Letters to the Editor

 

October 27, 2022



To the Editor:

Joint Metropolitan Park District Pool Leadership is about vision, commitment, hard work and working with others to achieve a common goal. If you're not committed, what's the point?

The Columbia County Commission and the Dayton City Council have both passed resolutions to place a proposition on the November 2022 ballot to create a Joint Metropolitan Park District (MPD) for the primary purpose of maintaining and operating a community swimming pool in Dayton.

Should the voters approve the formation of the District, five candidates (Dianne McKinley, Lisa Naylor, Carol Anderson, Marjory Lowe and Ted Lowe) have all FULLY COMMITTED to establish the District and to serve as commissioners for the MPD.

Of the five, McKinley, Naylor and Anderson have been driving forces promoting and supporting the pool effort. Without their willingness and sacrifices to promote, research, write grants to fund facility assessment, conceptual design ideas, conduct community information forums and focus groups – there'd be no park district to discuss, let alone even vote on in November.

I recently received a very glitzy, glossy, two sided, full color, laminated, heavy card stock mailer which was mailed to voters through-out Columbia County. Considering production quality and

mailing costs, it was not an inexpensive communications piece.

So voters, consider the following:

Commitment: Unfortunately, glitz doesn't get you much in the way of results. Vote for candidates who are fully committed to establishing the MPD. Vote for candidates who have put in the work and demonstrated their service to this project. Think about a breakfast of ham & eggs. Who's more committed: the pig or the chicken? The pig is all in!

Leadership: For one to say he/she wants to serve as an MPD commissioner, but doesn't make a clear unqualified commitment and statement of support for the establishment of the District is, frankly, disingenuous!

In the Book of Revelation chapter 3:15 (NIV), it is written: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" In other words: Fish or cut bait!

You don't get it both ways.

Columbia County Voters: If you want a pool and the kind of commitment and responsible leadership that will work for ALL OF US, vote for candidates: McKinley, Naylor, Anderson, Lowe and Lowe. They're "all in".

Jim Su'euga

Dayton

To the editor,

I urge you to vote for Jack Miller for Columbia County Commissioner and Jeff Jenkins for County Sheriff. These two men will work well together to reunite the community and lead with integrity. Jack Miller has the experience and knowledge to help lead this County using sound economic wisdom. Jeff Jenkins promises to use his law enforcement experience to protect the community with integrity and transparency.

The current administration has led us toward more radical and adversarial tactics and has divided the community on many issues. Both Miller and Jenkins show commitment to reuniting the community while keeping it safe and vital. The incumbents, associated with the Columbia County Conservatives, seem to thrive on disrupting programs and polarizing the community. Please support the change.

Please vote YES for the Park District. A park district will allow us to apply for grant funds for a swimming pool. The following people who are running for a board position truly have the community interests in mind. They have been working to make the pool a reality. Vote for: Dianne McKinley, Lisa Naylor, Dave Schreck or Ted Lowe, Carol Anderson, and Marjorie Lowe.

Help make Dayton a nice place to live again.

Anne Strode

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

I am writing in support of Joe Helm for Columbia County sheriff. I have had numerous dealings with law enforcement over the span of many years through emergency services.

On occasion, I have had more personal dealings with them. One experience involved Deputy Jeff Jenkins. I was reporting a felony, some stolen medication. Jeff Jenkins was the deputy that approached me on this complaint. His first comment upon approaching me was simply "how many more times do we have to do this?" I've no idea where that falls under serve and protect, or perhaps it just wasn't a high enough priority for him. I don't believe that officers should pick and choose what case they would pursue. If he had followed through, he would have found that there were several local felonies committed, as well as a felony federal law violation.

To say the least, I was floored. I expected a different response from law enforcement out that are here, working for us, there to serve and protect our county. His attitude remained smug towards me the entire time, but I needed a incident # to get my medication replaced. He went back into the office, and upon returning, again he smugly gave me an incident number. With this, I just turned and walked out, because with that kind of attitude, I knew that it had gone as far with him as it was ever going to get.

