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July 2, 2009 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
How Do You Celebrate The 4th Of July?
The Fourth of July is a fun day for
parades, barbecues and getting together with
family and friends. But while we are celebrat-
ing this “explosive” holiday, let’s not forget the
reason for it.
We celebrate July 4 as Independence Day
because on July 4, 1776, members of the
Second Continental Congress, adopted the
final draft of the Declaration of Independence.
Following its adoption, the Declaration was
read to the public in various cities and when-
ever people heard it, they erupted in cheers
and celebrations.
In 1777, during the first Independence
Day celebration Philadelphians rang bells,
fired guns, lighted candles and set off fire-
works.
John Adams, the second president of the
United States wrote his wife, Abigail that the
Fourth of July “will be celebrated by succeed-
ing generations as the great anniversary fes-
tival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and
parade, with shows, games, sports, guns,
bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end
of this continent to the other...”
Congress declared July 4 a federal holi-
day in 1941.
Some people use the 4th of July as anoth-
er opportunity to honor those who are fighting
to preserve our independence.
Some use it as an opportunity to teach
and remind themselves of our country’s great
history.
Some spend the day watching or playing
sports.
Some use it as a much needed break from
work to take time to rekindle the important
things in life.
Whichever way we choose to celebrate
the 4th of July, it doesn’t take much to remind
ourselves of why we celebrate it.
We can be reminded of our freedoms by
the reflection of the fireworks gleaming in the
eyes of our children, by the smiles on the
faces of our family and friends, by the half a
beef on the barbecue, by the beer and soda
in the cooler, by the laughter and games, and
by the flags waving in the breeze. For without
our precious freedoms and our indepen-
dence, these pleasures would be rare or even
non-existent.
Here’s a fun quiz from
www.ClassBrain.com to help celebrate our
history and remember what lead to our inde-
pendence:
1. What day has been designated the
anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence?
A. January 11, 1717
B. May 27, 1775
C. July 4, 1776
2. Where did immigrants first set foot in the
New World to gain entry?
A. Jamestown
B. Ellis Island
C. Plymouth
3. The Declaration of Independence estab-
lished rights for individuals to life, liberty and
what?
A. The right to bear arms
B. No taxes
C. The pursuit of happiness
4. What document was the legal framework
of the United States?
A. The Bill of Rights
B. The Amendments
C. The Constitution
5. What do the colors red, white, and blue
stand for?
A. There is no definite answer
B. Blood, sweat and tears
C. Honor, liberty and posterity
6. Who do historians believe sewed the first
official American flag?
A. Betsy Ross
B. Many Crowe
C. Dorothy Travis
7. Who wrote the words of the "Star
Spangled Banner?"
A. George Washington
B. Francis Scott Key
C. Walt Whitman
8. What's the official anniversary date of
Flag Day?
A. July 12
B. April 17
C. June 14
9. In what year did Congress finally recog-
nize the Pledge of Allegiance?
A. 1933
B. 1964
C. 1942
10. Flying a flag upside down is a symbol of
what?
A. Distress and harm befalling you and/or
your possessions
B. War
C. A death in the family
Answers
1. C
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. A
As to how you celebrate the 4th of July
and what it means to you, there is no wrong
answer. But Please take a few moments to
reflect on what your Independence means to
you during this holiday.
—Letters To The Editor—
Budget And Weather Affecting Local Efforts To Control Mosquitoes
To The Record-Courier:
The Baker Valley Vector Control
District can no longer treat as many
acres as we have in the past due to huge
increases in application costs. Every
portion of the budget has either had to
take a cut or a freeze except the
Insurance/Bonding /Accounting line
item and Surveillance Supplies. Even
with these cuts the Contract Spraying
and Chemicals portion of the budget
took a 10% decrease in funding. In
2009 the District treated 10,115.9 acres
with larvicide and 89,911.9 acres with
adulticide. The District has enough
money this season to treat 4,700 acres
with larvicide and 76,800 acres with
adulticide.
