Letters to the editor, May 25, 2011
Published on Wed, May 25, 2011Read More Letters
What is the impact?
For those who missed the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) public hearing on May 17 regarding Port Angeles’ proposed biomass incinerator, I want to point out that ORCAA has not studied the known impacts of biomass plants elsewhere. Their data was provided by the local Nippon plant and its facts were refuted by several speakers. ORCAA has not sought statistics about the numerous existing wood-burning biomass plants in other parts of Washington, Oregon and Montana.
I challenge ORCAA to research and study the facts that are available from other communities that already have biomass incineration in operation. For example, I know the people in the communities where I used to live in southwestern Oregon suffer with exceedingly poor air quality, both in summer and winter after the incinerator installation.
Several plants in Oregon and Montana have closed because they are too expensive to run once the taxpayer-supported subsidies disappear. Furthermore, residents of Thurston County in Washington have one plant in
place that has caused so much disturbance the entire county has now put a moratorium on building the proposed three new biomass plants.
Let’s face it: Building biomass plants is a business, a dirty business at that, which is erroneously touted as a source of “clean, green” energy and supported by large tax subsidies. Nippon reaps the profits while we county residents downwind of the plant are left out, breathing the cumulative and deadly toxins.
Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer
Port Angeles
Americans need
to reprioritize
Want to save our country? Well, let’s quit all this name calling … Progressives, Republicans, Socialists, Democrats, Tea Party, etc., and start acting like Americans! And, let’s clean up our “act” starting with Washington, D.C., grandparents, down to kids. It is time for action and cooperation and not “What can this country do for me?” Let’s try doing something for our country for a change like work harder, quit the blame game, accept that “lean times” will make our country stronger again. Seems like most everyone agrees that we can’t spend more than we have, but too many are not willing to sacrifice anything they’ve become too accustomed to having like a fancy car, a too big home, too generous pension, etc. All this “entitlement” has to stop!
As an example, Social Security would not be in trouble if our elected officials hadn’t thrown all that money into the General Fund.
All this bickering about do we or don’t we drill just makes us out to be a bunch of “patsies” in the eyes of Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc. We can and should be independent of these scoundrels.
There is too much waste, inefficiency and fraud in government, starting on the local level all the way to Washington, D.C., and the U.N. As recent headlines have clearly shown, too many politicians have a gigantic ego and think they’re above the law.
America — start thinking with your head and hands. Hard work never killed anyone! Get involved in how our government is run and has lost its way. Let’s not lose our independence! Congress and the President act like heroes now trying to get our house in order. Who passed all the legislation that put us in our current predicament?
I hate to say it, but I think we have lived through the greatest years of America, but all need not be lost. We can regain our stature, become an economic power again and not a second-rate nation. All the talk is about how the dollar will no longer be the world standard. How about working to maintain its strength?
Japan has illustrated to the world how to act after a catastrophe hit that country. There was no looting, sitting around waiting for someone else to do something for them. They all got to work and looked out for each other as best they could. Let’s adopt that “can do” attitude again!
Helga McGhee
Sequim
Live in the present
Dear Readers: By the time you read this essay, you may be either in “paradise” or “other”? That’s because this LTE was written on May 20, and the world ended (or was supposed to end) on May 21, 2011. Rhetorical Question: Why do some people appear ignorant and act stupid, and then open their mouths and erase all doubt? We all know the fable about Chicken Little, who exclaimed “the sky is falling!, the sky is falling!” My guess is you are reading this in real time in the Sequim Gazette some time after May 21 and life goes on.
I am not a biblical scholar but 60 years ago, I was obligated to take a year of religion (Bible study) because my college was endowed by the Presbyterian Church and attendance was a prerequisite. The two semester classes were taught by the college chaplain, an ordained Presbyterian minister, who had been raised a Roman Catholic. He said: “If you don’t remember anything else about these courses, remember the Bible was written by scholars at the time for their time.”
Moreover, we learned the Bible contained many verbatim contradictions, albeit a reasonable guide for moral living and/or justifiable killing. Also, the Bible has been edited and revised many times to become its current version(s). Yet, it is taught as if it were the original Bible books’ manuscripts in print. Current churches have adapted the Bible to their current teachings; some emphasize God’s love, while others emphasize the sinner’s reward of Hell’s fire and damnation! Since NONE of us KNOWS the future, we should try to make every day a memorable day and live with “Qué será, será!”
Richard Hahn
Sequim
A new memorial award
Barbara Brightman lived in Sequim from 1983-2008. She enjoyed gardening and presented her idea of planting lavender in abundance in our beautiful and unique valley. The success of Barbara’s well-thought-out idea has been remarkable!
