Letters to the Editor Nov. 11, 2009

Kudos for your Coastal Voices piece by Aaron Funk (“City’s poor tourism investment hurts us all,” Nov. 5).

He hit the nail on the head. Too long have the scales been tipping toward “what’s good for the government” and not the people.

Remember the preamble, government for the people. This point has got to be heard out there, and it’s worth another print!

Bob Stephens
Hiouchi

Something needs to be done to keep people off the jetty

What was to be a relaxing walk along Beachfront Park resulted in a stressful experience as I watched (from the pier) a group of people who were overcome by a sudden wave that covered the jetty; they seemed to run and escape it, but another wave came over and two or three seemed to be swept off the jetty onto Crescent City Beach.

Fortunately, a game warden was on the pier and was the first to respond. Within minutes a plane was overhead. After rescue workers arrived, one person was carried out on a stretcher to the ambulance.

Would you believe, as this was happening, another man was out on the jetty talking on a cell phone? Several months ago I arrived just after the doctor had been retrieved from the water, dead.
The current warning sign and gate are not effective; it’s too easy to walk around it and get on the jetty. How about a taller gate that precludes walking around it? How about signs that state the jetty is there to protect the harbor from waves; it is not a walk for pedestrians. Another sign could state violators will be prosecuted and fined. (Get a new law on the books?) Also, how about a sign that states persons will be charged for any rescue costs? (Some people only seem to understand when it affects their pocket book.)

Then, have another gate farther on with the same admonitions. Whenever anyone sees a person on the jetty, he or she can use a cell phone to notify authorities. Either people will stop walking there, or the city will have a new source of revenue!
I don’t want to witness any more senseless calamities.

Calie Martin
Crescent City

Old-timers being unfairly left in the dark in these changing times

This letter is about those of us who are computer illiterate.

In terms of affordability, such electronics are way beyond our financial means.

Every commercial and mail order is expecting that you will have a system, including access to bill paying online, e-mail, the Internet, blogging, My Space, YouTube and many others. Many of the television commercials and ads list no telephone number, only e-mail and a Web site, thereby making it impossible to order if we so choose.

I realize that we live in a world full of progress, but what about us old-timers who can’t use the technology and would rather dial direct?

We are left in the dark with the changing times, but why change when there’s no problem with it?

You don’t fix what’s not broken!

Jill Bausch

Crescent City