Letters - Oct. 14, 2010

Don’t get fooled

I am supporting a ‘no’ vote on Initiative 1098. Don’t be fooled, if 1098 passes it could come to haunt everyone.

David J. Stueckle, LaCrosse

Tax initiative

This is a note to the voters of Whitman County. Please join me in voting for Initiative 1098. This is an attempt to help reform our state’s outdated and regressive tax system. I-1098 would establish a progressive income tax on the wealthiest 1.2 percent of households. Individuals who earn $200,000 and couples who earn $400,000 annually would pay a tiny income tax.

I-1098 would generate a $1 billion per year trust fund for education and critical health care programs. All public schools in Whitman County, including WSU, would benefit directly.

State property taxes would be reduced by about 20 percent. Keep that in mind you homeowners, as well as those who rent their property.

For you small business owners; I-1098 would eliminate the horrid B & O tax on 80 percent of small businesses. Keep in mind, all business owners pay a B&O tax on their gross, not their profit. Farm friends, do take note on this point.

Now is the time for action. Please cast a vote for I-1098.

Donald C. Orlich, Pullman

Ten reasons

Top 10 reasons why I believe the mayor of Palouse doesn’t like me:

1. I looked into WSU Internal Audit Services regarding the mayor conducting city business on state time using state resources. The Mayor was found guilty of violating two state ethics laws and punished accordingly.

2. I supported the Washington State Attorney General’s Office findings regarding free speech, open meetings, and public records laws. The Mayor was found to have violated his own citizens’ First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly.

3. I looked at the Washington State Auditor’s Office prior findings regarding financial and procedural improprieties. I have drawn the State’s attention to continued violations and expect this year’s audit will add ethical charges on top of mismanagement of funds.

4. I have contacted the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) regarding Palouse’s duty to provide water service to customers, the city’s overcharging of its customers and failure to obtain proper certifications and permits.

5. Through public records requests, I have documented numerous, serious violations of State environmental law regarding the Breedings Addition Sewer Project and related asphalt dumping issues. These requests have also brought to light evidence of DOE Eastern Region’s role in the coverup of these violations.

6. I have alerted the Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) regarding irregularities in implementation of the Critical Areas Ordinance and have pointed to possible funding improprieties.

7. I have filed complaints with Whitman County Health Department regarding asphalt dumping issues.

8. I have followed land use and municipal code irregularities involving the Palouse Planning Commission.

9. I have watched closely Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

10. Mostly, these are just major irritants. What Mayor Echanove really dislikes about me is my belief that truth and transparency are the cornerstones of a free and open government. Honest access is not just a citizen’s privilege, it is a citizen’s right.

Jim Farr, Palouse

Liquor sales

If it’s okay I will disagree with Mr. Forgey on his feelings of voting on 1100 and 1105. If we have competition in our state for alcohol sales a lot more will be bought in our state and not the states we border. I live in Vancouver, and I buy mine in Oregon and I know people in Spokane who buy in Idaho.

Give our state businesses more business and we all win. We will have to put sales taxes etc. on it but it will be competitive with any other state. How many times have you looked all over town for a liquor store? That is really dumb. We still have control like we do with tobacco.

Dean G. Ickes, Vancouver