101 dog hints

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. ~Phil Pastoret

We love our dog - most of the time. We have a relatively large Shih-tzu named Bowie. Bowie is more of a mammas boy. We'll both be sitting in the living room, I'll call him to sit on my lap. He will look at me, look at Connie ~ and promptly walk over and sit on her lap. I have to have treats to get his attention. Oh well - gotta love dogs. We've had a lot of great dogs - and dog stories.

I've heard that you can always trust dog people. I don't know if all people that have dogs are good ~ probably not ~ but I do believe that all people that have dogs are better for it. The dogs teach us how to have a good day - no matter what is going on around them.

We had a dog that learned how to jump in the back window of the car to go for a ride. One day, while we were working in the front yard, a car was driving by the house slowly. Our dog ran and jumped in the back window that was open. It was especially embarrassing because the car was a police car. Hmmm - fortunately, he had a sense of humor!

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that pet ownership is also a tremendous responsibility. Here is a link to the American Kennel Clubs 101 suggestions to become a responsible dog owner:

http://www.akc.org/public_education/responsible_dog_owner.cfm

Wow - it takes a lot of hard work to be a good pet owner - but it's the best investment you'll ever make!!

I have pictures below of our dogs and others in the family - gotta luv 'em! Roscoe was a great dog - learned lotza tricks - and was always great with kids. Blackie was Dad's dog. And the two in the baby carriage were Pam's dogs.

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author Unknown

A cat, after being scolded, goes about its business. A dog slinks off into a corner and pretends to be doing a serious self-reappraisal. ~Robert Brault

Welcome to Pendleton – gothcha

The taxpayer - that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination. ~Ronald Reagan

Taxation with representation ain't so hot either. ~Gerald Barzan

Bridge to nowhere, lofty dream, or great project?

Pendleton recently held an election to increase the local gas tax by 4 cents per gallon. The purpose of the tax is to pay for a road project that will make land available for business development. There has been a fair amount of controversy. For the record, I support the road project, but oppose paying for it with gas taxes.

I am concerned about the decision process to start the road project and the source of funding. However, I’m certain we need to have industrial ready land for potential businesses.

Let’s get real. Before I list my concerns, I want to address the cost of the gas tax because there are a lot of local citizens that are angry. Those that voted “no” need to settle down a little. Let’s look at the math for those, like me, that opposed the tax. We are only talking about $20 per year. Give me a break!!!! Most folks that commute to work drive about 50 miles per day. This equates to 12,500 miles per year. This would require 500 gallons of gas for a typical car that gets 25 miles per gallon. Your incremental tax is $20 if you add 4 cents to 500 gallons of gas. Some a little more – some a little less.

Here is a list of my concerns:

The purpose of the road project was to promote local business. However, the 4 cent gas tax creates a situation where a few current local businesses have a disadvantage with other similar businesses in the region. The gas stations in the city limits will have a 4 cent disadvantage against stations within just a few miles. It is too easy for people to opt out of the tax by buying gas outside of city limits.

The gas tax will disproportionately affect people that consume more gas. This includes many that have to commute for work. Nothing could be less fair than paying for this project through gas taxes.

The supporters explained that taxing gas was a great idea because 40-45% of the gas sold in town was to people that lived out of town. This concerns me for 2 reasons. The first is we should be trying to find more reasons for visitors to come to our town – not fewer reasons. It’s a “Welcome to Pendleton – gothcha” mentality. The second reason is that I feel it is not responsible to spend other people’s money. The local residents that will theoretically prosper should be the ones that pay. I believe that politicians in general make bad decisions when they insure that “somebody else" pays for it.

The other option to a gas tax would be for property taxes to pay for the project. I was in the minority that feels this is the best option. It’s a little self centered because my property holdings are less than others, but again this is a fairer method of taxing for this type of project. Theoretically those that benefit the most should pay for the project. IF the road project brings industrial business to Pendleton, then the property values go up – or at least stabilize – and property owners benefit.

I am also concerned that some supporters of the project have been misleading and arrogant. (NOT ALL SUPPORTERS) They had argued that the election was to support the community. That is not true. The project has already been approved and started: the only issue was how the project would be financed. They also expressed appreciation to the community for supporting the project. While the tax passed by a 54% yes to 46% no, our community leaders need to understand there are still 46% of local citizens that may not financially support the project. I would be more comfortable if they at least recognized the legitimate concerns rather than demonize opponents.

