Svendsen brought clean energy to KC
To the Editor:
Thank you for bringing to our attention that Tom Svendsen brought truly clean energy to the Klickitat County area for over three decades and has been involved with the biggest wind energy project in our county, Big Horn.
Svendsen also built a landfill gas-to-energy project from top to bottom. He was a great citizen and helped Klickitat County so much by creating truly clean and efficient energy.
Thank you, Tom Svendsen
Robbie Johnson
Goldendale
ABATE fest will see theft, prostitution
To the Editor:
I have family living in your beautiful and peaceful city of Goldendale and am concerned about what your community may be allowing with the ABATE Spring Opener.
Your county commissioners as well as city and county police departments are definitely doing the right thing by questioning this event. Do you realize what this "really" means to your community?
Look up what ABATE means and it will not include outlaw biker gangs that come to these events from a 120 miles away. Biker gangs such as the Banditos, Gypsy Jokers, Brother Speed, Outsiders, Free Souls and even the Hells Angels. I know because I am a non-club biker myself. I live in the Zillah-Toppenish area where it has been held for many years.
Your mayor was upset with the graffiti the skateboarders left in the fairgrounds. How about firearms, completely naked women, alcohol and illegal drugs? What do you think Hot Wet Giggles Show means? They don't win money by leaving their clothes on. You will indeed see professional strippers and prostitutes from Portland show up in your town. We do here at the Toppenish ABATE run.
Let it be known these biker gangs will not be confined to your fairgrounds. They will be within your town and surrounding areas, carrying concealed weapons and illegal drugs. Not too many years ago Zillah had two rival biker gang members shoot each other during the Spring Opener.
Most of these individuals are convicted felons and a lot of them will have open warrants out for their arrest. Numerous want-to-be gang members, or prospects, are expected to steal for the club during these events to prove worthy of being a club member. Once these biker gangs visit your community they will also show up unannounced.
I cannot stress how important is it that you do not allow this event or other like it in your beautiful town and surrounding areas.
Kim Jones
Zillah
Observatory helped by new lights
To the Editor:
Congratulations to Klickitat County PUD for installing new energy-efficient, Goldendale Observatory-friendly light fixtures in its parking lot at 1313 S. Columbus. These fixtures only shine light downward, where it is needed. Light can't escape upward or to the sides.
The P.U.D.'s street light fixtures also point the light down and not up or out the sides. Fixtures like these not only help keep the sky dark for observatory viewing, they prevent blinding glare that can be annoying and even dangerous. They don't have to be fancy, just stop light from shining up and out.
The P.U.D. parking lot lights show it is possible to light businesses at night or provide security lighting for residences and farms, while also keeping the sky dark. Tucson, Arizona, many other cities, and the entire island of Hawaii have demonstrated that it is possible to have all the light people and businesses need at night without lighting up the sky.
Light that shines up and out is wasted. It can't be used; it trespasses on and bothers the neighbors; it contributes to "sky glow," preventing us from seeing most of the stars of the Milky Way. It can even make us sick by interfering with our bodies' natural rhythms.
Goldendale Observatory State Park has been nominated to become an International Dark Sky Park. This designation would bring welcome publicity and could bring many tourist dollars to our town. Sky glow from the town is the biggest obstacle to being named a Dark Sky Park.
Thank you to Klickitat P.U.D., business owners, government officials, and residents who have installed energy-efficient, dark sky friendly light fixtures. I applaud your community spirit.
Mary Jean Lord
Goldendale |
