AND AGAIN

Regarding the most recent letter from Mr. Scharf . . . I should have explained previously that my statement about families moving to the suburbs was not speculation on my part. I was present at a workshop held by the city in April where the most recent census data was discussed. It is the city’s interpretation that the data shows young families are moving to the suburbs, not mine. Dwindling registrations currently threaten the closing of two elementary schools.

It is probable that the solution to the housing problem is more complex than simply converting all single-families into multi-families. For example, property taxes are based on property value, not the number of units. If the population grows more than the tax base, then we are asking for more property tax increases.

Giving up now!

Tilly Holton

Portland

RUN, ETHAN, RUN

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Daniel Nere. I am from Ethiopia and have lived in Portland for 10 years. I am writing in regards to the good news I read in your paper that Ethan Strimling may be running for a State Senate seat. I met Mr. Strimling when he was volunteering at the local soup kitchen. In my many years of knowing him, I’ve come to admire and have great respect for Mr. Strimling. In many observations and talks, I have come to know him really well. Mr. Strimling is a very knowledgeable, hard-working individual who put a lot of his time into helping others in need. And still, to this day, volunteers many hours of his time as a public servant for others less fortunate than himself.

In conclusion, I highly recommend him to anyone who reads this letter and encourage him to run for the senate. I know that Mr. Strimling will put 110 percent into everything he does. Thank you for your time.

Daniel Nere

Munjoy Hill, Portland

ENERGY?

The “new economy” will be energy, new energy, off the power grid, ice storms, orange trucks freeing, all the power they have, we’ll have. Not to dam, hydroelectric kept for industry, tidal in Lubec 20 feet worth, water flowing.

Old economies were shipping, commerce, commanding the seas, moving textiles (We wore more clothes back then). Then railroads: ore, steel, coal, mining and mills, crate, move produce; farm to city, overseas pineapples, bananas and gold, diamonds. Then cars: 1900-1929, the mass transit or raw ingredients ready, WWI not scaring, steel and rail to rubber and asphalt, crashing at the end like we’re crashing now. Then WWII brought us to life, death gave life to many ideas and renounced others (Racism lost its appeal). The electronic revolution was 20 years worth of newness, form the idea, present the picture, talk and talk, read everywhere, circuitry pierce mind question morality, topsy-turvy land progressives masquerade as liberals.

Welcome new economy. The power grid is obstructive, powerlines confiscate private land, oil refineries, natural gas, tank farms, plants, tankers, all for the sake of metered energy. Honda waits in the wings with its ever-efficient generators, solar-panels on rooftops rotate, follow the sun. The sun spits fire saying: “look at me!” All the while communication’s disrupted but the sky is filled with colored lights.

Lucia Connelly
Portland

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