Fee is unnecessary
Friday, November 7, 2008 12:35 AM PST
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Fee is unnecessary
Regarding the proposed Cowlitz County $54,000 annual storm water fee to “set standards for new development,” isn’t this a function of the County Building and Planning Department, hopefully with input from the public works and road departments, diking districts and Granges, as well as the public?
Heavy fines are already in place for illegal dumping (which I think would be done mostly by commercial owners).
As to advising “the public about storm water and its relationship to the environment,” information could be printed on water bills and tax statements, and broadcast on local radio stations as public service announcements.
I believe these solutions, county maintained ditches and usual building inspections should assure proper drainage in these areas, and would implement all of the requirements specified.
This would amount to over $1 million annually, equaling another level of even more burden in these difficult economic times.
With foreclosures at an all-time high, raising escrow amounts to cover this and the recent dramatic increase in property evaluations (taxes) would only raise mortgage payments and foreclosures. These expenses, plus the proposed, unrealistic, septic inspections, could also help force those with fixed incomes out of their homes.
Helen Eby
Castle Rock
Some shouldn’t have children
This is in response to Norma Peters' (Oct. 20) letter. Doesn’t she think there are way too many kids right now who don’t have a stable home environment because their parents are on drugs. Millions of kids are brought into this world and are abused and neglected. Does she think that is OK and is fair?
I am sorry, but we have a lot of people in our world with drug and alcohol problems who are in and out of jail and cannot provide a safe home for a child. These people are also too ignorant to use birth control or don’t want to because they collect more money on welfare. This is one of our biggest problems in the world.
Does Peters think we need more kids for taxpayers to support and jails to fill? It isn’t like I agree with going and getting pregnant and having an abortion, but we need to be realistic because some people should not have rights to even have children.
Brandy Walton
Kelso
Good job
First I wish to thank whoever repaired the very rough spot on the street near the Hall of Justice. Good job.
Now this may get me shot by the truckers, but I firmly believe it is a must for much greater highway safety during the rainy season. Install hanging guards on the sides to cover the wheels like in the rear. That will eliminate most of the flying spray that is so blinding to drivers near the trucks.
If you drive near one of these trucks, you absolutely cannot see because of the spray. Check it out. May save lives. If you shoot me, it may be worth it.
Nick Specht
Kelso
Article was irresponsible
Your article on the tragic death of Eric Mejia (Oct. 28) was biased and irresponsible. The picture your reporter painted was one of an alcoholic monster who crashed his car in a drunken rage and left his wife to die. What’s more, this article contradicts itself in several ways, not least of which giving the impression that Meija left the scene of the accident.
The coroner’s report, according to the article, clearly states that Meija died from blunt-force trauma to the neck. This would indicate that he was thrown from the vehicle, yet the impression is still given that he was the kind of person who would have walked away from the scene of an accident, leaving his wife to (potentially) die alone.
That being said, had deputies performed such a “thorough search,” Eric’s family would not have had to search for, and eventually discover, his body only 150 feet from the vehicle.
A young man made a mistake Saturday night and he paid for it with his life. Why should his family and friends have to keep paying that price by reading such slanderous garbage in their local newspaper? The dead deserve dignity, too.
Janette-Rose Rathbun
Longview
Winners and losers
Who are the real winners in the election? I think the biggest winners are the TV stations. They received enough advertising from candidates and groups to cover their wildest dreams. Who loses? It’s us viewers.
Locally what can we expect from our local elected folks? I think from the articles in this paper we can expect more taxes. Longview is proposing increasing the renter tax. Those of us who pay property taxes have seen our assessed value increase substantially. The local agencies will say their income increase from property taxes is very limited.
Possibly, if the elected folks who complain would set priorities, us taxpayers would not be as aggressive with our no. When was the last time you saw a politician say that a tax increase is not the community’s most pressing priority?
My priorities include the Longview Housing Authority dodging taxes that support schools and cops, and no sales tax increases to have more empty busses burning fuel.
The election is over. Now will anyone say our community is in good shape to handle the future?
Bill Hallanger
Longview
If Obama’s a socialist ...
This is in response to Dale Hirsch’s letter on Nov. 2 — and for all the others who continue to label Barack Obama a socialist. What is it that they find so offensive about universal health care and an equitable tax system? Shouldn’t every citizen have the right to essential services and health care coverage?
This form of “socialism” works in Canada and many western European countries. Why not try it in the United States? Corporate officers make up to 400 times what their workers earn. Why isn’t that egregious excess offensive to these people?
I’ve been working since I was 12. Over the years I’ve worked for mom-and-pop shops and corporations like RadioShack and Safeway. I have a strong work ethic, I’m smart and capable, I’ve never been fired from a job, yet I still struggle to find a job with a real living wage (let alone reasonable medical coverage). If promoting a progressive tax on people who make over $250,000 a year is socialist, then I’m a socialist too.
But the truth is, Obama’s no socialist — he’s simply a reasonable capitalist who wants to end the tyranny of the rich and reinvest in working-class America.
Eric Hazen
Longview
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