Council fails in its duties to assist the weak and poor

I agree 100 percent with the Gazette Times Editorial (City Council has enough to do at home) pointing out the waste of resources used on the resolution supporting a Department of Peace. Based on the time, money, and effort wasted on this issue I do not think anything will be achieved. I must admit their actions do not surprise me and I have come to accept and expect individual egos leading the council's actions.

There is a second issue at debate here that I have also come to expect from the Corvallis City Council as well. When given the opportunity to help local residents of lesser means (The Homeless), they turn a blind eye and deny a request to waive city fees so that a much needed homeless shelter can be established. The same people that are always talking about caring for the needy and helping local residents pick money over compassion.

I would like to thank the church members and activists that have worked so hard to bring some help to the homeless. As a member of law enforcement, I see the hardships and problems homeless people face. I also recognize the need for community involvement in addressing these problems. I only wish the Corvallis City Council would stop wasting their time and taxpayers' money on issues that achieve nothing and go no where.

So great job, Corvallis City Council, you have all failed in your duties of assisting the weak and poor, while maintaining your egos and city money. Maybe next session the council can address the rising price of gas and have the fine mayor can write a letter to OPEC. After all, there are no local problems that need your attention.

Ken Real, Adair Village

What the Founding Fathers really meant

Friday letters to the G-T, Drew Foster took exception to Rex Bennett's letter regarding the meaning of the word militia. Apparently he wants to redefine the word using today's dictionaries without regard to the intent of the Founding Fathers and definitions then in usage.

Several days ago, in a letter to the G-T, P.M. deLaubenfels hit the nail on the head when describing what the Founding Fathers intended when they wrote the Second Amendment. At that time, the militia consisted of 'Every man Jack' who was not in the standing army. Today we could say 'Jack and Jill'. Of course there is always the attempt (generally by the "progressives") to alter the meaning of the Constitution to suit their purpose. Witness - "That depends on what the meaning of is - is".

When I was at Weapons Training Battalion, MCRTD Parris Island (1956-57) I heard DIs proclaiming they looked forward to having USMC recruits from farms, as they, in most cases, would know how to shoot a rifle. That was the true meaning of militia in the early days when Founding Fathers were constructing this country and the rules whereby we would live.

J.H Coffin, Corvallis

Seventh Street closure idea: Skullduggery

Every time I go to Dennson's I stop at the railroad stop sign. I'm thinking there probably should be some kind of simple "train approaching" warning device. The Oregon Department of Transportation probably spent more money determining the safety issue than what it would cost to install life-saving warnings. Out-of-pocket expense for a cross-arm set-up would be out of the question. (ODOT's expense for checking it out: three employees, four clipboards, one pencil and two pick-up trucks) is already budgeted anyway-that money will be spent and employees paid whether they do anything or not.) Dig a two foot hole, plant a steel post in the hole, mount a typical metal railroad sign and blinking red light, with loud clanging bell on the post. Attach a few feet of conduit, pressure switch, electrical wire energized by the nearest public power source; this should be enough of a warning.

When a train comes, the engineer usually blows his horn like it's going out of style, combine train horn, a clanging bell and red light flashing; motorists are sure to notice and put the right foot to good use.

Maybe the railroad and affected property owners could take charge of this safety issue. Better than creating havoc for Dennson's Feed/Seed and surrounding property owners. Closing Seventh Street is absurd.

Does the Sevent Street Station controversy have anything to do with wanting to close Seventh Street?

Art Redfern, Corvallis

Civic leaders: Take 'cops and robbers' course

In the 2008 season, the Oregon State University football team will compile a record of 8-5. The Beavers will soundly thump the Ducks in the Civil War Game here in Reser Stadium and intercept a pass in the endzone to seal a come-from-behind win in another minor bowl game. Sen. Barack Obama will be voted president of the United States of America by the electors of the Electoral College and Sen. Gordon Smith will easily coast to victory in Oregon.

Now that I have taken the suspense out of your fall, you need to put some excitement back in your life. My suggestion? The 10-week "Cops & Robbers 101" offered by the Corvallis Police Department beginning Sept. 10.

The course is an absolute must for newly-installed Councilor Jeanne Raymond and all the citizen members of the Corvallis Budget Committee. And is most highly recommended for other opinion makers.

Rotarians, the Democratic and Republican Central Committees of Benton County, officers of the Corvallis Benton Chamber Coalition, high-ranking administrators of OSU and executive directors of non-profits.

Hopefully then, the entire community will - through these leaders - learn first-hand the critical understaffing of the police department and demand, collectively, that six additional officers, as a minimum, be funded in the 2009-10 Corvallis City Budget.

Trust me. Much education and fun will be had by all. Driving a police car, going on a "ride-along," meeting the canines. So check out www.ci.corvallis.or.us/police Cops & Robbers and get your application in.

Hugh Richard White, Corvallis