What he was saying

In a recent newspaper article, Superintendent Robinson admits that the Lebanon schools are not meeting requirements, especially in math. He also said that the problems have been there since before the academies were formed. Do you suppose that this could be what Rick Alexander has been trying to tell the people of the district?

I believe he has made it clear that the superintendent has not been doing his job. Seems a select few in Lebanon choose to put their heads in the sand and get out petitions to recall board members who are trying to do their job.

Pat McConnel, Brownsville

A case of unfair competition

Opposing the construction of a county park near the Highway 34/ Interstate 5 intersection, as we do, is in no small part because we are owner of a local privately owned RV park. However, we hope our remarks will not be totally discounted on that basis alone.

Federal, state and county parks are important to private park business because tourists often stay in private parks en route to such destination points. They are part of the private industry's lifeblood.

That said, common sense dictates that a national park at Crater Lake, or a county park at House Rock, are entirely different venues from the proposed park near the interstate.

The rationale by county officials for the park's construction is to service such events as the Renaissance Faire. However, the location of the park will draw freeway travelers for overnight stays, which will be necessary throughout the year to offset capital and operating expenses. That will be in direct competition with our park, the Albany RV park, the Blue Ox and others.

The county park will be a subsidized venture that will pay no taxes. In contrast, our park has paid a half million dollars in property taxes and special county fees (read as special taxes) since opening business.

A government-operated park will pay no property taxes, and will not be held to a financial bottom line that the private sector must face to survive. Nor, I would wager, will such a bureaucratically operated enterprise expend the personal attention to customer service that the private owner provides in a strongly competitive market.

Our private venture will be placed in serious jeopardy. If our park closes and/or other local private parks also, what is the overall benefit to citizens of Linn County?

Would the county consider building a supermarket in the county to compete with Safeway or Fred Meyer? Or, how about the county operating a home improvement center to compete with Home Depot or Lowe's? Hopefully those in a position to make this decision will pause to consider the county's role in best serving all of its constituents.

Michael J. and Priscilla Greig, Owners, Albany/Corvallis KOA

They'll shake up D.C.

Sen. John McCain has the experience to be president.

He has served in the House of Representatives and now the Senate. He has 26 years of congressional experience.

He has worked effectively with Democrats, independents and Republicans to help our country. He seeks smaller government while recognizing a greater strength of government by the people, the American citizens.

He is against pork-barrel funding and he is a strong supporter of individual rights. He has the integrity and wisdom needed to be president of the United States. As example, he has chosen a running mate who is a breath of fresh air and is an example of the kind of leadership needed to lead our country.

Just look at her record as governor of Alaska. That is the kind of leadership we can expect from John McCain as our leader.

McCain and Palin will shake up Washington and move our country forward.

John Wilder, Corvallis

Dog violence disturbing

I want to make it completely clear that I love all animals, not just my own pets. However, I'm concerned about the pit bull/dog attacks that happened a week ago.

Our family owned one of the victim cats. She had never scratched or bitten anyone, and my children loved her dearly. They are devastated. To find out that vicious dogs that killed more than one pet have been returned to their owners is disturbing.

Our cat was killed in my sister's yard next door, right by where my two nieces play. They have a baby as well.

Two days prior, there was a brown pit bull roaming the street by my house and it was actually in my front yard. Earlier that same week, my sister and her friends were visiting at Eleanor Park with their children. A juvenile boy was also at the park with his pit bull that was on a leash. The problem was, no one was holding the leash.

At one point the dog started running toward one of the children, a 10-month-old baby boy. The mom ran over and grabbed the baby before anything happened, but the juvenile's response? "It didn't matter. It wouldn't have hurt anybody."

Those are the kind of "responsible" owners that disturb me.

The cities of Albany and Lebanon are growing. Lots are getting smaller and population is becoming more dense. While having a limit of two dogs per household seems fair within city limits, perhaps it is time to consider what types of dogs are allowed as well.

I know that there are great dogs out there that are of aggressive breeds, and usually those have great owners. A great dog with a great owner that is responsible will probably never give any problems to the general public, but the risk elevates even when you have a good dog, but an irresponsible owner.

Of course, the greatest risk comes with a bad dog and an irresponsible owner. As conscientious citizens, we have to ask ourselves now that beloved pets have been killed: Does a child have to die before we establish guidelines to protect those we love, animal or human?

Kristin Smith, Albany

For considerate boating

I am 72 years old and have fished in this area all my life.

The other day a friend and I went fishing at Foster Lake. We were fishing from the shore near a boat ramp. The boats were racing past, making large waves hit the shore and making the water very muddy.

There were some young people a little way from us swimming. This boat came into them, then drifted into the area where I was fishing. I moved, and he drifted into my area again. When I complained, he got very indignant and asked why I didn't just buy a fish? That is not why we fish. We fish to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

There should be some law or rule when driving a boat for the driver to be considerate of us on the shore.

Thank you for letting me say my piece.

Mildred McClure, Lebanon