Editorial

Vote Yes on Measure 3-87

The Canby Herald's editorial board believes the question of whether or not 301 acres of farmland should be annexed into the city should be answered with a Yes vote by Canby's registered voters.

A vote in the affirmative will help chart a course for the city's future industrial base, with a focus on attracting a wide range of industries and businesses willing and able to offer family-wage paying jobs in months and years to come.

A vote in the negative leaves uncertainty for the property owners, city leaders, residents and potential industrial area tenants alike.

Opinions on the annexation issue are wide ranging in the community, and the working relationships between the City Council, Planning Commission and Canby Fire District No. 62 became strained over the complicated and convoluted issue.

We feel the Canby Fire District is confusing the Urban Renewal District issue with the annexation issue. If annexation passes, or if it fails, the URD is still in effect.

Granted, the district will lose less money if the annexation fails, but the fact remains the URD and its current tax increment financing method will still exist.

The city promised to make sure the fire district would not lose any money due to the URD, but has yet to fully explain how it would funnel URD funds to a separate account for industrial park fire coverage, or even if such a move would be deemed legal by the state.

We believe the city must find a way to keep its word to the fire district, and must be accountable for its actions.

Ultimately, the annexation of all of the proposed land parcels at the same time makes good sense for the future of Canby and the surrounding areas. The Planning Commission and City Council have done an excellent job in the past of making sure Canby remains livable. They've focused on meeting the needs and maintaining the integrity of the community they serve.

Why, now, do some folks feel they will not continue to do so?

Not one person in this whole process has brought up anything in the past that was planned poorly. They have only spoken to the future, and what they believe will be planned poorly.

Voters need to make sure they are clear on the two issues of annexation and the URD. They are only voting on the annexation of the properties.

It is difficult to look to the future as we face the daily struggles of working and living in the present, but that's exactly what many boards and panels have been investigating and assessing for many years. And the general consensus seems to call for controlled, planned growth.

The city will not become smaller in the future, and planning for a bigger and, hopefully, brighter future is a big reason why we elect local leaders to make decisions in the best interests of the people they serve.

Letters to the editor

Kids need safe
access to and
from skate park

I am curious as to whether there are plans to build a walkway along Third Avenue to the new skate park.

I use Third Avenue to get back and forth to work and have noticed children already using the park.

They have no choice but to use the road, because there is no sidewalk. It's a very dangerous situation because of the high volume of truck traffic.

Visibility is poor because trailers are commonly parked along the side of the road, forcing the kids even further into the street.

I've already trailed behind very young kids who are not in complete control of their roller blades and not paying attention to their surroundings.

I realize the park isn't done yet, but the kids are still streaming in to check it out.

Something should be done quickly to give the kids safe access!
Jackie Rowney
Canby

Cartoon demonstrated
'hate and intolerance'

Once again as I prepared to line my parrot's cage with your opinion page, even Polly looked on in disgust as Mike Lucas spewed more of his hate and intolerance through the mouths of his cartoon animals.

This time Lon Mabon was his target. Interesting, isn't it, how Spike Lee can say Charlton Heston should be shot. Alec Baldwin says Henry Hyde's whole family should be killed, and a late-night liberal comedian posts a "Snipers wanted" caption above a George W. Bush advertisement - all the while proclaiming to celebrate diversity. Go figure.
Edward Rhoads
Canby

Medical providers
have been lifesavers

The Clackamas County Public Health Division would like to thank the many providers throughout the county who participate in its Breast and Cervical Health Program.

These providers offer free physicals and mammograms to women 40 and over that lack health insurance or have an unmet deductible and meet a generous income guideline.

A special thanks goes out to our newest provider in Milwaukie, Kiyoshi Kim, M.D. Dr. Kim practices at Milwaukie Women's Clinic for Good Health.

The Clackamas County Breast and Cervical Health Program strives to educate people about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Presently there is no cure for breast cancer, however when breast cancer is found at its earliest stage, survival rates are close to 97 percent!

The good news about cervical cancer is that it can be found at the precancerous stage by having regular Pap tests.

The Breast and Cervical Health Program would also like to remind women that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a perfect time to think about annual health checks and mammograms.
Erica Maxwell
Health Educator Clackamas County

Writer tired of being
known as 'Uncle Sugar'

Global warming? This is an election year and we have an excess of hot air! Let's consider the past. For 40 years the Democrats controlled Congress and the spending. For 40 years we had deficit spending and increasing national debt. For eight years we have had a Congress controlled by the Republicans, and now we have a surplus and a decreasing national debt.

