Immigration
It is time to fix the problem we created
I am a second generation American. All my grandparents are from Spain. My paternal grandparents immigrated to America and became legal citizens. My mother, who is also from Spain, married my American born father, obtained legal status and then took the oath of allegiance and became an American citizen. America has always welcomed immigrants.
So what is all this talk about immigration “rights”?
The problem is about illegal immigration, a problem that we created.
The vast majority of illegal Mexicans came here to work because they were invited by American businesses and then offered benefits by both parties, competing to increase their base. Many illegal immigrants have established roots in our communities.
Now it is time for the politicians in both parties to fix their mess, secure our borders and then begin the process of issuing visas to those illegal immigrants with families and roots in our communities and deport the rest.
JOSEPH LOPEZ
Lynnwood
Community
Librarians deserve greater appreciation
What a great column by Sue Waldburger on children’s books. I’ll always fondly remember the magical little corner in the Cedar Way Elementary School library (much thanks to the hard-working librarian Dennis Myers for making that library outstanding) that had books by Donald Sobol, Beverly Cleary, Gertrude Chandler Warner, Ronald Dahl, etc.
Those stories about Encyclopedia Brown, Otis Spofford, The Mouse &The Motorcycle, The Boxcar Children, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and James &the Giant Peach have stayed with me. We are called to put away childish things in order to fulfill the call on our lives, but I hope I never become so cold and sophisticated that I lose the child-like joy and wonder I had when reading those amazing books.
School librarians around our nation need to be encouraged, reminded, and thanked for their often unappreciated efforts that result in children having safe, guided, colorful, and stimulating environments in which to read and learn. Putting a child in front of a TV is rarely (if ever) an adequate substitute for a room full of books that is overseen by either a skilled, mindful librarian or a loving parent.
Librarians, along with teachers, rarely get the applause and recognition that athletes, actors and recording artists get in our society, but they’re just as valuable for nurturing the minds and souls of our youth and enabling their learning process which will benefit them for a lifetime.
STEVE GOODMAN
Mountlake Terrace
Edmonds police dog
New puppy must
not meet a tragic fate
In response to the May 5 article about Edmonds’ new police dog, I hope this innocent puppy does not meet the same fate as Edmonds’ last police dog.
In 2003, Nico was euthanized after three people were accidentally bitten in separate incidents. According to the media, one incident took place when his handler left him unattended. Another incident was because the kennel wasn’t sufficiently secure to contain him. And the third incident occurred when an unannounced training exercise was conducted on a college campus and a civilian walked onto the scene unaware. All three incidents involved probable human carelessness and a failure to assess Nico’s problem early enough.
Nico was clearly being asked to perform in a way that he was unable to do. When Yukon, the former Snohomish County Sheriff’s dog had the same problem, he was found a new home. But Nico was killed.
Humans tend to view police dogs as expendable objects. I believe that attitude must change. Like people, dogs have different temperaments. Unlike people, they do not choose to become a police dog. That decision is made for them. Therefore, we have a responsibility to protect them as much as possible. They should never be sent off on a chase after dangerous suspects without a bulletproof vest, or be sent into fast-moving traffic where many have been run over.
Most of all, we must never ask anything of them that they are unable to do. Humans failed Nico. That must not happen again. Towards that goal, perhaps the new puppy should be named “Hope.”
NANCY FARNAM
Edmonds
Economy
Supporting local businesses helps city
Your pipes won’t stop dripping. You worry about the wiring in your home. Maybe you want to build a fence. Maybe, you and your partner need a few minutes to talk and enjoy each other’s company. Who are you going to call to solve your problem?
How about neighbors? Your neighbors are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and they own various other businesses, including restaurants. They are the same people you sit next to at the Fourth of July parade or walk by in downtown Edmonds on Halloween. They are the same people whose children vie for candy with yours at the Easter Egg Hunt in City Park. They are the people who watch your home when you’re on vacation without being asked.
Why should you do business with neighbors first? You know where they live. Their kids go to the same schools as yours. They walk the same routes as you. Their reputation is important where they live.
When neighbors have a few more bucks in their pocket they are better able to maintain their property, or donate to local causes, or spend more money at local restaurants and shops. They can join you in the local events that make Edmonds special.
Keeping neighborhood businesses healthy means more services and products closer to home. It means a vital town without the blight that comes from failing businesses. It means a stronger community.
Of course, your neighbors can’t do everything. When the road in front of your home is cracked and full of patches, call the city. The city will tell you they don’t have money to fix the problem. Let’s not forget that a sizable portion of the sales tax we pay goes to the city where we do our business.
DON KREIMAN
Edmonds
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