Letters to the editor 7-2

July 8, 2009

By Administrator

Let’s keep Mount Si

naturally beautiful

(In response to 7-2 letter)

The very last thing we want in this town is some circus ride installed on the side of Mount Si that not only destroys the pristine scenery, but destroys the spirit this town is known for. North Bend is and always has been one of the last holdouts east of Seattle that has not been destroyed by urban development or commercialism.

As a long time resident, I do not enjoy hearing people who have come in from other areas of the country to live in our beautiful town, only to trump up new and ridiculous ideas that would be harmful to this community and all of its residents who are here because we don’t have some God-awful thing built up the side of Mount Si.

To those that want to visit all that the beautiful peak offers…………………go hike it like the rest of us do, the old fashion way. Chief Si would want it that way.

Bob Rowler,

North Bend

Thankful for help

at block party

Engaging booths and activities, compelling entertainment, stunning weather, happy crowds – could the North Bend Block Party, held the afternoon and evening of Saturday, June 27, have been any better?

We are thrilled to have been able to put together such a dynamic event to celebrate North Bend’s 100th birthday, and it would not have been possible without the help of scores of volunteers, including 38 merchants, 61 individuals and seven city of North Bend staff. You can find the names listed at the home page of Encompass, encompassnw.org.

Most of all, we thank the thousands of North Bend residents and others who attended the six-hour party, making it a success and inspiring thoughts of planning a follow-up for next summer!

Jolene Kelly, event coordinator

Gina Estep, event coordinator

Stacey Cepeda, event planner and volunteer coordinator

Parents should talk

openly with children

As a 14-year-old, I have looked upon the lives of many teens stumbling to find their way through to high school. Although I am young, I have witnessed much more than you may realize.

In a middle school as safe as mine, I am still surrounded by smokers, druggies and kids who have sex after school. Even with our health teachers telling us how harmful these acts may be and trying every way possible to prevent us from performing them, it is still no use.

It is difficult to understand why teens do these things. Stress? Friends? Family? As a child, I can see where these kids are coming from, but why they would turn to such things, I could never imagine. Talking and encouraging kids only goes so far, as teens my age find it hard to talk about what they are feeling

This problem can never be fully solved, but it can be helped. Teens need to feel like they can talk and not keep it bottled up inside. They should not feel embarrassed, scared or ashamed to let it all out.

If you are a parent, let your child know he or she can always come to you for help. If you have a friend who is smoking, doing drugs, or generally depressed, encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, and if they are not comfortable doing that, to call a help hotline. It could save a life.

Kylie Boyd

Issaquah