TouVelle park tranquility disrupted by jet boats

Recently, I picnicked with some friends at TouVelle State Park, the swimming and picnic area, lovely serene. There were adults and children swimming and having a wonderful time.

Then a very large jet boat, also called “tour boat,” approached very close to the swimming area, luckily the swimmers had exited the water, thank goodness. Then the boat loaded their passengers, took off racing back and forth, then headed down the river.

Upon returning later, the noise from boat was deafening, we could not hear each other. So much for the tranquility of the park. Can you imagine this occurring several times a day?

There were huge loading ramps in the water, the wakes from the boat were large. I wonder what damage is being done where we cannot see to the fish and the banks of the river.

So I thought to myself, can one imagine if these “boats” start coming up river to Shady Cove, where there is an extensive plan to change the boat ramp and the park. I sure hope I am wrong. Let’s make sure this does not happen.

Sue Krupa / Shady Cove

‘Romeo & Juliet’ review paints a horrifying picture

“Gun violence, drug abuse, economic disparity …” I was horrified to learn from L.K. Scheuer’s review of “Romeo and Juliet” that the play currently being offered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival has been interpreted in this context.

Considering there are so many such problems in America depicted on television and other media, why would someone buy a ticket to see it at Ashland’s Shakespeare theater, especially those who drive here from out-of-town?

They can stay home and read their local paper or watch the nightly news. Fortunately, Ms. Scheuer discusses the problems with this production so no one will be surprised with the play’s focus on desperation and (dare I say it) political agenda.

Jessica Bryan / Ashland

What can be done about suspect in caregiver’s death?

Before the many issues around the death of Barbara Kolada, the caregiver who was killed by a man she was caring for in a Medford group home, are forgotten, I would like to make a request of the Rogue Valley Times to let the public know whether the man who killed her is restrained from access to the public and/or medicated so he will be unlikely to harm another caregiver.

Even though the case will not go through the legal system, there are ways to have a person who has demonstrated that they are a danger to society, either confined so that they do not present a risk in the future.

It seems to me that District Attorney Beth Heckert has an obligation to the public to ensure that either one of those two options (or another equally valid solution) happens.

I understand that the potential case against him through the criminal courts is not available, but that does not mean that he should be literally able to get away with murder, in my opinion. And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in that opinion.

If this issue is not addressed, there is likely to be a dearth of qualified caregivers available, and that could entail even greater danger to caregivers and the public down the line, leaving the state of Oregon and the city of Medford open to civil and criminal lawsuits, as well as causing needless and preventable suffering to folks like Kolada’s family and friends.

Susan Stedman / Medford