On July 15-17, an estimated 25,000-30,000 persons will visit Sequim to enjoy the 15th Lavender Festival and the first Lavender Farm Faire.
If you would like to honor the memory of Barbara Brightman and her major contribution to our community by contributing to a memorial award to be presented to a deserving 2011 Sequim High School graduate who will major in agriculture, please send your gift to: Barbara Brightman Memorial Award, c/o Sequim High School, 601 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA 98382.
Ruth McCord
Sequim
Passing the buck
Sequim’s city manager has proposed at the Clallam County Parks & Recreation District No. 1, Sequim Aquatic and Recreation Center, Board’s May agenda-setting meeting a new autonomous Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District. A replacement of the present district.
Why? Two reasons come to mind. The $868,000 SARC has in reserves and shifting the municipal responsibility for parks. This wouldn’t be the first time SARC has been approached to bail out another agency.
The City of Sequim and Clallam County both find it difficult to fund their parks or develop land they have so a new Metro P&R District would be a perfect way to pass on responsibility and raid SARC’s reserves through a new autonomous taxing district. Two impairments to this idea: SARC has a diminishing patronage due to competition and lost revenue continual through this year. The second, two levies have been voted down in the recent past of only 12 and 10 cents per $1,000 assessed evaluation.
Unintended consequence: The new Metro P&R District takes over the daily operations of the dissolved aforementioned SARC and property taxes multiply. (RCW 35.61.210 allows 50 cents/$1,000 and 25 cents/$1,000 to run concurrently. RCW 35.61.220 improvement compensation … “if park increases value of your property,” you pay more. RCW 35.61.140 civil service employees.)
Sequim Aquatic and Recreation Center’s stated objectives are to be a self-sustaining nonprofit operation. And as mismanaged as it is, it’s still not in debt nor does it have any encumbrances. It is not tax funded. The City of Sequim nor the County of Clallam contribute any money to SARC. If I might suggest a simple thought: Run SARC as a business … Service the indoor recreational needs of the community and both SARC and community will prosper.
Jan Richardson
Sequim
Living in fear
Regarding Border Patrol and the search for Mr. Benjamin Roldan Salinas (“West End man missing in Sol Duc River,” Page A-8, May 18):
How can a country that pretends to support freedom around the world allow fellow human beings be arrested and detained in secret with zero oversight from anybody? No law allows anyone to become judge, jury and executioner.
How can we as a nation sit on our hands while we allow Border Patrol to “sneak around” more and more in unmarked cars, no uniform, with dogs, cameras, etc., mostly targeting the weak, the poor, that are so terrified because they have nowhere to go for any support whatsoever … nor can they find answers to where all of these people are disappearing to?
Anybody that promotes the truth, tolerance, dialog, compassion to combat the racism, bigotry, prejudice and subtle racism in our country needs to be supported — for all of you that do, my heartfelt thank you!
Murder is murder … I understand shots were fired … did Mr. Salinas really run? This needs to be investigated. Furthermore, this entire episode has led to terrible pain to so many of us that have received the “treatment” from Border Patrol over the years … Most of it never gets reported — we suffer and suffer quietly … a nightmare? Yes!
Carlos Jorge Heine
Sequim
Join the effort
Reference the article “Serenity Farm” filming (“‘Serenity Farm’ filming is under way,” May 18, Sequim Gazette, page C-2).
I sincerely hope that those who read this article became excited enough to become a part of the picture.
As one who was fortunate enough to be a part of the cast, “Mr. Pennington,” I was very impressed with the people behind the scenes making this local production. I must single out those young people who helped and continue to help in making this a most enjoyable movie.
I talked to a few of the students from the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center on scene and I was both impressed and very fortunate to have worked alongside of them. They were eager, avid and willing to do whatever necessary to make the task of filming not only easier, but helping to ensure the quality of the production.
I urge all who are interested and excited about the film to become a part of it. The cast and crew of “Serenity Farm The Movie” are seeking to raise funds for the center to help these and other students interested in the film industry to get a leg up and one day see their dreams realized.
A $5 donation will get you an official movie poster and a donation of $10 or more, hopefully more, will get your names listed in the “special thanks” listing at the end of the movie.
Just to remind you, to make a donation and receive more information, go to www.kickstarter.com and type in “Serenity Farm.”
See you in the movies …
Jim Shelley
Sequim
For those who missed the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) public hearing on May 17 regarding Port Angeles’ proposed biomass incinerator, I want to point out that ORCAA has not studied the known impacts of biomass plants elsewhere. Their data was provided by the local Nippon plant and its facts were refuted by several speakers. ORCAA has not sought statistics about the numerous existing wood-burning biomass plants in other parts of Washington, Oregon and Montana.
