Letters - Oct. 15, 2009

Bad Initiative

Tim Eyman has proposed another initiative that will hurt Washington state. I-1033 will hurt every aspect of the state. That is why the opposition to the initiative is so diverse. Microsoft, a huge corporation opposes it, emergency services such as the Washington State Council of Firefighters oppose it, and the Washington state Children’s Alliance opposes I-1033.

Eyman claims, “Removing I-601’s reasonable fiscal discipline and policies resulted directly in a massive $9 billion deficit.” This is false. The state deficit was caused by a massive decrease in tax revenue due to the worst economic situation in this country since the great depression. When Washingtonians make less money there is less tax money coming in, creating a budget deficit. I-1033 will decrease state revenue even more, setting a new base line in the middle of this recession that will cause bigger deficits.

Eyman also claims “Under I-1033, everyone’s property taxes will be reduced.” This is patently untrue, especially for students or for those who don’t own properties. Dorm room costs and apartment rents will not decrease. Landlords will see the benefit of these property tax rebates, not students. Not to mention when schools receive even less funding there will be more cuts to education. Voters for Affordable Housing opposes I-1033 for good reason.

Republican candidate Pat Hailey said, “1033 by — I think it’s 2015 — will take $3 billion out of education,” for a reason. I-1033 is bad for education, bad for business, and bad for Washington.

Andrea Brown, Pullman

Dilemma

We members of the Thrifty Grandmothers are working diligently several days a week to clean up the alley behind our Thrift Store. Most days it seems like we are getting nowhere. We are asking our donors to please be more selective with the items they drop off.

We appreciate the clean saleable items, but we can’t use soiled or broken things; nor can we use knick knacks and dishes with chips, or items with pieces and parts missing.

Our disposal and landfill services are over $300 a month, taking away from our donations to worthwhile requests in our community.

Cecelia Dober

Linda Johnson

Allene Brown

Jean Andersen,

Teresa Kimberling

Shirley Simmons

Dianne Appel

Rosie Schluneger

Bunny Hunt

Joan Stockwell

Anni Millard

Millie Repp

Bonnie Smith

Hate mail

This past Saturday when I went out to my car, I found a note tucked under my windshield wiper. I froze in fear, for in the past this was the method used to terrorize me - hate mail left under my wiper blade.

This time, the hate was directed to Brady Kiesz, the mayor candidate and his wife. It was left by an anonymous person.

It bothers and worries me to no end that there are people sneaking around town at night putting hate mail on our cars. Who knows who this person is sneaking around our homes at night. I hope the police catch this person. I will be more than glad to press charges of harassment.

Roxanne Hackett,

Rosalia

Mayor’s view

Rosalia is faced with a very important election this fall: the mayor and 3 council positions.

Over the last four years there have been many letters to the editor and much talk to local businesses about how terrible the mayor and city council is and that we have not accomplished anything. I have responded to these letters somewhat, but have become tired of the headaches I receive from the wall.

The last 8 years we, as your city council, have done more to improve, enhance and promote our town than ever before. I have been mayor of the town for 19 years now beginning back in 1982. During all my terms, we have advanced our infrastructure and development of our town for the future.

Every time I left as mayor the projects stopped and no further improvements were recorded. The worst of those times was between 1996 and 2002. During that time, both Karen Rockness and Pat Voge were a part of that city government as council members. They both oversaw the deterioration of our financial structure from 1999 to 2001 and did not try to answer questions about how much revenue the ambulance dept. had lost. They let 10’s of thousands of dollars worth of water/sewer rates go uncollected. The auditors during the 2001 audit of those years could make no sense of them. Now two of those people want to try and run the town again.

Pat Voge has always been very generous with her time and donations to different projects around our town and school and I have always appreciated and respected her for that, but past effectiveness of both Voge and Rockness make them, in my view, unqualified to sit on the council again.

We have worked hard over the last eight years to renew our credibility with D.O.E. and our funding agencies and we now have a very good working relationship, and the trust our city council to do what’s right and continue to move our town forward.

They have seen the letters and often get e-mail from a few of those letter writers and understand the pressure we’ve been under, they still remain very supportive of our council and progress.

I have lived in this community for over 45 years and have always been a part of advancing the good of our community, whether it be the beginning of Battle Days, building our museum, serving as a city councilman, serving as mayor and the list goes on. I have always loved the town of Rosalia. and have never done anything to harm her. I believe I have provided the leadership necessary to bring our community where it is today. We have many struggles yet to overcome and I truly believe we must retain our current council people. This letter truly is not about me, its about our future as a vibrant working, great place to live, town.

