To the editor,

We appreciate the recent front-page article on my departure as commissioner from the Port of Columbia. However, without giving the reason for my departure, the article leaves it a bit mysterious about why I left. There is no mystery: State law says that if a commissioner changes legal address into a different district from that which he/she was elected and represents, resignation must be immediate. As my wife Genie and I relocated recently into a different district, I was automatically obligated to resign.

The Port plays an important role in facilitating economic development in this region. It has been my privilege to serve as commissioner and participate in these activities. The Port is moving rapidly to solicit and appoint a replacement commissioner, and the article did do a good job of explaining that situation and process. I trust that citizens interested in promoting the broad economic development of this region will consider applying, and that the current commissioners will have good choices for such appointment.

Fred Crowe

Dayton

To the editor,

Since college days, I have always been in touch with the immigrant community in the United States, starting with my position as Major Chairman of International Forums at the University of Illinois. So, it has been a great surprise and revelation to me, and maybe to most of the readers, that we have so many, many articulate doctors–both Medical and Academic–from the immigrant community who are living and working in the United States. Either they themselves were born in other countries, or they are children of immigrants, as usually identified by their names. So many are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 treatment in hospitals, and cutting–edge research in laboratories and universities. In addition, many are interviewed on radio and television. They are great contributors to the health and progress of the country, and are invaluable to everyone, especially in this time of crisis. I send my greatest appreciation to these dedicated people.

Nancy Street

Cheney, Wash.