What about the cost?
To the editor:
Several months ago I read that The Dalles Public Works Department was going to move to a property that was zoned industrial. This would free up the property they currently were using, which was zoned commercial. This equated to higher taxed property returning to the tax rolls and the city taking lower taxed property off the roll. This seemed to be commendable on the city’s behalf for helping with tax burden on its citizens.
What I don’t recall was any discussion about the cost of time and material the city was going to spend getting the new digs ready. As I have watched the progress of this project I would be hard pressed to believe the cost is less than several hundred thousands of dollars. Does anybody of city government want to comment on my observations and estimates?
Gary Nichols
The Dalles
Editor’s note: As early as Jan. 31 this year, The Chronicle reported The Dalles City Council voted to authorize $3.6 million in bond sales: $800,000 for a new 9-1-1 center, and $2.55 million to remodel the former Green Hill Lumber for public works. The bonds won't cause any tax increases, because it is being repaid with state office building rentals and public works department rate revenues.
Frightening time
To the editor:
Experiencing one of the most traumatic events of my life, my screams could be heard for blocks. Fortunately, they were heard by the one person who was equipped to change the outcome of the event — my mailman.
I was within a block of my house on a dog walk with my little Havanese on his leash. Out of nowhere, a large pitbull came charging across the street with his owner in pursuit. Before I could get my dog in my arms, the pit bull had taken him to the ground. I was on my knees trying to free my dog seconds before the owner got there, but nothing we did would make her release her grip.
Another man came to help, both trying to pry the pitbull’s jaws open and beating on her. Finally I stood up, walked a few feet away and began screaming.
Our mailman heard my screams and came running with his mace. It took 10 seconds of direct spray in the pitbull’s eyes to finally get her to release my dog. By then my husband also arrived on the scene, picked up our dog and we hurried him to the vet.
Our dog was battered, bruised and in shock, but miraculously had no puncture wounds. X-rays showed no internal damage. But had it not been for the mailman’s quick response and the fact that mailmen carry mace for protection from aggressive dogs, our beloved pet would surely be dead.
There are many small children in our neighborhood, and I shudder even more to think it could have been an attack on a small child.
This dog owner has two pitbulls and lives within a block of our house, a children’s park and a children’s daycare center. The owner obviously cannot control his pet, but he has chosen not to put her down or get rid of her. Needless to say, there is great concern about this in our neighborhood.
Our mailman has known our dog for years and came by the day after the attack, on his day off, to see how he was doing. And I got the chance to give him a big hug, tell him he is my hero, and thank him for saving BozLee’s life.
And kudos to all mailmen who are often put at risk while doing their job and delivering mail to the homes of aggressive dogs.
R. N. McNamee
The Dalles
What was that?
To the editor:
Today, on television, I watched Condoleeza Rice admonish a Russian newsman by saying that this is not Czechoslovakia in 1968. The west will not sit idly as Russia destroys a pro-western democracy. (Georgia)
What Ms. Rice forgets is that this is not Sept. 12, 2001. The world does not empathize with our plight. The Bush administration has no credibility at home or abroad.
Georgia attacked South Osettia. They would not have done so without the belief that they were backed by NATO, the U.S. and Israel. Georgia’s defense minister is a former Israeli. Israel has sold millions of dollars worth of weapons to Georgia in the last eight years.
So, was this a total failure? How could the Russians counterattack so quickly unless they had an intelligence network that allowed them to know plans in advance?
What were and perhaps, still are, the West’s goals? Do they think that portraying Russia as a bully will convince Germany and France to allow Georgia into NATO?
Did they think that the Russian response would be much slower, allowing the carrier groups now heading for the Persian Gulf to initiate attacks against Iran while Russia was occupied by Georgia? Do the neo-cons want to start a new cold war for the sake of the economy? And, where did I leave my coffee?
Peter Solinski
Dallesport
Slay the dragon
To the editor:
We hear a lot these days about wars around the world. One war we don’t hear much about is the fight against cancer. Every day in this country, 1500 people die from this scourge. In this election cycle, it is vital we convince the candidates how important this war is. We need health care that works for all Americans.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is hitting the streets to spread this message, visiting 48 states in 184 days.
The Fight Back Express bus comes to Celilo Cancer Center, 1800 E. 19th St., Monday, Aug. 25, at 5:30 pm.
It will also visit Baker City, Seaside (for Hood to Coast), Portland, Salem, Bend and Eugene from Aug. 20 to Aug 27. Locations and times can be found at www.acscan.org.
There will be cancer survivors, speakers, music and an opportunity to learn more about Access to Care for all of us. Come out and sign the bus. Make a statement that cancer is a dragon that must be slain.
Eric Jones
Oregon State Lead Ambassador
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
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