Community input is vital to solution
I would like to thank Congressman John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, for coming to listen to our community input about our region’s transportation priorities. The efficient movement of people and goods is vital to the economic future of our region. Increasing options for multimodal transportation reduces wear and tear on our streets and creates more room on our existing roads for freight mobility and economic growth. Successful federal investment is that which builds upon the strengths of each region, be it road, rail or transit versus a one size fits all vision.
An example of such investment occurred in front of my business when the city of Vancouver installed a eight-space bike rack corral in a street parking space. Instead of one customer or employee parking, we now have as many as six customers or employees in the same space. As a small-business owner in downtown Vancouver, I strongly support transportation dollars being used to enhance bus, light rail and bicycle infrastructure in our region. And by doing so, we create a more efficient transportation network for freight and people. We are all a part of the transportation solution.
Leah Jackson
Vancouver
Casino would be great; bring it on
OK, someone on this side of the issue needs to say something. I am all for the Cowlitz Tribe building a casino as soon as possible. My husband and I go to Rochester on a regular basis. We do not go to card rooms. We do not play bingo or keno but sometimes buy lottery tickets. We would love having a casino nearby. Why not keep our revenue in Clark County?
Since one of the main objections seems to be a moral issue, I have to wonder where these objectors shop. You can gamble at almost any grocery store. I also question the idea of filing a lawsuit against the federal government. A lot of time and money will be spent, probably only causing a delay rather than stopping the project.
My only sympathies lie with the people who live near the site, and even then, if you want to live in the wilderness, move farther from the freeway.
Now, am I really the only one who feels this way?
Sarah Bozarth
Woodland
Enforce residential parking limits
I recently moved to an address on the west side of Vancouver. When I viewed the property, parking was not an issue. I have since found parking is not enforced even though there is a sign stating a two-hour limit. As a resident, I obtained a parking permit as the sign stated. However, it seems like I am the only one.
I leave my house at 4:30 a.m. to go to work. As I do not have a driveway or a garage, I like my car in front of my house. I am a senior and as such do not like to walk the tree-lined streets in the early morning hours. On two recent mornings there was a large commercial truck parked on the street. It was parked in front of my house and takes up four to five spaces.
There seems to be no recourse as I was told by the city that they do not have staff to enforce the parking laws in that area. So I have to live with it and pay rent or move. That’s what this city is coming to.
Michele Bridgman
Vancouver
Delay is opportunity for new focus
We learned recently that the folks at the BPA are no longer in a hurry and likely are going to wait five years or longer before building a new electrical transmission line through Clark County. This decision ought to free up BPA planners and engineers to focus intently on route selection and deliver a prompt verdict to anxious citizens.
Those of us living along proposed routes 9 and 25 have been waiting patiently for well over a year for word from the BPA and we should not continue to be held hostage awaiting a route decision. We want to hear soon that BPA has chosen a route through the unpopulated areas of Clark County.
Yaro M. Schnoebelen
Vancouver
Donation aids rescue and rate payers
In response to Lance Burton’s Feb. 20 letter, “Donation is blundering bureaucracy,” here are my thoughts. BPA purchases special all-terrain equipment to maintain reliable power for its ratepayers in a safe, reliable manner with the least impact to the environment. With all equipment there comes a time when maintenance costs exceed cost of replacement, and it becomes unreliable. It’s like trading in your personal vehicle. It’s not necessarily all used up, just not as reliable as you need.
These ATVs get used on an almost daily basis. The option of donation to an emergency search and rescue organization is a great way to support the BPA rate payers. If one life is saved, it’s worth the donation. Some of the equipment (such as the Bombardier snow cat) referred to is like a fire truck. You don’t need it unless there’s a fire but just try to put the fire out when you don’t have it and see what happens. Snow cats are used for a lot more than travelling through snow.
I would be willing to bet that if someone you know were needing rescue, you would welcome the donated emergency equipment when it arrived.
Jim Mattix
Vancouver
Don’t mandate nationalistic views
In his Feb. 19 letter, “Let’s return to spirit of nationalism,” John Thime wrote: “You can dislike things about this country, but by gum, you should always be proud to be American, and if not, then leave.” If Thime wants to live in a country where nationalism is dictated, he might consider relocating to North Korea. In the United States, nobody can tell anyone else how to feel about being an American.
Oddly though, Thime said he wants “to stop feeling guilty for being lucky enough to have been born in this country.” So shouldn’t he leave, according to what he wrote?
John M. Kowalski
Camas
Secure way to pay for basic health
According to the Associated Press, 55,000 people have Washington state’s Basic Health Plan. Cutting this program for two years, due to state budget cuts, until President Obama’s health care plan starts isn’t a good option. The Legislature must vote for tax increases to allow the people of our state to have affordable health care during this period. Without this program, many of the poor in Washington will be without health insurance for a long period of time. This is not a risk we as a state should be willing to take, for it affects the lives and well being of so many. It puts families into debt to pay for medication and emergency room visits. It also hurts our state’s children, because without proper medications, shots and checkups, their health is compromised. Not funding this health care plan is too big a risk to take.
