9-year-old thankful for friends, family

I am so thankful for all of my wonderful friends. They have different qualities and personalities. For instance, my friends Josie and Sarah are very talented when it comes to gymnastics and cheerleading. I’ve always wanted to have such flexible bodies like them! But others, like Jessy love to read novels. It is always great to read! My friend Jana likes to play soccer. Ball games are sweet!

I could list lots of different qualities than these. But my friends also have different personalities. My friend Kali is very talkative with her friends. She has wonderful things to talk about! But my friend Katie is more kept to herself. But don’t ever let quietness fool you; she is a wonderful friend! Once you get to know her, she gets more talkative.

Believe it or not, I also consider my mom my friend. Her quality is making the best cookies in the universe! I love my friends because they all have different personalities and qualities. I hope all of my friends and family have wonderful Thanksgivings this year and all of their lives!

Kambria Heede, age 9, Corvallis

Peds, bikers need to be more careful in traffic

Another perspective on the subject of Kirk S. Nevin’s letter Nov. 18, “More signs needed at Circle Kings,” regarding the accident in which a pedestrian was injured crossing Circle Boulevard:

On a rainy evening about two weeks ago, riding along with my son, we encountered two bicyclists riding in the traffic dressed in dark clothing with NO reflective devices on them nor on their bicycles. Less than a moment later, a pedestrian, again dressed in dark clothing, ran between the car ahead of us and my son’s vehicle. Did I mention that it was raining and the pedestrian was nowhere near a crosswalk? We saw him only when he was directly in our headlights! If he had been in a crosswalk, we would have been looking for him.

May this tragic accident be a wake-up call to all pedestrians to use the nearest crosswalk, and to drivers to exercise caution! Many prayers, from all across our community are being offered for Julia Delacruz. Please find it in your heart to make a donation to the Wells Fargo account in her name. Thank you.

Judy Neebel, Corvallis

Let dinosaur ‘Big Three’ learn their hard lesson

I have heard that the Big Three U.S. auto companies are “dinosaurs.” Likewise, they meet the definition of “obsolescence -. the condition of being nearly obsolete.”

These manufacturers of big, gas-guzzling cars and trucks need to realize that they are joining that growing club of companies like those that build manual typewriters and buggy whips. Their Chief executive officers should know that they and their employees are soon to join the ranks of the milkmen, the car hops, the elevator operators and the hangmen.

Since at least the 1950s, U.S. car makers have fought innovation, safety, fuel economy and environmental standards. With this history, they now come hat-in-hand asking for a bailout? They have proven that they do not care about the public or the environment.

They should be allowed to go through bankruptcy, and then start over with all new management, new union contracts and a new vision for meeting the transportation needs of our rapidly warming globe.

Matt Matthews, Corvallis

Questions from a homeless advocate

This week the weather is only getting colder. Now I will impose a few questions to you:

In this cold weather, where is anyone who has animals supposed to stay? With no tarps or blankets to protect one from the elements, how does one stay warm? Why (did ODOT have to clear out the homeless camp now)? Why did this have to happen during the cold season and not in late spring or early summer?

These questions and more should be in everyone’s mind right now as the season is only getting colder and people don’t have many choices in this town to stay warm and dry.

Let me remind you that a society is only as strong as the weakest link. Right now the weak are being displaced and removed out of sight. But does that mean we are being removed out of mind? I hope not.

Jennifer Ambrosius, Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center

This idea would deliver a big economic boost

I have a suggestion for President-elect Obama.

My suggestion is a plan that would address global warming; a plan that would help free Americans from the clutches of foreign oil; a plan that would help the automobile industry; a plan that would put people to work; a plan that would give tax payers a tangible product worth their tax dollars:

Congress should pass and the president should sign a bill promising to buy 50,000 each of three models of electrical postal delivery cars. The cars would be judged in meeting criteria set out by the U.S. Postal Service and cars that could easily be modified to meet the needs of the commuting public. Entrants must be built in America using domestic materials. Judging of submitted models would take place in 18 months, giving time to design and test the entrants.

Expected results of my plan: The automobile industry would immediately start on their entrants. The electrical industry would start planning and building the electrical needs; batteries, power generation and delivery infrastructure. All of which would be financed by public investors; individuals, pension plans, municipalities, states — all betting on their chosen company winning the prize contracts to be given out by the dependable U.S. taxpayer. The taxpayer quietly, cleanly, reliably getting mail and driving to work and President Obama satisfied with fulfilling some of his promises.

Arne Landsberg, Corvallis