Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2008 12:00 am
Long-delayed Senior Center project can't wait 2 years
The Gazette-Times has suggested that the city's Measure 02-65, "Seniors, Swing Sets and Softball," is a worthwhile project but should be postponed. We respectfully disagree.
The project has been postponed several times since 2004. Project estimates have had to be revised due to construction costs rising faster than inflation rates.
Given today's economic instability, nobody knows what the economy will be like in two years. But there is consensus that inflation will persist and likely increase.
In two years, the need will still exist. Therefore, what's the point in waiting? The need's not going away, and two years hence, it will only cost more to address.
Nobody likes the idea of paying more taxes. But our parks and recreational infrastructure are public assets that we all own. Just like our roads and water lines, they need to be repaired and replaced over time to protect the taxpayers' investment. That's why we believe 02-65 is a prudent replacement and renewal measure to ensure continued safe and healthy use of these facilities by all members of our community.
Hal Brauner, Patricia Daniels and Stewart Wershow
Editor's note: Hal Brauner is the City Council president. Patricia Daniels is the vice president, and Stewart Wershow is the council representative to the city's Parks and Recreation Board.
Don't just kill Philomath turkeys; auction them first
I would like to propose a plan to cull the turkey herd in west Philomath in a socially responsible manner. To me, killing a food animal should include using that animal for food.
Therefore, if a decision is made to sacrifice a number of birds, set up a bidding process for the turkeys, and find a poultry processor to dress the carcasses. If 15 birds are taken, the 15 highest bidders get a tasty main course for Thanksgiving, and any proceeds beyond the costs of harvesting and butchering can be donated to the local food bank.
Perhaps a few birds could be reserved for the property owners who have been adversely affected by the overpopulation.
Reduce a nuisance, put locally grown food on the table and contribute to the less fortunate - three positive outcomes from one action!
Patricia Parcells, Corvallis
Health care forum aired viable ideas, options
Great reporting on a great meeting about a truly great effort. (Sept. 18, "Town hall-style event puts health care in the spotlight.") I was there. Strong support was shown for what was termed in the article as, "An insurance exchange would allow consumers to choose among different policies, with a publicly funded health plan competing against private coverage." This would be a not-for-profit, state-chartered public health insurance corporation much like SAIF - a real cost saver.
Because as authors Donald L. Bartlett and James B. Steele say best in their book "Critical Condition": "To be sure, the market approach is unbeatable in most segments of the economy. Competition among multiple producers that turn out goods and services leads to innovation, better products and lower prices. The concept works flawlessly when the commodity is cars, furniture, cereal, doughnuts, computers, clothing, gasoline, or any other consumer item.
"The glaring exception to the theory is health care. The very core principle of the market system, that companies will compete by selling more products to everyone, is actually the last thing the health care system needs. The goal should be to sell less, not more - that is, fewer doctor visits, fewer diagnostic tests, fewer hospitalizations, fewer consultations with specialists, and fewer prescription drugs."
The plan is to create healthier Oregonians; folks who care about each other can do it!
Robert G. Gourley, Corvallis
Football between Beavs, Lobos would be great game
As an émigré from the Land of Enchantment, I appreciate your having run in Wednesday's Sports section the AP story, "Mountain West wallops Pac-10." I recall a piece by one of your sports writers a year ago that used the University of New Mexico Lobos as a punch line for podunk football. What would Brian Urlacher and Terence Mathis have to say about this?
I remember cheering in UNM's stadium during a couple of rare victories over Utah and BYU. Let's hope the Beavs can handle Utah and Arizona this season. I would love to see my newly acquired favorite team travel to the Duke City (Albuquerque, for those who can't tell a luminaria from a radioactive ristra) for a matchup with the Lobos.
What about it, Mr. DeCarolis?
James Paul Rodell, Albany
Government wrong to pursue 'thought reception'
How stable is our gravitational field? Does anyone ever question? Is there a way to find out? Do we think it's going to be there forever just because it's always been there?
A Corvallis Transit System bus driver recently said he'd read in a science magazine "… the moon was moving further from the Earth." I had to ask him, "What makes you think the Earth isn't moving further from the moon?" "Yeah," he says, "I guess that's possible."
I heard on TV this month that man had put almost all his efforts into understanding and knowing the planets and had not reached out much yet for information about the stars. The North Star is our biggest star as seen by all in the sky. Imagine how big it is if we could really see and know. A mystery to us all.
I read in the Gazette-Times in August where the government is going to spend $4 million on researching thought reception. This is so they can communicate with wounded soldiers and those with severe strokes. This is a very bad idea. This is a very dangerous pursuit.
What kind of control factors would be implemented? The mind has room for only one thought at a time. What would happen to anyone who was bombarded by several thoughts at once? You might say that person no longer has a mind of his own.
This could turn into the most severe loss of privacy ever invented. When man has control of anything he usually takes it to extremes.
Laura Hales, Corvallis
Political cartoon was offensive to Dems and GOP
The Gazette-Times should be ashamed for printing that disgusting political cartoon of Thursday, Sep. 16. It was uncalled for no matter your political preference (for either party!)
Blanche Wilson, Corvallis
Editor's note: The letter refers to a cartoon where the media is depicted covering a "circus" that included Joe Biden, referred to as "The Invisible Man of Delaware" and Sarah Palin, "The Palin-olithic Woman from the wilds of Alaska."
Bill York a sound choice for Ward 1 Council chair
I've known Bill York, who is running for the Ward 1 City Council position, and his wife, for many years. Bill York is one of the few people I have had the privilege to know whose sound judgment, strength of character and sincere desire to serve his community is truly evidenced by how he lives his public and private life.
I suggest you call Bill York or his wife and learn his qualifications for yourself.
Linda Roper, Albany