Harris’ behavior disrespectful
City Councilwoman Jeanne Harris has once again shown she cannot effectively serve the residents of Vancouver. Her behavior at the Sept. 13 city council meeting was not only in bad taste, it approached verbal assault.
This is not the first time Harris has acted like a spoiled brat. Her walking out of the council chambers when she didn’t get her way, however, is a new low and speaks volumes. Her disgraceful actions not only reflect badly of herself, but the council as a whole.
We the people expect council members to act in a respectful manner toward the people who put them in office to serve us. The time has come for Harris to leave.
Roger L. Morley
VANCOUVER
Council may need own counseling
The Sept. 13 Vancouver City Council meeting was out of control because Mayor Tim Leavitt had no leadership skills in running a contentious open meeting.
Councilor Jeanne Harris tried to interject some discipline into the formalities when the mayor-vice mayor did not curtail a speaker. When neither of these two spoke for the board, the resident continued his talk and Harris again attempted to say the speaker was out of order. A second resident came to the podium and started haranguing the council member, to wit she said “get out of here” as he had no standing in speaking derogatorily about the council member.
The mayor, the rest of the council sat in silence instead of either telling Harris she was wrong or supporting her and telling the gentleman to leave the podium.
Now The Columbian Sept. 15 story reports “2 city councilors seek ethics probe of Harris.” By the same members who let the meeting get out of control? I’m appalled.
Seems like a workshop by all council members is in order to discuss each member’s function on the board and how to treat each other with respect and decorum, as well as instructing the mayor on his functions. It appears he does not yet know his position.
Jim G. Martin
Vancouver
Respect all religions’ spiritual paths
This year, a group of clergy in Clark County began gathering to honor and celebrate the religious traditions and spiritual paths of all people in our community. This month includes major religious holidays with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for the Jewish community and Eid al-Fitr for the Islamic community. However, this month has become somber by the memories of 9/11, plans to build a community prayer center near Ground Zero and threats to burn the Quran, the sacred Muslim text. Grieved at some Americans’ misunderstanding of Islam, we stand together honoring the Islamic Society of Southwest Washington and all Muslims who are our neighbors.
As chaplain at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center and representing that group of clergy, I can say that our group is thankful for the religious freedom upon which this country was founded. In Clark County we have the privilege to go to a synagogue, mosque, church, or gather in homes for services and then meet in the grocery store or the ball field and be friends. All of our traditions have an amazing commonality of being grounded in love flowing from a loving God.
We encourage all people of faith in Clark County to support one other, promote respect, tolerance and peace, and to spread caring and compassion with everyone, everywhere.
Rev. Gwen Morgan
Vancouver
Initiative 1098 = Great Recession
This November we have the opportunity to vote to prolong our current economic wasteland, with Initiative 1098, the proposed state income tax. A little-publicized fact is that what finally precipitated the stock market crash and completed the slide into the Great Depression were the tax increases supported by President Hoover.
Isn’t it interesting that, as the economy is heading into a second dip, both Washington state and Washington, D.C. are proposing tax increases (on the “rich”) as solutions. So far, Oregon’s bill to “tax the rich” has precipitated businesses (and jobs) leaving Oregon instead of providing the anticipated tax revenues.
Maybe Vancouver’s continued economic doldrums are tied to Oregon’s pattern of passing anti-business legislation.
Individuals anticipating tax hikes (even those who do not make the required income but fear if they are successful they might), and who are the same individuals who create jobs, are deciding not to invest and not to take risks in this business environment. This is even though the tax hikes are not yet in place. People only are willing to take risks and hire new employees if they can see a potential financial benefit in the long term.
Brad Jensen
CAMAS
Cartoon criticized
I was disappointed that you printed the R.J. Matson political cartoon (Sept. 12) that depicts the Republican party as mean-spirited by blocking a $50 billion infrastructure investment plan. They are concerned about the extremely weak financial condition of this country, and as a very disenchanted Barack Obama voter, I agree 100 percent.
If the banks hadn’t been bailed out, that money for infrastructure would be available. One of the actions routinely taken by a debtor is to discuss its financial situation with the major creditors that are involved. Obviously our major creditor, the Chinese government, is much more astute about finances than President Obama, Barney Frank or Nancy Pelosi. Keeping your creditor in a good mood makes sense, so the Obama administration could at least give China a laugh by asking what can be done to rein in our financial free fall.
Yes, the U.S. infrastructure is a very big concern but will unfortunately have to be put on the back burner, thanks to the debt we have amassed since Obama was elected.
Carl H. Tuttle
VANCOUVER
Nuts to anyone who dislikes squirrels
What nonsense about the squirrels burying nuts in Jim Souder’s Aug. 27 letter, “Stop feeding birds and squirrels,” regarding him having to clean up the mess in his yard. I love to feed the squirrels and birds. The neighbor children, as they were growing up, loved watching me feed them too.
I have a neighbor who claims they eat the fruit off his trees. Well, what do you expect? He isn’t going to eat all the fruit on his trees. I complained to him after I learned he had trapped 16 in one year only a block away from my property. He responded that I should keep my own squirrels on my property.
One tip I would like to share with others who like to feed the squirrels: Give them a variety of nuts — walnuts and filberts, as well as salt-free peanuts — it’s better for their teeth and heart.
Jim Rosenback
VANCOUVER
