Letters

Informative

Since returning to Colfax four years ago, I have tried to attend the monthly Colfax Chamber luncheons as often as possible. I appreciate the efforts of current Chamber President Kathy Mayer and Secretary Kathy Clark, with the help of others, to bring in a variety of speakers. Two of recent note were Colfax Mayor Todd Vanek and the Eastern Washington Director of the Washington Policy Center, Chris Cargill. Both presenters were very informative, professional and positive. I was encouraged by what I heard from them.

Colfax is fortunate to be served by such committed, civic-minded individuals in the Chamber and to those who offer their facilities for the luncheons.

Shan Kelly,

Colfax,

Cargill response

In Karen Swoope’s letter (July 26) about the Washington Policy Center and ALEC she makes a number of incorrect claims.

First, she accuses WPC of “hiding” who we are but never says what it is we are hiding. Certainly not our participation with ALEC, which she found readily. Indeed, Ms. Swoope joined WPC as a member on a six month free membership so she could receive our research and information directly. If we are being secretive, we are certainly doing a poor job of it, sending information to anyone who requests it, for free, at that.

Ironically, she cites a two-year old link from the Sightline Institute as evidence that our ideas are wrong and don’t work with both parties. Perhaps she doesn’t realize that we joined Sightline this very year to help pass a piece of environmental legislation in Olympia. There are many issues on which we disagree with Sightline, but we enjoy a good relationship with them and were happy to partner with them when it was appropriate.

Political discussion is best when it is direct and deals with the issues not insinuations. In the past few years, the legislature has passed and the governor has signed 17 laws based on WPC recommendations. We have created a guide of our proposals for a range of issues in Washington which can be ordered at our web page. Readers can order our environmental publication, “Eco-Fads: How the rise of trendy environmentalism is harming the environment,” and they can judge our arguments for themselves.

Chris Cargill,

Washington Policy Center,

Spokane