Common ground
An Open Letter to the County Commissioners and the Residentsof Okanogan County:
I attended the public meeting for comment on the comp planin Oroville. I heard speaker after speaker rail against the Methow; how”socialists” were trying to take away “property rights.” One person comparedthe Methow to a foot with gangrene that needs to be amputated.
There are exciting things going on in the Methow. Allstudents from grade school through high school in the Methow participate in aschool garden including planting, tending and harvesting. It is one half acreand supplies the kitchen for a daily salad bar and cooked vegetables for muchof the year. The staff serves fresh baked bread made from local, organic grain.They purchase apples, pears and pluots directly from Okanogan County farmers.
The Methow Valley Farmers Market is one of the best in thestate.  All summer we have farmers,crafters and bakers who drive from Tonasket, Bridgeport and Okanogan. Themarket makes a difference in their lives. We welcome them. In contrast, look atthe labels on food in the store. You will find berries from Chile and fish fromChina.
I drove two hours to Oroville because I care about ourcounty. I support agriculture, small business and tourism. I support workingfamilies. I believe in property rights, but also believe that sometimes theserights must be tempered by modest regulation to “promote the common welfare.”And by that, I mean our grandchildren.
We are all neighbors. I truly believe that if we listencarefully and treat each other with respect, we can find common ground. Pleasejoin me in that effort.
Craig Lints,
Brewster and Carlton
No exception to quality
            I have, inthe past, following at least one school concert each year, written myenthusiasm about the increasing quality of the music department at TonasketSchool District. This year was no exception to the continuing quality. It was adinner concert, served with a delicious dinner and a top quality musicalpresentation greeted at the end with a standing ovation given to the musicians,and director, Patti Middleton. But, to continue to have a yearly letter doesbecome repetitious and in the eyes of a few, somewhat meaningless in that Icount it a privilege to be the husband of the music director. So – I chose notto write even though, in my opinion, the increasing quality had its yearlygrowth.
            Then, onFeb. 26, came the High School Winterfest. I came away from there, ecstatic. Twodifferent, high quality, talent and award recognition programs, in less than 10days, with the second one put on by student leadership and choreographed byAnita Assmusen. The diversified dance, audio, instrumental and visualpresentations were incredibly well done and in excellent taste.
            My hat ofappreciation and respect go out to Anita and Patti for the work they do as wellas to the students, faculty and administration of the whole school district. Weare indeed fortunate to have the quality of education our district provides andthe parents from which these students come. In this case, a big thank you toAnita and the student leadership; Patti and the music department.
The old coffee drinker,
Randy Middleton
Tonasket
Land of the Free
Let’s see. If we lie to Congress it’s a felony and ifCongress lies to us it’s just politics. If we dislike a black person we’reracist and if a black dislikes whites it’s their civil right. The governmentspends millions to rehabilitate criminals and they do almost nothing for thevictims. In public schools you can teach that homosexuality is ok, but youbetter not use the word God in the process. You can kill an unborn child butits wrong to execute a mass murderer. We got rid of the communist and socialistthreat by renaming them progressives. We are unable to close our border withMexico but have no problem protecting the 38th parallel in Korea. Ifyou protest against Obama’s policies you’re a terrorist but if you burned anAmerican Flag or George Bush in effigy it was your First Amendment right. Youcan have pornography on TV or the Internet but you better not put a nativityscene in a public park during Christmas. We have eliminated all criminals inAmerica they are now called sick people. We take money from those who work hardfor it and give it to those who don’t want to work. We still have freedom ofspeech but only if we are being politically correct. Parenting has beenreplaced with Ritalin and video games.
The land of opportunity is now the land of handouts. Whathappened to the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Tom Hohn
Wenatchee
