Yes, some truckers 'crazy,' but others are careful

Ever since I read my words quoted in the Oct. 3 article, "Cyclist killed in crash with logging truck," about last week's tragic accident I've wanted to add to them.

Yes, it is true that many truck drivers are very considerate and I ALWAYS feel grateful to them when they give me a wide berth when I'm on my bike.

There are a few, however, who don't seem to realize how incredibly vulnerable a person on a bike is to a thundering log truck passing too closely. These are the crazy log truck drivers I was referring to. My apologies to all the other ones.

Paula House, Corvallis

Bring back movie listings to TV/'Entertainer' section

We hope a lot of other Gazette-Times subscribers are in agreement with us regarding the new "Entertainer/TV Guide."

We do not like the removal of "Movies This Week" from the old TV guide and the extremely small type used for daytime programming.

We used the "Movies This Week" as a planner to record some of the old and newer movies that were of interest to us and it was great. It only took up about a page and a half. The 42 hours that have been deleted (midnight to 6 a.m.) used over 4 pages.

We hope you can find a way to restore "Movies This Week."

Dick and Shirlene Humphrey, Corvallis

City continues to ruin Corvallis' waterfront view

In 2006, the city of Corvallis repudiated its dedication to an uncluttered natural riverfront by allowing the 87-foot monstrosity known as the Renaissance on the River, a monument to sycophancy and gutlessness.

Now it is poised to do the same for Evanite, this time propelled by its newfound lust for growth.

If this proposed development is approved, in violation of river greenway designation, it sets a precedent for every other commercial usurper aiming to make money by despoiling a gift of nature.

All the city's impressive 2020 Vision Statements boasting an appealing natural riverfront should be torn up as more political lies.

Jeanne Riha, Corvallis

Measure 02-65 does more than rehab Senior Center

Measure 02-65, usually called by most as the bond for the Senior Citizens Center, is more than that.

Certainly it will primarily benefit seniors, but the two major programs that operate out of the center, Meals on Wheels and Dial-A-Bus, also serve the physically challenged as well.

The increase in the parking lot's size also will help families who use Chintimini Park because (as anyone can tell you), during the school year, with so much student housing around the park, it isn't easy to find parking if you wish to picnic or play in the park.

Part of the bond measure also would provide for lights at an improved softball field, playground equipment, new rest rooms, a therapy garden and also improve or develop fields at other sites in the city. It certainly would be a great benefit to our youth sports program.

Some say that with the economy down, this is not the time to be passing a bond measure. On the other hand, with competitive bidding to pay for the improvements, this might be a great time to get a bargain.

We need the improvements at the Senior Center and at Chintimini Park. I'm voting yes, and I hope you will join me in passing measure 02-65.

Glenn Klein, Corvallis

Senior Center measure would benefit Dial-A-Bus

When you don't have the option of using a car, another means of transportation is needed. For seniors and disabled citizens, Dial-A-Bus offers door-to-door transportation for a small fee.

Dial-A-Bus volunteers have logged more than 220,000 miles annually. Currently the Dial-A-Bus office is in a module that is parked north of the parking lot for their 20 vehicles.

Major improvements in the proposed bond measure include adequate parking as well as moving the Dial-A-Bus office back to the main building, near the office of Senior Meals (another volunteer organization housed in the Senior and Community Center).

Dial-A-Bus and Senior Meals provide necessary services for a great many Corvalis citizens. They deserve our support! Vote yes on 02-95.

Robert Wilson, Corvallis

Innocent kittens suffer from humans' neglect, cruelty

Some time back, I wrote about some homeless female cats that I was sure had kittens somewhere. Boy - did they ever! Seventeen, in fact!

And people: When you leave your female cats behind, they and their kittens are not the only ones who have problems. They unintentionally cause problems for other people.

They don't realize someone is trying to grow flowers when they dig in the soft dirt. It isn't their intention to rob Fido of his food. They're cold and hungry, and they've found some food!

Every one of these kittens were adorable! Each one was special, with a little personality of his/her own. And all were so pretty.

Unfortunately so many kittens often attract the attention of the wrong people.

Just a few days ago, a young man came up here (not a neighbor) and wanted to come up under the arbor and kill them! Just for sport!

The manager talked to him, and I haven't seen him since, but I worry.

Then last Tuesday, the neighbors who live across from my kitchen had their noses in a knot. The guy even wanted to kill them with a shovel!

I only see about six of them at a time now. I hope it's only because they're hiding.

I am an old woman, and can't take this stuff. I was so devastated yesterday that I couldn't even wash the dishes.

So people, when you throw out your cats, you not only cause problems for the animals, but for people who are trying to enjoy their flowers and for those who try to befriend them.

And we've all tried to get help for those cats, but it's been like pulling teeth. The kittens were born in April and May, for Pete's sake!

But let some dogs need help and the shelters are wide open for them right away!

Weigellia G. Trook, Lebanon

Gitmo general's 'no abuse' claims went unchallenged

I was appalled by the Sept. 26 article "Former Gitmo general says detainees being treated well," for two reasons: First, the claim of Gen. Crawford that the "detainees" have been treated "humanely, in a compassionate and fair manner, and have never been abused," is preposterous. The general says, "I never once saw a guard do anything inappropriate."

So, because it didn't happen right before his eyes, he denies that it happened at all? I urge the general to read "Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo" by Murat Kurnaz, or watch testimony by Chris Arendt, a former Guantantamo guard (www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier/testimony).

There is abundant documentation of the inhumane, unfair and abusive treatment of the prisoners at Gitmo. It is a fact that these prisoners have been abused, and it is a fact that these men (and boys as young as 15) have spent years in prison without being charged, having evidence shown against them, and without trial.

The second reason I am outraged is that the reporter did not challenge any of the absurd statements made by Gen. Crawford. Even someone casually aware of the Guantanamo situation should have called him on his words, which are nothing more than propaganda.

When the Gazette-Times prints articles such as this in the "news" part of the paper, and not on the opinion page, they do a great disservice to their readership. The injustice and abuse that have happened and continue to happen in Guantanamo is not a matter of opinion.

Leah Bolger, Corvallis