I’d rather have a gas tax to repair current roads in town – geez. Pendleton now has the second highest gas tax in Oregon. Only Eugene surpasses at 5 cents. You gotta know that Eugene is a tax and spend haven! Most other cities in Oregon that have a gas tax – there’s about 20, have limited the tax to 1-2 cents. Most of these taxes are directed only for current road repair. There are a few that have taxed for development projects – but not many.

There are private land owners along the new road that will realize significant improvements in their property value due to this project. It’s a mixed bag issue – they will realize a gain at public expense if the land is developed, or they may be taxed at a higher property value even if there is no real benefit.

OK – so why am I ranting? Folks, I think it makes a difference what our public projects are – AND how we pay for them. The whole concept of letting somebody else pay for it bothers me. That’s why my great-great-great grandchildren will be paying for my stimulus check. Oh well ~ it’s just a part of my political frustration. I know that Republicans blame Democrats for getting us into a mess, and Democrats blame the Republicans for the same. My theory is they are both right. ~ more on that another day .

I think I’ll go buy a bike!

Here are a few photos that fit my opinion – enjoy:


















If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that don't get wet you can keep. ~Will Rogers

When there's a single thief, its robbery. When there are a thousand thieves, its taxation. ~Vanya Cohen

It's a green thing

I conceive that the land belongs to a vast family of which many are dead, few are living, and countless numbers are still unborn. ~A Chieftain from Nigeria

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb


Any good Scout knows to leave their campsite better than when they arrived. This goes for all of us. It’s hard to know how much impact we really have on the earth – and even more difficult to identify everything you can do to help. Many of us get hung up on not believing it’s a problem – or somebody else did it. So – start with the simple things.


Here are a few websites that have good information:



http://planetgreen.discovery.com/



http://www.greenplanet.com/index.html



http://www.greenplanet.org/

Here are a few facts about land pollution:

• Every year one American produces over 3285 pounds of hazardous waste


• Land pollution causes us to lose 24 billion tons of top soil every year
  
• Americans generate 30 billion foam cups, 220 million tires and 1.8 billion disposable diapers every year


• We throw away enough trash every day to fill 63,000 garbage trucks
  
• Every day Americans throw away 1 million bushels of litter out their car window
• Over 80% of items in landfills can be recycled, but they’re not

How to Prevent Land Pollution~ The best way to prevent land pollution is to recycle.

Here are a few other ways you can reduce land pollution:

• Reuse any items that you can


• Buy biodegradable products


• Store all liquid chemicals and waste in spill-proof containers


• Eat organic foods that are grown without pesticides


• Don’t use pesticides


• Use a drip tray to collect engine oil


• Buy products that have little packaging


• Don’t dump motor oil on the ground

We had a great work project this week. The management at our plant, including the President of the company, took an hour away from the day to clean litter from a mile of road leading into town. AND we skipped a meeting to clean up the road – a win/win :-) !!

In less than an hour, we were able to fill a pick up with litter, bottles and tires - good job!!!! Here are a few pictures:

There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew. ~Marshall McLuhan, 1964

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank

Four Angels

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck


There is an old saying, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”. That’s always been true in my house – whether my Mom, Grandma, or wife. So, I want to wish all the Mothers, especially mine, a HAPPY Mother’s Day.


My Mom raised four of us, all four angels. Hmmm ~ I’m not sure we were always angels. Maybe sometimes? Now that I think about it, the only time she really called me an angel was when she found out which little league baseball team I’d play on – the Angels. Oh well, at least I was an Angel during baseball season. She raised us to be independent (stubborn). At times, “we’ve” been accused of being a little too stubborn – well at least my sisters. ;-) Thanks Mom for all you did!!!!!


I have an award to give, the Mother of the Year award. Due to tight budgets, the only prize for this award is eternal admiration and a big hug the next time I see you. So – ta da – here it is: My First Annual Mother’s Day award goes to my niece, Rayna. Rayna had a beautiful baby girl, Aubrie, in March. But, it was quite a challenge. Rayna was having health problems, so Aubrie was born early – real early. Aubrie was less than 3 pounds when she was born – what a tiny tiny girl! However, with great medical care and all our prayers, both Rayna and Aubrie are doing fantastic. Rayna, you sure did it the hard way. Congratulations – you are a great Mom!!!

Here is a picture of Rayna and Aubrie – how cute!!!


See what I mean:






No one in the world can take the place of your mother. Right or wrong, from her viewpoint you are always right. She may scold you for little things, but never for the big ones. ~Harry Truman



The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman