The best wayto protect wildlife is to leave it wild
My parents, longtime Anacortes residents, sent me clippings of the Anacortes American’s coverage of the recent tragic shootings of deer in the area. Because I work in wildlife conservation, I felt compelled to respond.

As a community well-known for its compassion for animals — wildlife and companions alike — I can understand how heartbreaking these killings are and I hope that the person(s) responsible are quickly brought to justice.

I’d also like to remind residents of the dangers of feeding wildlife. While the intention of wildlife feeding is not to endanger animals, it many times is the result. Not only does it bring wildlife into contact with humans, it also habituates animals to humans — the need for food overriding their natural instincts to flee from danger.

Wildlife can’t tell the difference between good people and dangerous people. The hands that offers food could just as well be aiming at them with a gun or bow.

The best way we can all protect wildlife is to leave it wild. Please think twice before feeding wildlife of any kind.
Zibby Wilder
Seattle
Director of PublicRelations,
Born Free USA

Done right, a Fred Meyer store could be an asset
I feel compelled to add my two cents worth to the City Council debate regarding larger stores in Anacortes. Please consider the following:

1. Much of what Fred Meyer sells is not available in Anacortes.

2. The cost of driving to Burlington to shop for clothes is expensive and needless for a town of our size.

3. Our two major grocery stores need more price competition, which a Fred Meyer store would provide.

4. Whidbey Island folks would likely be drawn by the shorter trip to shop at an Anacortes Fred Meyer store and then would likely give other local businesses more business.

5. Environmental degradation suggests that the carbon each of our cars cost the atmosphere for a trip to Burlington should be prevented at all costs.

6. Competition is usually a good thing for consumers/taxpayers. Some of our local business would prefer monopolies.

7. A Fred Meyer store would increase the tax revenue for the city.

8. Jobs would be created, hopefully most for Anacortes residents.

Overall, a Fred Meyer store, if properly built in several smaller units, would be a blessing for Anacortes, not a curse. It is time to move forward. I agree that a Wal-Mart store would not be beneficial to our city, for reasons that would require another letter.
Fred Curow
Anacortes

People can help each other when snow slows city
Much has been said and written about recent local snowfall, so here are a few of my thoughts on the subject.

I know of a number of local businesses who did much better than expected during this Christmas shopping season and it’s my bet that they can thank cold weather and snowy roads for people shopping close to home.

Maybe those snow clouds had green linings for retailers this year.

It also occurs to me that everyone with a TV or radio had pretty much the same warnings about the snow, so did you prepare to take care of yourself?

Did you help others who were unable to help themselves, or did you sit back and wait for “government” to help ... and then complain when that help didn’t meet your expectations?

On Dec. 23, without invitation or expecting payment, Mitch Harris and a buddy cleared our office parking lot with two Bobcats in a matter of minutes. Thanks, Mitch!

By the way, whoever stole my snow shovel, please either return it or use it to help your neighbors the next time it snows.
Mike Keller
Anacortes

French Travel Club appreciates all the support
The Anacortes High School French Travel Club would like to thank the following businesses for their support in this year’s winter window painting: Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, Allstate Insurance, Skagit Cycle, Sebo’s, Cheesecake Factory, Tesoro, Select Styling, Lang Accounting, Dr. Kuzma, Anacortes Hearing, Chriswood Chiropractic.

Money raised will be directly shared by 15 students participating in this fundraiser. Many will going to France in the spring of 2009.
Ginny Tomasko
Anacortes

Many have helped Hope Therapeutic Riding Program
In this season of giving and giving thanks, we want to take this opportunity to thank the many individuals, businesses and organizations who have made monetary or in kind donations this year to Hope Therapeutic Riding Program.

Once again, our community has come together to make a successful 22nd year for HOPE, providing 707 lessons in 2008 at the Fairgrounds in Langley and at two locations in Oak Harbor for individuals and families facing special challenges of a physical, mental or emotional nature.  Check our Web site at http://www.hope-whidbey.org.for lesson times and come by to see the smiles your donations put on the faces of our students.

If you are interested in making a monetary donation or a donation of goods or services, please contact us at (360) 221-7656 or .

If any of you want to play Santa for HOPE (it’s not too late), our wish list includes a laptop computer, folding portable saddle racks, specialty horse halters and many other items. Please contact us.
Karen S. Newman
Executive Director
Hope Therapeutic Riding Program