I challenge ORCAA to research and study the facts that are available from other communities that already have biomass incineration in operation. For example, I know the people in the communities where I used to live in southwestern Oregon suffer with exceedingly poor air quality, both in summer and winter after the incinerator installation.
Several plants in Oregon and Montana have closed because they are too expensive to run once the taxpayer-supported subsidies disappear. Furthermore, residents of Thurston County in Washington have one plant in
place that has caused so much disturbance the entire county has now put a moratorium on building the proposed three new biomass plants.
Let’s face it: Building biomass plants is a business, a dirty business at that, which is erroneously touted as a source of “clean, green” energy and supported by large tax subsidies. Nippon reaps the profits while we county residents downwind of the plant are left out, breathing the cumulative and deadly toxins.
Dr. Dorothea Hover-Kramer
Port Angeles
Americans need
to reprioritize
Want to save our country? Well, let’s quit all this name calling … Progressives, Republicans, Socialists, Democrats, Tea Party, etc., and start acting like Americans! And, let’s clean up our “act” starting with Washington, D.C., grandparents, down to kids. It is time for action and cooperation and not “What can this country do for me?” Let’s try doing something for our country for a change like work harder, quit the blame game, accept that “lean times” will make our country stronger again. Seems like most everyone agrees that we can’t spend more than we have, but too many are not willing to sacrifice anything they’ve become too accustomed to having like a fancy car, a too big home, too generous pension, etc. All this “entitlement” has to stop!
As an example, Social Security would not be in trouble if our elected officials hadn’t thrown all that money into the General Fund.
All this bickering about do we or don’t we drill just makes us out to be a bunch of “patsies” in the eyes of Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc. We can and should be independent of these scoundrels.
There is too much waste, inefficiency and fraud in government, starting on the local level all the way to Washington, D.C., and the U.N. As recent headlines have clearly shown, too many politicians have a gigantic ego and think they’re above the law.
America — start thinking with your head and hands. Hard work never killed anyone! Get involved in how our government is run and has lost its way. Let’s not lose our independence! Congress and the President act like heroes now trying to get our house in order. Who passed all the legislation that put us in our current predicament?
I hate to say it, but I think we have lived through the greatest years of America, but all need not be lost. We can regain our stature, become an economic power again and not a second-rate nation. All the talk is about how the dollar will no longer be the world standard. How about working to maintain its strength?
Japan has illustrated to the world how to act after a catastrophe hit that country. There was no looting, sitting around waiting for someone else to do something for them. They all got to work and looked out for each other as best they could. Let’s adopt that “can do” attitude again!
Helga McGhee
Sequim
Live in the present
Dear Readers: By the time you read this essay, you may be either in “paradise” or “other”? That’s because this LTE was written on May 20, and the world ended (or was supposed to end) on May 21, 2011. Rhetorical Question: Why do some people appear ignorant and act stupid, and then open their mouths and erase all doubt? We all know the fable about Chicken Little, who exclaimed “the sky is falling!, the sky is falling!” My guess is you are reading this in real time in the Sequim Gazette some time after May 21 and life goes on.
I am not a biblical scholar but 60 years ago, I was obligated to take a year of religion (Bible study) because my college was endowed by the Presbyterian Church and attendance was a prerequisite. The two semester classes were taught by the college chaplain, an ordained Presbyterian minister, who had been raised a Roman Catholic. He said: “If you don’t remember anything else about these courses, remember the Bible was written by scholars at the time for their time.”
Moreover, we learned the Bible contained many verbatim contradictions, albeit a reasonable guide for moral living and/or justifiable killing. Also, the Bible has been edited and revised many times to become its current version(s). Yet, it is taught as if it were the original Bible books’ manuscripts in print. Current churches have adapted the Bible to their current teachings; some emphasize God’s love, while others emphasize the sinner’s reward of Hell’s fire and damnation! Since NONE of us KNOWS the future, we should try to make every day a memorable day and live with “Qué será, será!”
Richard Hahn
Sequim
A new memorial award
Barbara Brightman lived in Sequim from 1983-2008. She enjoyed gardening and presented her idea of planting lavender in abundance in our beautiful and unique valley. The success of Barbara’s well-thought-out idea has been remarkable!
On July 15-17, an estimated 25,000-30,000 persons will visit Sequim to enjoy the 15th Lavender Festival and the first Lavender Farm Faire.
If you would like to honor the memory of Barbara Brightman and her major contribution to our community by contributing to a memorial award to be presented to a deserving 2011 Sequim High School graduate who will major in agriculture, please send your gift to: Barbara Brightman Memorial Award, c/o Sequim High School, 601 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA 98382.
