April 11, 2005

In reference to the proposed bridge to Minto-Brown Park: This park serves as the function of a safety valve when the Willamette overflows its banks. Water flows into the sloughs, trails and crop land.

Damage to property below the park is reduced by this natural happening. The water recedes as the river recedes. A natural function.

There have been many proposals to urbanize the park: softball fields and soccer fields with parking lots, archery areas, horse trails, nursery, arboretum. In the past, the Parks Advisory Board has rejected them. Later, a softball park was built at Wallace Marine Park but has suffered damages because it is in the floodplain.

Our council will spend $5 million on an old bridge, $2 million on the Eagles property plus three used car lots adjacent. And now they want a $2.5 million bridge. If I owned a business selling running shoes, I would accept a free bridge for my clients. Although they would have to run in the mud often. Run on the railroad bridge.

I believe we should have a citizen vote. However, the important inhabitants cannot vote: the beavers, mink, birds, squirrels, geese, marine animals, insects and non-residents.

-- Doug Berwick, Salem

(reprinted from the Statesman-Journal)