Please leave the plants alone
To the Editor:
People, young or old, who steal from companies—when you take from one, it affects all.
Several times during the years, Bishop Towing has planted boxes outside their office, and at night the plants are taken by town folks. Like other companies, we’ve paid to buy plants to help our city look nice, and we try hard to keep the sidewalks lit and things clean. Someone might think we as a business can just replace stolen plants, but here’s how the story really plays out.
We’re like everyone else in a small town: we have no money this year for plants. So this year the plants are bought and paid for with personal money by an employee who wanted to help the company that has given her work for years—she’s donating her time, plants, and money to help her company look nice. But, as happened a few years ago, someone pulls out and takes the plants that cost the employee money she does not have. So what is the story? What is the point of stealing Goldendale’s street improvement projects?
Why not take a broom and sweep the sidewalks, or pick up cigarette butts from the sidewalks? Put your energy to good work, not into taking from others.
Patti Pittman
Goldendale
Camp site invasion harmful
To the Editor:
The Stinson Flat Camp on the Klickitat River was “invaded” this past weekend by what their banner proclaimed as “Pagan International.” This group included hundreds of people and cars, encamped and parked literally everywhere in the camp.
Reportedly Friday night’s parties included large bonfires and drugs of all types available. Several old green oak trees were cut down across the road into the camp, either to keep people out or their own people in. Driving down on Saturday, it was totally creepy and surreal, like dropping into Woodstock without the music. Several women and some men were dressed in flowing dresses, and some had on few clothes at all. There were definitely not enough facilities for this huge group. It was horrifying, to say the least.
A couple of deputies and one state employee visited the area. Unfortunately, they didn’t disperse them, but at least hopefully they ticketed any and all those out of state vehicles that didn’t have their permits for being in the camp.
This being said, the powers that be should be very careful how we market our county. In my mind, this area has always been a fairly Christian community, and the Pagan International group is not what we are about here. This sort of group should be discouraged at any cost, and I for one hope to never see them again. It remains to be seen what the total extent of the damage is to the wildlife and vegetation.
Kathy Schwab
Goldendale
Hemp is helpful
To the Editor:
As I see the first reports of birds covered with crude oil, and of fishing grounds contaminated, I wonder what it’s going to take for society to allow an environmentally, ecologically, and economically beneficial crop like hemp to be grown without fear of being arrested?
Hemp seed oil is full of healthy essential fatty acids for human consumption. It can be used as biodiesel and could replace or be an alternative to crude oil. Legalizing hemp production can free the American farmer to compete for energy dollars that leave our country as we import billions of dollars of oil from hostile nations and send our youth and money to secure those very countries.
I say, grow hemp, which is a renewable, sustainable agricultural source for all the food, fuel, and fiber our country needs to remain independent. Hemp History week is May 17 through May 23. Take time to reflect on the significant contribution legalizing hemp production can be. Don’t vote for anyone who doesn’t support legal hemp, and tell your elected officials you mean business, with a little liberty and justice for all.
Ken McKune
Goldendale |
