Letters

Elk solutions

Elk solutions

I live by the river where elk frequently migrate. I enjoy the elk even though they eat my fruit trees or debark them with their antlers.

Seeing elk meander through my property is a higher priority for me than home-grown apples. I experiment with new strategies to protect the trees every year, and have some success. I would like to see solutions that protects the elk as much as possible, while ensuring safety.

Alexis Kaplan

North Bend

Rural character

I purchased property in the Valley so that I could help to maintain its rural character and preserve the space for wildlife in the face of encroaching development. To me, the bigger priority is preserving open-space. Rural residents should be knowledgeable about wildlife and work together, as this group is doing, to ensure we all enjoy and preserve our beautiful surroundings.

Eileen Carrel

Fall City

Community center

Genius, absolute genius! The Snoqualmie City Council should be commended and thanked for the agreement they have reached with the YMCA to operate the proposed community center. Nationally and locally the YMCA has distinguished itself as the premier human services organization. Committed to an impressive set of values, the YMCA programs set the standard. As a result, people of all ages flock to their facilities.

Further, the YMCA will provide many bonuses to our community, opening the door to our young people participating in their leadership development training, environmental education and rich camping experiences such as Camp Orkila in the San Juan Islands.

The opportunity to get a YMCA-operated facility is reason enough to vote for the community center!

Bob Richards

North Bend

Valley changes

Ms. Schomber has her opinion [in an Aug. 6 letter to the editor], as does Ms. Matthews [letter, July 30], who I happen to agree with, as you don’t have to be a long timer in the Valley to see the flaws. As for the council, they are to blame for the mess, as it’s tax and spend. I don’t know who is to benefit from the sewer extension to Truck Town; certainly not the locals, just the developers.

A lot of people are between a rock and hard place trying to pay taxes, for gas and more schools. As for the roundabout, it looks like they were more interested in flower boxes than making it wider, so trucks and motor homes can make it. The council has a bone in their nose for the old brick garage. Mr. Garrow always gets 75 to 80 percent approval for everything, but hardly anybody goes 75 percent, even if it is free. No relief for the wheelchair walkers, or kids trying to cross the street.

I guess that isn’t important. Ms. Schomber forgot why they put the stoplight up, because it was a four lane highway.

Jack Korsmo

North Bend

Support for troops

Valley counselor Sheila Hunter offers a very important service to returning war veterans and their families (“Healing for the troops,” Aug. 20). As a member of The Soldiers Project Northwest, Hunter offers this service without cost.

The Valley Record article serves another purpose. It provides readers with information about concerns and possible mental health issues that returning veterans, their families, and their communities face. The trauma of combat can carry “symptoms including depression, anxiety, flashbacks and recurrent nightmares.” Veterans say “war changes you forever.” Hunter’s article details how that change impacts children when parents leave and return from war.

Those of us in the broader community will find new meaning to the slogan “Support our Troops.” Our returning troops need the understanding, listening, and tangible support of every member of the community. In an effort to learn more about how families are affected, there will be a film, “Arlington West,” presented 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at the North Bend Library, open to the public at no cost and sponsored by Community Conversations.

It honors the U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, while interviewing family and friends of the fallen. A discussion will follow the film, focused on how to respect and support these families and as well as veterans who have returned. For information, call (425) 831-0033.

Tom Shea

Snoqualmie