Letters and comments for August 28, 2009

Crack down on drugs

To the Editor:

We, as concerned citizens of Elgin, think this would be an ideal time for the drug officers to enforce the law and help clear our town of drugs.

Our town has been hit hard by horrendous multiple murders. Nationwide, you have read of killings in McDonald’s, post offices, cafes, street shootings and drive-by shootings, all drug related. Break-ins, robberies, thefts are all drug-related to support drug habits. When is this ever going to stop?

Even the suspect in the Elgin murders says he was high on meth and the world would be a better place without it. What does that tell you?

If you suspect a driver of drinking, you stop and check them. The law as well as citizens know where the drug traffic is, so why not check them out also? If the law doesn’t have the right to do this, then our laws need to be changed.

One of the sheriff’s campaign promises or wishes was to clear our neighborhoods of drugs. We agree. When the law catches a “druggie,” they slap their hands and they are soon back on the streets doing the same thing. A follow-up of the drugs needs to be done to find the sources of the pushers or cartel and stop it where it starts.

Please try to rid our peaceful town of the drug traffic and users. We feel this should be a priority at this time. Please give it your full attention.

Indian Valley

Guys and Gals Club (18 signers)

Elgin

Parking rules confusing

To the Editor:

Does La Grande want people to come downtown or not?

Parking restrictions are complex and confusing. Last fall, I received a ticket in front of the beauty school. I parked behind a big truck, so didn’t see the sign. Maybe no excuse but it was the first time I went to that location.

On July 7, I went to the county courthouse to fulfill my civic responsibility by showing up for jury duty. I parked in two different permit areas the previous two days, after moving from the employee lot once. La Grande has at least four categories of parking restriction signs around the courthouse, if not more. When they are old and faded and if parking into the sun, one can’t see the small print around the word “permit.”

I parked and placed my permit sign in the window and walked across the street to the courthouse, behind a Cove resident, who also received a ticket. A fine citizen must have called the revenue collector, for she showed up before I’d been there an hour. I moved my car immediately and went back to the courthouse.

If La Grande wants business downtown or citizens to do their duty, lay off. La Grande should print maps indicating areas where it’s safe to park for as long as it takes to complete business or service, and provide them to the courthouse, since it’s a city problem.

Of course, there’s not much shopping downtown. One can take the longest coffee break, see an attorney or invest their lottery winnings with a financial adviser. Maybe one of the insurance companies represented could start a parking insurance group. Obviously, I will limit my association with La Grande as much as I can.

Did merchants, on the last survey the city sent, mention the many complaints of customers regarding the parking situation? I hope so.

Brenda Hamann

Island City