No president can spend any money not appropriated by Congress. We have good times, practically full employment and lower welfare rolls due to laws passed by our present Congress.

In his last State of the Union address, Clinton spent an hour-and-a-half promising how he would spend money, giving something to everyone. Gore spends his campaign time telling us how he will do all things for all people and how he will bring in socialized medicine.

I have seen socialized medicine at work, and it's not good. No government has any money to spend except that which it takes from us, subtract their fees and handling charges and then brag about all they do for us. (Someone has to pay for all those bureaucrats).

Incidentally, if you want $100 worth of work done, the local government spends $150 to $200, the state government will spend $250 to $300, the federal government spends $400 to $500. (These figures are from the Congressional Office of the Budget, and if anything are low).

The Democrats believe in a strong central (i.e. Washington, D.C.) government. The Republicans believe in a strong state government. I believe states know better what our local needs are, better than Washington, D.C. does - much, much better. I am tired of being known as Uncle Sugar!
Edmund E. Davies
Canby

Resident urges support
of CCC bond request

I have a request for our community. In the next few weeks, we are going to be inundated with campaign messages from every angle possible. I'm asking our Canby-area residents to be sure to focus attention on one of our most important local issues: Clackamas Community College's bond request.

I entered Clackamas Community College exactly 31 years ago at age 18. It was a terrific and affordable option for someone who wasn't sure what she wanted to do. CCC still serves that role for many of our local young adults. But, over time, as their student population grew by large numbers, the facilities have not kept up.

Now is the time to preserve this excellent local option for students of all ages by voting "yes" for Clackamas Community College on your mail-in ballot for the Nov. 7 election.

We all know people who had opportunities opened up for them because they had CCC to turn to for help and education. Let's keep the tradition going successfully for many generations to come.

By paying a very small amount in property taxes we can assure that the aging campus buildings are repaired, classrooms are added to allow more students access to education, and technology equipment and training is updated to meet current and future demands.

It's important and necessary, and I ask your support.
Carol Meeuwsen
Canby

'Barnum' rates as
must-see musical

Round up your friends and family and get over to the Canby Fine Arts Center. Magic awaits you in the form of P.T. Barnum and his amazing troupe of performers.

I had the good fortune to attend "Barnum", the sixth annual community musical on Saturday evening. This entertaining must-see Little Theatre production plays one more weekend, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings through Sept. 16.

True to past productions by the Canby Community Players, Barnum is an ambitious undertaking, and one in which director Don Feely had limited time to produce. The overall quality of the production is excellent.

The musical portrays the life of P.T. Barnum, the colorful impresario whose name will forever be remembered for the three-ring circus and its unique side show attractions.

Donzelle Richardson's choreography was overall very good and brilliant at times. Her performance as the 160-year-old nanny to George Washington was super. She ignited the audience with her singing and spirited gyrations and left us belly-laughing.

The sets and scenery bordered on "Broadway" professional. Kudos to Michael Hutchinson. The music was first-rate, albeit too loud in spots.

Parrish Danforth, playing Barnum, is no stranger to Canby Community theatre. The enthusiastic University of Oregon economics major has appeared in "Bye-Bye Birdie" and "Meet Me in St. Louis." He beguiles the audience as he sings, dances and juggles his way through P.T. Barnum's life.

The big surprise was the first-time performance of Leslie Shankland as Mrs. Chairy Barnum. A senior at Westside Christian High School, this was Leslie's debut in theatre. Her performance and stage presence were brilliant. In this critic's opinion, she is destined for Broadway.

Singing with incredible beauty and poise, Kathy Breedlove played Jenny Lind. Her sweet voice remains in my memory.

Miss Emily Trapp enthusiastically played General Tom Thumb. This 9-year-old fourth-grader has appeared in numerous local productions, including "Annie," and "Meet Me in St. Louis." Keep an eye on Miss Emily - she's headed for the stars.

Delightful clowns, jugglers, high-steppers and other circus acts, too many to praise individually, added the finishing sparkle to the production. I applaud them all.

I urge you to support our community theatre. "Barnum" is a musical you'll be glad you saw.
Bernard M. Levy
Canby