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August 20, 2009 Opinions |
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—Letters To The Editor—
Savor The Flavor
To The Record-Courier:
Well now with all of our gardens if not for most of us, and maybe all of us, depending on how you want to look at it, I am sure we are tasting the bounty of them.
I had a friend challenge me on the title of this one, and am going to see if I can at that.
Yes, I am on my way to making a couple rounds of pickles. Well, in discovering without realizing I was trying to cut corners so to speak, didn't quite have the amount that I had last year and forgot a little of what I had done, but was quick to figure out that you can't have 12 cucumbers, up against 4 pounds in order to get the recipe right. Kind of like ma and pa's special recipes, so yes managed to miscalculate, but rectified the mistake and they were as good as gold, yes a bit salty, on the first round.
Of course my huckleberry people assured me they had been there and made those same mistakes as well. Nonetheless they enjoyed a sample at that and didn't seem to last long of doing what they did for me. Another special treat added to my day at that and a special thanks to these people.
You know we learn by doing and make the corrections as necessary. I even managed to miscalculate my husband's and my anniversary by one digit off thinking we had been married 17 years instead of the big 18 now going on 19. So there you have in a heartbeat on with the digits again. One year even managed to miss my age at that thinking backwards instead of forward. So yes if not all or most of you have been there in more ways then one other than me. So far my husband keeps a pretty good track record of these issues. Even cutting corners can't seem to beat it at times. Told you I would mention this issue down the road. So how many times do we go backward and forward and allowing our agendas to override us?
Sure hope my squash comes out it seems to be falling off and drying up...even doing all that we did. Crook neck and acorn are my favorites. Tomatoes are coming on in an abundance and hope they start ripening before too long. Makes me wonder if others are having this problem.
These same people seem to think I needed more space in a big way unlike a few others at that. Told them I had all I could handle with what I was doing. But appreciated their suggestion. Need to make room for my coffee breaks as well.
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
What Has Happened To Baker City?
To The Record-Courier:
Gone are the wholesome days of Baker City. In my apartment complex, drug use is in your face. Visitors come and talk to tenants outside and say, “I’ll be better once I get a buzz!”
Just about every day I am ridiculed with vulgarity and or directly called names by other tenants who are either under the influence or drunk.
Apartment management’s response is, “there is lots of drama in low-income apartments. No money, No jobs, and very few people with middle class values and up bringing. This does not mean that they are all bad people and do not deserve a place to live. You should not judge other people by your values. I can’t be judging their every word and movement for me to be able to work with them, we have to have mutual respect. I do not approve of their language or behavior, but it is quite typical of this age group of men who have no jobs. They have no self esteem, but they can be cocky and swear and that makes them feel big.”
The Police/Sheriff turn a blind eye (at least they know where it’s happening).
The Mayor and the Vice Mayor’s hands are tied (do not make law enforcement enforce), for fear of lawsuits.
The City Council of Bass, Pope, Bryan, Dorrah and Calder... (Well, we all know how they are working together)!
I personally believe it is the prison’s doing. The prison in town has too much politics and political power. Years ago Baker City opened Pandoras’s box (by allowing the prison and its inmates to come in) and now Baker City is paying the price.
Obviously the drug rehabilitation programs in town are not working!
As I have lived in Baker City years ago, been away and have come back, it is startling to see the changes (not for the better). Are the good citizens of Baker City just going to let drug use take over its city (tolerating those being under the influence)?
Michael Pitkin
Baker City, Ore.
Only No Change Is Legal
To The Record-Courier:
Mr. Steve Ellis, Forest Supervisor, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest: The “No Change” plan is the only “legal” action you can make.
In 1976, Congress specifically reaffirmed RS 2477 law stating “The Federal Land Management Agencies have no Independent Power or Authority over 2477 Roads.” Period.
To ignore this law will bring on legal action against you and your department, which would be a waste of time and money that we all can ill afford.
Another reason to reconsider these plans is the fact that our country is facing economic breakdown. The regulations that restrict the access and use of the land have so damaged our basic industries that many have shut down or moved overseas.
