10/03/08 Letters to the Editor

Yakima Herald-Republic

Adult retail, RIP

To the editor -- On Sept. 18, the Urban Area Regional Planning Commission voted in favor of an ordinance that will literally be the death of adult retail in Yakima. I don't see how any of these small businesses can comply with proposed "site-screening" requirements. I live by two of these retail establishments. The large "No One Under 18" is the only clue as to what lies within their closed doors and behind obscured windows. When asked, no one on the planning commission could say they had ever even actually entered any of these establishments. Still, they will ask the City Council to consider all these stores "adult entertainment." This seems like calling Hollywood Video stores movie theaters.

Retailers sell products to be enjoyed in the privacy of our own homes. This ordinance will treat retailers like they have booths and/or topless dancing. A grocer sells beer but is not a bar. Are these measures really to make us all safe and happy? If so, then who is "us?" Incidentally, no one spoke in favor of the ordinance except the planning commission at the meeting. Their focus seemed to be retracting one of the three zones approved for adult retailers and then "pushing it through, as written," to use their words.

 

MICHAEL PURDIN

Yakima

Bullish on Barack

To the editor -- Barack Obama is a fresh voice and a fresh breeze blowing across America.

After listening to the debate and the rally the next day, I am more sold on Obama than ever before. He is very clear about the change that will happen once he's in office. He is a strong proponent of the middle class, and wants to lighten the burden that they are carrying in this country! He is all about change and he will definitely have my vote in November!

 

DONNA SHARER

Yakima

 

Sorry, Republicans

To the editor -- As Americans sit amid the collapsed remains of the U.S. financial system, I'm sure that many Republicans are particularly discouraged and depressed. After all, it has been the Republican Party's mostly successful efforts toward deregulation that are primarily to blame for the debacle in the first place. They had as a long-standing goal to "get the government off our backs," and they succeeded.

I would, however, like to make an attempt to cheer them up by reminding them of yet another of their most cherished ambitions: the curtailment or elimination of existing and future social programs! The onerous taxes which of necessity will be imposed on the American people will be primarily going to pay for the Bush wars and the financial bailout. This should effectively put an end to any pesky Democratic ideas about improving the lives of our citizens. See? Every cloud has a silver lining.

Ronald Reagan would be pleased.

 

GERALD HALL

Yakima

 

Mission accomplished

To the editor -- "Mission accomplished" from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush has been the system set in place for years by the Republican Party.

The U.S. Department of Energy was started in 1976 by President Carter after the 1974 oil embargo to regulate big oil and find other types of energy. Reagan changed the rules in 1980 to let Big Oil work with no government regulation and stop looking for other energy sources. Now you see why we were paying almost $4.50 per gallon.

On immigration, the Republican plan in the 1980s was to give everyone amnesty, but they forgot to close the gates. Mission accomplished.

Then George H.W. Bush went to war with Iraq but forgot to remove Saddam Hussein. Mission accomplished.

Last is George W. Bush, who went to the wrong country and started a war that cannot be won. That sent this country into recession and caused the oil prices to go sky high, and he's not trying to stop it. He has put this country into debt that our grandkids will never be able to pay off. Mission accomplished.

The Valley has been controlled by the Repulican Party for too long; it's time for a change.

 

JACK MORRIS

Yakima

Lower Valley pathway

To the editor -- On Sept. 28, we had yet another article about obesity, particularly in Yakima County. It has prompted me to write something that's been on my mind for a long time. Fitness centers are great places to work out and stay fit, but what about a large percentage of our population in the Lower Valley that would like to have someplace safe to jog and bicycle?

I would love to see the pathway from Sunnyside extend to Granger and Zillah and eventually to Union Gap. There are not many safe roads in the area on which to bike -- my favorite form of exercise. I usually bike on the Yakima Valley Highway because most of the way it has a shoulder to ride on; however, it doesn't go all the way to Union Gap. Even at that, there is a lot of traffic that comes buzzing by at accelerated speeds, which is pretty scary at times. Providing a pathway for us bicyclists, walkers and joggers would be much safer and would encourage others to exercise outdoors by themselves and/or with their families.

Are there grants or other funds available to continue building the pathway in the Lower Valley? It seems like that's how we got the path from Grandview to Sunnyside -- something called Rails to Trails or Parks and Pathways. I hope something can be done in the not-too-distant future!

 

SANDRA ELENBAAS

Granger

 

YVCC is top-notch

To the editor -- I graduated in 2008 from West Valley High School and am now enrolled at Yakima Valley Community College. I don't think the college receives enough appreciation from high school educators and community members.

From day one at YVCC, I have felt welcome and confident that I am receiving a top-notch education. Not only are the facilities state-of-the-art and the teachers well-qualified, but class sizes are small, professors are determined to see their students succeed, and the students are incredibly motivated, diverse and friendly.

I believe some high school faculty and students have placed an unacceptable, unfair and innacurate stigma on community colleges. Educators should begin recommending community colleges to all students, not just the underprivileged or unprepared. With such ridiculous four-year university tuition costs, and the starving economy, now should be the time for people to really consider this as an option.

To high school students out there applying to schools: Recognize what a phenomenal resource we all have in our community. Take a campus tour! YVCC is inexpensive, personal, and if you are looking for a prestigious degree, there are countless transfer possibilities and people who will gladly get you to where you want to go (while saving you a bundle).

 

LEANNE SEBREN

Yakima

 

Another expert

To the editor -- A half century ago, in the late 1940s and early 1950s, I lived in Alaska, and in fact my daughter was born there when it was still a territory. (What's that?!) When we returned in 1980 for a visit, I was amused at a T-shirt that read "This is not the end of the world, but you can see it from here." Russia? And I've seen a great many Russian Orthodox churches in Alaska: Kodiak, Sitka, in villages in the Aleutian Islands. Doesn't that make me an expert? I wonder why John McCain didn't find me? Maybe it's because I'm a Democrat?

 

JEANNE CRAWFORD

Yakima

 

The money bubble

To the editor -- And the Republican rip-off continues.

The savings and loan debacle under Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. saw corporate bosses walk off with big bucks while their companies went under.

Just a couple of years ago you reported that many people dealing in high finance were getting bonuses of $200 million plus.

This is further evidence of the money bubble. Money is squeezed out of many pockets only to end up in the pockets of the already rich, greedy, robber baron Republicans.

 

JAMES E. PRATT

White Swan

 

Kudos to the marchers

To the editor -- There are groups of teenagers in our local high schools right now that I believe deserve recognition just as much as all of the other wonderful occurrences in our community.

Starting in mid-summer and running through late fall, there are talented musicians out marching on the football, baseball and soccer fields of their respective sports. All of these students spend hours of extracurricular time perfecting their music and marching skills, all in order to perform at competitions and football games. They especially appreciate appreciation for their hard work.

Please give your support by watching them perform at nearly any home football game or at the Harvest Marching Festival on Oct. 18.

 

ALLISON KUNZE

Yakima

 

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