Voting for Haffner



I am supporting Hugh Haffner, 2008 nonpartisan campaign for PUD commissioner 2nd District. Over the course of at least 14 years, I have worked with Hugh on many matters important to the environmental, natural, social and economic welfare of our community. I have always found him to be well-informed, eager, reliable and ready to work on innovative answers to hard questions, Hugh demonstrates his interest in the community by membership and participation in the Rotary Club of Sequim. From my experience with Hugh, the public cannot hope for a more dedicated public servant.

Marny Hannan

Sequim



Port Angeles club

should stay open

I must take issue with the portion of the editorial, the section which suggested closing the Port Angeles unit of the Boys & Girls Club.

Most of the children using the Port Angeles Boys & Girls Club are living in poverty. And, despite Port Angeles being a larger community, there are not many other options for after-school programs for low-income families. Recent figures show that 50 percent of the students in Port Angeles Schools receive free and reduced lunches. According to Pam Tietz, director of the Clallam Housing Authority where the Boys & Girls Club is located, "The children in Port Angeles are the same as the children in Sequim and need that positive environment after school. We not only need this Boys & Girls Club but need to expand it to serve a broader community of children who don't have access to more expensive after-school programs." For these particular children, this may be their only after-school option, the only opportunity they have to get help with homework, or, and really sad to say, the only meal they will have for the rest of that day. United Way of Clallam County supports the Boys & Girls Club and would certainly like to see them reach a healthier bottom line. But please don't overlook the Port Angeles unit as critical safety net in the central part of the county.

Jody Moss

Executive director, United Way of Clallam County



Restore respect and confidence



At the TV program on Sept. 20, a discussion was held with five former secretaries of state who were asked, "What is the first thing the new president should do when he takes office in 2009?" The reply was that he should reach out and obtain the respect and confidence of other nations toward America. It has been shown that only one-third of foreign nations now have respect for our country.

Time magazine (Sept. 29, page 31) stated that many lies and smears have appeared in the TV ads of Sen. McCain. It states that, "John McCain has serious questions about whether he has the character to lead this nation." This type of strategy won't win our country confidence and respect, which we badly need to solve our problems.

Vote for the Democrats in November.

Fred Bedford

Sequim



More arguments against crematorium



Mr. Linde asked where he might locate the crematorium if Carlsborg is not acceptable. Easy: adjacent to the Port Angeles Airport, which is more properly zoned, where the issue of air pollution is moot as there is already a level of contamination from aviation fuels, and in proximity to the dump, and again the argument of odor is moot.

Mr. Linde asked that your readers "maintain proper perspective ...." I take that to mean any viewpoint that does not agree with his or his supporters. He, and a number of his letter-writers say we complain about crematorium smokestack emissions. He states that a car idling at Starbuck's produces more pollutants than Linde's equipment would. He notes that everything pollutes! What damage is a little more pollution? Of course, our cars are not emitting prions, mercury or the residue of body particulates.

Linde argues that his equipment is state-of-the-art, but the manufacturer has moved operations overseas as they have difficulty meeting EPA requirements in the U.S. Linde argues that the equipment cannot fail and he has a backup generator if power fails, but we all know that equipment fails (ask NASA)! Once a cadaver starts burning, it continues to burn even with no gas for the burners nor electricity for the fans and scrubbers.

Another argument Linde's supporters raise is that since the crematoriums in P.A. are in close proximity to a public school, we should not object to locating a crematorium near one of ours. Why should we not? Because people in P.A. are less vigilant than we are here, must we be penalized? They also argue that the crematoriums in P.A. emit pollutants at a higher rate than is currently permissible by EPA. That argument is ridiculous! Dangerous emissions near schools and restaurants are unacceptable! By the way, ask the people of Port Townsend if they are satisfied with EPA levels.

As to the issue of mercury poisoning, check out a report from the Dane County Department of Public Works, Madison, Wis., entitled "Summary of References on Mercury Emissions from Crematoria." We care about our small town and what happens in it and to it. We expect our county commissioners to enforce zoning laws, those that were in effect when we bought here in Carlsborg.

Ian Robertson

Sequim



Not in Carlsborg Industrial Park



I am a business owner here in the Carlsborg Industrial Park. I employ more than 18 full-time employees. When we first bought our property here and decided to build our business in Carlsborg, we were pleased to see the future potential of the business park. Zoned light industrial, this business park, we thought, would never see a cemetery or a crematorium for that matter. The zoning law expressly forbids cemeteries here.

At the hearing before the county commissioners on Sept. 16, attorneys Gerald Steele and Craig Miller touched on some very specific points that I felt the board heard. This issue is about zoning and land use and not about ORCAA. This is about our property values; we have paid property tax for several years and have watched our property value increase. Having a crematorium in here could undermine what we have worked hard for. This is about the impact it will have on the local businesses and the customer base they have established.

Also at the hearing, Jason Linde said his crematory would provide jobs during a tough economy. He told Clallam County in writing that he would have two employees. I feel that far more than two employees could potentially be lost if the commissioners uphold the conditional use permit. Did the hearing examiner take our input or the potential impact of the permit into consideration?

When we purchased our property here in the Carlsborg Industrial Park, there was a vision. And a crematory is inconsistent with that plan. With the growth of Sequim and the businesses coming here, I think there is huge potential for this industrial park. Allowing a crematory in this park is an inappropriate interpretation of the zoning laws. It could also, I feel, discourage new businesses from investing in Carlsborg.

