Letters - Oct. 22, 2009

Most qualified

Vote by mail, we think, a common sense method of voting in this hectic day and age.

When the ballot arrives, look no further, mark it immediately in the box designed for the ninth district House of Representative candidate Susan Fagan.

We endorse this action to elect the most qualified candidate both in knowledge and experience.

Gerald Druffel,

Carol Druffel,

Clarkston

Aloha

I read an article in the Honolulu Advertiser.com dated October 16, 2009 with a dateline of Colfax. It seems the University of Hawaii football team didn’t have a place to practice on Thursday October 15, 2009 before their game against the University of Idaho. Colfax High School Athletic Director Michael Morgan allowed them to use the Colfax field prior to the Junior High school game. I would like to applaud Mr. Morgan and the Colfax school administrators for their graciousness. This is an example of doing the right thing because it is the right thing.

Michele Beckmann,

Colfax

League for R-71

This letter addresses referendum 71.

The State of Washington has established a domestic partnership registry. Many of the couples who have chosen to register are same sex couples, but a surprising number are seniors of opposite sexes who can’t marry each other without losing existing health and pension benefits. Legally, a domestic partnership is different from civil marriage, which is defined as a civil contract between a male and female.

The last session of the legislature passed SB 5688, extending the rights and responsibilities of registered domestic partners to be the same as those of married partners. The extension includes pension and health benefits, sick leave and unemployment insurance, and adoption and child custody rights, among others. Some people opposed to this legislation subsequently organized this referendum so that voters in the state of Washington would have the opportunity to accept or reject SB 5688.

Those for referendum 71 argue on the grounds of fairness: “All families should be treated fairly and equally under the law.” Opponents argue that SB5688 threatens the institution of marriage itself and that it is “the last incremental step to same-sex marriage in Washington State.”

The League of Women Voters recommends a yes (approve) on Referendum 71. Domestic partnerships are not marriages. Indeed, if domestic partnerships guarantee the same legal rights as marriages (as they would if this measure is approved), then the present definition of civil marriage is protected, not threatened.

Karen Kiessling,

Voter Service Chair

Pullman League of Women Voters

Impact of I-1033

Included on the November election ballot is Initiative 1033. The Washington Association of County Officials had a panel discussion about this Initiative that I attended at the WACO conference two weeks ago. The panel was made up of predominately non-government panelists; Remy Turpin of the Budget and Policy Center, Richard Davis of the Washington Research Council, Lindsay Sovde of Seattle Northwest Securities, Alice Ostdiek of Foster Pepper PLLC, and Glenn Olson Deputy County Administer for Clark County. There is more to this initiative than can be read in the ballot title. Following are some of the thoughts that were shared by this panel of experts.

If approved, 1-1033 would severely limit the amount of state, county, and city revenue that could be spent starting in 2010. Any revenue raised above the 1-1033 limit from any general fund source, would be required to go to reducing property taxes in the following year. Because of the mechanics of assessment, it appears that no property tax relief would actually be realized until 2012.

The 1-1033 formula leaves no room for the unanticipated costs of natural disasters, unfunded mandates such as No Child Left Behind and sentencing guidelines.

The 1-1033 formula fails to keep pace with the growing cost of caring for seniors, educating students and providing for public safety.

The costs of continuing current commitments in some programs in the state budget are Long-term care-14 percent, Public schools-11 percent, Corrections-8 percent and Community colleges-9 percent.

It does not take into consideration that many government services cost more than the inflation rate.

At the local level we can anticipate further cuts in state funding to our local schools, reduction in state grants to the County Sheriff and Juvenile Departments, grants to the County Health Department, and county roads to name a few.

If the state is restricted on its revenue, they are not going to be able to pass funds on in the form of grants, that our departments have become reliant on.

To the local citizen, that equates to less service.

1-1033 will make it difficult to recover from economic downturns like the current one we face now.

Economists measure the size of state budgets as a share of total personal income. This provides insight on the share of total resources that are used to fund public investments. As a share of personal income, the state’s general fund revenue has declined since 1995 from 7 percent to 5.2 percent in 2009.

Mr. Eyman has labeled property taxes as “obscene and unsustainable”, yet Washington ranked 29th in the nation in property taxes per $ 1,000 of income in 2006.

