>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

The high rate of the West Nile Virus discovered locally must be causing concern in many people. The possibility of health problems is real for those who can't avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that may carry the virus. This might leave some folks slightly paranoid — some of us are mosquito

magnets.

We can take steps to increase our overall health and boost our immune systems. Healthy bodies with an intact immune system are less likely to be affected by West Nile Virus or other viruses such as colds or the flu. Some medicinal herbs have been shown to have anti-viral action. A few to consider are echinacea, an immune system tonic; lemon balm, a great anti-viral herb that's safe even for small children and shows itself to be useful against the herpes viruses; and St. John's Wort, known for its anti-depressant properties, also an anti-viral.

These herbs are commonly available and considered safe. It makes all the difference to use only high quality products, and it's important to learn the proper way to take them. Questions regarding the use of herbs can be answered by an herbalist, local naturopathic physicians, a health food store or by a doctor of western medicine open to herbal health care. I encourage you to do research on your own and ask lots of questions.

Reading newspaper headlines about a possible disaster due to West Nile Virus stirs our fears. Having more information and taking steps to lessen the impact of the virus can ease our minds.

We have the ability to tap into our body's natural ability to protect and heal itself. This is a plus to those of us who can attract a mosquito from a mile away!

Linda Elliott

Master Herbalist

La Grande

_______________________

We are writing this letter to speak out on behalf of the land and its inhabitants — the plants and animals that depend on us to protect their natural world.

Our family has resided in Northeast Oregon for more than 100 years. We have valued the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest all of our lives and have lived in La Grande since 1950. Our five sons grew up hunting, fishing and hiking in these local public lands.

During this time, we have seen thousands of miles of roads built in the national forest. While many of us drive on Forest Service roads to get to public lands, there are thousands of miles of additional primitive roads that are damaging this special place. Most of the roads that the Forest Service have proposed for closure were originally built for logging purposes and they were essentially abandoned shortly thereafter. Scientific research shows that excess roads cause problems to wildlife, fish, soil and plants and contribute to the spread of aggressive weeds that are not native to the local area.

We have the opportunity to restore our national forest. The reduction in the roads system is an important step for restoring the proper functions of the forest. Too many roads and unrestricted motorized use should not be the legacy that we leave for future generations to inherit.

Please continue to take the necessary steps to close roads and limit motorized traffic. We support the efforts of the Wallowa-Whitman Travel Management Plan to manage unregulated motorized vehicle use and reduce the road density of the national forest.

The Loren and Betty Hughes Family

La Grande

_______________________

I am writing in support of Union's Community Levy, Measure 31-65. I support it because it is a compromise reached by as many people who were willing to compromise. The levy is supported by the all-volunteer Union City Ambulance Department because they need police back-up when they go to an emergency scene.

Imagine a "live-alone" grandpa calling 9-1-1 during his heart attack. The ambulance arrives and Grandpa is laying on the couch but cannot get up to answer the door. The ambulance cannot forcibly enter the house without police support. But, Union currently does not have police support because our 1950s tax base cannot pay for law enforcement.

Ironically, our citizens just finished paying about 75 cents per $1,000 on a new ambulance, but what good is a fully equipped ambulance if you can't get it to the emergency?

Now that we have paid off the ambulance levy, it is time to fund the police needed to go along with it. Our property taxes last year included the ambulance levy. This year, with an increase of about $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, we will have our public safety.

Our ambulance crew is all-volunteer. Can't we spend a few cents a day to keep them safe and allow them to do their jobs? Please vote yes on Union City Measure 31-65.

Willard Bertrand

Union

_______________________

I read with interest your story about

La Grande's Renaissance Committee and the wonderful model you have in the work that has been cone in Walla Walla. Why reinvent the wheel?

We have many of the issues that La Grande has with business here in Grants Pass, but with an active downtown business association and the help of Brady Adams, former state legislator and head of a local bank, we have a downtown that is always filled with business and with shops waiting for space, as well as a big tourist attraction.

One summer event, courtesy of Mr. Adams, is our Bearfest. We have a town-filling group of fiberglass bears that have been worked on by local artists. This time of year, downtown is filled with pirate bears, dancing bears, ancient Egyptian bears, Samurai bears, pear tree bears, wildflower meadow bears, Native American bears and many others to admire and photograph.

Business is good, I am told, and downtown is fun for adults and children alike.

Neil Williamson

Grants Pass

_______________________

I see that Oregon has toughened its stance on drunk driving. Now, if you kill or seriously injure someone a second time while driving drunk, you get at least 20 years in prison.

Am I missing something? I am glad that we have made the law tougher, but I don't think that it's anywhere near tough enough.

I have absolutely no tolerance for drunk drivers and think that they should lose their license for a long time (five years?) for a first offense. If you hurt someone, then jail should be mandatory — 10 years for a minor injury and 20 years or more for more serious injuries. A second drunk driving conviction should at least result in losing your license forever. I don't care if you need to drive for work — you should have thought of that before you drank and drove.

If you are so inconsiderate of others that your desire to drink and drive comes before the safety of others, then I have no sympathy for you, whatsoever.

Tim Hoffnagle

La Grande

_______________________

When I read Mr. Cox' s letter in the Aug. 4 Observer, I felt sick to my stomach. The thoughts and arguments he wrote of are, to me, outrageous.

I ask myself one question in regards to this issue: Do I live in the United States of America, or in the Separate States of America? The definition of unity, the basic principle in my country's name, is a "combination or arrangement of parts into a whole," according to Webster's dictionary. Would the USA be whole without all its diverse citizenship? Does separating any group of people from the rest achieve the unity this country was founded on?

I ask those who read this to look up the difference between "transvestite" and "transsexual" as Mr. Cox doesn't seem to distinguish.

Personally I know several gay and lesbian people who are amazing teachers and professionals. I would be proud to have my children around them and taught by them.

I ask you this before you sign the petition Mr. Cox wants you to sign: Do you want this country to keep discriminating against its citizens, or do you want equality? Do you want to be part of what is tearing this country apart, or do you want to stop the violence here at home?

I also want to know what people are afraid of. Can you look past the GLBT communities' bedrooms, or is that all you choose to see because it is the only difference between you and them?

Please let all of our citizens have the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that the rest of us are able to take for granted. My children are counting on you to stop the discrimination and hate. Quit living in fear.

Cami Miller

Union

_______________________

I understand that EOU is looking for a new president. Therefore, allow me to recommend Mr. Rob Cashell, director of athletics.

With Cashell's track record of questionable fund managment, he seems the most likely candidate to fill Mr. Fatemi's shoes.

Heck, within a couple months he could probably finish the job Fatemi started and bankrupt the entire school.

Landon Johnston

EOU alum

Cortez, Colo.

_______________________

I just saw the article and pictures of Lucky Trice in the July 13 Observer. What memories.

I remember Lucky well. He was a hard-working gentleman. A fine gentleman.

It is good to have memories of good people who have touched your life.

Roy Hills

Island City