Oct. 25 Letters to the Editor

Melink for City Council

I support Mary Jane Melink’s re-election to the Longview City Council for several reasons. She has lived, worked, raised children and volunteered in this community for nearly 25 years. She approaches each issue with an open mind and is serious about studying the facts.

Through her personal and professional actions, she has shown a strong commitment to preserving the environment. Perhaps most importantly, she understands that working collaboratively is the key to effective policy making. The best leaders are those who work consistently, often quietly behind the scenes, to promote the success of those they represent. They are the leaders, like Melink, who care deeply about what they do and avoid the limelight.

Melink is a dependable and hard-working individual who has a proven track record. Please join me in supporting her for a second term.

Wendy Hall

Longview

Supporting Steve Moon

Once again we are subjected to the typical whiny refrain by local Republicans. “How dare those Democrats have the audacity to participate in local politics? Don’t they know that city council races have been designated by the government to be non-partisan?”

Well, regardless of the arbitrary nonpartisan designation, the Longview City Council Position 6 is being contested by two candidates who are supported by opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Chet Makinster is on record opposing apprenticeship programs in city contracting; he knows better than the constituents on important issues like the proposed water treatment plant, and he has received the bulk of his financial support from local Republicans and business owners.

Steve Moon listens to the constituents on issues like the water treatment plant, he supports labor interests such as the apprenticeship program in city contracting, and he has received his support from working families and groups representing working families.

The choice is clear for the Longview City Council. Choose Steve Moon who will represent the interests of working families or choose Chet Makinster who gets his support from wealthy friends and Republicans.

Bruce Westrick

Longview

Doing a great job

I would like to thank the Castle Rock Police Department’s Officer Worley for getting the information out so promptly on the burglary of our home, which allowed the Longview Street Crimes Unit to track us down and recover most of our property in three days; they are a great group of men.

We appreciate the great work you do.

Dolly Adams

Castle Rock

Look past clothes, hair

I have grown tired of the negativity regarding the Kelso Skate Park. Why do so many people assume all young whippersnappers are going to steal their car? Excuse me, but our different hair, clothes and music does not make us druggies who dropped out of school and steal property that does not belong to us.

Everyone has different interests. I like to go to the coast and play with my babies. My friends, like me, like to bowl and see movies. My brother likes to work on his car and ride his BMX bike. So do his friends. All of us hate drugs, especially meth and heroin. We are either in school or have a job or both. We are all 25 or younger.

It is a shame some cannot look past silly clothes and crazy hair. We don’t judge others because of their clothes. Instead of making ugly comments, why not have some pride for the youth who have fun without drugs or crime? Some of them will be at the skate park in Kelso.

Heather Holmack

Longview

‘Reform’ is too costly

Despite the fact that a majority of Americans are opposed to it, Democrats continue to push their health-care reform legislation while failing to provide any details explaining how our health care will be improved or how costs will be reduced.

Apparently those issues aren’t the focus of this “reform.” Instead, it appears that health care is simply another tool for Obama to accomplish his fundamental reform goal, shared with other members of his czar team, of income redistribution.

Costs remain the same, but the payers are changed through such means as higher taxes on upper-income taxpayers and forcing health-care providers to accept reduced reimbursement rates. Some have estimated that Brian Baird’s House bill would reduce the average doctor’s income by more than 20 percent.

Obama is practicing deception by reporting the cost as “only” $829 billion without revealing that this results from comparing 10 years of income to just six years of program expenses. And he hasn’t included the cost for illegal immigrants who will be covered when he implements his amnesty program.

Larry Young

Silver Lake

Change speed limits

Recent comments on Nichols Boulevard traffic prompt me to add my two cents.

Reminders of the 20 mph limit near St. Rose School and the need for drivers to turn on their lights on these dark days are certainly appropriate, but I would suggest also that the speed limit on Nichols should be lowered to 30 mph, which would be more realistic and in line with similar streets through primarily residential areas.

I personally use Nichols, Louisiana and Washington Way on a regular basis, all of which have the same purpose but three different speed limits. In my opinion, 25 mph on Louisiana is too slow, 35 mph on Nichols is too fast and 30 mph on Washington Way is just right.

Are you listening, city council?

William B. Wechner

Longview

A spoiled brat

President Obama reminds me of a spoiled brat who wants something that its parents do not want it to have.

The brat keeps crying, yelling, bawling, pouting, etc., until the parents give in to the brat, to get some peace.

Every time he is on the TV, I get this feeling.

Our last revolution was caused by taxation without representation. The next revolution will be caused by taxation with representation.

Theda L. Williamson

Ryderwood