Safety Valve: Letters from readers

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Safety Valve: Letters from readers

Friday, January 4, 2013

Fair exchange

How about a deal? We residents of Wenatchee will clear our sidewalks within 24 hours (neighborly) and the city will clear our side streets within 24 hours (safety)! Thank you.

Aïda Bound

Wenatchee

So we know where

In response to Timothy Finnigan’s letter to The Safety Valve (“It’s about respect”, Dec. 20), I have read the article (“Relay at center of rumble over noise,” Dec. 12) and I understand he was the one at the council meeting fighting for the Relay for Life to relocate somewhere else because of the bright lights and the noise supposedly produced from this event.

I applaud Ms. Auvil for standing up at the recently held City Council meeting. There are probably people from far and wide who come to the event and know where it’s location is every year. Finnigan may have some sense in suggesting the Chelan County Fairgrounds, but here are a couple suggestions for you, Mr. Finnigan — window blinds and earplugs or go find a hotel room for the night so Relay for Life can raise the money they need to find a cure for cancer.

I don’t believe Relay for Life is there to disturb the elderly and disabled, as you state. Relay for Life’s work is respectful and compassionate for those of us who have lived through cancer, chemotherapy and radiation. I’ve been in remission for over 17 years now and am proud that the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life was there for me.

Nancy Ramsey

Chelan

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gayles 4 months, 2 weeks ago

I can't find where Timothy Finnigan said the all-nighter was, your words - "there to disturb the elderly and disabled." So I think you need to retract that assertion.

I also think he was giving just one example to a location that would not disturb anyone.

If it is true there will be remodeling at the track, I will assume you will cancel this years all-nighter because the out-of-towners won't be able to find the temporary location. Flip side to that, if they do find it, it will prove they are capable of finding a location other than the school track. I know one remedy - provide maps or meet the people and escort them to the new location. There are many ways to help them find the new location. Not only that, when it was moved before, they get to the then new location (hs track).

All you are doing is finding excuses after excuses to do what you want to do.

The broken record that has been posted here on WW online, on the Chelan RFL Facebook and nationwide places, to use ear plugs, get a room for the night etc is to deflect the valid complaint back at the people who have the right to peace and quiet (noise population and disruptive crowds), within reason, in their "castles."

kyook 4 months, 2 weeks ago

"I also think he was giving just one example to a location that would not disturb anyone."

Unfortunately, gayles, no such place exists. To imply that it does is simply laughable.

So, now what do you suggest?

gayles 4 months, 1 week ago

-- my suggestion is to shut down at 11pm.

RFL wouldn't need to worry about –allegedly- finding another location and how to communicate to everyone how to get to it.

Simplification, communication and respect are keys to success.

N'est–ce pas?

kyook 4 months, 1 week ago

"-- my suggestion is to shut down at 11pm."

But, alas, it still disturbs someone somewhere, and thus renders your argument moot.

To offer blind oversimplifications as solutions is an exercise in idealism.

gayles 4 months, 1 week ago

It's good that you are acknowledging you are indeed disturbing the neighborhood.

However, this and other WW online places, I was putting several suggestions on the table that RFL could do, but with so many excuses, they can't get past their comfort zone. Imo RFL got lucky with the track. I don't see any other place or neighborhood stepping up offering their areas probably for various reasons.

It's too bad because imo RFL reputation locally and nationally is suffering by the disrespect toward the neighbors and the treatment against people who file valid complaints or even towards those who (such as myself) speak up in support of the disturbed neighbors.

I have participated in the RFL by buying raffle tickets and such. Just last year in a Wenatchee business I bought four tickets for a trip. I'll give my money to other respectful fundraisers.

By the way, there were a few others in the other places, who were also suggesting to move or to shut-down at 11pm.

kyook 4 months, 1 week ago

The point that you are missing, or are choosing to ignore, is that you can't hold events such as these anywhere at anytime without "disturbing" someone if they try hard enough to be disturbed.

So, what do you suggest they do, cancel all fund raising events just to be "respectful"? I think it's disrespectful to deny the victims of disease access to the generosity of people who want to help.

JimboBear 4 months, 1 week ago

"I think it's disrespectful to deny the victims of disease access to the generosity of people who want to help."

Well said, and I agree!

gayles 4 months, 2 weeks ago

His statement from the “Relay at center of rumble over noise,” Dec. 12: "Some [the petitioners] are cancer survivors themselves...They know cancer.”

and

“We’ve never said anything against Relay for Life,” Finnigan told the council. “We’re only disturbed by the bad effects — the noise — from a good event.”

Imo it's obvious the petitioners support the cause but object to the noise pollution generating from the RFL all-nighter.

I would think that the cancer survivors and the supportive family and friends would be more considerate of people's sleep since the sleep was perhaps an issue for them.

In general we don't know what our neighbors are going through, so we should be considerate of their property rights.

As for my "castle" ---"People enjoy the position of rulers in their own homes, and others have no right to enter without the householder's permission."

Imo when noise or lights etc trespass onto or into one's "castle" (again within reason) it is a valid complaint and should be respected.