Cheers: To generosity. This story actually started with a round of jeers, as Vancouver’s Lynn Arthur, 79, had his electric scooter stolen. On Jan. 12, Arthur was on his way home from running errands when the scooter died. He left the scooter alongside Mill Plain Boulevard, made it to his nearby apartment, and arranged to have the vehicle picked up. But by the time help arrived, the scooter was missing.
Upon reading of Arthur’s plight at Columbian.com, Ken Stryker started an effort in the comments section to raise money for a new scooter. Within two hours, donations from Stryker and nine others provided enough for a replacement, which was delivered to Arthur on Thursday. As Jerzy Shedlock of The Columbian reported: “Arthur thanked God for the willingness of strangers to help him out, and also offered some kind words for the scooter thieves, lamenting that he made mistakes when he was younger.” By helping a person in need, Stryker and all those who donated demonstrated the meaning and the power of community.
Jeers: To increased drug use. A new study suggests that methamphetamine use is increasing across the state, reflecting a growing drug crisis. The unscientific survey found that 82 percent of more than 1,000 injection drug users at 25 needle-exchange locations had used meth in the past three months; that compares with 69 percent in 2015.
This compounds an opioid crisis that is engulfing the nation. In October, President Donald Trump declared a health emergency regarding opioid addiction, but the administration has taken no action and provided no funding to combat the scourge. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered a crackdown on marijuana use. The administration would be wise to focus upon more dangerous drugs.
Cheers: To improved access. Plans for a new bridge at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge have been announced, providing improved access and safety at the 5,200-acre site.
The current entry point for an auto tour and the refuge’s hunting unit has motorists crossing at-grade railroad tracks and a 54-foot-long single-lane wooden bridge. The trip is short, but it can be disconcerting. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a two-lane, 115-foot concrete bridge crossing above the railroad tracks. In addition to improving safety, it will eliminate the need for trains to blow their whistles and noisily violate the very purpose of a wildlife refuge.
Jeers: To Oregon’s intransigence. Washington leaders are doing their best to demonstrate willingness to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge, but Oregon officials are unreceptive. Following through on a bill signed last year by Gov. Jay Inslee, Washington’s half of a new committee met last month — despite no Oregon participants. Meanwhile, a couple bills designed to kick-start the process have been introduced in the Washington Legislature.
The issue is a reminder of the damage done when Washington legislators killed the Columbia River Crossing proposal in 2013. We can’t say that we blame Oregon for doubting our state’s sincerity regarding a new project, but it is time for the states to begin working together.
Cheers: To hands-on learning. A project for a science course at Laurin Middle School in Battle Ground has eighth-graders engaging in learning that is informative and practical. By proposing designs for a new school, they discover the nuances of architecture.
Battle Ground Public Schools is asking voters to approve a $224.9 million bond measure on the Feb. 13 ballot. Part of the proposal is a replacement for Laurin Middle School, so why not have students create their own designs? “Before this, I didn’t realize how much work architects and builders go through,” one student told The Columbian.
