Letters and Comments for July 13, 2009

Huber, Barber

Adopt trees to save them

To the Editor:

Mount Emily’s oldest and biggest trees are marked with blue to be cut down. How sad is that for the mountain, the other trees that need them, our air, our sense of beauty, the critters and the protection for the waterways.

It doesn’t mean anyone is doing anything wrong. It’s all legal. It usually provides lumber and local jobs, though the mill is shut down, hopefully temporarily. Cutting down the trees was part of the financial agreement made so that Mount Emily Recreation Area could go to our county as caretakers so we can all continue to use and tend to the area. Many very diverse people and needs came together to create MERA.

The lumber and housing markets are down, reducing the need to cut more trees right now. Maybe this gives us another opportunity to stand up for and with the trees to find a way to permanently save the older trees, especially along the pathways and watershed. It’s time to go walk from Igo Lane or Owsley Canyon and see what trees won’t be there if we can’t come up with a better solution.

Could we continue to look for funding to avoid cutting this prime recreation area and also develop a local buy-a-tree project?

If clubs, neighbors or families joined together to pay the value of a tree, the tree gets adopted and the pride and connections of tending to our heritage continues in our own spirits and those of Mother Nature.

What better gift to our children than a tree and all the amenities that go with it?

Maxine Hines Huber

La Grande

Servers for a cause

To the Editor:

Sam Werner is a 17-year-old La Grande senior who has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Since his mother is also a cancer survivor, the family has been left with no health insurance. This bright, upcoming La Grande High School senior needs our help.

As a waitress at Mamacita’s International Grill, I am challenging all servers of Baker and Union counties to donate all or part of their tips on July 23 to the Sam Werner Fund. I will be donating all of my tips during my shift that evening. Since all of my fellow servers will be doing the same on that day, Mamacita’s International Grill has issued a challenge to the other restaurants participating to match or beat what Mamacita’s donates.

I encourage not only servers to participate but the citizens of these counties to patronize participating restaurants that post a sign that they are participating. Servers who will be participating will be wearing name tags that state they are part of the challenge. I encourage you to tip these servers well as it will be going to a great cause.

If you want to know more about how you can participate in the Sam Werner Waiter/Waitress Challenge on July 23, please call me at 541-786-1613. All participating restaurants will be announced on all Pacific Empire Radio stations.

Christy Barber

La Grande