Aug. 10 Letters to the Editor

‘Yes’ vote is vital

Our “yes” vote is so vital for keeping the Castle Rock Library open, or we will lose one of our most valuable assets.

The loss of our swimming pool was a crushing blow, so please let’s not let this happen to our library. All eligible voters need to do now is to use their voting privilege and make a difference for our community. Let’s not force people to go out of town to obtain all the wonderful things this library has to offer. Vote “yes.”

Linda Moody and Lynda Frantsvog

Castle Rock

Voters should be heard

I do hope that, as a constituent of Congressman Brian Baird and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, my representatives do not support the Obaminable health-care reform baloney being rammed down the public throat.

Further, let’s all trust that any public meetings held by our representatives are not “invitation only” events. Advance notice of public meetings where the thoughts, concerns and complaints about pending legislation can be heard is an expectation of voters.

Tyler S. Ramey

Longview

Grow up and show up

I find it appalling that Brian Baird would even think to liken people voicing dissenting opinions at town hall meetings to Nazis. He said this regarding the angered voices at town hall meetings, ”What we’re seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics,” Baird, D-Wash, said in a phone interview. “I mean that very seriously.”

Is Baird insane? He just related Americans exercising their First Amendment right to Nazis. Has he no knowledge of history and the atrocities committed against humanity by the real Nazis? Nazis were murdering psychopaths.

And canceling his meetings because he is afraid of people who disagree with him is not just irresponsible, it is just plain cowardly. May we remind Baird that he “represents” us. He should check his title again, “Representative” Baird. Baird should grow up and show up, or he may as well start digging a six foot deep hole to bury his political career in.

Jeremy Miller

Castle Rock

Back to the drawing board

Well, all I can say about this misguided decision by the city of Longview is good luck. Unless they issue a locking top to each recycling bin, giving the recipient the only key and then do a personal audit of the contents of said bin at the time of collection, they had better be prepared to be sued. I don’t stand guard over my recycling bin 24 hours a day and I doubt anyone else does either.

I am conscientious about recycling, but if someone else were to see my available bin and decide to use it for trash, the city of Longview will fine me? I don’t think so. The fact that straight garbage collection costs so much more than if you are a participant in recycling as well should be the key here.

This is an ill-planned, misguided move that should have been shot down when it was first conceived. You want to start holding people personally responsible for everything in their garbage or recycling containers, you’d better have proof that they’re the ones that put it in there. Back to the drawing board, folks.

Matthew Wilson

Longview

There’s always an excuse

This year, it is budget cuts. In years past, it has been a water shortage, equipment breakdown and keeping a natural look. The grassy areas of Lake Sacajawea have never looked this bad.

City officials always seem to have a reason to keep a tarnish on Longview’s crown jewel. Citizens should demand that Lake Sacajawea’s emerald banks be well kept.

Whatever happened to civic pride? It comes at a price that we should be proud to pay.

Bruce D. Grimm

Longview