Letters to the Editor for Nov. 6, 2009

How about a  Halloween parade?

To the editor:

I should be the last person on earth to write about Halloween. There is a connection between All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints and All Souls, which the Catholic church celebrates on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively. But I also know what a big day it is for children. I am grateful that the town of Baker City creates such a safe environment for our little ones, when in other places such a day may give rise to mischief and pranks and uncalled-for trouble.

I have a simple idea that can enhance the celebration on that busy and crowded afternoon when children invade Main Street dressed up in anything that is scary, spooky, cute and perplexing at times.

My suggestion is very simple and will involve very limited planning and work. Wouldn’t it be a great idea if all the children parade down Main Street (accompanied by parents) while someone in the community would announce on a loudspeaker which character they are representing? Those of us who grew up with Pinocchio, Superman and Snoopy have no idea what the majority of the modern cartoon or fictional characters represent. Another option would be to have the children come up on a platform in front of one of our popular stores (which could be the official sponsor for such an event) and an announcer presents each character. Then of course they’ll go their merry way collecting candy.

Just a suggestion to whoever wants to take it up for next Halloween. 

Father Julian Cassar

St. Francis de Sales Cathedral

Baker City

Pay back the recall costs

To the editor:

Now that the recall is over, with Dorrah and Calder surviving, it’s time for all of us to grow up and move on. There’s more important things to worry about than the childish actions of a few.

We need to work on bringing some big business to Baker City, that will put a lot of people to work, not just a few. It’s time to bring Baker City and Baker County into the 21st century instead of going backwards.

The recall was a waste of time and money. They were only doing their job. A few friends and I feel that those that wanted the recall in the first place should pay that money back. 

Tammy Bloom

Ed Dove, Florance Mahugh, Linda Robbins, Bobbie Danser

Baker City

Problem with campaign donations

To the editor:

Legislation passed in recent years promised to identify the source of funds used in election campaigns. The donors were to be identified and the names publicly posted nearly immediately. This sounded very encouraging to voters interested in honest politics but any hope for such results has proven premature.         

A case in point is here in Baker City where a recall election has just taken place. A recall committee obscures the  identity of the financial backers by claiming that they only need to list donations as being “in kind” with a “promise to pay later.” No one is identified and they have not posted a donation entry since Oct. 12. The election was over on Oct. 27.

Have you left a loophole in this legislation or is this long delay the fault of the elections director? To me it looks like an unholy mess.

Carl Kostol

Baker City

A lucrative use of meeting video

To the editor:

I planned to make my October letter to the editor the fourth and last in my close to 78 years on the planet, but since there seems to be some concern about who should pay the costs of the recall election, other than the taxpayer, let me suggest the following:

Sell the audio and video of the discussion by our councilors, at the Oct. 13 meeting, concerning the updating of the city’s accounting methods, to the CIA as an “enhanced interrogation technique.” I’m sure, after a couple of sessions, any terrorist would either reveal the location of Osama bin Laden or demand “waterboarding” as a preferred alternative.

Let us pray our new city manager, unlike his predecessor, is blessed with the patience of Job.

John Heriza

Baker City