Colorado passed a similar measure (TABOR) in 1992.

In 1991-1992 Colorado ranked 35th in state and local spending for K-12 as a share of personal income.

In 2000-2001 it fell to 49th and in 2007 was 48th.

In 1992, Colorado was $394 dollars below the national average in pupil K-12 funding.

In 2007, Colorado was $1,499 below the national average.

In 1992, Colorado ranked 23rd in adequacy of prenatal care.

In 2002, it ranked 48th.

In 1992 Colorado ranked 33rd in percentage of low-income children lacking health insurance.

In 2004 and currently Colorado ranks 50th.

Recently voters suspended Colorado’s TABOR because of the devastating impact this initiative has had on the state’s, counties, and cities services.

In Washington, 1-1033 could be worse than Colorado’s measure because it would take effect during a fiscal crisis.

1-1033 would constrict the ability of state, county, and city governments to make essential public investments; exacerbate the effects of economic and fiscal downturns; and increase the current state deficit by half a billion dollars.

A friend the other day commented that it is good for government to have to tighten its belt in these times. For the past 8 years Whitman County has been doing that belt tightening. My office, like many in the courthouse, has seen a reduction in staff, mine from a full time equivalent of 6.0 employees down to 4.5, just two who work full time. Many offices have not rehired when positions become vacant. The Commissioners over the past several years have gone through our budgets line by line, so that there has been no “fluff”.

In the 10 years I have been in office, the county has reduced employees by nearly 40. We have been making due with less and less. It is because of this frugality that Whitman County has not had to take some of the drastic steps in 2009 that many other counties have, such as numerous layoffs, reduced courthouse hours, closed some days of the week. We have hit the point where reduced public services are a possibility, with the county looking at nearly a $1 million deficit going into 2010, and with the passage of 1-1033, some type of cuts are inevitable.

Don’t just take my word for it; read the voters pamphlet because the 1-1033 ballot title does not tell the whole story.

Bob Lothspeich,

Whitman County Treasurer

AG backs Fagan

I have known Susan Fagan for more than a decade and have been consistently impressed by her depth of knowledge on issues ranging from health care to education to agriculture. She has also impressed me with her ability to bring people together to get things done. For example, she has successfully supported many fine candidates for public office, selflessly assisting them so they can serve the public.

Susan’s experience sets her apart. She spent many years working the family farm, 15 years working for three United States Senators, and 10 years working for Schweitzer Engineering in Pullman while also representing the company and its employee-owners in Olympia. Add all that up and you have an individual ready to hit the ground running to be a champion for the 9th District’s people.

The clear choice in this election is Susan Fagan. I hope you will cast your vote for her.

Rob McKenna,

Washington Attorney General

Excellence

Congratulations to the coaching staff of the Colfax football team for their excellence in managing the football game with Liberty Friday night.

We observed two important factors about the game. The players demonstrated a sense of fair competition; and they recognized the plight of their opponent that was limited in size and numbers. Colfax won the game that ended with a sense of satisfaction for both teams and communities.

We are continuously impressed with the philosophy and practice of coaches in the athletic program at Colfax. The games are a part of life, but never bigger than life. We have noticed that coaches make a special point of teaching students about lessons in life beyond graduation. What a great example this is of how extra curricular activities play such a balanced role in the education of our children.

We are pleased that our grandchildren are the recipients of such a quality program.

Dr. Ed and Barbara Morgan,

Colfax

Prepared

I’ve known a lot of legislators and candidates through the years, and we’ve been fortunate to be represented by some very good people.

In this upcoming election for the 9th District legislative seat, we have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who is prepared to hit the ground running. That candidate is Susan Fagan. I’ve know Susan and the quality of her work for many years. Her experience in agriculture and business are exactly what we need. I worked with Susan on property rights issues, and because she is a landowner herself, she understands the importance of protecting our rights.

Some people have mentioned to me that they’re not sure who to vote for. Without missing a beat, I tell them that there is no better candidate than Susan Fagan.

Don Schmick,

Colfax

Inspirational

While I appreciate the coverage given to the county-wide educator’s conference in last week’s Gazette, I felt it did not do justice to what was felt by many to be a worthy first step in the implementation of the Professional Learning Community concept. I would like to lend my impression of the day.

