Steps must be taken
to improve safety
on Highway 213

No one can deny that the Highway 213 corridor is a dangerous highway. On Friday night, Highway 213 claimed another victim. Yet another shattered

family, co-workers, school community and the community at large, which must deal with the repercussions of the lack of traffic safety on this terrible highway.

In the past two years several additional Oregon State Police troopers have been added to increase enforcement and provide additional safety for Highway 213 corridor residents. Traffic enforcement, public safety, fish and game wardens and detectives, among others, are all areas that will be impacted by Gov. Kitzhaber's proposed 17 percent cut in OSP funding.

Between July 1, 2001, and 2005, 50 percent of the OSP force will be retiring. It takes almost a year after hiring for a trooper to be trained. Many years would be needed to gain the type of cumulative experience that will no longer be with us in a few short years. Every trooper is needed.

The two resident troopers in the Molalla area would likely be cut. Satellite OSP offices at the new Molalla shopping center and at Carus Elementary could also be closed. Who would be there to use them?

Not only would vital enforcement be reduced, but also the police presence in our communities would be gone. The ongoing building of rapport with the students at Carus, with the Canby School District, and with other residents throughout our communities would be a casualty of this disastrous proposal.

The OSP radar trailer, traffic radar speed check, traffic surveys and counts have made a significant difference in our safety and comfort level on Highway 213. Traffic speeds have diminished in our school zones, people are voluntarily limiting their speeds and observing safety procedures for the sake of the children. Increased enforcement has taken a bite out of the pocketbook of those careless, thoughtless and dangerous drivers who treat Highway 213 as a speedway.

There is still continuing work to be done. The safe, sane, careful, thoughtful drivers, including many logging trucks and 18-wheelers, should be applauded for their conscientious efforts and good citizenry. The work has just begun. Friday's accident tells us there is still much to do.

Two years ago our citizens supported the OSP effort to increase its presence in our community. The governor and legislators supported that increase because it was important to us all. If it was important to them then, why isn't it important to them now? It certainly is important to us.

Because of the proposed 17 percent cut, OSP recruit school scheduled for January, to train the 100 previously authorized troopers was canceled. We are now being deprived of these troopers. We don't want to go back to the times, two years ago, when the one assigned trooper for this area had a patrol assignment that stretched from Estacada through Highway 211, through Highway 213, through I-205 to the junction of I-84.

The OSP has supported our safety and livability efforts in the past. Now is the time to support its continuing efforts to keep us safe and our area livable by writing, phoning, faxing or e-mailing our legislative representatives and Gov. Kitzhaber. Urge them to reconsider and resist efforts to withdraw funding from this vital agency.

Don't we deserve to be protected?
Ariel Mars Secretary,
Carus Community Planning Organization

City Internet users
have few options

I, like many citizens here in Canby, have been champing at the bit waiting for high-speed Internet access to come to town. When I heard that Web-ster, Canby's local ISP (Internet Service Provider) and a division of Canby Telephone, was going to start offering DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) in February, I was ecstatic. At last, access to the World Wide Web at speeds up to 25 times faster than the fastest consumer-grade dial-up modem!

But then I priced it. Regular household service for the average Joe in Canby is $69.95 a month, with a $99 setup fee, and there's additional hardware you have to buy for your computer. Now I understand that Canby is a small community, so in many places you're going to pay a little higher price than you would somewhere with much more competition within markets like Portland.

But come on!

Am I the only one who's noticed Qwest's DSL advertisements for $19.95 per month with free activation, free DSL hardware, and a free first month of service? Unfortunately, the only choice you have for land-line telecommunications in this town is CTA/Web-ster.

I understand that my choice as a consumer to not take advantage of this service is one way of speaking out, but I felt that another outlet was needed to voice a complaint against what I view as outrageous pricing.
Matt M. Zacher
Canby

Rely on neighbors,
not the authorities

My neighborhood recently had a situation about which I have mixed feelings. In the rural area south of Canby, a newborn calf had been tangled in a fence. Upon finding its way to the side, the cow jumped the fence to protect it. The owner was not home at the time, but the neighbors banded together to return mother and baby to their home.

I was very impressed with the neighbors' response and would like to thank all the individuals who played a role in the situation. The Dairy Garden employees were the ones to bring the situation to light and stayed to the end assisting in the recovery. Members of the Luft family were also of assistance in directing traffic and herding the mother cow. Jerry and Dolly Fawver were especially helpful, risking their lives to protect the livestock.

For those of you who have had experience with newborn livestock and the protective mothers, you understand the danger involved. The cow charged several people who were trying to help.

On the other hand, I was extremely disappointed in the response time of the county and city police who were phoned for help. Two county units eventually arrived, but the livestock were already inside the fence after about 45 minutes of intense effort by the neighbors. It was also distressing to be put on hold in a situation when help was promptly needed. Traffic control would have made the job much safer for animals and people alike.

Another thing which I was angered by was the traffic situation. When there are people in the middle of the road and cattle on the side, you stop! Many drivers sped by as if nothing was happening. One man who was not part of the neighborhood I would especially like to thank. He stopped his car and directed traffic while the rest of us were herding the animals.

The next time a situation arises of similar nature, I will call on my fellow neighbors, who can be relied on for timely and efficient help.
Eryn Cramer
Canby

Thanks for
donation of bike cart

My wife and I want to give Carla and Dale Johnson a deeply appreciated thank you. The Johnson's donated a bike cart so we can take our handicapped daughter Natasha on bike rides.

Natasha loves the outdoors and had to rely on her wheelchair or her tricycle for short rides. Thanks to the Johnson's generosity, Natasha will be able to go on longer rides with Mom and Dad, and even on camping trips.
Alex and Julie and Natasha Bello
Canby