on with government takeover of GM, the banks and trying to nationalize health care — all wrong.
People are waking up. The tea parties show it.
We are tired of corrupt government. We need folks like Brown and Palin leading the shift and getting government out of our lives and reduced to its constitutional limits.
Hopefully there will be continuing change in this fall’s elections carrying right in the presidential elections in 2012.
Bob Zak
Vancouver
Worst decision? Election Day 2008
The Opinion page is great as each letter writer can voice his or her own opinion on things. We all may differ, which is good as long as we are fair enough to look at both sides.
Take letter writer Dan Andruss thinking he would never see the day when the majority of Americans could actually be so wrong (“Citizens share the blame,” Letters, Jan. 23).
Well, I respect his opinion but mine is different.
I feel the day Americans were actually so wrong was Election Day 2008. It seems now a little over a year from the inauguration that the Americans are realizing how wrong they were.
Paul Nelson
Vancouver
