High school sports
Lyle Prouse is a winner
I have known Klahowya’s new football coach, Lyle Prouse, since he was in his mid-teens and about to enter West High School (Bremerton) and the world of Chuck Football.
To be very honest, Lyle did not look like a potential All-Stater when I first met him as an entering freshman who wanted to do anything he could to be able to play for the legendary Coach Semancik.
Entering our off-season weight program, he was not exceptionally strong, but I soon learned this young man was not about talk, for he showed a work ethic uncommon for one so young. I truly cannot remember Lyle ever missing a weight session, and he often stayed late to do extra. He wanted to fit in and play.
I am not sure what the expectation level of previous Klahowya coaches has been, but I know that Lyle Prouse would uncompromisingly set it very high, for that’s what he was always asked to meet by his coaches at West High, Olympic College and Portland State University. When Coach Prouse played ball, his teams came out of games way more times than not with greater numbers on the scoreboard than their opponent, and if they lost, Lyle’s teams became more dedicated to work harder than their next foe.
Like many instances in life, being a winner may not be easy, but with dedication, desire, a great work ethic, a high expectation level, mental toughness and a never-say-die attitude, it can be achieved.
LANE C. DOWELL
Ret. Asst. football coach to Chuck Semancik
President of the Semancik Foundation
Veterans
They fought for
your freedom
As a proud Vietnam-era veteran, I find it tragic so many of my
fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work. I thank the Lord for my opportunity to serve and the friends I made along the way during my 28 years of being Navy.
It’s time for all Americans to remember the true meaning of Veterans Day. I hope everyone in our area will remember what Veterans Day is all
about. And as we near the holidays, please keep our deployed troops and their families in your prayers. Send a care package or donate to a program that supports our troops and veterans, such as VFW Operation Uplink, www.operationuplink.org. Always remember those who have fought for your
freedom.
WILLIAM G. HOTZEL
ENCS USNR Ret.
Bremerton
Feedback
Apex Airport is critical
Your editorial about Sterling Homes (“Sterling Hills protestors ahead of themselves,” Oct. 30) is sad to see.
First off, growth is not synonymous with progress.
Second, history has shown that airports get closed down by complaining neighbors….so often it happens that the state of Washington and other states have laws to protect airports that are used by the public. Their best way of protecting them is to keep the residential density to a low level, for after the area becomes saturated with high-density residential, the financial resources of the airports are not adequate to combat the inevitable cries for airport closure.
The state has said that Apex Airport is critical to the Washington state aviation infrastructure. The lands used to develop airports are found before residential development occurs, not after, thus to preserve them is essential if they play a critical role. Apex has and is being used by so many public service organizations: i.e. law enforcement, military, blood bank, fish and game, medical emergency, forest services, etc.
I am sorry you are unable to see how incompatible high-density residential development is with airport operations.
RON VANDERVORT
Resident of Apex Airport
Let’s distinguish needs from wants
In response to Val Torrens’ column (“Give I-1033 the boot it deserves,” Oct. 23), she questions anyone’s judgment who agrees with sound financial budgeting. Ah, just as our income ebbs and flows, so does the state of Washington’s, in good times and bad. Does it not matter that I, as an individual, cut back spending when my money decreases and the state of Washington doesn’t expect to? Acceptably, the roller coaster is never ending — money in, money out; no money in, no money out.
She uses the word “need” four times, as in, “Government programs grow in demand to public needs… .” Let’s distinguish a need from a want. A need is a necessity, like a road and its maintenance. A want is something nice to have, like visiting Kitsap County public nurses going to every pregnant woman’s home, and thereafter to check up on her and the infant for a period of up to two years, but this is not a need. This is pure luxury when scores of outlets exist for their good health in this county already. Call the new Hotline 2-1-1, run by United Way, to access the innumerable free or sliding scale health care facilities already available.
About education — I was reminded by the six state representative candidates in their debate last election, that the education of our children is required by Constitutional law to be our No. 1 priority. If we got rid of the pure lard programs (street art for instance), the luxury programs, the stupid projects (the millions upon millions spent on highway sound barriers) and duplicated programs, we might have the money for our most important program and not shriek every time a budget is passed.
Over the past 50 years, Americans have come to believe they no longer have personal responsibility for their neighborhood, children’s education or their elders, nevermind the desperately poor. This behavior has been fostered by entitlement programs, leaving its devastating path of fatherless households, failing schools and shunned elders, all now under tax-funded care.
And, as for the public’s demand for more government services, my wise father once told me: “If they didn’t keep making all those laws and regulations, they wouldn’t have a job.”
Yes, Ms. Torrens. This will mean more cuts and fewer services. Let me keep my money. I need it to take care of my own.
LN SALSBURY
Poulsbo
Health care reform
No time for bickering
Over the last few months, we have all heard, read and maybe taken part in the debate over health care reform.
Very recently, I was in the situation of needing to access emergency medical care on two separate occasions and subsequently, admission into Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for seven days.
We in Kitsap County are very fortunate and privileged to have accessibility to excellent fire/EMT/paramedic support. To the fire personnel of Kingston, I offer you my heartfelt grateful thanks. I cannot begin to express how relieved I felt knowing you were coming when 911 was called.
My husband and I are fortunate we have health insurance. I was the recipient of skilled and exemplary care at Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton. Every single medical staff member treated me with great skill and care. All of us want that for our loved ones. I am healing as a result of that medical care. However, there are many in Kitsap County who are not as fortunate. This is not a left or right, Democratic or Republican issue. This is an issue concerning the care for all who are in pain, suffering and ill. In my eyes, there is no more time for bickering and debate on this issue. People are dying every day unnecessarily because of this lengthy debate. It is my hope we can view our health care needs as a moral issue. Every single American deserves to receive affordable excellent care. Period. We are the United States of America, not a third world country. Surely, we can do better.
If this were your parent, your child, or yourself, would you not want to know you or your family member would receive the medical attention you deserve? Please call or write our senators and congressional representatives. Urge them to pass good affordable health care reform for all Americans.
CONNIE AURAND
Indianola
Democrats in power
America needs to wake up
As one who has been involved in and followed politics since the early 1960s, I find it absolutely ironic that before every election the Democrats tried to frighten our senior citizens into believing that electing a Republican would destroy their social security and Medicare, etc. and unfortunately their lies worked. The seniors fell for it. Now guess who is going to undermine social security, Medicare etc. That’s right, the devious Demos. Americans had better wake up before it is too late — if it isn’t already.
NORMA L. CARD
Bremerton
High school sports
Lyle Prouse is a winner
I have known Klahowya’s new football coach, Lyle Prouse, since he was in his mid-teens and about to enter West High School (Bremerton) and the world of Chuck Football.
To be very honest, Lyle did not look like a potential All-Stater when I first met him as an entering freshman who wanted to do anything he could to be able to play for the legendary Coach Semancik.
Entering our off-season weight program, he was not exceptionally strong, but I soon learned this young man was not about talk, for he showed a work ethic uncommon for one so young. I truly cannot remember Lyle ever missing a weight session, and he often stayed late to do extra. He wanted to fit in and play.
I am not sure what the expectation level of previous Klahowya coaches has been, but I know that Lyle Prouse would uncompromisingly set it very high, for that’s what he was always asked to meet by his coaches at West High, Olympic College and Portland State University. When Coach Prouse played ball, his teams came out of games way more times than not with greater numbers on the scoreboard than their opponent, and if they lost, Lyle’s teams became more dedicated to work harder than their next foe.
Like many instances in life, being a winner may not be easy, but with dedication, desire, a great work ethic, a high expectation level, mental toughness and a never-say-die attitude, it can be achieved.
LANE C. DOWELL
Ret. Asst. football coach to Chuck Semancik
President of the Semancik Foundation
Veterans
They fought for
your freedom
As a proud Vietnam-era veteran, I find it tragic so many of my
fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work. I thank the Lord for my opportunity to serve and the friends I made along the way during my 28 years of being Navy.
It’s time for all Americans to remember the true meaning of Veterans Day. I hope everyone in our area will remember what Veterans Day is all
about. And as we near the holidays, please keep our deployed troops and their families in your prayers. Send a care package or donate to a program that supports our troops and veterans, such as VFW Operation Uplink, www.operationuplink.org. Always remember those who have fought for your
freedom.
WILLIAM G. HOTZEL
ENCS USNR Ret.
Bremerton
Feedback
Apex Airport is critical
Your editorial about Sterling Homes (“Sterling Hills protestors ahead of themselves,” Oct. 30) is sad to see.
First off, growth is not synonymous with progress.
