Our Readers' Views Jan. 8

I was astounded to read the Jan. 2 story “East Fork goes with its own flow,” regarding the East Fork of the Lewis River, which made it look like the entire project was a failure. Responsible reporting would have made it clear that the project was a success except for a small part of changes that occurred upstream of the project.

Richard Dyrland and Fish First have completed more than 24 projects in the last 11 years, 11 in the East Fork, all successful with positive effects on fish habitat and fish. The projects are science-based, meticulously designed and monitored long after completion.

Project funding through state and federal agencies has been difficult. Grants have been awarded to some groups that are less qualified, do not record their field data with professionals and use questionable designs. I think an apology is owed to Fish First and Dyrland for this biased and incomplete story.

Val Alexander

La Center

I decided to be grateful at Christmas. My gratitude was a Christmas box of love and memories for my son, Murray, stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, who deploys to Afghanistan in March.

But as I watched our nation trample over people and the soul of Christmas just to exert their freedom of “shop ’til you drop” for that flat-screen TV of plastic and wires that will make them explode with happiness — my question is how have you shown your gratitude to the troops for your freedoms?

I’ve sent boxes with an eclectic mix of goodies. Other military families in our community have given their most precious gift — their loved ones.

So before the next “Hallmark” holiday beckons, show your gratitude by donating to the troops. Click on one of these sites: for local heroes cotsupport.org, or nationally anysoldier.com. For as sure as hearts mean Valentine’s Day, our troops need our love now.

Fiona Engebretson

Vancouver

Stephanie Turlay, in her Jan. 2 letter, “Further brand those deported,” stated that illegal immigrants should be “tattooed” so that they can be identified. Isn’t that what Hitler did?

It appears that evil persists in the minds of some Americans.

Virginia Wulf

Vancouver

I agree with Mary Sanchez’s Jan. 5 guest opinion, “America must value its immigrants.”

Interestingly, also published was an AP story, “Economy takes toll on foreign workers,” in the business section that talked about immigrants who have been laid off or may be facing layoffs in this tough economy.

As a recruiter in human resources, I found not all foreign degrees are comparable to those received here. Concerns about the quality of that education or whether the degree was “purchased” from a “degree mill” force many educated immigrants into hourly jobs.

Immigrants get around this by obtaining a masters or Ph.D. from a U.S. university (most of the students in grad schools are foreign born). And, many companies are willing to hire these students and often sponsor them for a green card. But these are the lucky ones who made it within the annual quota set by our government.

Sam Osaki

Vancouver

My husband was laid off two weeks before Christmas. He filed for unemployment over the Internet but had some questions. It is the most dysfunctional operation I have ever seen. Carrie A. Beveridge’s Jan. 3 letter, “Laid-off workers face delays,” had concerns with this system.

I have tried calling numerous times, and I guess you can’t visit in person. I have sent an e-mail and hopefully will hear from them eventually.

Someone needs to revamp the system.

Gynene Lane

Battle Ground

This country was founded on the idea that all men are created equal. The U.S. Constitution says that people have the right to the pursuit of their own happiness, but this has been a right that gay people have been having a problem getting for a long time.

Isn’t part of pursuing your own happiness being able to marry and be with the one you love? How are gay people supposed to find happiness when the government refuses to let them marry?

Yes, the progress that has been made in some states with domestic partnerships has been good and appreciated, but they still don’t provide the same security as marriage.

Such “partnerships” can be used as a way to exclude people from marriage and treat gay people as second-class citizens. It is the duty of the government to ensure that equality for all Americans.

Ethan Owens

Vancouver

I feel blessed to live in the best neighborhood in Clark County. I have always known this, but my thoughts were confirmed during these recent snowstorms.

Neighbors in Felida always look out for one another and are always friendly. During the snowstorms, many cars became stuck on our sloped roads, including a FedEx truck.

There were no less than three neighbors outside for days with their shovels. When a car became stuck, they would run out and shovel under the tires to provide traction. They continued each day, any time we heard a car with trouble.

Two young neighbor boys who are always polite and respectful came to my door with their shovels. They asked if they could shovel my steep driveway. They would not accept payment, saying that their service was complimentary.

It is a pleasure to have these people as neighbors.

Shannon Dodds

Felida

My hat is off to the Vancouver Firefighters Union on forgoing their 2009 pay raise, reported in a Dec. 31 story, “Firefighters to forgo ’09 raise.” Mayor Royce Pollard said he had nothing but respect and admiration for the firefighters union.

I suspect the mayor and the group of developers who the Vancouver voters have put in power are already thinking of which consultant and/or lobbyist they can hire to spend that $700,000 savings. I’m sure it will have something to do with the Boise Cascade waterfront project or maybe another hotel.

I hope the voters of Vancouver will remember how their tax dollars have been squandered on private development when election time comes around.

Tom Effinger

Ridgefield