Ruth McCord
Sequim
Passing the buck
Sequim’s city manager has proposed at the Clallam County Parks & Recreation District No. 1, Sequim Aquatic and Recreation Center, Board’s May agenda-setting meeting a new autonomous Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District. A replacement of the present district.
Why? Two reasons come to mind. The $868,000 SARC has in reserves and shifting the municipal responsibility for parks. This wouldn’t be the first time SARC has been approached to bail out another agency.
The City of Sequim and Clallam County both find it difficult to fund their parks or develop land they have so a new Metro P&R District would be a perfect way to pass on responsibility and raid SARC’s reserves through a new autonomous taxing district. Two impairments to this idea: SARC has a diminishing patronage due to competition and lost revenue continual through this year. The second, two levies have been voted down in the recent past of only 12 and 10 cents per $1,000 assessed evaluation.
Unintended consequence: The new Metro P&R District takes over the daily operations of the dissolved aforementioned SARC and property taxes multiply. (RCW 35.61.210 allows 50 cents/$1,000 and 25 cents/$1,000 to run concurrently. RCW 35.61.220 improvement compensation … “if park increases value of your property,” you pay more. RCW 35.61.140 civil service employees.)
Sequim Aquatic and Recreation Center’s stated objectives are to be a self-sustaining nonprofit operation. And as mismanaged as it is, it’s still not in debt nor does it have any encumbrances. It is not tax funded. The City of Sequim nor the County of Clallam contribute any money to SARC. If I might suggest a simple thought: Run SARC as a business … Service the indoor recreational needs of the community and both SARC and community will prosper.
Jan Richardson
Sequim
Living in fear
Regarding Border Patrol and the search for Mr. Benjamin Roldan Salinas (“West End man missing in Sol Duc River,” Page A-8, May 18):
How can a country that pretends to support freedom around the world allow fellow human beings be arrested and detained in secret with zero oversight from anybody? No law allows anyone to become judge, jury and executioner.
How can we as a nation sit on our hands while we allow Border Patrol to “sneak around” more and more in unmarked cars, no uniform, with dogs, cameras, etc., mostly targeting the weak, the poor, that are so terrified because they have nowhere to go for any support whatsoever … nor can they find answers to where all of these people are disappearing to?
Anybody that promotes the truth, tolerance, dialog, compassion to combat the racism, bigotry, prejudice and subtle racism in our country needs to be supported — for all of you that do, my heartfelt thank you!
Murder is murder … I understand shots were fired … did Mr. Salinas really run? This needs to be investigated. Furthermore, this entire episode has led to terrible pain to so many of us that have received the “treatment” from Border Patrol over the years … Most of it never gets reported — we suffer and suffer quietly … a nightmare? Yes!
Carlos Jorge Heine
Sequim
Join the effort
Reference the article “Serenity Farm” filming (“‘Serenity Farm’ filming is under way,” May 18, Sequim Gazette, page C-2).
I sincerely hope that those who read this article became excited enough to become a part of the picture.
As one who was fortunate enough to be a part of the cast, “Mr. Pennington,” I was very impressed with the people behind the scenes making this local production. I must single out those young people who helped and continue to help in making this a most enjoyable movie.
I talked to a few of the students from the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center on scene and I was both impressed and very fortunate to have worked alongside of them. They were eager, avid and willing to do whatever necessary to make the task of filming not only easier, but helping to ensure the quality of the production.
I urge all who are interested and excited about the film to become a part of it. The cast and crew of “Serenity Farm The Movie” are seeking to raise funds for the center to help these and other students interested in the film industry to get a leg up and one day see their dreams realized.
A $5 donation will get you an official movie poster and a donation of $10 or more, hopefully more, will get your names listed in the “special thanks” listing at the end of the movie.
Just to remind you, to make a donation and receive more information, go to www.kickstarter.com and type in “Serenity Farm.”
See you in the movies …
Jim Shelley
Sequim
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Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words may be shortened. We strive to publish all letters.
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• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words may be shortened. We strive to publish all letters.
• Letters are subject to editing for spelling and grammar; we contact the writer when substantial changes are required, sending the letter back to the writer for revisions. Personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are not printed.
• All letters must have a valid signature, with a printed name, address and phone number for verification. Only the name and town/community are printed.
• Deadline for letters to appear in the next publication is noon Friday. Because of the volume of letters, not all letters are published the week they are submitted. Time-sensitive letters have a priority.
• Letters are published subject to legal limitations relating to defamation and factual representation.
• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
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