Second, history has shown that airports get closed down by complaining neighbors….so often it happens that the state of Washington and other states have laws to protect airports that are used by the public. Their best way of protecting them is to keep the residential density to a low level, for after the area becomes saturated with high-density residential, the financial resources of the airports are not adequate to combat the inevitable cries for airport closure.
The state has said that Apex Airport is critical to the Washington state aviation infrastructure. The lands used to develop airports are found before residential development occurs, not after, thus to preserve them is essential if they play a critical role. Apex has and is being used by so many public service organizations: i.e. law enforcement, military, blood bank, fish and game, medical emergency, forest services, etc.
I am sorry you are unable to see how incompatible high-density residential development is with airport operations.
RON VANDERVORT
Resident of Apex Airport
Let’s distinguish needs from wants
In response to Val Torrens’ column (“Give I-1033 the boot it deserves,” Oct. 23), she questions anyone’s judgment who agrees with sound financial budgeting. Ah, just as our income ebbs and flows, so does the state of Washington’s, in good times and bad. Does it not matter that I, as an individual, cut back spending when my money decreases and the state of Washington doesn’t expect to? Acceptably, the roller coaster is never ending — money in, money out; no money in, no money out.
She uses the word “need” four times, as in, “Government programs grow in demand to public needs… .” Let’s distinguish a need from a want. A need is a necessity, like a road and its maintenance. A want is something nice to have, like visiting Kitsap County public nurses going to every pregnant woman’s home, and thereafter to check up on her and the infant for a period of up to two years, but this is not a need. This is pure luxury when scores of outlets exist for their good health in this county already. Call the new Hotline 2-1-1, run by United Way, to access the innumerable free or sliding scale health care facilities already available.
About education — I was reminded by the six state representative candidates in their debate last election, that the education of our children is required by Constitutional law to be our No. 1 priority. If we got rid of the pure lard programs (street art for instance), the luxury programs, the stupid projects (the millions upon millions spent on highway sound barriers) and duplicated programs, we might have the money for our most important program and not shriek every time a budget is passed.
Over the past 50 years, Americans have come to believe they no longer have personal responsibility for their neighborhood, children’s education or their elders, nevermind the desperately poor. This behavior has been fostered by entitlement programs, leaving its devastating path of fatherless households, failing schools and shunned elders, all now under tax-funded care.
And, as for the public’s demand for more government services, my wise father once told me: “If they didn’t keep making all those laws and regulations, they wouldn’t have a job.”
Yes, Ms. Torrens. This will mean more cuts and fewer services. Let me keep my money. I need it to take care of my own.
LN SALSBURY
Poulsbo
Health care reform
No time for bickering
Over the last few months, we have all heard, read and maybe taken part in the debate over health care reform.
Very recently, I was in the situation of needing to access emergency medical care on two separate occasions and subsequently, admission into Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for seven days.
We in Kitsap County are very fortunate and privileged to have accessibility to excellent fire/EMT/paramedic support. To the fire personnel of Kingston, I offer you my heartfelt grateful thanks. I cannot begin to express how relieved I felt knowing you were coming when 911 was called.
My husband and I are fortunate we have health insurance. I was the recipient of skilled and exemplary care at Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton. Every single medical staff member treated me with great skill and care. All of us want that for our loved ones. I am healing as a result of that medical care. However, there are many in Kitsap County who are not as fortunate. This is not a left or right, Democratic or Republican issue. This is an issue concerning the care for all who are in pain, suffering and ill. In my eyes, there is no more time for bickering and debate on this issue. People are dying every day unnecessarily because of this lengthy debate. It is my hope we can view our health care needs as a moral issue. Every single American deserves to receive affordable excellent care. Period. We are the United States of America, not a third world country. Surely, we can do better.
If this were your parent, your child, or yourself, would you not want to know you or your family member would receive the medical attention you deserve? Please call or write our senators and congressional representatives. Urge them to pass good affordable health care reform for all Americans.
CONNIE AURAND
Indianola
Democrats in power
America needs to wake up
As one who has been involved in and followed politics since the early 1960s, I find it absolutely ironic that before every election the Democrats tried to frighten our senior citizens into believing that electing a Republican would destroy their social security and Medicare, etc. and unfortunately their lies worked. The seniors fell for it. Now guess who is going to undermine social security, Medicare etc. That’s right, the devious Demos. Americans had better wake up before it is too late — if it isn’t already.
NORMA L. CARD
Bremerton
