Applause for ecotourism
I applaud the insightful comments Nicole Pressnall made in the Dec. 15 Mirror (“A sustainable form of travel”), which was in response to my Travel Talk column regarding Costa Rica.
While the intent of my column was to talk about the destination, I didn’t particularly address the ways of visiting. More and more as we recognize the impact our past ways have had on our planet, there is a growing awareness that we need to be smarter in how we treat our natural resources and environment. Ecotourism is in its relative infancy with respect to overall leisure travel. It is growing quickly and certainly shows that tourists are willing to pay more to visit places in an environmentally smarter way that protects the very beauty and integrity of the places they are there to see. There is an old saying that exemplifies the concept of ecotourism and that is “take only pictures, leave only footprints.”
Because Nicole raised so many important points, I will address the topic of ecotourism in the near future in my Travel Talk column. Again, hats off to Nicole for addressing this important issue.
Jerry Vaughn,
Federal Way
Why fear a strong mayor?
I was amused at the obvious anxiety in Donald Dennis’ letter, “Say no to elected mayor” (Dec. 12).
It made me wonder why, so I read it again more closely and several things popped out. He was pretty hard on a Dave McKenzie whose letter, “City deserves an elected mayor,” appeared in an earlier Mirror issue. He questioned McKenzie’s hearing as he didn’t mention a statement speaker Wes Crago made at the Nov. 18 Decatur High School informational meeting.
Dennis said he personally heard Crago say he didn’t endorse either form of government over the other. I would call that cherry picking the facts as my friends, who were able to attend, clearly heard him also say “82 percent of the cities in the state have the elected mayor form of government.” That obviously reflects an overwhelming percentage of preference for an elected mayor, wouldn’t you say?
It should also be known that ACT, who invited him to speak, knew he wouldn’t endorse one form over the other and still invited him. That speaks very well of ACT, in my estimation. Also, on the second page of his handout, Crago pointed out he had finally arrived at the conclusion that the strong mayor government had become the best for his city and that most big cities employed that form. And he pointed out the 82 percent figure. It certainly convinced me.
Dennis questioned McKenzie’s statement that several thousand people signed a petition to bring the question before the voters, saying that didn’t necessarily mean they supported it. That simply defies analysis. The statement that really caught my eye was: “An elected mayor can veto council action, but if overridden the mayor must follow council policies.”
In light of that, I can only wonder, what is stampeding their worry? What is the problem? Perhaps the fear of the loss of total control?
Bruce Brewer,
Federal Way
Take care of the elderly
I have been reading with much distain about the number of programs, during this time of year, for those who are less fortunate, jobless, and/or homeless.
Sad as it is, I see very few programs for the elderly, shut-ins, etc. Many of these folks cannot get out to go to food banks, nor can they get out to buy supplies that are needed to keep them going. In many cases, their families (i.e., children who live in other states) forget these people, their parents, even exist.
Thankfully, I am not one of these parents, even though my husband and I are retired and on a fixed income. But I see so many healthy looking young people lined up at food banks, many with young children, only to find out that they could, if they so desired, get even a part-time job for the holidays.
Many of these same people are on entitlement programs and are being cared for by either their church or somebody else’s church. Then I read in the Seattle Times where an elderly woman is fleeced of all her worldly goods her late husband had left for her, and dumped into a home, where she has nothing but the bare essentials. Also, members of her own church turned their backs on her. This lady has dementia.
I’m sure there are many more stories like this, but who is going to write about the elderly and their problems, because they are not on entitlement programs?
I realize the programs like “Toys for Tots” is a very good program, and at one time they were asking for toys that were still usable and in good condition, but now they are asking for “new” unwrapped toys. Many parents who are working and have a small income can barely afford toys for their own children, let alone a Christmas tree for an elderly mom, dad, aunt, uncle, etc. There is something wrong with this picture.
Oh, I’m sure there will be organizations writing in to say there are programs out there for the elderly, and all their great help, but what about those who are not taken care of? I do not belong to the Salvation Army, but feel they are one of the few organizations that try to help all people. They try to help people find jobs, and put a blanket over those who are cold, and don’t charge them. Now this is one organization I willingly give to.
Pat Gee,
Federal Way
