Try to rescue medical unit from cuts
We all know about the budget crunch. It’s showing up everywhere you turn. But to put lives on the line isn’t the path to take. If something needs to be cut, what about getting rid of a manager or three in just about any public office? I don’t like seeing anyone lose their job, but if it’s a choice whether I get a quick response to a medical emergency or having a case manager’s supervisor’s supervisor get the hatchet, which would I take?
There are so many middle-management jobs in government, it’s absurd. You can talk to four different people before getting an answer to a simple question. It would only take three or four of these salaries to fund Vancouver Fire Department’s Rescue Unit 3. Why not look into how much money is wasted on overstaffing government offices before cutting vital services?
And don’t hire new people or consultants to look into the matter. Have a current employee oversee volunteers. Surely a few college students who are going into politics or government would jump at a way to get their foot in the door. However you do it, we need to keep Station 3’s medical rescue unit. Look a little deeper before cutting our vital services.
Avis Fawver
Vancouver
Flow stalls at combo-turn lanes
What kind of traffic flow geniuses are designing the layout of the lanes when our arterial streets are repaved? For instance, Northeast 88th Street was repaved last year, taking many months of construction, and I’m sure millions of dollars. The result, when traveling east on 88th Street, is a left-turn lane onto northbound St. Johns Road, and some kind of a very wide, combination straight ahead/right-turn lane. So, if 10 people need to turn right, and the person at the light, usually someone who’s oblivious while on a cell phone, is right in the middle of the lane, the traffic lined up behind is unable to move for the duration of the red light. As we all know, these red lights last a long time these days.
Maybe I’m missing the big picture, but can someone explain the logic, if any, of this arrangement, which is more and more common in the county’s infrastructure?
Joe Ullman
Vancouver
Accelerate break from oil dependence
The United States is “addicted” to oil. In its “Safe, Strong and Secure: Reducing America’s Oil Dependence” analysis, the Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that industrialized nations will double consumption of petroleum from the year 2004 to 2025, and statistics from NationMaster.com show that the United States is the No. 1 consumer at over 20 million barrels per day. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, we use more oil on transportation than we do heating our homes.
With the U.S. oil consumption rising while production declines, Congress must pass legislation encouraging a more widespread switch to alternative fuel sources and vehicles. Oil is nonrenewable and proven oil reserves through 2025 are just over 1.266 billion barrels worldwide. Procrastination will only cause more problems and as supplies dwindle, prices skyrocket.
In Erik Robinson’s Feb. 4 Columbian story “To the list of woes facing a cash-strapped state government, now add fuel efficiency,” he reported “[Washington] motorists require much less gas than they used to.” Aside from Washington’s losses, it’s wonderful that many residents are attempting to do their part.
Let’s hope that this trend accelerates and extends across the United States. Better yet, let’s work at getting Congress to pass legislation requiring it.
Kathy McNeill
Vancouver
Leave five minutes earlier
I have lived in Hazel Dell for 17 years. I have noticed that in just the last couple of years how much traffic there is. I know traffic has increased almost everywhere, but the problem in Hazel Dell is that I rarely see anyone going at or under the speed limit.
It isn’t talking on cell phones as much as the desire to get wherever you are going as fast as possible. These drivers need to realize that they are not actually saving a significant amount of time. Whipping in and out of lanes increases the chance for more accidents.
When did drivers stopped using their turn signals? Are we supposed to guess when and where they plan to turn? This adds to the problem with increased traffic because so many drivers tailgate.
People need to slow down and be more aware of what is going on around them.
So what if it takes five extra minutes to get where you are going? You will at least be alive when you get there.
Lindsey Johnston
Hazel Dell
Recommend sanctions against Iran
Recent news reports show that Iran rejected pleas for a diplomatic end to its nuclear ambitions. We simply cannot let Iran obtain nuclear armament because it is a regime that talks of obliterating one of its neighbors.
Iran funds, arms and trains known terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Being able to produce nuclear weapons-grade material only makes the world a more dangerous place for everyone.
The possibility of suicide murderers detonating dirty bombs anywhere in the world, including here, will greatly increase.
Today we have an opportunity to stand together by agreeing to sanctions as proposed by the U.N. Security Council. If we do not obtain the goal by peaceful diplomatic efforts we will be forced to face yet another enemy on the battlefield.
Sanctions will not work unless we all stand together in unity. If you believe that stopping Iran through sanctions is preferable to meeting it on the battlefield, then encourage your leaders to agree fully with sanctions.
As someone once wrote so long ago, “Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers sit in unity.” Perhaps we can give a new meaning to this ancient verse by standing as one for peace.
Mitch Billington
Vancouver
Congress still at odds
Hypocrite: one who pretends to beliefs, sentiments, moral standards, etc., he/she does not believe in. Examples: double-dealing; insincerity; two-faced; sanctimonious.
Oxymoron: combining two opposite qualities or ideas and therefore seems impossible. Example: American business ethics; insincerity; hypocritical (see above).
Catch-22: an impossible situation where you cannot do one thing until you do another thing, but you cannot do the second thing until you do the first. Example: you can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.
Hmmm — these words sound much like what is going on in both political parties and in Congress.