I wasn't convinced he would follow through, so I went as far as I could trying to find out what happened, going as far as to file a complaint with the postal inspector. The facts behind this were very sketchy. A missing signature card with a signature not of my own hand. Theft of U.S. mail, and theft of a controlled substances.

I relayed my findings at an later date to Jeff Jenkins, hoping that what I found would help him with the case, but his only response was "oh". Since I have never heard another word about this, it is my belief he never even made an attempt to do anything with this complaint. To this date, I'd be willing to bet that he never investigates any part of it.

I feel very strongly that Joe Helm is defiantly the best for Columbia County. He is a man of substance. He is a man of the people, here for the people. He's a constitutional man, and to me, the best for Columbia County.

Brian Krause

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

I endorse Proposition No. 1, the creation of a Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District.

Columbia County Resolution 2022-23 and the City of Dayton Resolution 1498 was signed by all county commissioners and city council members to put forth Proposition No. 1 for voter approval to create a Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District. The resolutions state, "Stable funding is essential to provide citizens of Columbia County and Dayton the best possible recreational opportunities and facilities, provide proper operation and maintenance of a local aquatic facility, and to allow for future opportunities to acquire and develop additional recreational facilities." Also stating, "Recreational opportunities are an essential element to the public health, welfare, economy and quality of life for residents of Columbia County and Dayton."

The scope and focus of the Metropolitan Park District is the construction, operation and maintenance of a community swimming pool. The creation of the Metropolitan Park District does provide an avenue for future recreational opportunities that the VOTING COMMUNITY deems as needed and wanted. But at this time, it is strictly the construction, operations and maintenance of a community swimming pool.

The Columbia County Conservatives have sent out a flyer opposing the creation of the Metropolitan Park District, containing misleading and false information. The return address on the flyer is that of current county commissioner Chuck Amerein. Question: who is Mr. Amerein representing, the citizens of Columbia County or the Columbia County Conservative PAC? And for that matter the CCC members on the Dayton City Council. Who are you representing, the citizens of Dayton or the CCC PAC?

I wish to address their false, misleading, fear mongering assertions.

*Columbia County Conservatives (CCC) flyer statement: A Joint Metropolitan Park District (JMPD) is a political entity which has all the powers of a city. Once a JMPD is established, voters relinquish all power to the newly formed district.

FACT: Upon voter approval to form a Joint Metropolitan Park District (JMPD) it becomes a Municipal corporation. RCW 35.51.040

The voters DO NOT relinquish any power. The citizens of this community retain all the power. Their voice and vote are the power. As with any elected position, the community will indicate their approval through their VOTE.

CCC flyer statement: A JMPD has sole decision-making powers as to what recreational projects it chooses. This may include but not be limited to a pool, a park, or a TRAIL.

CCC flyer statement: A JMPD is permanent. And it takes away the community's ability to vote on parks and recreational facilities FOREVER.

FACT: The scope and focus of the JMPD is the construction, operation and maintenance of a community swimming pool. The JMPD board will function as any board or council, with public input, comment and direction. Should the community desire to add a recreational opportunity to the JMPD that will be determined by the community and their commitment to support the addition. The VOTER HAS ALL THE POWER. To add the statement of the TRAIL. There is NO trail. That statement was strictly to wave a red flag and create fear and unrest.

CCC flyer statement: Although initially established by voters, the JMPD cannot be dismantled by those same voters. Only the JPD Commissioners have the power to dissolve it.

FACT: RCW 35.61.310 Dissolution. The board of commissions with majority vote can dissolve the JMPD. BUT, SO CAN THE VOTERS! Ten percent of the voters of city or county who voted at the last general election can petition the governing officials for such a vote.

CCC flyer statement: The JMPD will impose and collect a property tax of up to $0.75 per $1000 assessed property value. This new tax applies to everyone and is paid in perpetuity (for all time).

FACT: The Metropolitan Park District allows two avenues of stable funding.

1) $5.90 Aggregate Limit Proration.