The weather effects both mosquito
production and our ability to effectively
control mosquito populations.
Mosquito larval production this year is
far in excess of the previous five. Not
only has there been localized flooding
in areas creating mosquito larval habitat
also the abundant irrigation water has
compounded the problem. Whether
you own a 100 by 100 lot or a thousand
acres the District needs your help in
minimizing mosquito larval habitat.
The conditions that are favoring mos-
quito production also hamper mosquito
control efforts. Larvicide applications
cannot be made in the rain or when
winds are in excess of 10 miles per
hour. Adulticide applications can’t be
made in the rain, winds in excess of 10
miles per hour, when temperatures are
below 50 degrees, or at times other than
the hours between dusk and dawn.
The District must also make all its
mosquito control applications within
the parameters of all applicable state
and federal laws. The Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife and
the Oregon Health Department must
approve our pesticide use plan each sea-
son. Although the number of restric-
tions that have been put in place by
ODFWare few, they do adversely
affect those who live in the restricted
areas. They have also so severely
restricted the use of mosquito fish with-
in the district that it would be financial-
ly impossible for the District to main-
tain any fish stocking program even for
water troughs or ornamental ponds.
I and the other employees of the
District will continue to work hard to
minimize the mosquito populations
within the District. I understand your
concerns about the mosquito population
and its possible effect on the health and
well being of you, your family and your
livestock. I need your help in combat-
ing the mosquito population, please do
whatever is in your power to reduce the
mosquito production on your property.
Please call us and let us know what we
can do to help. When calling the office
please leave your name, address, phone
number, and a brief message describing
your situation. Clear, concise messages
allow us to deal with situations effi-
ciently.
James J. Lunders,
Manager & Biologist
Baker Valley Vector Control District
Peter Cottontail
To The Record-Courier:
Ah yes, I know, strange title at that.
Well wouldn't you know it, this garden
issue doesn't seem to escape the preda-
tors that roam around in it. One night
not to long ago we were just coming
home from a meeting and all and first
time ever in our location off of H Street
there was Peter Cottontail standing in
his upright position on the corner
guarding the place. Now that is one crit-
ter I could do without in my garden
area. He just kind of leaped and jumped
around in his arrogant manner and acted
liked he owned the place. After getting
back from vacation I read in the paper
that there were some little bunnies
found as well in the same location—
makes one wonder.
It is interesting to note how in our
most wonderful human nature at its
best, how sometimes we seem to carry
those traits around ourselves. Ah yes,
some might be saying not me, well
don't be fooled our characteristics at
that unless well balanced so to speak
can go from one extreme to the other. It
is all around us no matter what, given
the news media etc. If we are ever bal-
anced given the issue itself maybe the
world would be in a different place then
it is now. Wishful thinking at that.
Even given the chores that are a
necessity in our every day living can
behold the issue as well. This might be
a matter of repeating the issue "what
goes around, comes around, once
again."
Now as long as those bigger critters,
mainly the wolves, etc. don't try to
make their trek to town in an abundance
and we can still protect our livelihood
around our homes etc. We should be
able to live freely without any compli-
cations. Easier said than done tho at
that. The cougars have made it to town
so why not the wolves down the road?
Will our animals be a prey for these
species for a meal or two, you would
think they should realize their home is
in the woods and wilderness areas etc.
not coming to town at that. Now they’re
killing cows and calves with the latest
issue in the paper. The shortage of food
in our forests seems to be the problem
of them going elsewhere to find food. I
guess you can't win for loosing these
days. We are even hesitant about going
to our family's cabin with our dog, etc.
not sure if they are making their way
around the Elk Creek area etc. There
seems to be a pak rat around the cabin
at that and not sure if I want that critter
to be running all over us sleeping at
night etc. and making a pest out of him-
self. So, yes we do what we can to pro-
tect ourselves if there is the need to, and
making sure it is more right then wrong
in doing so.
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
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