Letters to the Editor

 

May 5, 2022

To the editor,

I don't know which is worse: that previously we've never had an African-American woman as US Supreme Court Justice or that we've never had a Justice with Public Defender experience. Both represent unique perspectives necessary for relating to large, important and under-served constituencies of our population. New US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will provide much needed balance to the Court and more equal representation for all segments of our society.

Yet Republicans, rather than celebrating her, treated her despicably at confirmation hearings. They criticized her on false issues related to these constituencies--for example, by obsessing about teaching critical race theory in the public schools that isn't happening and misrepresenting controversial aspects of people she was appointed to defend, even invoking debunked QAnon conspiracy theories. In fear of losing power as US demographics change, rather than trying to appeal to voters of color, the rank and file of the Republican party has largely become the voice of white supremacy. Sadly, they are carrying on the values of Donald Trump.


Relatedly, the long history of white male dominance on the US Supreme Court once again illustrates white male privilege in our society, not only in numbers on the Court but also their orientation in making very important decisions affecting all of us. Hopefully, Brown Jackson's important experiences, unique to the Court, will have a more egalitarian impact on some of those decisions.

Norm Luther

Spokane, Wash.

To the editor,

Port Director Jennie Dickinson just received recognition from the Dayton Chamber of Commerce as Employee of the Year. Many appreciative community members nominated Ms. Dickinson for this award, and were pleased that she was selected to receive it. However, Port Commissioner Seth Bryan seems to want to cast Ms. Dickinson in a negative light whenever the opportunity arises.


At a publicly attended Port Commissioners' workshop on March 23, he said that his understanding of the budget shows the Port operating in the red. At the April 13 Port Commissioners' meeting, a community member asked Commissioner Bryan if Ms. Dickinson had reviewed the budget with him after his statement. Comm. Bryan affirmed that she did, and that the Port was, in fact, NOT operating in the red.

Comm. Bryan also spent the better part of an hour during the April 13 meeting explaining his position against the proposed Touchet Valley Trail that has been in the works for several years. A Facebook post the next day thanked him and stated, "Now because of Seth Bryan we know the truth!" and, "Lesson- never just believe people because they say it."

My response to that FB post would be, "Never just believe people because they say it."

As reported in the Waitsburg Times article, "Port shuts down Touchet Valley Trail funding" (April 21, 2022) much of the information given by Comm. Bryan was inaccurate. Consultants who have been working with the port throughout the trail design process were present and available to answer questions. Instead of asking those professionals if his concerns had been addressed, Comm. Bryan posed his questions rhetorically during his statement, leaving no room for them to defend their hard work and good names.

It is my opinion that Seth Bryan owes public apologies to Brian Hansen and Adam Schmidtgall from Anderson Perry &Associates, Ken Van Voorhis from SPVV Landscape Architects, and especially Port Director Jennie Dickinson for undermining the work they have done and besmirching their reputations with his misinformation.

Shellie McLeod

Dayton, Wash.

To the Editor,

In response to Brent Flint's letter in the April 28 edition of the Chronicle regarding the employee at City Lumber 'wearing a pistol at his side', here are a few points to ponder...

Washington is considered an 'open carry' state (see RCW 9.41). More specifically, in RCW 9.41.050 exemptions apply to state firearms restrictions to persons in their 'fixed place of business'. Moreover, the Constitution of the State of Washington Article I, Section 24, reaffirms a citizen's right to bear arms, to whit, "the right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired..."

According to a report published January 19, 2022 by Safehome.org, over the past decade violent crime has increased by 12%, murder, rape and aggravated assault climbed by at least 25%. The FBI crime statistics from the year 2020 show an increase in violent crime of 5.6% in that year alone.

Our CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) begrudgingly admits that there are between 60,000 to 2.5 million defensive uses of firearms each year. Stated in a clearer fashion; there were that many less victims of some type of criminal activity due to brave citizens embracing their right to defend themselves or their loved ones via the use of a firearm.

I applaud the City Lumber employee for exerting their right(s) and making every effort to refuse to become a victim. As I do my shopping in various places of business and I see owners or employees openly carrying a firearm, or for that matter, other patrons, I take solace in the fact that it is one less opportunity for a nefarious individual to prey upon the citizenry.

Steve Tapio

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Save this alternative. It seems that the Dayton City Council may have made an error last month when it decided not to approve purchase of two properties to deal with long-standing issues regarding sewage treatment. After many years of study and consideration, no suitable alternatives were discussed or considered at the meeting, and no feasible alternatives may be available. I am aware that all the design work is not finished for these water treatment wetlands, and that this potential solution may not work out after further planning and review. However, if for some reason this potential wetland solution to the sewage treatment issues is determined later to be infeasible - these two properties could always be resold, if necessary. But there is urgency now to determine whether this option may still exist, and if so, to act immediately to preserve this option before it is too late. Otherwise, it appears the city council may have painted themselves, and Dayton residents, into a corner that we may all regret. I ask the city council to take action to keep this option open for further consideration and planning.

Glen Mendel

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Right here in our beautiful town of Dayton we have what I would consider a blessing: The Blue Mountain Station. Now you may be thinking...the building? And the answer is yes and no. Within this new and attractive building is the BMS Co-Op Market. In the market is a variety of local organic produce, specialty health foods, and locally made artisan products.

To keep a long story short, I am the mother of three beautiful little girls and the youngest was born with life threatening food allergies. All grains, nuts, and egg are a hard no to her little system so I had to teach myself a different way of cooking and baking to keep her safe. Low and behold there is now dried pasta made from red lentils, and chickpeas. There are different "flours" out there like coconut flour, chickpea flour, quinoa flour, and the list grows. Baking exists around flour and eggs and so discovering an egg substitute was essential and that happens to be ground flax for us. All of these items have been essential in our household to keep a sense of normalcy around food for our little girl.

My family and I are grateful for the people who make the artisan food store a possibility. Shopping and buying local is important to us and to the town. When we buy local, we of course help the business. This business is helping keep my baby safe and healthy.

Elise Severe

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Who Cares?

Why haven't we read or heard more about the immunocompromised who are dealing with the decision to remove mask mandates by a newly-appointed 33-year-old Florida U.S. District Judge, deemed unqualified by the American Bar Association? The unyielding power of one person in our country, seen over and over, is a defect in our Constitution needing correction (consider Joe Manchin).

In fact, an individual's health situation may not always be evident.

There are Veterans, who signed up to protect our freedoms, who may for some reasons not be able to take advantage of the vaccines.

Mothers have experienced great anxiety about whether to send their vulnerable children to school after mask mandates were rescinded.

Certainly, many people need to be protected from Covid and new variants, besides those immunocompromised.

What about the babies and young children? What about those who are allergic to vaccines, and yes, what about those who refuse to take the vaccine because of misinformation, but go to the hospital for treatment when infected, anyway.

Can we care about all citizens? Can we be a "vibrant community together"? Wearing masks in crowded places like airports, buses, trains, sports venues, schools, and prisons to protect others is only a minor inconvenience. Besides helping others, you might even be protecting your own life!

Nancy Street

Cheney, Wash.

 
 

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