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Columns

March 12, 2020

Can we trust the government to respond to the coronavirus in a fair and effective manner?

A group of over 450 public health experts signed a public letter on March 2, warning that widespread transmission of the Covid-19 coronavirus within the United States is “inevitable.” Their letter urges government decision-makers to enact policies that will have the best chance of minimizing the effects of the virus: those based strictly on the best available scientific information, and those that are imposed in a fair and equitable fashion.

March 5, 2020

Let’s find better ways to reduce CO2

Washington and Oregon lawmakers want to end their legislative sessions; however, accounting for the costs of carbon emissions is a major roadblock.

February 27, 2020
Activists march at a Black Lives Matter rally in 2019. (Contributed photo courtesy of the ACLU)

Honoring Black History Month means respecting the foundation it stands on

Black History Month is meant to be a celebration of the achievements of Black Americans, in spite of our country’s history of blatant, intentional racism. Despite that intention, the American narrative surrounding the enslaving of Black Americans has always attempted to rewrite our past, generating a kinder, gentler image of slavery.

February 20, 2020

Wind turbine blades plug landfills

While wind farms generate “greenhouse gas-free” electricity, there is increasing concern over the rapidly growing number of worn-out wind turbine blades ending up in landfills.

February 6, 2020
(Contributed photo courtesy of Martha Martin) Martha Martin, a Washougal-based psychologist, said people can be negatively affected “by the loss of control and the unpredictability of this situation.” Martin is one of several mental health providers in Camas-Washougal who is offering her services online during the

2019 ‘busy, challenging’ for ECFR

Whenever I write these columns, I review the year, check our minutes, talk with staff, ponder a lot and then start to describe what has happened at our fire district of 60 square miles that sits north of the cities of Camas and Washougal.

January 30, 2020

Virus should spur copper research

Government leaders, doctors and medical researchers worldwide are working feverishly to stop the spread of the coronavirus and keep it from becoming a global pandemic.

January 30, 2020
(Contributed photo courtesy of Robert F. Williams) Members of the 1999 Evergreen High football team, including author Robert F. Williams (second from right, top row, No. 57), pose for a photo during the team's winning season.

Camas coach’s lessons help soldier face adversity in combat zone, life

As the Camas High School football team enjoys another state title, I hope the players realize how lucky they are to play for Jon Eagle. Jon Eagle is, 20 years later, one of my most revered mentors. Whether they realize it or not, Coach Eagle, through football is teaching them more than Xs and Os, but rather life lessons that will carry these young people into adulthood. Much like former Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen’s Built for Life program, Jon Eagle made me built for life, and has been doing the same for area youth for 30 years. The intangibles learned playing high school football in the Pacific Northwest have stayed with me through life’s trials and tribulations — they are an integral part of who I am in the 20 years since last donning a helmet and pads.

January 16, 2020

Helping workers pay for student loans a win-win

Employers are looking at additional benefits to help workers stressed about paying rent, transportation and food costs and student loans. Even though job numbers and wages have increased, too often there just isn’t enough money to make ends meet, particularly in high cost-of-living cities such as New York, San Francisco and Seattle.