Letters

Deserve better

The very recently hired City Administrator and City Treasurer along with the Mayor had determined that fraud had occurred involving the City books. The State Auditor had a routine audit of the City books scheduled. During that time the State Auditor was hired by the City to do an additional audit without knowing the extra cost. The result of that audit was that there was no fraud.

The employees, former and current, deserve better than being described as contributing to anything that could possibly be described as fraud. Fraud by definition means dishonesty. The city has been audited by the State Auditor regularly. The city tried many times to change the fact that the audit could only be done by the state rather than by hiring an outside auditor to try and reduce the cost.

There are many policies and practices that are often reviewed and updated, some recommended by the auditors. Obviously more policies and practices can be added to the list of those followed in the day to day workings within the city. The rules and regulations that control what the city can do or not do are complex and time consuming.

Things have changed within the city. Change can be good when taken with caution and restraint. The city council has a huge job. They are in charge of the city. They should be advised of and approve decisions made. Tell them what you like or don’t like. They will listen. They work for you, the citizens of Colfax.

Norma Becker,

Colfax

Deputy image

While I believe Whitman County benefits from a very professional and well administered Sheriff’s department, I do have a couple of concerns about their public image, and the message relayed to the public on a daily basis by two simple things.

One is the switch from traditional patrol dress uniforms to tactical jumpsuits. I know the commissioners ok’d this a few years back, but I think it was a mistake. While convenient to deputies, and probably more comfortable (as are sweatpants), and much more Hollywood tough guy in appearance, this shift to dressing down I believe is disrespectful to the public. The State Patrol has maintained a more formal patrol appearance over the years, although their distinctive bow tie has gone away, and I feel that our local law enforcement owes it to the public they serve to wear the traditional slacks, button down shirt, and tie that have identified sheriff’s deputies for many years.

Second of my concerns is tinted windows in patrol vehicles. This is unacceptable and should be corrected immediately. Not sure who thought that was OK, but it is not, any more than facemasks or bandannas that would conceal the identity of deputies.

Let me be clear in my support for our local law enforcement, I’m just exercising my right to express an opinion and hopefully improve the image of our quality county department.

Mike Dymkoski,

Palouse

Wonderful life

In 1985 I came to Colfax and began my transformation from a city boy into an adult that is so very appreciative of the small town life. After all, Colfax, Whitman County, and its people have given me so much over the years. I have this area to thank for introducing me to my wife, Sandra, and welcoming my family while we raised our two children.

We were able to thrive and came to understand the gift of having neighbors and friends that truly cared about each other and looked after one another. I’ve made two of the best friends anyone could ask for in Art Garro and Ralph Walter while living here. They have been there for me and my family on countless occasions.

I owe a great deal of debt and gratitude to Barney Buckley for taking a chance on me and giving me the start of my career. There are so many more of you that I would like to thank for your kindness over the years, including Wayne Varnes, Hugh Ham, and Jim Gants, who gave me my first understanding about living and working in Colfax. There are so many more of you that I am grateful to but there are just too many to list here.

I came to know many of you personally over the years and consider you friends. I hope you think of me that way as well. Some of you I came to meet through my job, and some of those meetings were under less-than-favorable circumstances. I hope those of you I encountered during such times can understand the duties and requirements that bound me at the time.

I’ve also had the pleasure and honor to work with some of the finest individuals and agencies in the field, including fellow officers, firefighters, EMTs, doctors and nurses, city and county staffers and reporters. I hope I was there for you as well with whatever little wisdom or assistance I was able to provide.

It really has been a wonderful life in Colfax and Whitman County! I’m sure we will see each other soon.

David J. Szambelan,

Spokane

(Assistant Chief Szambelan, Colfax 505, retired at the start of the month.)