September 19, 2008

OnPoint

Thanking our readers

By Bill Highlander
Editor

Thanks to the readers who have responded to our reader survey. The comments are very helpful to me in making the Evergreen Times a meaningful source of information. In the next issue, I will be sharing some of the comments and our plans to respond to suggestions…. Likewise, thanks for the votes in our Best Of Evergreen listing. The results are being tabulated and an updated list will be printed in the next issue as well.

Readers have also been suggesting items for us to look into, such as arts education in the schools, graffiti abatement, and air pollution. We will be reporting on those subjects. Keep the suggestions coming.

The financial meltdown is causing much concern. Greed and mismanagement have destroyed venerable institutions and created a crisis that will affect everyone. Retirement accounts have been ravaged and recovery will take time. But things will get better. Of course, depending on how long it takes to get better, the process will have varying degrees of pain. I’m not in favor of “nanny government,” but somehow we need to provide protection against the dumb moves and greed that led to the current situation.

The economy appears to be the major issue in this election year. All levels of government are facing financial dysfunction. And nobody seems to have a solution. The voters are challenged to listen to the candidates, try to sort out reality from the rhetoric and choose the ones we think have the best chance at improving the situation.

In District 8, Pat Waite and Rose Herrera, candidates for City Council are holding meetings and raising money. The Evergreen Times is planning to profile both candidates in the Oct. 18 issue. They will also answer questions in a forum scheduled for Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club. The public is invited.