Our posters were divided in their reaction to the flier that Jaime Herrera Beutler recently sent out, seeking input on the CRC:
Michele Ruzicka-Bloomquist:
“There is the obvious point of the leading questions here. Past that, sure of course there needs to be a open and public process – and there is – but it doesn’t happen via postcard vote. And who is to say the “results” would be at all legitimate? One person could send in 1,000 cards! Just sayin’ Public meetings — attend them and be heard if you have ideas about the bridge.”
Bob Williams:
Our posters were divided in their reaction to the flier that Jaime Herrera Beutler recently sent out, seeking input on the CRC:
Michele Ruzicka-Bloomquist:
"There is the obvious point of the leading questions here. Past that, sure of course there needs to be a open and public process - and there is - but it doesn't happen via postcard vote. And who is to say the "results" would be at all legitimate? One person could send in 1,000 cards! Just sayin' Public meetings -- attend them and be heard if you have ideas about the bridge."
Bob Williams:
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but she's right - it should be taken before the people for a vote, not some committee of experts. I'm not going to criticize the Congresswoman for this flyer (although I haven't received it yet!)."
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but she’s right – it should be taken before the people for a vote, not some committee of experts. I’m not going to criticize the Congresswoman for this flyer (although I haven’t received it yet!).”
Note to readers: Columbian staff have been posting the most read stories on Columbian.com each week since July. We’ve noticed, however, that the stories that received the most traffic don’t necessarily reflect the most important issues to our community of readers.
So we’re trying something a little different, posting the stories that received the most comments. These stories got readers fired up for one reason or another and provide a better glimpse of the issues the community is most passionate about and interested in discussing.
What do you think about this new approach? What comments and discussions would you like to see highlighted? Tell us in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.
01. Bail set at $1 million in fatal noise dispute
A 31-year-old Vancouver man made his first appearance in Clark County Superior Court on Monday following his arrest in the fatal shooting a man who had been listening to loud music inside of his car.
02. Vancouver mulls mellowing fireworks
The Vancouver City Council indicated it may be in favor of putting further bans on fireworks. At the top of the priority list appears prohibiting the sale and use of aerial and explosive fireworks, including mortars and Roman candles. Instead, permitted fireworks would be similar to the much tamer variety allowed in Oregon.
Some residents were in favor of further restrictions, including Carrie Reimer:
“I’ve spent the 4th of July in a lot of different places, but nothing compares to the insanity I experienced when I recently moved to Vancouver. I live in a family neighborhood, but I could have sworn I was in the middle of a war zone”
Others, including Sarah Ayers, saw the possible restrictions as infringing on Vancouver’s identity:
“Don’t take away the one bragging right that we the people of Vancouver have over Portland and other towns in Washington state. I know for a fact that people come from all over Washington & Oregon to enjoy our celebration every year.”
Columbia River Crossing officials fired back at the Coast Guard late Monday, saying the agency failed for five years to mention any concerns about the planned 95-foot clearance under the new Interstate 5 bridge being too low.
05. Local Girl Scouts cancel ads on Rush Limbaugh, others
Local Girl Scouts won’t be airing pitches for their Thin Mints and Samoa cookies on “The Rush Limbaugh Show” anymore.
A spokeswoman said the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington have canceled their cookie commercials on two Portland-based stations that carry Limbaugh and several other talk-radio personalities.
