Reverie BBQ good example for us
I loved the article “Feeding Body and Spirit” from Aug. 1. It is wonderful to read about kindness, generosity, and compassion in action. Reverie BBQ deserves our enthusiastic support.
My wife and I did something similar in Everett for a couple years. Twice a week, we fed homestyle meals to anyone who was hungry. When you feed people, you get to know them. We heard many sad and tragic stories.
Some of those we fed were street people. Many were in pretty bad shape. They had legal problems, addictions and a lot of mental illnesses. Yet they were not all lost. Some were looking for a way out, and they were willing to do their part.
What can we do to help the ones who still have hope, but who are so far buried in despair that they just can’t dig their way out? Instead of giving them constant bureaucratic busy signals, and temporary Band-Aids, can give them some meaningful help? Can we simplify things? Can we give them one phone number to call, and one door to walk through to find the help they need? Can we house, feed and support these people for six to eight months while they attend classes and learn a trade? Can we do it for free? Why not?
Taxpayers would surely get a good return on their investment. Figure $20,000 to $40,000 per year in taxpayer cost for the typical street person. Turn them into productive wage-earners, and that is a fantastic return on investment —and not just in terms of dollars either.
We are blessed beyond any measure when we can make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering.
Meanwhile, good-hearted people do what they can. Thanks again to Reverie BBQ! We are inspired and grateful. You are a good example for all of us.
Tim Ruggenberg
Camano Island
Fluoride report being misused
Why do opponents of water fluoridation keep citing the National Research Council (NRC) report as a reason to not move forward with fluoridation? The NRC report did not even address community water fluoridation as practiced in Washington state and in communities throughout the United States. The report did not recommend any changes in procedures currently used by communities to protect residents from preventable tooth decay.
The report recommended that the maximum allowable level for fluoride in drinking water be re-evaluated, but this would only pertain to areas that have naturally occurring levels of fluoride that are at least four times greater than optimal levels. This affects approximately 200,000 individuals, none in Washington state.
The levels used by communities to prevent dental decay (0.7 to 1.2 parts per million), including our Judy Reservoir, have remained constant for the past 40 years and are strongly endorsed by medical, dental and health organizations throughout the United States.
We are tired of this kind of misinformation being repeatedly quoted. Fluoridation is safe and effective, and has been proved to reduce dental decay by up to 40 percent. Let’s stop the delays and join the other 180 million-plus Americans who are receiving this critical health benefit.
Harold Clure, M.D.
Chairman, Citizens for a Healthy Skagit
Anacortes
Slamming calf cruel, unnecessary
I am writing in regard to the picture on the front page of the Aug. 9 Skagit Valley Herald and what it represents. The “cowboy” is participating in a cruel and unnecessary practice of slamming a calf down onto the ground and then see how fast he can tie the calf’s feet together, all for sport and money.
This was a practice done decades ago so that a cowman could brand his stock. Perhaps necessary at the time but not now and certainly not as a sport. To do this as a sport and for money is disgusting. Also the bronc riding and the bull riding is a cruel sport. The brave men and women are real heroes to get onto the backs of frightened animals to see how long they can hang on to win and for money.
Martha Williamson
Burlington
Trampling on Skagit residents
Who’s minding the store, and why doesn’t public opinion really count?
The Barrett Road controversy is the most current of recent disregard of public best interest. Local homeowners want a public park on a chunk of land out that way. Yet another mini-mart and gas station seem to be what is being pushed on them.
Further example is the proposed location of the waste station in Sedro-Woolley, across from the school in a neighborhood whose majority opposes it —not to mention most of the rest of the city residents.
Whose brainchild was that? Evidently, it was someone’s who has more money than common sense and is intent on proving it.
And regarding the Mount Vernon hospital project (I guess if you put the word “project” on something it sounds legitimate): People were kicked out of their homes, which would be understandable if they had been properly reimbursed. Maybe the hospital had a limited budget. Or did it? Did anyone see pictures in the paper or receive documentation chronicling the destruction of that neighborhood, or did they only see pictures of the construction of the “project”?
Complete houses, many filled with hospital castoffs (furniture, equipment, etc.) were demolished and hauled off to fill the local dump. (Is that a potential connection to Sedro-Woolley?) They were too tightfisted to fairly compensate the displaced homemakers but more than willing to squander potential profit. I guess it’s easier to make people and things disappear quickly.
So what is it? Ego, power trip, money and minions to outlast and bully the competition, or just a disregard for the human factor and the desire to trample the idea of fairness and democracy? Quality of life and future impact seems to be dismissed more often.
If it really takes a village to raise a child what type of village do we want to be?
Change has to start somewhere. Why not in Skagit County?
Sonia M. Harvey
Burlington
