Document text
An open letter Aug 10, 2004 12:00 AM A A to — Hilt on the community center — Thanks to Bill Choy for writing a proper obituary for — the Hilt Community Center. The Christmas gatherings held in the center — were the finest of family gatherings. Strong memories remain of the children, — the parents, the music and the plays. Fruit Growers supplied every child — with a twenty-pound orange mesh bag filled with fruits, nuts, candy, popcorn — balls, books and toys. The building was truly historic. I remember Sue — Davenport playing the piano! — In this building I reached many milestones in my life. — Here I became a Boy Scout, a basketball player, a skate boarder, a union — man, a fire fighter and a poker player. I checked out my first book from — the library there. — Thanks Tom, Russ and Andy for bringing this building back — to life and allowing the local folks to play in your home. The pleasure — of seeing children playing in the center over the past few years was just — that, pure pleasure. I had the wonderful experience of playing basketball — with Marley Pratt a few months before his passing. Also, there was Pat — Trinca with whom I played against 40 years ago. Little Kirby, Garrett — and Kenneth were to be the next generation of Community Center ball players — and skate boarders. — Thanks to you, Russ, Sandy, Billy and Kirby Sr., for the — games. Thank you C. B. — The efforts of the local fire department were admirable — and successful in that nobody was injured. They contained the fire to — the building saving the surrounding wildlands. Terry L, the rescue of — the eight animals from inside the building was heroic. Terry, Tom loves — his pets! The building was going to burn to the ground the moment it was — struck by the power that controlled its destiny. No man could change the — eventual outcome. The community center died with an awful sound. — Many stories came from this building. I must share Norma — Ellis's. She tells me that my father, as a child, was with her when she — and Jim met in the center. I believe the year was 1940. — Tom Shorey, thank you for salvaging the basketball hoops — from the rubble. They will be used again! — John Marin Hilt, Calif. — — Letter on WRC funding was far from appropriate — Sean Nelson's July 24 letter to the editor in which he — advocated closing SOU's Women's Resource Center in order to save funds — was extremely offensive. His claim that the WRC "pushes an extremist feminist — agenda" is ludicrous. The "extremists" he referred to are concerned women — trying to educate students as well as the community about serious issues — (i.e.; the recent date-rape drug epidemic; access to safe birth control; — domestic violence; eating disorders; STD's, and so much more). The volunteers — and staff at the WRC work incredibly hard to maintain a safe space for — women to come to in times of crisis (or to access the resource library, — etc.), while simultaneously working on projects to increase awareness — on numerous issues to help both women and men. — To top it off, the center was accused of harassing "prospective — students" and giving SOU "bad press." This is a ridiculous claim at best. — It sounds like Mr. Nelson may have a personal issue with someone at the — WRC - or perhaps with women in general - that he is misdirecting at the — WRC. — Everyone has different opinions on how SOU funds should — be distributed. The WRC is already a skin and bones program that receives — little funding in comparison with other extracurricular programs at SOU. — Eliminating the center to save money would not make a dent in SOU's budget, — but it would remove an invaluable resource for the community. — Lisa Johnson — — Book on election topics available at public libraries — Copies of the book, "Choosing the President 2004, a Citizen's — Guide to the Electoral Process," are now available at all Jackson County — libraries. Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, this — book also addresses the problems in Florida in the 2000 election, and — HAVA, Help America Vote Act, which Congress passed to address those problems. — — The books were donated to the library by the two local — chapters, the League of Women Voters of Ashland, and the League of Women — Voters of Rogue Valley, headquartered in Medford. — While geared to the upcoming election, this quick read — also is an excellent reference for information on such continuing controversial — subjects as the the Electoral College, and on more recent ones such as — BCRA, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. Close out your summer reading — by preparing for the November election! — Ruth Walsh Ashland