Mark Temple

Sequim



Undo the magic trick



Clallam County Commissioners Tharinger, Chapman and Doherty face the grave task of deciding whether the conditional use permit for a crematory in Carlsborg was appropriate. That decision could have a lasting economic and political impact on the county.

What makes the least sense to me is the hearing examiner system. It seems to run counter to some democratic precepts, including checks and balances. Here a hearing examiner can issue a land use permit and then hear his own appeals. Would he ever say, "I erred?" In this case, he has not.

Will the board of county commissioners hold the examiner accountable for a seemingly arbitrary interpretation of zoning laws? Clallam County has decided that crematories are welcome anywhere in the county where pet clinics are allowed. The same logic could allow a crematory next to Costco or in the new strip mall at Old Olympic Highway and Sequim Avenue.

The county commissioners, I also believe, have a duty to ensure that public participation is a meaningful one and not a veil for bureaucratic expediency. Who knew about the first hearing in April? Very few. An unreadable sign that was moved does not constitute public notice. Commissioner Chapman said "there was a disconnect with the public" in the Robin Hill disc golf proposal (Sequim Gazette, Sept. 24, 2008, ed.). The crematory proposal is no different.

When the interests of residents and business owners are not a priority, when a reasonable homeowner must know that a pet clinic could mean a crematory, and when anyone's property value can be jeopardized by one official, why should anyone invest in Clallam County?

The commissioners have the chance now to undo the magic trick that turned a veterinary clinic into a crematory. They can restore confidence in the process we all rely on to plant, grow and protect our American Dream.

Dayhawk Kim

Sequim



Public school accountability

Canada's math standing ranks second in the world and the United States ranks 26th, so I asked a Canadian educator to explain.

He indicated that students respond up to or down to expectations established by the school system and reasoned that, "Canada pumped up while the USA watered down requirements." Canada introduces algebra two grade levels sooner, is totally committed to enforcing rigorous curriculum, effective teaching, along with annual proficiency testing, which are the principles contributing to their favorable results. A reduction in dropout rate was a byproduct of rigorous standards.

When comparing Sequim's 2009 graduation requirements with other schools in our nation, it requires 21 percent fewer credits to graduate, less math and science credits and excludes math proficiency testing ... that automatically sets lower expectations and directly affects the degree which students are prepared when they graduate. Lack of education is an extraordinary handicap.

WASL test results are determined by the combined abilities of the school and students, when student majorities are not succeeding in math and science, the focus shifts from students to the school deficiencies in requirements, teaching effectiveness and leadership mandates. In my opinion, the school is not fulfilling responsibilities to the students, parents and taxpayers again in 2009.

It's incomprehensible that after 13 years of WASL school reform, advancements remain so meager. State school superintendent admits "WASL tests should be a lot harder." Mediocrity persists as schools remain ineffective and noncompetitive.

D. Albright

Sequim



Questioning city of Sequim's priorities



Currently, the city of Sequim is setting priorities that will have negative and costly impact for the long term. How can it be that Sequim now needs a new police station and municipal court? As the court statistics (available online) demonstrate, the vast majority of the Sequim Police filings in District Court pertain to traffic tickets. We are lucky that our police are not more frequently filing charges for more serious crimes and that our police have things under control. The amount paid by the city in filing fees to the county will pale in comparison to the costs of the salaries, equipment and supplies needed to run an independent municipal court and new police station. Perhaps the police could reduce filing fees by issuing more warnings. Warnings to otherwise law-abiding citizens are a great deterrent to repeat offenses. Sure, perhaps they don't amount to revenue for the city but then less goes out in fees and costs. It becomes a wash. A new police station and municipal court are unnecessary at this stage in Sequim's growth. Sequim needs new parks, a new public swimming pool, the Boys & Girls Club's evenings open to teenagers program, and the continuing improvements of our streets and sidewalks. Sequim needs to attract skilled people to live, work and raise kids here in support of its retirement population. Keep streets safe by rethinking priorities and investing in our kids.

Laura MacMurchie

Sequim



A fitting memorial



I think the Dungeness Forks Campground should be renamed Kristine Fairbanks Memorial Campground, since it was the last place she was alive. This would be fitting as it will show her dedication to the communities she served and her undying devotion to the land she so valiantly protected.

Gil Lujan

Port Angeles



What will be the cost?

The question of who should bail out the banks should maybe start with the question, who bailed them in? A hundred years ago we had a financial panic and to cure the evils of unregulated economy, the Federal Reserve system was established. In 1929 it cut the money supply by a third to stop speculation and it stopped commerce for 10 years. So regulations aplenty existed.

Getting down to today's choices, has anyone commented recently on Obama's Bill S2433, Global Poverty Act, to fulfill the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals? What will be the cost? What example is our model? Have there been failures? What has been learned from them? Approach it from a scientific angle, we have tried everything else.

Robert Robinson

Sequim



Stop for pedestrians: It's the law

I live in Sequim and try to walk up to five miles a day. I utilize well-marked crosswalks for crossing busy streets. I am surprised that so many drivers do not yield to pedestrians in these areas. Even though I am very cautious when entering the designated area, drivers look right at me and keep on going. Especially frightening are the times when a car in one lane stops, I cross half-way and a car coming the other way zooms right in front of me. Do we have to have a fatality to get people to obey the law?

Joyce Leslie

Sequim