RSS11/15/08 Letters to the Editor
Yakima Herald-Republic
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Thanks for 2-1-1 help
To the editor -- Imagine your power has been turned off, you're facing eviction from your apartment, your child has been diagnosed with asthma or you need legal advice -- and you don't know where to turn. For many, dialing 2-1-1 is the critical connection to trained, caring, bilingual specialists located here in Yakima who help callers access thousands of local resources.
The Greater Columbia 2-1-1 (GC 2-1-1) would not operate without the support of many generous community partners. This year, GC 2-1-1 received support from a new partner, the Pacific Power Foundation, to help maintain and expand this valuable community service, and to further the foundation's mission to support the growth and vitality of the communities where PacifiCorp and its businesses operate.
Last month, GC 2-1-1 specialists handled 4,059 calls, nearly half of which originated in Yakima County. Requests for help are on the rise, including utility assistance, housing and rent assistance, legal assistance, food and medical care. GC 2-1-1 connects callers with local community resources, helping them make positive, productive changes in their lives, ultimately helping to improve our quality of life as a whole.
We at People for People, thank the Pacific Power Foundation, for recognizing the value of the GC 2-1-1 service, which we sponsor, and for supporting local nonprofit programs.
MADELYN CARLSON
Yakima
Emergency aid
To the editor -- On Oct. 15, while awaiting jury selection at the courthouse, I experienced a medical emergency that required accurate assessment and prompt response. Within 8 minutes, I was in the emergency room at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center.
On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to thank the unsung heroes who made it possible for me to survive and write this letter.
My care started with the jury clerk, the two policemen who helped me to the hallway, a prospective juror (who has a nursing background), the emergency medical technicians and Carl from the ambulance service. At the hospital, Debbie (ER nurse), Acute Care Unit staff for 720, Tana, Elicia, Pauline, Beverly, Kim, the medical side staff for 420, Jan, Amanda, Jackie, Amy, Kelsie and Mike. I had to be watched 24 hours; no question or request went unanswered, nor was I treated as a burden.
I felt as if I was in heaven, although I preferred not to go yet. Thank you all.
Yakima is fortunate to have two superior medical facilities, Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital.
Seattle who? Eat your heart out.
JAYNE TIENKEN
Yakima
Shelter boost
To the editor -- On Oct. 25, the Humane Society of Central Washington held its annual fall fundraiser at the Selah Civic Center. It was another successful event, thanks to the efforts and generosity and attendance of many people! To the board members, staff and volunteers who put it together, to the sponsors that provided service and donations, and to the corporations and individuals who came to support the fundraiser and enjoy the food, silent auction and live band, our very sincere "thank you!" We on the board of directors are grateful!
Each year this event raises money to assist the shelter's efforts to provide care for the homeless animals it receives, aid in their adoption, and to serve and educate the public in matters of companion animal welfare. Without community support, our job would be almost impossible, especially now, as economic hardship threatens to increase stress on families and pocketbooks, and charities such as ours. Thank you, Yakima, for your goodwill.
And we look forward to providing, in the months to come, other opportunities for you to enjoy a good time and benefit our animals!
KAREN ALLEN
Yakima
County came through
To the editor -- We recently had a concern about some street signing issues near our home in the East Valley. I contacted the manager of the Road Maintenance Operations Department for Yakima County, Matt Pietrusiewicz, and explained what I believe needed attention. To our happy amazement, my concern was addressed quickly, competently and was completely resolved within a short time.
I use the phrase "happy amazement" because it was a surprise to us. We recently relocated to Yakima from the King/Pierce County area, where one gets used to being ignored and treated with indifference. So, thank you to Matt and his crew. Our only regret so far about moving to Yakima is that we didn't do it sooner.
PAUL BLAND
Yakima
The human adjective
To the editor -- A kaleidoscope of hurtling distractions surrounds us, becomes our culture, lures us in. We were born therein, grew up there. We live there every day: The home town, home state, native land we form by living together. It has a certain fierce beauty, like fireworks; mostly it recurs, like sunrise, all our lives; but it is not what makes us human. It should not become who we really are.
There are two ways to avoid despair, destruction. The first is easy, is what becomes of most of us: Accept this culture of bright busyness, become such an integral part of this civilization that you no longer see it, much like fish don't see water. Sleep well.
The second entails risk and demands constant effort, endless vigilance: Labor all your life to seek, to discover who and what in the midst of all this swirl and bustle are not actually sponsors, touch it and are touched by it, yet stand apart. Touch them back. Make those few endure, grant them space, grant them peace, time, stillness.
Homo Sapiens is the gift of our genes.
American is the gift of our birthplace.
Human is an adjective. Earn it.
Dr. JEFFREY M. REYNOLDS
Yakima
Contaminated soil?
To the editor -- Re: The Nov. 2 article, "Contaminated soil at schools may pose health risk." A few questions for the Department of Ecology regarding soil contamination at schools. Where is the proof that there really is a problem? How much does a child have to ingest of this contaminated soil before they have a problem? How much skin contact do they have to have to cause a problem? How are children going to ingest or come in contact with enough contaminated soil on school grounds where that soil is 99.9 percent encapsulated either by grass, asphalt or buildings?
If this truly is a problem, then there should be thousands of children in the Yakima area alone who have been affected by lead and arsenic poisoning over the last 70 to 80 years. I have not heard of one documented case, and I would bet that there are none or the DOE would have used it as an example. This sounds suspiciously like someone who got the state government to fund a pet project and then has to come up with a bunch of hooey to justify it. If this was truly a problem, then most of West Yakima and the West Valley area all the way to Tieton would be uninhabitable and our houses and land would be worthless.
RICK WEHR
Yakima
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