Letters to the editor, July 8, 2009

Food bank blessing
The Monday evening opening of the 
Sequim Food Bank was such a blessing for the working families.
I hope they continue it. Many thanks to all the volunteers and Nina (Fatherson, executive director) for extending this opportunity to the ones that have to miss the morning openings because of work.
What a wonderful community this is.
R. Bleile
Sequim


Clouds over SunLand
We currently live in SunLand. Our three kids were looking forward to being able to swim during the summer, especially this one since it is so hot.
One day we arrived at the SunLand pool at 11:55 a.m. knowing it opened to families at noon. We figured we could go in and put our things down and get in the pool at the right time.  
We were evicted from the pool area and not allowed in until after noon. Then the pool attendant told us that all our floaties and pool toys had to be taken home or put in the van.  
We asked if our 2-year-old could at least bring in her little seat to float on. Oh no! Nothing is allowed in from outside. Kids aren’t even allowed to wear water wings!  
The pool and the hot tub are attached to each other, and we were respecting the rule that no one under 18 is allowed in. My 2-year-old put her hand toward the hot tub and we were immediately reprimanded by the pool attendant.  
The children aren’t allowed to make noise or splash. What good is it to have family pool time when all you are allowed to do is float like a dead fish? If they don’t want kids in there, they need to just say so and they need to not allow people with families to live in there.
Hassana Dennis
SunLand


Well, rosin our bow
Gazette news staff:
On behalf of District 15 Washington Old Time Fiddlers (Clallam and Jefferson counties), I want to thank you for your placement of our performance announcements during the first half of 2009.
Thanks to the publicity, we enjoyed very good public attendance at our functions and have a record number of scholarships available for beginning fiddlers lessons.
We currently are on a two-month vacation. We will begin the last half of 2009 performances in September and will appreciate your continued support. Look for the schedule during August.
Frank Figg
WOTFA District 15 publicity chair
Sequim


Moving on is difficult
Dear Sherwood Medical Clinic patients,
Many emotions are filling my heart as I write this letter. I have accepted a full-time position in Tacoma at the Madigan Army Medical Center Family Clinic. It is an honor to be selected to care for our troops and their families.
Coming to this decision has been very difficult for many reasons, including leaving beautiful Sequim (the “blue hole”) along with living and working in a supportive community environment. Leaving all the patients and their families I have had the pleasure of caring for over the past three and a half years was the most difficult part of my decision.
Entrusting me with your health care has been a humbling experience. Getting to know each of you personally has touched my heart in a special way. We have cried together, laughed together and then there are all those wonderful hugs.
I will always hold these warm memories close to my heart. It has been an honor and a privilege to care for you. I sincerely thank you and will remember all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
I will miss you.
Maureen Floeting, PA C
Sequim


College caters to few
Under the present system of the Electoral College, candidates are encouraged to appeal to special interest groups who then control us.
Thus candidates spend the majority of their efforts toward those special interest groups.
Under the one vote per voter direct vote, there will be no way to influence a small group to the disadvantage of the majority who at present are forced to support those special interest groups through the manipulation the Electoral College allows.
Thus we will have a more democratic and honest election.
Clint Jones
Sequim


Admit failure and repeal the laws
A revolt against our futile “war on drugs” should evolve very soon. Taxpayers are taxed out, and the time has come for cost-effective methods of crime control.
Time has come for admitting the failure of a 40-year “war on drugs” that has been a “money pit” since inception. It has accomplished nothing but more crime and corruption.
The alcohol prohibition created a reform administration, active prohibition forces and a consistent record of prosecutions and convictions, yet alcohol flowed freely and crime was rampant. When the law was repealed, the world did not stop.
In like style, the drug problem has become a nightmare. It is a total disaster. Our prisons are full of children and adults convicted of drug charges, and the front-page news is always full of drug-related crimes.
While drugs are dangerous, their prohibition is causing more crime and corruption than we are financially and socially able to handle. It is time to repeal these laws; the world will not stop.
Lowana Krewson
Stanwood


Lowering the juvenile crime rate
Regarding the recent Gazette article “Sequim Police Keep Pace With Rising Crime.”
The article highlights that juvenile arrests increased by 7 percent to 150 in 2008. This is misleading. When the evening Boys & Girls Teen Club started in 2006, juvenile arrests totaled 174. After the first year of operation, teen crime decreased by 22 percent according to the Sequim Police Department 2007 Annual Report. The 150 arrests for 2008 still represents a 13.6 percent decrease from the 2006 figure.
The bottom line is that since “The Club” began its evening program, youth crime has dropped 13 percent to 22 percent annually in Sequim. I know first hand of lives and futures that were saved by interventions and positive mentoring by Kristal and Mary. I wish you could see the marvelous work they do day in and day out. So when you hear the talk about our city budget and how short we are of money, let your council members know how important the Boys & Girls Teen Club is to the well-being of this community.
The city council has certainly found ways to spend money unwisely over this past 18 months. And though we need sidewalks and street repairs and parks maintenance, they don’t mean much if we do not take care of our youth.
Walt Schubert
Sequim