Where’s the Valley?

I have lived in the Valley all of my life. I have raised my family and some of my grandchildren here. I used to love this Valley, but the way things are changing, it is not my idea of a wonderful country life.

I was out riding my horse, giving him some exercise outside of his pasture, and was confronted by a woman who let me know my horse pooped on the road, and she walked with her child there. I rode in these developments before they were developments. There are not a lot of places for us horse people to ride anymore. They have taken away most of our trails. I don’t want to have to ride my horse in an arena, going round and round.

Since I was confronted with this, I think I should sit outside my house to complain about the people who walk past my house and let their dogs poop where I mow. But that is not me. And I think it is great that people are outside, walking their pets and getting fresh air. This is not Seattle, and I pray it will never be. I was just so stunned by this, I needed to say something.

Where did our Valley go!

Wendy Kossow

North Bend

Property taxes

I grew up in this Valley and currently live in the same house that I grew up in. I keep voting “no” because since the development on the Ridge, I saw my property taxes triple in less than 3 years and they are still going up. I find this to be alarming and I really feel that I am literally being taxed out of my home. Maybe you can afford the extra taxation, but I am reaching the breaking point.

Kathy Bennett

Snoqualmie

Physicians’ oath

I strongly oppose Initiative 1000 [a ballot measure that would allow terminally ill adults to obtain lethal prescriptions] on the grounds that it goes against the role of doctors, and reverses how they are traditionally supposed to conduct their jobs.

The job of a doctor is to look after the physical well-being of the patient. This includes attempting to heal the sick and wounded and prevent the death of the patients. The so-called “Death with Dignity” act directly violates this role, and instead of providing more means for the doctor to protect the patient, simply provides a legal way for the doctor to give up on trying to help the patient.

Up until recent times, doctors took what is called the Hippocratic oath (believed to be developed by Hippocrates, who is considered one of the fathers of modern medicine) before becoming doctors. Although this is not a requirement for physicians in the United States, it still contains many guidelines as to how doctors should to conduct themselves that are still in use today.

One of the principle ideas contained in the Hippocratic oath is that the doctor should not administer lethal doses to patients. Translated, this section reads, “And I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked [for it].” This was viewed as wrong and evil. Yet, this year the public of Washington is being asked to vote to legalize physician assisted-suicide.

Approval of Initiative 1000 will directly violate the traditional role of doctors, and undermine their jobs as protectors of patients. I strongly urge others to vote against this.

Max McDevitt

North Bend

Great readers

Some teenagers were too busy reading to spend their summer watching TV or surfing the Internet.

Local teens who participated in King County Library System’s summer reading program read over 1,029 books! Over 50 teens and parents celebrated this great accomplishment at a party at the North Bend Library on Thursday, Sept. 5. I would like to extend my thanks to the Snoqualmie Valley businesses who contributed prizes to recognize this wonderful achievement: Carnation Corner, Emerald City Smoothie, Farmhouse Market, Flying Frog Curiosity Shop, George’s Bakery, I Luv Teriyaki, North Bend Theatre, Northwest Railroad Museum, Salish Lodge, Sandi Hambrick, Twede’s Cafe, and the Friends of the North Bend Library.

Sarah Lynch

Teen Services Librarian,

Snoqualmie/North Bend library