Opinion

Somewhere along the way certain factions have tried to sell us on the idea that hydropower is not a clean, renewable source of energy — yet every year the cycle of snow in the mountains and melt in the spring renews the waters that our hydroelectric system turns into clean, electric power. Because of this cycle and the mighty Columbia River and its tributaries we in the Pacific Northwest from B.C to Oregon, are truly blessed.

Dear Editor,

Why was no one hugging that very old, very big tree that has been a landmark on Highway 20 since anyone around here can remember?

Dear Editor,

This last week we lost a landmark…the “Old Pine Tree” on Highway 20.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) had it cut down and removed. I did some calling and according to the DOT a tree specialist determined the age of this historic Landmark tree to be 163 years. They also told me that the reason for cutting this Landmark tree down was traffic safety. But folks, we all know that there have been many accidents near the Landmark “hangin’ rock.

Dear Editor,

I would like to respond to the letter in last week’s paper over the concern about “wasted gas used by our school, for a field trip to Spokane.”

All year long, a volunteer group of parents has been in place to help support the staff and students, and help raise funds for educational activities for our Oroville Elementary students, it is called E.P.E.C. Our goal is to bring awareness of just how important being involved in our student’s education really is. Students do better when they have the support from parents and their community.

We all would like to be recognized for our hard work, and rewarded for it. Why should our students feel any different? This particular field trip was used as a motivational tool to give the children a goal, because of their hard work in math, reading and science. Every class had a certain goal to achieve, and given a reward for it.

Dear Editor,

To our friends: On May 1, about 100 Lutes – just a few of the many in our PLU community that would have liked to come – traveled to Tonasket to honor the life of one of our own, Brady Cooper Freeman. What we quickly learned was that Brady was not ours alone – but Brady was a beloved member of a large family,

Dear Editor,

As I was coming home from Tonasket, I was dismayed to see that the big pine tree that I grew up with was gone, leaving nothing but an ugly stump and a memory. That tree has been a historical landmark for as long as I can remember, which is a very long time. My mother and dad used to tell me stories about the Indians that used to camp under it and that it was known as a birthing tree.

Dear Editor,

The wind was barely blowing but the cloud gray skies told us an extra coat would be the order of the day.

I wish someone would have told all our young teen royalties that it was not going to be a day of open shouldered evening gowns on a float on a street that runs north with a light south breeze. My bet, some are still shivering and drinking warm liquids to dissolve the goose bumps!

It’s hard to imagine from a far place how many can cram this little Hamlet to see the same sights they’ve seen for the last umpteen years. When you think of it. Sure the newer designs of the floats may change some. But the folks and their grandkids are the same as reflected in the looks of their faces and body structures of generations that began in this new place in the mid-1800s. And there is a lot to be said for tradition and remembrance of what has preceded us.

Dear Editor,

I am rather disappointed, Mr. Billing, that you did not claim ownership to your title as Administrator of Mid Valley Hospital in last week’s editorial in the Omak Chronicle titled “Consider Consolidation.” The readers would then have more clearly recognized that the article was written from the competitive edge point of view rather than having consideration for the medical needs of the communities in the North Okanogan Valley.

Statistics reflect the fact that for every six miles between the patient and the hospital the risk of death increases by 1%. For those patients who live in Oroville, Chesaw, or Loomis and even Tonasket, consolidation decreases their chance for survival in an emergent situation.

Dear Editor,

I have just read Reva Eisenbarths letter (Gazette-Tribune, May 1, “Concerns still haven’t been addressed”) which was a response to an earlier letter I had written. Though not intended to, it seems to have struck a nerve. I wish to make it very clear that I am NOT responding to the contents of her letter. To respond would have crossed over into the negative side, which I choose not to do.

I too read with dismay Michael Billings thoughts on consolidating the three county hospital districts. Maybe he’s right, but I’m not sure it would be fair to expect the people in mid-county to have to drive to Tonasket to be treated at North Valley Hospital.

It might make sense though — patients from Omak and north could travel to Tonasket which would be centralized between Oroville and Omak and those from Okanogan and south could utilize the hospital in Brewster. The hospitals in Tonasket and Brewster could then split the money that once went to Mid-Valley Hospital.

I’m being facetious of course, but it’s not much worse than Mid-Valley Hospital Administrator Billings self-serving comments came across to many of us in North Okanogan County. We might have disagreements about just how we are going to accomplish what we want with our hospital in Tonasket, but it is still our hospital and the vast majority of us support it.