Letters - Oct. 8, 2009

Truly a shame

Like many other Gazette readers, we’ve followed the recent drama surrounding the Knowledge Bowl program - how the advisor’s resignation prompted the elimination of the program, how the school board was unaware of the pending elimination, how after considering several options, the board then chose to implement a one percent cut to all extracurricular staffers in order to generate enough revenue to fund the Knowledge Bowl program, and how that decision has caused unhappiness among the staff mostly because they had been given no warning regarding the cut.

One thing we haven’t read, however, is how all this has impacted the students who participate in Knowledge Bowl.

In fact, other than a couple of references made by Mrs. Vogler, we don’t see where anyone has even mentioned the students at all.

Doesn’t anyone realize that the Knowledge Bowl participants, as well as their parents, were also unaware of the program’s pending termination? Does anyone even care? The reported $2,000 cost to run the Knowledge Bowl program must be a drop in the bucket compared to many of the district’s other extracurricular activities.

Yet, it is the academic and leadership-based extracurricular programs that seem to be first targeted for elimination, even though it’s through these programs that the students gain important skills that prepare them for life after high school.

Has the district forgotten its mission statement?

The district’s mission is to work in partnership with families and community, to prepare students to become responsible citizens who compete successfully in a changing world.

It is beyond our comprehension how the district could even consider eliminating a program without first allowing the participants (and their parents) the opportunity to defend the program’s benefits and perhaps suggest alternative methods for funding the program. We must say, we’re more than a little disappointed - you can bet this would not have happened if the district had been considering eliminating one of the athletic programs!

As parents of a CHS student who has competed in athletics as well as FFA and Knowledge Bowl, we can say, without a doubt, our daughter’s participation in FFA and Knowledge Bowl has far better prepared her for life after high school. The skills she has obtained through FFA and Knowledge Bowl competitions will serve her well in college and beyond. Stronger efforts should be made to preserve these types of extracurricular programs. It would truly be a shame if the students were to lose such a beneficial program.

Dan & Tammie Harder, Colfax

Minority rights

The rights of the minority must not be taken away by anyone, even the majority. This is especially true in the case of R-71. I find it outrageous that anyone would dare try to take away someone’s basic rights. R-71 would strip heterosexual unmarried partners, homosexual partners, and the elderly needlessly of their rights.

The disapproval of homosexuality, something individuals are born with, entitles them to vote on someone else’s relationship status. For a couple to share their health care, file joint tax returns and hospital visitation rights. When a crisis occurs and two partners who have been together just as long as any other married couple are denied the right to see each other, something isn’t right.

R-71 has nothing to do with marriage, but has everything to do with equal rights. It is completely misguided and just flat out wrong to say that domestic partnerships threaten traditional marriage. It doesn’t. I find it amusing that those who oppose equal rights had to have their names hid from the public. Bigotry and intolerance have dominated the human race for far too long. This November Washington has a choice: to let bigotry continue, or to embrace equal rights.

Derrick Skaug, Pullman

Qualified

In all my years in Whitman County, it’s not often that we see a candidate as qualified and experienced as Susan Fagan. That’s why Susan has my support and my vote for the District 9 legislative seat!

Susan farmed for many years, and her boys still farm. This is important to our District because agriculture is the major industry. And what I like most about Susan is that she not only has an ag background but she also worked for three Republican United States Senators. She understands farm programs, how agencies push their agendas on us and make it more difficult to do what we do best, feed the world! She knows how to fight those battles and will stand up for us.

Susan also understands the world of business and how a B&O tax on farmers could be just one more blow to our ability to farm, how high Workers’ Compensation rates and Unemployment Insurance rates further undermine our operations, and how the state’s Death Tax hurts family farms and family owned businesses.

She believes that the four Lower Snake River Dams are critical to our ability to compete in the world market and will firmly defend their existence. Susan has worked with the Washington Legislature for the past 10 years and will bring strong relationships to the job and a clear understanding of how Olympia works - and how it doesn’t work!

Yes, we need a legislator with the kind of background and experience that Susan has.

Norm Willson, Colfax

Local support

I will be voting for Pat Hailey for the State House of Representatives from the 9th LD. That may surprise people who are aware of my Democratic leanings, but I have good reasons.

I recently had an in depth conversation with both candidates. The candidates had similar positions on the issues, and both are more conservative than I. However, I was impressed by Pat’s open-mindedness and her ability to learn and listen. I believe that she will strive to represent all voters in the 9th Legislative District. Also, I was able to verify that 84 percent of her financial support has so far come from people within Eastern Washington and not from big special interest money.

Bryan E. Burke, Pullman

Fear

I received an anonymous letter in support of my efforts to protect the public health from the low frequency noise pollution of industrial wind turbines. Why anonymous?

The reason: FEAR.

Fear of reprisals, fear of being “branded,” fear of being verbally castigated.

What kind of society do we live in? People are afraid to speak their minds about wind turbines. What does this say about ourselves?

In America, people are supposed to cherish freedom of speech.

Attempts to stifle freedom of speech with intimidation demonstrate a complete ignorance of what it means to be an American.

An American understands that open debate is the foundation of freedom.

When thoughts are allowed to be expressed and examined, the truth is revealed.

Those who repress our right to freedom of speech are trying to keep the truth from the public consciousness.

In the present case, the truth is that industrial wind turbines near homes cause harm.

If you, like the mouthpieces of the wind power corporations, do not accept the reports from doctors, scientists, and acoustical engineers, then how do you dismiss the testimonials from the regular people that have the misfortune of living near industrial wind turbines?

By intimidating people into silence, the pro wind turbine advocates suppress the truth about the consequences of industrial wind turbines.

These pro wind turbine advocates turn a blind eye to the threat to their neighbors’ health.

A 3,300 foot buffer zone between industrial wind turbines and residential property lines means fewer turbines, which, in turn, means fewer pieces of silver.

Roger Whitten, Oakesdale

Backs Gibney

What does a voter need to know about Dave Gibney - candidate for Pullman City Council Ward 3 from a long- time friend and political activist? He is one and I am one. We care about Pullman – he’s been caring a lot longer. He’s attended city council meetings for years, listening, learning, offering advice, getting to know the council members and the staff and exactly what’s going on in Pullman, what is good, what isn’t, and what can be done about it.

Gladish Community Center is the direct result of the dedication of people like Dave. He has served on the board from the time it was a disintegrating public school and through his leadership and others, it is the viable asset it is today.

He came here as a student in 1976. He graduated from WSU and has never left since WSU had the wisdom to hire him as a student and he has remained on the staff as a computer programmer. I don’t know why it has taken him so long to decide to run for city council, but luckily for all of us he made the decision this year.

He’s concerned about the storm water costs, Pioneer Hill preservation, pedestrian and bicycle paths, code enforcement, development, senior security and more - all the issues that concern us all. And he will do something about them. He has the expertise, the knowledge, the know how and the willingness to make the great little town of Pullman even greater.

Joan Harris, Pullman