Inappropriate questions

for preteens

As the parent of a child in middle school, I was shocked when I saw a copy of the "healthy youth" survey that will be handed out to the sixth- and eighth-grade students in Sequim public schools to fill in on Thursday, Oct.16, and feel it is my duty to help inform other parents. This seven-page survey asks such inappropriate questions to 11-year-olds as:

- During the last four weeks, how many whole days of school have you missed because you skipped or "cut"?

- If you wanted to get a drug like cocaine, LSD, or amphetamines, how easy would it be for you to get some?

- How old were you the first time you smoked a cigarette?

- During the past 30 days, on how many days did you: use derbosol (wagon wheels, hope)? chewing tobacco, snuff or dip? inhalants? marijuana or hashish? etc.;

- During the past 30 days, did you carry a weapon such as a gun, knife or club on school property?

- Have you ever tried to kill yourself?

I believe that most parents have no clue as to what this survey is actually asking their children in sixth grade or what ideas and vocabulary they will be exposed to. What parents need to know is that you can opt out of having your child take this survey by simply calling the middle school at 582-3500. I also suggest that parents take an active role about why such questions are being asked our sixth-grade children. We do have the right to question the judgment of the "experts" who put such surveys together, as do we have the right to question what happens with such information (the credibility of the answers to such leading questions also would be highly suspect in my opinion).

Tony van Renterghem

Sequim



Survey questions foul, disgusting



I am absolutely befuddled as why my child could be subjected to the contents of the questionnaire that our Sequim middle children will take, if their parents are not aware they can opt out, and naively participate in the "Healthy Youth Survey" on the 16th of October.

The contents of the survey questions are incredibly foul, disgusting and might even influence the young minds of our children. We as parents love and protect our children from the very items that the survey insinuates that our children are participating in.

For some children, I submit, that the survey will create more of a curiosity and bewilderment as to why they are being made aware of behaviors that are detrimental to learning. I always feel that our schools are intended to be learning institutions and provide that learning under a safe umbrella for our children to participate in.

As a father of a child, whom I love unconditionally, and as she is a student of the Sequim School District, I expect the district to behave accordingly, and not expose our children to concepts of misbehavior.

I ask that parents choose wisely and if they wish opt out, call the Sequim Middle School office at at 582-3500 to remove your child from this indecency.

Robert Converse

Sequim



Noise ordinance eats into fun activities

The sheriff is working on a new version of Public Disturbance Noises Ordinance to be approved by the Clallam County commissioners. A public hearing was held on July 15 with 150 people attending. The resounding theme was "No" and the commissioners told the sheriff to get input from his advisory committee.

The sheriff says the county is changing, the newcomers want quiet and we should give them what they want.

Why is he pushing to craft and pass an ordinance he claims won't be enforced? The very approval would make criminals out many people, from small kids to great-grandpas. There goes family gatherings! I would be breaking the law of the Clallam County every time I start my motorcycle.

This is a 24-hour a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year ban on noise.

I enjoy learning things from my dad that he learned from his dad on this very property such as restoring, building motorcycles, cars and trucks and keeping them in working order. Using shop machinery: metal lathe, grinders, welders (stationary and portable), power saws, generators, air compressor and power tools. Chain saws and wood splitters for cutting firewood for grandma. Remote controlled cars, trucks and airplanes. My brother was able to do all these things with Dad, will I? Doesn't look like it.

Mostly I like to spend time on my YZ125 (race dirt bike). I have been riding a dirt bike since I was 3 and participating in motocross races across Washington since I was 4. I have a room full of trophies. I do well in school. I am able to practice right out my front door. I am considerate of my neighbors when I ride.

I can ride my bicycle without a helmet on county roads but, I should not make any noise disturbance when I crash as I might be fined $1,000.

If all backyard MX tracks are shut down, those riders will all end up riding at the OPMC track, which is grandfathered so the ordinance won't apply. All of the noise will be concentrated into one neighborhood.

Please stand by me.

Bryan O'Neil

Port Angeles



Response to Lara Updike:

'Don't bow to special interests'

Lara, you said that the Linde crematorium would add valuable jobs to our city. Linde is on record: the increase in employment is two people. This, of course, does not include businesses located in the Carlsborg Industrial Park that may well not expand on their employment or may opt to leave. It does not include those businesses that will not locate in this area because they do not want to be downwind of the chimney. It doesn't sound like "adding valuable jobs to our city."

You also argue that driving all those bodies either to Port Angeles or Tacoma increases air pollution. But, in case you haven't noticed, Linde is offering his services up and down the Kitsap, down as far as Bremerton. He actually wants to have those bodies driven up here. So much for abating air pollution.

It would appear that Linde thinks the citizens in Carlsborg are rubes and our commissioners country bumpkins. If we are, and they are, then there would not be any opposition to locating a crematorium in the midst of a growing residential district. The urban growth plan for Carlsborg includes a significant increase in single-family residences. We do not want a crematorium in the midst of our homes. Why not locate that crematorium by the P.A. airport, where aviation fuel already pollutes the air and where there are no nearby residences?

Molly Robertson

Sequim



Crematorium bad for business?

I am a new business and property owner in Carlsborg. I own an auto repair shop within 300 feet of the proposed crematorium. Had I known in July of last year (only three months before the cadavers were being stored) that this type of facility would be allowed, I would not have purchased the property.

The economy is very poor right now. Not only do I fear that this facility will decrease my property value, but I am also concerned that I will lose business due to its nature. It is upsetting to hear the disgust in my customers' voices when asked to point out where the building is located. How will this affect my business if they actually start burning cadavers?

During the summer we enjoy working with the doors open. The breeze helps cool down the office. Unfortunately, my front door faces west and Carlsborg residents are fully aware of the effects of a prevailing westerly wind. The thought of ingesting any type of emission from a crematorium is very unnerving to me and my employees.

Mandy Abrams

Carlsborg



Band Boosters jazz night

Wow! What a fun evening it was on Oct. 11 when we went to "Night of Jazz" for the SHS band fundraiser. We were very surprised with the excellent dinner put on by Laurie Campen and her wonderful chefs and servers. We expected hors d'oeuvre and got a amazing prime rib or ham dinner with wonderful entertainment by the "Stardust Big Band" and the high school jazz band, led by the talents of Vern Fosket. He shows us again how many talented students we are blessed with here in Sequim every year. It was very entertaining, with lots of dancing and the students' own version of the song "Leap Frog" was hysterical. The finale was great, with the biggest brass band I have seen in quite a while. Kudos to everyone else involved; we had so much fun and cannot wait until next year!

Darryl and Robin Fling

Sequim



Survey unanimous

In the current issue of Reader's Digest (November 2008, page 106) an article gives the results of a survey of 16 other countries.

This international poll reveals Obamamania abroad - and the enduring allure of the American dream. For example, in Holland 92 percent favored Obama, Germany 85 percent, France 75 percent, etc. In these 16 countries, "it's Obama by a landslide." Another quotation is, "As a staunch supporter of the war, McCain symbolizes the Bush status quo - and an era the world wants to leave behind."

Please read the article and then vote for Obama on Nov. 4.

Fred Bedford

Sequim