A5Opinion
Opinion
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Letters The family that races together We race as Oyler Racing Team at River City Speedway in St. Helens, with two daughters, Kim and Lisa, and their dad, John Oyler. The girls started racing three years ago after their dad and Uncle Tim built them 4-cylinder Ford Escorts. The cages were welded, racing seats installed, helmets were bought and the pink/black and purple/black pirate cars were ready to take to the dirt track. This weekend Lisa took a hit to the wall hard… going approximately 50 mph. The quick response of the track emergency response personnel was phenomenal. C.T. Brownlow and his wife Laurie were at Lisa’s car within seconds. Laurie, with her soft-spoken words of prayer, kept Lisa calm while C.T. organized and made sure Lisa’s safety was the number one priority. These two work many long hours at the track – kind of behind the scenes – and not enough thanks is ever given to them but they expect no recognition. But I say a silent prayer
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Speedbump
every time my family goes out on the track, and I always feel a little safer knowing C.T. and his crew are out there just in case there is ever an emergency. Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart. The racing family is big, dedicated and caring and I personally feel very blessed to be a part of it. Karen Opp Oyler, Scappoose
by
Dave Coverly
are inviting tragedy from two different directions: 1. Because we are a welfare state, and 2. Islamic terrorism. Why must border security be held hostage to this bill? 9/11 should have taught us that the lock on our back door needs to be changed. Wayne Mayo, Scappoose Do something How proud you must be, showing your true colors – by hounding a businesswoman of color to the point of forcing her to leave. Mila Prakash has been treated like a second-class citizen by the typical white racists - no doubt good “Christians” all. What? You’re not responsible? Good! Then do something about it! Go and support this woman! Challenge those who spew racist speech at the store or in the bar. Show the rest of Oregon what Scappoose is really made of. Or just shrug it off and know you’re just as much a racist as your pathetic fellow “citizens” are. Jim Harrison, Beaverton
On the border Former U.S. attorney general, under Reagan, Edwin Meese III, offers keen perspective and insight in his critique of the 1986 Reagan “Amnesty” bill (Wall Street Journal Letters, 14 June). He explains its “road to citizenship, penalties, and hurdles” comparing it to the gang of 8’s showing their similarities. He concludes: “Ultimately it encourages millions more to risk entering the country illegally in the hope that one day they, too, might receive amnesty.” Without a secure border, comprehensive visa overstay management, and proactive port security we
Dollars and Sense
Avoiding student loan debt BY LILLIE ANDERSON OSU Extension Service
Although I am a few weeks late, I would like to send out my best wishes to all the graduating seniors of 2013! Congratulations on all your years of hard work and studying; and best of luck in the new chapter of your life. For many of our recent graduates, this will not be the end of their educational experience; in the fall many of Columbia County’s grads will be heading off to college. Preparing for the adventure of higher education is always an exciting and stressful time for families, and with student loan debt now totaling over $1 trillion and interest rates about to increase, the cost of college
is on everyone’s mind. July 1 was the deadline for Congress to come to an agreement on the Higher Education Act and prevent the interest rate on subsidized federal loans from doubling from the previous rate of 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Unfortunately, Congress yet again failed to come to an agreement and interest rates for federal student loans taken out after July 1, 2013, will be set at the higher 6.8 percent. This means by the time high school grads finish college they will be paying back well over $10,000 in interest alone. Not only can college graduates not afford this amount of debt – over 5 percent of borrowers are past due in their payments – the economy cannot afford
it. Both the Federal Reserve and the Department of Treasury have warned high student loan debt may decrease consumer demand and result in a weaker economy. If you talk to any student loan owner you can already see this taking place. Young people are waiting longer to buy a house or car; in 2011 the housing market saw the lowest percentage of first-time homebuyers since 2006. Many college graduates are moving back into their parents’ homes to save on living expenses and overall spending less money. Whether you have a student loan or not you will be affected by the evergrowing debt. As interest rates increase, student loan debt will continue to negatively impact our economy. There is a likely chance
that after the Fourth of July recess Congress will decide to extend the current Higher Education Act and interest rates will go back to the 3.4 percent rate for one more year. However, this just means we will have to face the same problem again, just on a different day. The real solution must also address the ever-increasing cost of tuition. In the last 20 years, the cost of tuition has nearly doubled, but salaries have not kept up. There are ways to combat this increase of tuition and interest rates. Contact your representative and tell them what you want for your or your children’s education. Make sure your voice is being heard by lawmakers and university officials. If the growing cost of
education is keeping you from pursuing higher education there are many tricks to help reduce the cost of college without loans. Completing your first two years at a community college can literally cut your cost of college by a quarter. Most community colleges offer the same courses as fouryear universities, but at half the cost. Before you invest any money into your education, check with a college advisor about how to transfer credits and what courses will count for your requirements. Spending as little amount of time in college as possible will significantly reduce the total cost. To do this you need to have a course plan for what classes you are going to take and know what you degree you want before you get too far
into college, meeting with a career counselor or an advisor is a great way to start creating your college plan. Taking courses that you need will keep the cost low and get you out of school fast. Although “The Life and Times of Bart Simpson” may sound like a lot of fun, the class could also cost you a thousand dollars, without interest added. The best trick, however, is scholarships and grants. Every year millions of dollars of scholarships are left unclaimed. Either no one applies to the scholarship or the recipient never claims it. Apply for every scholarship you come across, no matter how small. Several $100 scholarships can add up quickly, and remember to apply for scholarships every year.
Columbia County Fair to host dressage event July 13 ST. HELENS — The Columbia County fair board, with the guidance of volunteers from the Columbia County Dressage Chapter, will host a dressage schooling event open to the general public – the first dressage event to be hosted at the fairgrounds in several years – on July 13. Dressage competitors from novice to experienced should
find this event of special interest. The Columbia County Fairgrounds have the only public legal dressage court in Oregon and Washington, although this court has never been fully utilized. The event will help the fair board and dressage chapter determine whether there is interest and a sufficient revenue source to support expansion and maintenance of the court
Columbia Humane Society
Board members want to learn if there is an interest, sufficient revenue to support costs and volunteers to assist with setting and maintaining schedules. Don’t know what a dressage or a schooling event is? The easiest way to learn is to go on the Columbia County Dressage chapter’s Facebook page. There you will not only learn what both are but will see how very
active and accomplished this chapter is. Also, try researching the United States Dressage Federation website at usdf.org. Organizers believe dressage as a fair event could be a great opportunity to expand use of the fairgrounds and is encouraging dressage riders to sign up for the event and all county residents come down to watch and support the fair.
PEARL (F) Pearl is a very sweet and loving 2 year old girl. She gets along great with other dogs and will make a great addition to any family. Pearl is the perfect size dog. She is very active and loves to go for walks and hang out and play. What do you think do you have room in your home and your heart for Pearl?
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for dressage and hunter/jumper shows and events as well as for year round practice, exercise and training. Success of this event will open additional opportunities for all equestrian enthusiasts. The fair board is looking into opening the rodeo and/or 4-H arena for events, shows, training, practice and exercise to all equestrian owners and groups.
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