Letters to the Editor

Your vote, your choice

“You go after me, I’m coming after you.” (Donald Trump, August 5, 2023) Hey Donald, you talkin’ to me? Or are you threatening judges, witnesses, potential jurors, prosecutors, reporters? Political opponents, election workers, donors, folks with Harris yard signs, all of the above? All of us? People, are we going to have a democracy or a MOBocracy? When they tell you who they are, believe them. Your vote, your choice.

Steve Swoope,

Colfax

Reader supports Brozik in judicial race

How will you choose your Whitman County Superior Court Judge this November?

It’s a tough decision because most of us are lucky to have little court experience, and few have the time for due diligence. Fortunately, the League of Women Voters (LWV) can help because they host candidate debates. Search “YouTube LWV Pullman,” watch the July 22, 2024 debate, and you’ll see Whitman County had three well-qualified primary candidates.

I wasn’t initially sure how to evaluate the candidates, but the debate highlighted differences in preparedness and style. I realized I prefer candidates who listen and digest arguments before replying, and I liked hearing about the importance of educating court attendees on the legal process.

Candidates who think about issues tend to propose solutions, and it was a red flag for me when a candidate knocked down an idea without proposing an alternative.

Buried in the debate discussion was a simple yet profound idea: if courts can help stabilize families, there may be fewer traumatized people committing crimes and fewer traumatized by crime. Jenna Brozik is one of the two remaining candidates for November, and I think her emphasis and experience in civil and family law will help establish this virtuous cycle.

This November, we have more than just an opportunity to elect a Superior Court Judge for four years: if we choose carefully, we can positively impact our community for many years to come.

Simon Smith

Pullman

MAGA contradicts meaning of democracy

In the 1840s, Irish Catholics immigrated to America in huge numbers and provoked a secret protest movement known as the Know Nothing Party, founded in 1844 as a precursor to the eventual Republican party.

Know Nothings told of a conspiracy by Catholics to overthrow Protestant-based American government. This was an early version of today’s Republican claim that Hispanic Catholic immigrants will kick whites and other native-born Americans out of jobs and power in America.

MAGA, or Know Nothing II, is thus really a Make America Hate Again party, as they are promoting both racial and religious hatred of Hispanics and religious hatred of Muslim civilians in Palestine.

MAGA also asks us to throw our support to an authoritarian ruler who tells us he will do all our thinking for us and save us from all our problems single handedly.

All of this is the opposite of democracy.

Kimball

Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah

Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys

Dear Editor,

In anticipation of receiving application from Steelhead Americas Inc. (SA) for the installation of 45 wind turbines on productive farmland of statewide importance, historical significance, and aesthetic substance, Whitman County officials have proactively selected the law firm of Van Ness Feldman LLP (VNF) to provide legal advice and defense in matters related to the Harvest Hills Wind project. A draft scope of services document from VNF indicates they will also provide planning services in support of their legal work. The planning services would include reviewing land use regulations, negotiating and documenting applicant Cost Reimbursement Agreement for services, reviewing the conditional use permit and associated documents, and many other planning related items at a maximum estimated cost of nearly $800,000.

VNF is a politically active, Seattle and Washington D.C. based firm that specializes in support for project development and permitting. The selected attorneys’ backgrounds and general area of operations makes me wonder if they will be able to understand and protect the interests of the citizens of Whitman County as Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys.

According to the County Planning Fee Schedule, the applicant for Conditional Use Commercial Energy Generating Facilities is required to enter into a cost reimbursement agreement with the County to cover reasonable costs associated with the application, including outside legal fees. Therefore, VNF’s charges for the project will be paid by SA in accordance with the agreement. This arrangement will likely increase the difficulty for VNF to understand and protect the interests of the citizens of Whitman County if those interests come into conflict with the interests of SA. It will be difficult for Whitman County residents to obtain a fair hearing of grievances caused by the project.

Kevin Akesson,

Colfax

Vote Brozik for superior court judge

I am an attorney who has practiced in Whitman County for over 50 years. I am a partner at the firm Aitken, Schauble, Patrick, Neill & Schauble in Pullman. I am also a Whitman County Superior Court commissioner.

I am endorsing Jenna Brozik for superior court judge. Jenna is the most qualified candidate running for the position. She has the experience and background to handle all the types of cases that come before the judge tin superior court.

Jenna will bring a fresh new perspective to the bench, something Whitman County needs right now. She has the judicial demeanor, temperament and integrity to be the next superior court judge.

She is ethical and has a strong passion for justice. I am confident Jenna will be an excellent judge.

Howard Neill

Pullman