Wind energy concerns still beg answers
To the Editor:
Con men and overly confident men flock to this country. Remember "Whoops!" and it's almost free nuclear power, the bank with big returns that stung lucky investors, the tire recycling project that became a national cleanup site, the hospital repairs that didn't happen and the pool that was supposed to be fixed?
The common denominator here is that commitments were made, or money had to be paid up front, before viability and legitimacy were proven. Wind power is like that.
Wind power developers have no long-term commitment or concern for the viability or success of their projects because they almost always sell to investors, and the investors must wait years before it is known if their project is successful.
The tax credits go to the developers and product providers, not the investors. Wind machine warranties quickly expire and maintenance costs begin. Will these machines fail as the Goodnoe Hills machines failed? Will they collapse? Will the mediocre wind prove sufficient? Will development in a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area prove to be an error? Will electrical demand decline with the economy? Will the huge storage dams break the camel's back? The investors must face these questions alone. The developers have moved on.
Still no answer in where floodwaters would rush to if the proposed earthen dams fail. Perhaps our county commissioners will tell us?
Dave Thies
White Salmon
With so much to offer, why hasn't City been acting?
To the Editor:
I'm fairly new to Goldendale and I've been looking around. The city needs a shot in the arm. I heard somebody say something about making it attractive to the tourist trade, which I think could be done quite easily. Goldendale has quite a bit going for it. First of all, it is the county seat. It is on a major highway. It is a sportsman's paradise.
It has a nice library, good hospital, a museum, several banks, two good markets, an art gallery, an observatory. (Am I missing anything?) A drug store, a feed store, a veterinary office, a newspaper, a health food store, an excellent hardware store and the PUD.
It has county fairgrounds, even a county dump, the county courthouse, and a good jail (at least my grandson says so.)
So, what kind of mayor do we have? What about the Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycee's? Doesn't anybody care?
Goldendale was thriving when the aluminum plant was here. When that left, it was like nobody knew what to do. We have a nice town here. It's just that no one is interested.
Any town is no better than its people. Those in charge are responsible. Is it a case of no imagination or lack of energy?
For shame! Especially the school kids should get involved in "greater Goldendale". It's going to be their town and their future.
Rex Bullis
Goldendale
 Help spread awareness on autism issues
To the Editor:
I write to you as a social worker, graduate student, and grandmother, to plead for your awareness about autism. I fear our denial and complacency is letting valuable time slip by in our efforts to address the mounting social problem.
As a graduate student taking a policy course, I plead for prioritization in funding our district's public school special education programs to specifically address education, intervention, and therapies for the autistic children in our area.
As a grandmother of a five-year-old autistic boy, I am sad to relate we have been told there are no funds in our school districts to address his needs and that he would not be allowed into kindergarten this past fall.
The special Goldendale School District instead sent him to Head Start. Staff there is sorely pressed to keep other children safe and still meet the needs of my grandson. This boy is not verbal, he is in diapers, and is often frustrated and aggressive.
Head Start staff have cut back his time in school because they have decided it is not beneficial to him. Head Start does not offer programming for autistic children.
What has happened for my grandson is a travesty. Autistic children of his severity require intensive intervention every day and several times a day. Many children have made incredible advances with an intense level of intervention. He and the other autistic children in this district need educational support.
Feb. 4 was Autism Awareness Day at the state capital, but everyday should be a day for autism awareness. Please take some time to consider the social and economic impacts of the fact that one in every 150 children is autistic. We need to act now. Contact our representatives, our school board, our county commissioners, and neighbors. Don't let complacency add fuel to this growing fire.
Katherine Cramer
Goldendale
KVH audit is about dollars not process
To the Editor:
In a recent edition of The Sentinel, Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) hospital administration said it had met with state auditors, just as I'd informed your newspaper. I didn't personally believe they would tell you.
In statements to your paper, they said auditors were looking at how the hospital functions and how it followed certain protocols. The hospital's development director went on to say it was about process, not particular dollars and dollar amounts.
He needs to let the chairman of the board release public announcements and start to do his own job, not try to be the hospital board.
I personally believe at least one administrator is trying to mislead the public and to cover up corruption that the board of directors let go on at KVH. I have personally told board members I am going public to expose how they have ignored me, as I am their whistleblower on all of this.
The hospital board has shut its eyes and ears for over three and a half years, but our governor and state auditor also have this information.
The development director states it's not about dollars or dollar amounts. I'm not sure what world he's in, but I want to make the public aware that anything that will be released will be about dollars. I requested salaries on 17 administration personnel at KVH and it totaled over $1 million dollars, yet we don't have money to put a heli-stop in.
We have to borrow money for the chip seal from Klickitat County and administrators have written to the County and asked for development grants, as well as the City of Goldendale.
They say all money at KVH is used for patient care. I want to ask the administration and hospital board then why they haven't hired a third paramedic or replaced the worn-out ambulances constantly in the repair shop, putting patients at risk.
I am going to television media and any other form of media when the audit is released to the public and telling my story. I challenge any hospital board to dispute. What I have told you, I have told them.
Delbert Brown
Goldendale
Motorcyclists are not thugs or criminals
To the Editor:
This is in response to the letter in last week's edition about the ABATE Spring Opener.
I am appalled that you published such rubbish in your newspaper.
ABATE is a political action group, organized to defend the rights of motorcycle riders. We are members of your community, your government officials, and just your every day Joe.
Bikers and motorcycle riders are not criminals, ex-cons or troublemakers. We are normal people, who enjoy riding and getting together to party and exchange information about our beloved sport.
The letter you published is less than factual, and I for one would like to see a retraction and apology.
Bill Hoffman
Ocean Park
|
