by Contributed
Forest logging could fund police patrols
Last week’s feature story, “Forest patrol funding an issue,” raises the long-smoldering issue of how to maintain the community forest for its utility as a public asset and for its intrinsic beauty and recreational value. Part of that value is the ability to protect it with necessary patrolling by city police.
What I’m about to suggest will initiate howls of protest from the usual environmental extremist cohort, but here goes.
The funds needed for patrolling can be raised by careful, selective harvesting of useful timber from those Forest Lands. Timber harvesting is a rational activity, the practice of which has been demonstrated to be a valuable process in the forest’s health and should be rationally considered.
Is there a market for this resource? The big mill on Highway 20 seems to be still buying logs; perhaps the Forest Lands management can determine the value of our timber by contacting them.
In these times of economic stress we must not overlook any sensible source of funds to maintain our community forest.
Robert Morgan Emerson
Anacortes
Publicly financed campaigns have many benefits
Editorials in both the Anacortes American and the Skagit Valley Herald have addressed the need for more citizens to run for office.
I can understand why people would not choose to run for office in a system that is often seen as bought and paid for even at the local level. Voter apathy sets in when citizens believe their efforts are meaningless because the corrosive, corruptive nature of money in our present system separates them from a healthy election process. One way to increase the number of candidates running for office would be to adopt public financing of campaigns.
When campaigns are publicly financed candidates are freed from playing “dialing-for-dollars” to attract funds. They can focus on the public’s issues.Voter turnout would probably get a boost because voters would have more confidence that their voice and vote makes a difference.
Citizens can criticize and complain about the “system” all they want and it will do no good.
If you desire true change in the present election structure go to the molecular level, to the basics. Clean campaigns present a welcome alternative to what we have now.
No political system will ever be perfect but we can have progress. Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) presents a healthy alternative to our present process of election financing.
Here is WPC’s contact information: Washington Public Campaigns, P.O. Box 70452. Seattle, WA 98127. Phone: (206) 784-2522
Gene Derig
Anacortes
Crosswalk by Storvik Park makes sense
I am a senior living in Cap Sante Court, directly across the street from the newly redone Storvik Park. So what is the problem?
It would be a great help to have a crosswalk across 32nd Street to be able to cross to the park. From Commercial Avenue to M Avenue is a distance of three blocks. If you walk down to the corner from Cap Sante to Commerical and back to the park, you have walked approximately three blocks, which can take up a lot of energy and sometimes you don’t have much left to enjoy the park. Of course, don’t forget you must leave enough energy to walk back to Commercial, cross over and walk a block and a half home.
If there was a crosswalk in the middle of the long block on 32nd Street, not only would the seniors be able to use it, it would also be available for the boys and girls who cross over in the middle of the street after school is out. There is quite a group of them that cut through the park. It would also help the seniors to go to the park and walk around, enjoy the park and return home.
There is a crosswalk on 29th Street where there is exactly the same circumstances. I envy it every time I have the occasion to go up 29th. I reallize this could take a little extra time for the motorists who might have to stop; however most of the people I have met or know in Anacortes aren’t really going to mind giving us a little time so we can enjoy the park and return home with still some breath and in safety.
Thelma Smallen
Anacortes
Scout appreciates help with Eagle project
I would like to publicly thank Sebo’s Hardware for their help with my Eagle Scout Project. I poured a concrete slab on which a newly refurbished table will sit.
George Madden
Anacortes
