Saturday Thumbs
Saturday, December 13, 2008 12:30 AM PST
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E-mail this articleDec. 13 Daily News editorial
Library supporters must get creative
Thumbs sideways: It was bitterly disappointing to see the Castle Rock Library levy fall just short of the 60 percent approval needed for passage. As a result the library is cutting its hours and laying off all but one employee. Even so, it may have to close within four months, according to Daily News reporter Barbara LaBoe.
There’s some hope, however, if residents who supported the levy do as Dave Vorse, the city’s public works director, and Councilman Mike Mask advise — donate the amount of money they would have paid in taxes if the levy had passed. That’s a tall order in down economy, but we think the library is worth it. And, apparently, so do 59.55 percent of the Castle Rock voters who supported the levy.
No quit in these volunteers
Thumbs up to the organizers of Longview’s annual Go 4th celebration for pushing ahead with planning for next year’s festival despite concerns about funding. After the City Council announced in October that it could not afford to pay the some $10,000 in police overtime required for security at the event, prospects for next summer’s Go 4th looked bleak. But the city invited organizers to reapply for a grant to cover security costs and, though there’s no guarantee of winning it, organizers announced a week ago that they’ll proceed with plans for the festival.
That’s good news. Go 4th is a signature event for our community, drawing tens of thousands of visitors her for three days of activities and entertainment. It may be the area’s biggest single draw for tourists. We’re fortunate to have a group of volunteers willing to go to great lengths to make it happen.
Zero compassion
Thumbs down: A young Wilsonville, Ore., woman was victimized twice one night last week — first by an abusive boyfriend and second by a tow-truck driver intent upon collecting his commission. After being assaulted by her boyfriend, the woman fled in her car across the apartment complex parking lot to her grandmother’s apartment, where she called 9-1-1. The sheriff’s deputy who responded took her statement. They stepped outside to find that her car was being hooked up to a tow truck.
The appeals from the deputy fell on deaf ears. The woman, her face still bloody, found no sympathy from the tow truck driver. She would have to pay a “drop fee” of $165 if she wanted her car unhooked and returned. Negative publicity and the resulting public outcry led the towing company to refund the drop fee later in the week — too late to avoid this thumb.
Honesty pays — again and again
Thumbs up: Honesty may be its own reward, but one Federal Way, Wash., high school student found it can bring some tangible benefits, as well. Last month, Moisei Baraniuc discovered a bag stuffed with $50 and $100 bills in the restroom of the Federal Way Top Food store where he works after school. He turned the money over to his manager. The money, totaling about $10,000, was eventually returned to a Vancouver man. It represented his life savings.
Baraniuc received a $500 reward from the Vancouver man. He received another $500 from the store owner. He’s received many card and letters from strangers, some with checks and money orders that total about $100. The young man told The Tacoma News Tribune that doing the right thing does pay off.
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