This is not a new tax. The $5.90 Aggregate, are the funds the county retains from our property taxes to be allocated to the county taxing districts on a proration basis. Our property taxes are based on the valuation of our property by the County Assessor's Office. It has nothing to do with the creation of a Metropolitan Park District. Each tax district submits a yearly budget to the assessor's office. This initial budget request level then becomes permanent. The taxing district may only request 1% more than the previous year request. Currently, the $5.90 Aggregate Limit is allocated to other taxing districts. The Metropolitan Park District is at level 5. Should the Metropolitan Park District ever make a budget request, there are no guarantee funds will be available.

2) Special Excess Levy

To access the Special Excess Levy the Metropolitan Park District would submit a proposition to finance maintenance and operation expenses of the community swimming pool YEARLY, FOR VOTER APPROVAL. Again, no taxes without voter approval.

It is appalling that the Columbia County Conservatives foster misleading and false information in an attempt to destroy something good and positive for our community.

As I stated in public comment at last week's County Commissioners meeting, we are all in this sand box together. We can work together and prosper, or we can be in a house divided and fail.

Swimming pools do not pay for themselves without stable funding as is evident by the closure of our city pool, but a swimming pool does create a happy, health, cohesive community.

I love this community and I want to be part of the solution to help make our community everything it can be. Let's work together and prosper. I ask for your vote to approve the creation of the Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District. I also ask for your vote of candidates Dianne McKinley, Lisa Naylor, Ted Lowe, Dave Schreck, Marjorie Lowe, Carol Anderson.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne McKinley

Co-Chair Friends of the Pool

Candidate JMPD Board of Commissioners Position No. 1

To the editor,

Our community needs Joe Helm. I worked with both Sheriff Joe Helm and Deputy Jeff Jenkins as a Deputy Prosecutor from 2008 to 2014. I have respect for law enforcement officers, especially when the job is so difficult in this social climate. It is hard underappreciated work. Columbia County needs to best during these times. Joe Helm is the best choice for Sheriff. His work ethic, integrity and knowledge of the job far exceeds his competition. We cannot afford to have less than the best. The best is Joe Helm.

June Riley

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor

My wise mother told me in my childhood to "believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see". Advice that has served me well in my lifetime.

With this in mind, my husband and I have been asking questions, attending meetings and collecting data to try to decipher the truth from all the mud-slinging that's going on. It is very important to us to be informed voters. We have not been involved or belong to any special groups. In our quest for truth, we understood that we were not allowed to attend any NUP meetings. However, we knew that CCC meetings were open, so we decided to attend. We were welcomed with open arms, big smiles, and friendly greetings. We were given ample opportunity to ask questions, state our opinions, and express our concerns. These were accepted with respect and thanks. From what we experienced; we have concluded that this group is well

organized and transparent. They promote positivity, honesty, budget accountability, responsible taxing, inclusivity, community involvement, and decency.

As for the NUP group, after the attitude they exude, the letters they have written, and the incorrect/partially incorrect information they have stated out of context, we have concluded that instead of working for the unity and progress they purpose, they are nitpicking and naysaying. They appear to take many of the positive happenings, postings, and decorative signage that are not only inspiring and uplifting, but also good for our community's spirit image, and pick them apart with slander and negativity. Anything to keep the "pot stirred" and the division and chaos rampant. For these reasons we are finding it difficult to consider anything or any candidate they endorse.

We attended the pool meeting, where all agreed that the pool and our children should be one of our top priorities. However, raising our taxes for this broad spectrum in perpetuity park district is not in our community's best interest. Although it is being presented as the only way to achieve our goal of building and maintaining a pool, there are other, more focused, avenues that definitely need to be explored before we agree to this out of our control, taxable entity.

If you don't understand why a council or commission member (City Council, Port Commission, Library Board, County Commission, etc.) voted the way they did - Ask Them! Go to the source and listen to their answer. You might be surprised at what you learn.

