Memory: No eyesores

As a kid I was taken to the lake and fed the ducks. There were no foam or plastic eyesores, just nature and a sort of calm around the lake. I'm glad that "Woody" or "Foamy" or whatever you want to call him is gone. Today's generation should be exposed to more natural environments and less man-made garbage. Just because someone has an idea does not mean it is a good one.

If they put the duck back I will see if I can create some other eyesore to float on the lake until they ban all private foam animals from public turf.

Tom Cornforth, Albany

In today's Oregonian (Sunday), in the Metro NW section, page B4, under Northwest Issues, Mike Briggs' duck splashed onto the page with a short article and a headline that reads, "Park's dirty duck has to go unless its cleaning bill is paid." It is accompanied with a picture. What intrigues us is the credit line, "Associated Press." If Briggs' duck floats into CNN Primetime, it will just quack us up.

Bill and Ellen Lilja, Albany

Adding to Palestine history

In response to Ms. Kenagy's letter (April 3), I thought it might be useful to add a bit of information that she left out.

The 1947 U.N. plan for Palestine called for the land east of the Jordan River to be a primarily Arab nation and the land west of the river to be divided between the Jewish and Muslim populations. The Jews were offered isolated cities and villages within the greater Palestinian nation. (The cities/villages were based on majority populations at the time.) The Jews accepted the offer; the neighboring nations and those representing the Arab population in Palestine refused.

In early 1948, while the Jewish leadership was preparing to take over the duties of their new little country, the Arab nations were busy condemning the U.N. for bringing a Jewish nation into "their" territory. When the nations of Transjordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq attacked on the first day of Israel's statehood, it wasn't a surprise. The only surprise was that the Israelis won. This was during the six months that Ms. Kenagy refers to as "ethnic cleansing" by the Israelis.

Wendy Staneart, Lebanon

Running for LBCC

The role of the board of directors of any organization is to oversee the organization's direction at a policy level. Linn-Benton Community College, with its deep local roots, needs board members with a strong knowledge base in business, education and government accountability. Dick Running has an excellent track record in our community as a business owner, a champion of education, and a trusted accountant with a keen sense of funding versus spending.

Dick has a strong record of community involvement in leadership positions. He has served on his church council and sings in the choir; he has been president and treasurer of the Greater Albany Rotary Club; he has served the United Way of Linn County as chair of an allocation committee for three years, and was president of the Areawide United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Dick has also been an Albany Area Chamber of Commerce member since 1976, and has served on its board of directors.

In education Dick has worked as a member of the GAPS District Facilities Advisory Committee and treasurer of the Building Schools 4 Kids Committee. Dick's previous association with LBCC has been as an instructor of accounting courses, treasurer of the "Yes for LBCC" campaign, and as a member of the LBCC Foundation. Dick was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his involvement with the college.

Dick Running is the right fit for this position. His background, skills and character are all reasons Dick Running has our vote for the LBCC board.

Dan and Pat Bedore, Albany

Smoke harms us asthmatics

I am writing in regards to the article "Farmers, doctor differ on burning's effects" on the front page Saturday, April 7.

I also have asthma, Mr. Bowers. How fortunate you are that the smoke does not bother you when you are burning. Then, apparently, you are not aware of what it does to those of us that are bothered by it. Do you know what it is like not being able to get a breath of air?

When the smoke comes to East Linn County, I cannot go outside. Because of your smoke, I am a prisoner in my home until it clears up outdoors. Mr. Nelson stated that the hospitalization rate related to asthma patients was lower during the period when the highest number of acres were burned. The reasoning behind this is that those of us with asthma know that we must stay indoors or we would be heading to the hospital! It appears that whenever you burn, on the most part, the winds have to be blowing toward the Lebanon/Sweet Home area, to East Linn County, or you are not allowed to burn. We pay our taxes like those in the more populated areas, so why is it OK to subject us to the majority of your smoke?

Sorry, but I agree with the doctor on this one. And Ms. Holly Higgins, I liked your comparison of the grass-seed farmers and the cigarette smokers. I also cannot be around cigarette smoke. Asthma is not a fun thing, but something many of us have learned to live with.

Verla Struminski, Lebanon