LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[July 19th, 2006] COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATISM SAVES THE DAY!

David Greenberg should be elected to Congress, given how well he dodges questions [see Q&A with Greenberg, CEO of the local Planned Parenthood, WW, July 12, 2006].

One question I would like to read the answer to: "Why must I pay for others' lack of personal responsibility?"

I cannot remember the last time I read about a woman becoming pregnant when a man bumped into her on the street corner. Please pay for your own mistakes. If you cannot afford birth control, do not open your legs.

I may have solved this problem without taking money from anyone, but please keep it quiet. I would hate to see the state budget reduced and be further in debt to PERS.

Jim Peninger
Vancouver, Wash.

ISLANDS IN THE STREAM

Your article about the future of Ross Island ["The Island of Dr. Pamplin," July 12, 2006] should cause concern and raise eyebrows among anyone who cares about Portland's parks and wildplaces.

Five years ago, Ross Island Sand and Gravel faced the expensive task of filling much of the 130-foot-deep hole in the middle of the island to meet state requirements. But as you reported, meetings with local and state officials and environmentalists led to a less expensive remediation program that included habitat restoration and the plan for RIS&G to eventually turn over all of the island complex to the city.

But now, after the DEQ has signed off on the less expensive remediation program, we hear that RIS&G is no longer interested in honoring the original deal. That's a double-crossing breach of faith if there ever was one!

Anton Vetterlein
Southwest Hamilton Street

STOP MUSCLING OUR FLEXCARS

As a happy Flexcar member since scrapping my broken-down car last year, I find fault in the disappointing decision by the Portland City Council [Bill Scott Q&A, WW, July 5, 2006].

Since last year, I use TriMet and Flexcar and it has been an economical and safe system. Having parking spaces in very open and more-frequented areas means a lone person can feel less intimidated when leaving a car at night.

More and more people stop and ask me about the car-sharing system, and they question what their private car ownership (and gasoline expenditures) means for their pocketbook, this country and, of course, the planet.

Is Flexcar a business? Of course. Does it benefit the citizens of Portland? Yes.

And is NOW the time to place hurdles in front of a business that could actually improve Portland's livability? Sad.

Susan Offineer
Southeast 30th Avenue