BE AN INFORMED CITIZEN AND VOTER! After all the meetings, forums, questions etc., we are now ready to be informed voters and we ask you to strongly consider whether you want a County Commissioner who, by self-admission," is only running because he was asked to run", who believes, by self-admission, that he needs to "keep his nose out of current problems happening in our city, and who thinks Diversity and Inclusion "sounds like a good idea". A candidate who has no broad spectrum or management experience and whose only community involvement is in Walla Walla's gun club? Or, do you want a County Commissioner who has his hands on the pulse of our community, who comes to the table with, not only his past, but also his locally proven ability to be a responsible, knowledgeable, transparent, honest and involved honorable leader, who works hard and goes above and beyond for the good of our entire community, which is evident by his presence at all the community meetings and events, A Commissioner who is always available. to listen, answer questions honestly and address concerns, who is not exclusive and works hard to unite us all with kindness and positivity, and who, above all, realizes that National Stability starts with Community Stability, for these reasons we are definitely voting for Charles Amerein for County Commissioner District 3 and invite you to do the same.

We are imploring the tax-paying, voting citizens of Columbia County to use your commonsense and God-Given intelligence to consider all the information, decide for yourselves, and vote on Nov 8 2022. OOPS! Did I say God! I certainly did! We are proud to be citizens of "One Nation Under God" who have the freedom and privilege to vote, to "Pledge Allegiance" to our Flag, to say a prayer whenever and wherever we choose, and to state our opinion, either verbally or in writing, without fear of consequences. We value and appreciate the Generations of Veterans who have fought and continue to fight for our right to these freedoms. God Bless Them and God Bless America!

Chuck and Peggy James

Dayton Wash.

To the editor,

I appreciation all the Love Columbia County! Multiple people a week here have gone out of their way to extend their appreciation to me for being here or to tell me they now listen to my Bible preaching online. Most tell me they saw some negative comment or article in regards to me preaching the gospel and it woke them up to the darkness around them. Several have said it got them back attending Church regularly.

Although I have dealt a lot with people in this area struggling from addiction and those who have committed crimes, I treat them with respect and get respect in return. Even those I have had to fight with to get them into handcuffs and arrest them, will shake my hand or give me a hug when I see them in public. No place, and no one is perfect.

We live in a fallen world, there are good and bad people everywhere. But this County has some of the best people you will ever meet. If someone writes a nasty rebuttal article, I won't read it. I only submitted this to the newspaper because there are so many supporting and loving people in Columbia County and I want to let them know how much it is appreciated. God Bless!

Robbie Patterson

Dayton, Wash.

Letter to the editor,

On Thursday October 20th, Port Commissioner Seth Bryan made the following statement on social media about County Commissioner Candidate, Jack Miller: "He has experience at nothing except farming."

WOW, at least we all know how the CCC elected leaders really feel about the farmers in the area. Commissioner Amerein must have had to really carry more than his own weight sitting on the same commission as Farmer Marty Hall. Poor Marty must have to struggle every day just to figure out how to get to the Commissioner's Office. What could farmers possibly know about laws or regulations or science or weather or finances or profits, or planning or implementing, or economic development or yields or machinery or forecasting or community building or employees or payrolls or taxes. Silly farmers wanting to take leadership positions when all they have ever done is farm!!

Hats off to the farmers for even in their simple-mindedness and inexperience they have managed to successfully feed the world.

Seriously though, we appreciate that you chose to farm and build and make our county better. We appreciate all your early mornings, your late nights, your walks to barns in the cold and dark. We appreciate your caring for the land, for nurturing it, for providing the same care to the animals you raise. We certainly appreciate that you teach our kids how to look at a patch of soil and see thousands of years into the past and as far into the future. You are providing them with skills that will be carried with them whether they farm or become scientists or even elected officials. Farmers make this community a better place, encouraging not only the soil to thrive but our economy and businesses to thrive as well.

Farmers are not just the backbone of the county; they are the brains as well.

Let's hope that our other elected leaders that are not part of the Columbia County Conservatives PAC are more supportive of local farmers and the work they do and the substance they provide to this county.

Vicki Zoller

Dayton, Wash.

 
 

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