I don’t profess to know what the agenda of the four “blue” candidates may be but the past history of two of them is enough to indicate to me that any of our ongoing projects will likely stop. We have worked very hard to bring our financial status back to the position after the previous administrations short comings. Its been hard catching up with water main breaks, a contaminated well, deteriorating lagoon, street upgrades, and equipment upgrades, but we have succeeded, and the next administration will have a balanced budget, workable equipment and a good operating water system to work with.

When you make your vote for the future of Rosalia I hope you ask some questions of the candidates to see what their agenda for our future will be. I have worked closely with Jim Stenhouse, Dan Brown and Ron Hilfiker and strongly support their election to their respective positions.

I’ve also had the opportunity to talk with Erin Braun and believe she would make a good thoughtful and caring member to help move our town forward.

No matter how you want to vote be sure and vote. I have enjoyed my many years of service to this town and am proud of the many accomplishments we have had over the years. I feel I have made a positive contribution to the betterment of Rosalia and will never regret my service. These last four years have been very hard on myself and my family because of a few new people in town who have taken it upon themselves to say negative things about myself or our government, but I am glad I stuck it out rather than quit, because we have greatly improved our way of life. I am looking forward to playing more golf! Thanks for the memories.

Ken Jacobs, Rosalia

League oppses I-1033

The League of Women Voters of Washington urges voters to vote no on I-1033. The economic health and future of our state depends on the choices voters make.

I-1033, if voted in, would allow spending to increase only in relation to costs of consumer goods – the inflation rate. Does the cost of running a government relate to the cost of lettuce? Does the cost of housing criminals relate? The cost of a new fire hose or a new police cruiser?

I-1033 would also allow spending to increase only in relation to increases in the population of the state. Does the increase in population relate to the cost of providing government services – like education, health care, clean water? It depends more, doesn’t it, on the make-up of that population. Different mixes of populations mean different needs for government service – and different costs to taxpayers.

I-1033 has one additional serious flaw. It would make this recession year the base, the budget level from which governments could raise revenues only as consumer prices and populations rise. Because of the current deep recession we already have a major problem paying for the services we want and need from government. To set this year as the base for future revenue increases would seriously undermine the ability of governments at all levels to recover from this and future recessions. Beyond that, where will the funding come from just to see us through this recession?

Karen Kiessling,

Voter Service Chair

Pullman League of Women Voters

Positive impact

The voters in the 9th Legislative District face a difficult choice when it comes time to cast our ballots in the upcoming election. We must choose between two exceptional and principled women: Susan Fagan of Pullman and Pat Hailey of Mesa.

I am privileged to personally know both of these women; however, Susan Fagan’s varied background and experience in all the areas that are vital to our district set her apart and distinguish her as the most qualified candidate. Through the years, I have been continually impressed with Susan’s knowledge of the issues that affect agriculture, business and education.

Susan’s greatest assets are her vitality, dedication and deep commitment to serving the constituents of our district, and I am confident she will have an immediate and positive impact in Olympia.

We have a rare opportunity to elect a person of Susan’s caliber as our 9th District Representative in Olympia.

Kay Krom, Pullman

Prepared

Susan Fagan is asking for our support as a candidate for the Washington House of Representatives. If successful, she will represent the citizen’s of Legislative District 9. She has been endorsed by a full gamut of business and political leaders that respect her experience and character. I would like to publicly add my name to that list.

I have known Susan for many years and worked with her on several projects, committees and boards over that time. I have witnessed her energy and work ethic. She is passionate about doing what she believes is right. I find her to be generous, compassionate, tireless and willing to listen. She takes an active interest in issues that affect local citizens and businesses. She has developed a strong understanding of critical issues like: natural resources, agriculture, energy policy, healthcare and economic development. Her rural roots and professional experience have prepared her well.

Mike Thomason, Lewiston

Whitten letter clarification letter clarification

Last week, a segment of a letter to the editor from Roger Whitten of Oakesdale was cut from the printed version in the Gazette. The segment listed internet sites to support Whitten’s point that doctors, scientists, acoustical engineers, and people who have the misfortune of living near industrial wind turbines are reporting there is a problem with placing industrial wind turbines near residential property and the “community will be much better off if we listen.” Whitten suggested checking Daniel d’Entremont in (Danger Wind) and an Ontario survey (Wind Concerns Ontario) among other sites.

The aim of publication of letters to the editor in the Gazette is to allow readers the opportunity to express comment and opinion on public topics.