This conference was attended by, not only teachers and administrators from most of the county’s schools, but by all classified staff as well.

The message, with which I whole-heartedly agree, is that each and every person employed by a school district is integral to the education and well being of our students.

In her excellent keynote address, Janel Keating, deputy superintendent from White River, entreated all school employees to ask themselves, “Would this be good enough for my own child?” as we plan lessons and work with students on a daily basis.

Ms.

Keating, who has co-authored several books on the subject, is an advocate of PLCs, which promote teacher collaboration, rather than isolation, in their work.

The emphasis, however, is not on simply becoming a PLC, but that it is a tool to improve student learning.

In these collaborative sessions, educators decide together on the most important aspects of their content to teach, the most effective way to get that information across, the best ways to assess what each student has learned, and what accommodations are necessary for struggling students. As Janel put it, “The ‘Big Idea’ of professional learning community is a shift from a focus on teaching and the coverage of content, to an intense focus on learning.”

Breakout sessions throughout the day focused on workshops to facilitate educators in the formation of PLCs, the work of dissecting state standards and extracting the most powerful learning targets, and more effective ways of accommodating students who have difficulty learning.

While the idea of collaboration may seem like an obvious one, it is not easily accomplished in our rural schools. Many of us work and instruct in schools where we are the only one who teaches in our content area. Sincere collaboration with other teachers throughout the county can only improve our practice and benefit our students.

The conference, so professionally and graciously hosted by the Colfax School District, was a valuable beginning step toward this important work. The large attendance was a testament to the commitment of educators throughout Whitman County to improve our practice and ensure high levels of learning for all students.

From “Fruit Loops in the toilet” to “…let’s leave here today committed to changing the world-one kid at a time!” it was truly an inspirational and motivating day!

Teresa Schmidt,

St. John/Endicott High School

Confident

I have known Pat Hailey for many years, and I think highly of her qualifications and strongly believe that she is the best candidate to represent us in Olympia. Pat’s years as a parent volunteer, PTA president, registrar and attendance specialist at Connell High School and Robert L. Olds Junior High, and school board member in the North Franklin School District has given her a tremendous background and working knowledge about public education. She knows firsthand how unfunded mandates and cuts in state funding hurt students in our local schools. Her experience and knowledge will be a terrific asset as she works in Olympia.

I am confident that Pat Hailey will use her experience with public education and work to support students and schools as a legislator in Olympia.

Patti Walker,

Connell

Common sense

We need common sense in Olympia! Pat Hailey will bring that common sense we so desperately need in the Washington State Legislature. Pat has been involved with enough diverse groups in her life to understand how to work with all manner of people. Her quiet nature and willingness to look at all sides of an issue without compromising her values is exactly what the district and our state need to help solve the critical issues facing our state.

Pat’s experience as a wife, mother, rancher, school employee, community leader and elected school board director, among other life experiences, has prepared her to easily move into the position of representative for the 9th District in Olympia. She has worked on a local level to follow the sometimes onerous state mandates sent down by legislative directives; one such example is her experience working for a local school district to implement the Becca Bill requirements. Pas has also had experience with the regulatory and financial requirements imposed on our small and agricultural related businesses throughout her own family business.

She is a person who knows the value of a dollar, how to make it stretch and how to set priorities; all necessary assets for representing the agricultural community, small businesses and our schools during this financially challenging time period in our state.

Rep. Judy Warnick, 13th District,

Moses Lake

Control

Has anyone given much thought to the amount of control the wind power corporations will have over Whitman County? First of all, the County government will become dependent on the corporations’ funding. It will be similar to the State’s dependence on Federal money, and also similar to the politicians’ dependence on the corporate billionaires for the funding of the election campaigns.

Secondly, the wind power corporations will have physical control over ever-increasing amounts of land.

Lastly, these corporations will have the power to throw up wind turbines close to and around the towns. This power will be a Damocles’ sword over the heads of the townspeople.

Will you give the Wind Power Corporations all this power?

Through their silence, county residents are about to hand the County over to some corporations on a silver platter.

Please do not be so foolish.

Demand a buffer zone of at least 3,300 feet between residential property lines and industrial wind turbines.

Roger Whitten,

Oakesdale