Stewart’s vote was really pro-C-Tran
I often disagree with Jeanne Stewart on issues, but I think her vote on separating light rail and other C-Tran service into two ballots was correct. I support light rail, but I don’t want to see other C-Tran services cut because of a vote against light rail. It seems to me that a person representing the city on another board has to be free to listen to the discussion on an issue and vote the way they think is best.
If the Vancouver City Council wants all the representatives to C-Tran to support light rail, appoint a new representative to replace Stewart for that reason. Don’t replace her just because of this one vote, which was actually pro-transit. Her vote was more protective of C-Tran than voting for a single ballot would have been.
Philip S. Parker
Vancouver
Who is working for us?
Jeanne Stewart seems to think she’s working for the people. Pat Campbell made it clear that she’s supposed to be working for the Vancouver City Council instead. The city council has their own agenda and the people shouldn’t get in their way.
Tom L. Martin
Vancouver
Rivers’ message was right on
Kudos to Rep. Ann Rivers, R-La Center. She reflects the solid, values-based and balanced legislative wisdom we need in our state Capitol. Her comment on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s call to action on this budget crisis is a clear statement of a reasonable approach to this challenge. As Rivers stated, we must reset the mental mindset, the approach to government that is choking the health and viability of this great state. In the same tone and approach, the governor herself has called on the Legislature to “live within its means and to focus on core services.”
This is not a time for hedging and hawing, of catering to special interests when the interest of our state is at risk. This is a time for moving forward with purpose and a commitment to balancing our budget. And, yes, this is going to hurt. It will be difficult, but we cannot continue to sustain the spending and unrestrained administrative regulations that carry such an overwhelming cost in jobs that are lost or in taxes that are wasted.
Craig Riley
Vancouver
Rivers’ speech: rhetoric as usual
Rep. Ann Rivers’ response to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s state of state address was Republican rhetoric as usual. Apparently the only part of our infrastructure that needs repair is transportation. With no new taxes? What should be cut: education, criminal justice, DSHS, parks? Perhaps we should emulate Arizona, now selling stakes in many public buildings — including prisons, the public safety headquarters, and Capitol — then leasing them back.
Rivers, R-La Center, said, “Red tape is often a barrier for small businesses looking to expand in or locate to our state. Simply put, we must get out of their way so they can grow and create jobs.” That mentality resulted in the mortgage industry collapse and stock market plunge. In Pima County, Ariz., where U.S. House Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others were shot, the shooter’s actions are not surprising since the county reduced its mental health services by 45 percent the past year. John Roll, the chief federal judge in Arizona who also was killed, was in the process of declaring a judicial emergency due to the case onslaught.
Our state services and lower crime rate were important factors in my decision to relocate in 2006, because you get what you pay for. The majority does benefit if government is efficient and held accountable.
Ann Degenshein
Camas
EWU national title worthy of mention
I was disappointed when I read the Jan. 12 editorial, “Fever on the rise: Football fans in the Pacific Northwest enjoy being in a bigger national spotlight,” and critique of the national championship game between the Oregon Ducks and Auburn. And mention of the 1977 Portland Trailblazers. Also mentioned were the Seahawks and the Saints. And the turnaround program for the improving Washington Huskies.
Based on the title of this piece, I naturally thought there would have been at least a mention of the national championship game between Eastern Washington University and Delaware. It, too, was a great football game. EWU was down 19-0 and came back in the second half to win it by one in the last minute of the game. Now, that was exciting. Did I mention the part about winning a national championship?
Rob Lowe
Brush Prairie
End the vitriol? You first
All of us, regardless of which side of the aisle we stand on, are disgusted by this tragedy in Tucson. I hope we were also disgusted by the acts of Mohamed Mohamud and those who set fire to his former mosque in Oregon, as well as the Fort Hood massacre on fellow servicemen by one of their fellow infantrymen. Since many in the media and in public service (incorrectly) believe such acts are the inevitable end result of right-wing hostility and Tea Party incivility, maybe we should ban such rhetoric.
Let’s start with statements about rednecks with their Bibles clinging to their guns, or people who oppose Obamacare being anti-American, or people who want the new Black Panthers prosecuted being racist rather than trying to protect our right to vote without intimidation. While we’re at it, maybe we can end the Portland-area anti-business rhetoric keeping our region from experiencing job growth and business development. We’d have to start by giving up the illusion that six baristas and three eco-artists sharing a barely affordable apartment constitutes quality of life (you know, Keep Portland Weird).
It would be great to end the vitriol and venom (albeit, naive) so I’d like to start by saying to those on the left: “You first.”
Joe Estey
Vancouver
Taxes should not subsidize all things
Abortion is big business, which should not be subsidized with tax dollars. Let pregnancy care centers help girls and women with positive choices. They do it very well without our taxes. Research shows that even girls and women who conceive due to rape or incest are more healthy emotionally and physically carrying the baby to term than aborting, and this saves health care costs (see in-depth research results at http://www.deveber.org/womens-health-after-abortion).
In response to a question about abortion at a Jan. 8 town hall meeting hosted by Democratic state legislators Rep. Jim Jacks, Rep. Jim Moeller, and Sen. Craig Pridemore, the latter said the rich always have access to “family planning services,” and it’s unfair for poor women not to have that same access. The rich have access to champagne and filet mignon, but should taxes subsidize that?
Ann Makar
Vancouver