We must understand that all new wealth comes from the ground. This wealth is expanded when the produce and resources we recover are processed and manufactured into life’s necessities. Thus all jobs, all business is dependent on access and use of the land so that we can harvest its produce and resources. We cannot continue to put our county in debt to buy things we will not let ourselves produce. China already holds a mortgage on California and the Hawaiian Islands as collateral on our huge debt to her. Will we let Oregon be next?
Most of the plans you propose will restrict access and use of the land and put another squeeze on our economy. For our country and its people “Don’t Do It.”
Kenneth Anderson
Baker City
Americans First Over Party Affiliations
To The Record-Courier:
This is the hardest letter I’ve ever written, but I have to. I love my Country and I see Socialism, which is a brother to communism moving little by little into this great Country. Seeing leaders in power, many citizens also who would let this Country be destroyed on purpose or in ignorance. By Democrats and Republicans alike who put their party ahead of their County.
It’s time more than ever to be Americans first over party affiliations! Some are like the frog in the pan, not knowing the fire under him is being turned up little by little until he’s cooked. There’s never been a time in history since the Revolutionary War that needs the people to come together for peace, freedom and truth. It’s a very short step from citizen to subject. “Freedom is not free, you must fight and protect it, or lose it.”
A Russian leader (a Communist) said, “America would be taken from the inside without a shot being fired.” Let’s hope he’s wrong! But we have one in office now, a new Obama Czar. That makes over 40 questionable Czars in office. How come? Because people are like the frog, asleep in their dream world, they don’t hear government becoming louder and louder while they are being silenced. Tea parties are springing up across the country because many have woken up from their sleep and remembered our government is responsible to the people NOT the people to it.
We’re now waiting for the rest of this Giant to wake up also. Please join us at any tea party. Now there’s a body in Baker called, “Americans for Prosperity.” Which I am proud to be a member. They meet at least once a month in Baker. They will be circulating two petitions to stop Oregon from forcing a $500 million tax increase without public approval. Your signing will force them to put it to a vote and explain it to the people, Please get involved!
I am also a life member of the NRA, and a member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. both fight for our freedom! I am also a Born-again Spirit-filled Christian. We are in a war also! This government needs the prayers of all believers like never before.
Questions? Why are 61 percent of Americans dissatisfied with the direction this government is leading our country? Forty nine percent oppose Obama health are plan? Why is it one thousand pages long? Why were they getting into your computer? Why do they want us to tell on one another? One word, CONTROL! With all the talk, we still don’t know what’s all in this bill or how to pay for it. We now know most of Obama’s town hall meetings were staged. Where was he really born? He won’t prove his birth place, but spent over $1 million to keep it out of court?? (Something fishy here.)
If a new bill passes Conservative talk radio will come under full attack by the new Czar and the Liberal FCC; Look out folks, here comes Obama’s Czars. Without a fight, there goes your freedom!
Richard Fox
Baker City.
Brocato Bought Employee Support With Tax Dollars
To The Record-Courier:
The June 10 issue of Baker City Herald has an article titled “City employees defend Brocato, chastise Council.”
There were at least 11 City Employees quoted in that article defending Brocato. I wondered what could get that kind of loyalty to a City Manager. I requested, under the Oregon Public Records Act, the wages each of those 11 employees were earning before Brocato got hired, and also what those same employees were earning when he was fired.
It turns out that those 11 City employees combined have received $10,877 per month worth of raises during the period that Brocato was listed as City Manager. $10,877 x 12 months = over $130,000 per year in raises that these 11 City employees are able to share although not necessarily evenly. Since wages/salaries rarely go down, that $130,000 per year will be an expense each year.
If those City employees believe that Brocato caused their raises, well, I guess that they ought to have some loyalty to him. Too bad it had to be paid for with taxpayer funds.
I would ask all city employees to please withdraw support for the recall of city counselors. This is still your city and we need to get back to business. Life goes on.
Richard Harris
Baker City, Ore.
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