PRIORITIES IN CASCADE LOCKS

I can't help but wonder how much good $400,000 could do for the Cascade
Locks if spent on economic development or community services rather than law
enforcement ("In force, C. Locks says 'no,'" Feb. 20). I can think of dozens
of better uses: A playground, a skate park, a library, a rec center, tourist
attractions; scholarships or courses in business, computers, languages, art,
music, cooking, sewing, carpentry, or welding.

Perhaps the money could be used to pay parents who must work two or three
menial jobs just to keep food on the table so they could stay at home for an
hour a week with their kids. Or if the federal government insists on
spending our tax money on their programs, why not make them of the WPA
variety that improve communities in tangible ways, like building bridges or
theatres?

It looks to me like the only such contributions Cascade Locks will see will
be made by a volunteer bringing in broadband communications, and an artist
paid a paltry $7000 to paint a mural. It is a crime that a city with the
natural beauty of Cascade Locks in such close proximity to major population
centers can't become more of a success, and do better for its citizens.

What good will locking up increasing numbers of citizens and others in the
interest of "justice" do? Do we really think it will end the drug problem? I
hope Cascade Locks, and other communities that may be observing it, will
evaluate these programs often and well, not just in terms of dollars, but in
human misery too.

Ellen Komp

Mosier