Sustainability will protect freedoms far into the future

In his Oct. 14 letter, Charles Nelson asserts that the sustainability effort underway in Corvallis is out to tell you “how to live your life, where and how to live, travel, eat, and think…” This is inaccurate.

Most of the actions that will lead to sustainability are voluntary: Buying more items from local merchants, not running the water while brushing your teeth, starting businesses that produce alternative energy products and keeping car tires properly inflated.

Some regulation will be needed, a la the time-honored limits on factories polluting our rivers. But such regulations don’t restrict freedoms — they balance competing freedoms in the name of fairness. The factory managers think they have a right to save money by dumping waste into the river; the downstream residents think they have a right to safe drinking water.

Democratically elected governments decide what is fair and regulations implement that decision. (People with a knee-jerk fear of regulation should consider our nation’s current economic meltdown, largely the result of too little regulation, and how its repercussions will curtail our freedoms for years to come.)

If we do not become sustainable, we will lose freedoms rapidly as energy supplies dwindle, our economy declines, freshwater gets scarce and toxins sicken our children.

How free is a person to follow his dream of becoming, say, a commercial fisher if there are too few fish in the sea? We must adopt sustainable ways to protect our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Bob Devine, Corvallis

Theft of lawn sign only served to solidify support

I’d like to ask the thief who stole our Merkley for U.S. Senate signs late Sunday night, Oct. 12, to give them back! And while we are waiting, we will be putting up more on our own farm along Highway 223 in Kings Valley.

Instead of stealing signs from private property, why didn’t the thief spend some time comparing the two candidates for U.S. Senate?

If he did, I think the thief might find as I did that Jeff Merkley is the superior candidate and will do a great job of representing Oregon. That’s why we are enthusiastically supporting and voting for Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate.

Pat and Betty Malone, Philomath

Here’s a cost breakdown on Senior Center project

The public has a right to know that the proposed remodel and expansion of the Senior Center will cost roughly $247 per square foot. This figured has been provided by Pivot Architecture, the design firm for the project.

It covers demolition of portions of the existing building, renovation of the remainder and new construction of 8,500 square feet — a total of 19,700 square feet involved in the construction.

As a retired Oregon State University assistant director of facilities services, I would add that costs per square foot of a building are not normally determined at such an early stage of design. And it’s important to note that this early estimate also includes many expenses that aren’t actually a part of the building itself, such as landscaping, a parking lot and interior equipment and furnishings.

I know that architectural estimates for construction projects in their early stages can be confusing. I encourage anyone seeking further detail to contact city parks staff, who have been working through these issues with architects and construction specialists for many years.

Please do not allow rumors or misinformation to guide your decision on this very important measure for our community.

Larry Earhart, Corvallis

Smith makes wrong decisions on environment

When Sen. Gordon Smith and Vice President Dick Cheney ordered that the very limited water in the Klamath Basin (drought year) be given to farmers and not the Klamath River a few years ago, the result was the pre-spawning deaths of more than 77,000 salmon. This massive fish kill caused massive economic damage to the entire West Coast. Salmon fishing was restricted coast-wide, and the economic impact on coastal communities was severe.

The hard science was ignored by Sen. Smith and company, resulting in economic ruin for many businesses associated with the salmon industry. Today, a similar pattern of ignoring science is being followed by Sen. Smith and this administration in the areas of global warming, oil and gas production and coal development. Meanwhile, mother natures rules.

Sen. Smith has failed to represent Oregonians on many environmental issues that impact us. It is time for new leadership. Vote for Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senator from Oregon.

Ray Chesbrough, Corvallis

Chintimini Senior Center should expand for future

As a retiree and volunteer, I am in the Senior Center more than once a week. The senior health insurance counseling program in which I participate (SHIBA) has seen demand for its services double during the past couple of years, and we are experiencing a huge jump again as boomers hit Medicare age.

Many of the other services (foot care, tax aide, support groups, Dial-A-Bus, Bridge Club) also are seeing this growth.

There is no question in my mind that we will soon out-grow the current building, and that it is absolutely the right time to expand the facilities.

The upgrade of recreational facilities truly enhances the livability of our town and is precisely the kind of infrastructure that will be meaningful to all of us throughout our lives.

Carolyn Brumley, Corvallis

Mark O’Brien would be a hard worker for Ward 1

I met Mark O’Brien several years ago when he offered to help me unload a truck. I think he saw I was struggling and either felt sorry for me or figured he could help me avoid a slipped disc (probably both). I was impressed. It’s not often someone comes to the aid of a stranger, especially when there’s hard work involved.

Since then, I’ve gotten to know Mark better and I’m even more impressed. He has those qualities I admire in a person but don’t always find.

Mark is one of the hardest-working people I know and I consider him completely honest and a person I can trust. He’s a good family man with a strong desire to see his children grow up in a safe, clean and prosperous Corvallis.

As the Ward 1 representative on the council, he will always be approachable and he certainly won’t be sarcastic or demeaning to those who may approach the council with unpopular or seemingly “odd” ideas. Although I sometimes may not a agree with his decisions or like where he stands on an issue, I absolutely believe Mark will listen and give our input a good, honest and thorough review.

Add in his belief in fiscal responsibility, and we have the perfect person for the City Council. He certainly has my vote.

Dean Freeman, Corvallis