08/17/08 Letters to the editor

POSTED ON Saturday, August 16, 2008 AT 11:26PM

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Mark Peterson (Forward Yakima Initiative) wrote a letter saying his group endorses Norm because of his pro-small business stand, which is ridiculous. Norm is a career politician who has never owned a business and who voted for bailing out Joe Morrier's mall ramp at taxpayer's expense. Scott Hess has worked with thousands of business owners all over our state during his career with the National Federation of Independent Business. No candidate better understands small business than Hess, so why endorse Norm? Norm is a moderate and Hess is a fiscal and social Christian conservative, endorsed by the Farm Bureau, the Minutemen, and more.

I'm disappointed that the Republican Party, state Rep. Charles Ross and state Sen. Curtis King all backed a moderate rather than someone who reflects the true conservative nature of the 14th District. Please vote for Scott Hess, a strong conservative against tax increases who knows the issues facing small business. Remember, Scott is the only candidate who is speaking out about illegal immigration and will work to eliminate the magnets drawing illegal immigrants here.

BOB WEST

Yakima

Elofson is best choice

To the editor -- Please join me in voting for David Elofson for Yakima County Superior Court judge. I have been fortunate enough to have David as a law partner for nearly eight years. David's knowledge of the law and attention to his clients and their cases have always impressed me. David treats the parties and lawyers he is opposing with the utmost respect and honesty. A Superior Court judge must be able to put aside any personal biases he or she may have and fairly render a decision based on the existing law. I have no doubt whatsoever that David can and will do that.

In order to be convinced that David is the most qualified candidate for this position all one needs to do is look at who supports David. He has been endorsed by the Yakima Herald-Republic after both candidates were extensively interviewed. The Washington Women's Voters ranked him as "Exceptionally Well Qualified," their highest rating for any candidate. The people who David practices with and against day in and day out rated David's legal ability, temperament, integrity, relevant legal experience and diligence and dedication as superior to his opponent's.

David Elofson is an exceptional person and lawyer and I know he would make an exceptional judge.

KIRK A. EHLIS

Yakima

Vote Lawrence-Berry

To the editor -- Our judicial system demands qualified, experienced and disciplined judges. Yakima County faces extraordinary challenges because of heavy caseloads and criminal justice demands. It is imperative that our judges are strong, unbiased and hard working.

Rob Lawrence-Berrey offers a unique combination of experience, judgment and work ethic. He is practical and understands the realities of trial and litigation. We live in demanding times that require tough-minded decisions with resolute adherence to principle and law. The judiciary is not a popularity contest but a calling that requires high intellectual stands; a commitment to hear all voices; and the restraint to avoid judicial activism. Rob possesses these attributes and they will serve our community well.

I endorse Rob Lawrence-Berrey for Superior Court judge.

JAMES C. CARMODY

Yakima

Elofson has this vote

To the editor -- In supporting David Elofson for the position of Superior Court judge, I take into consideration his life experiences as well as his years of success in private practice. Both are extensive and combined with his well-acknowledged common sense more than qualify him for this position. I have known David and his family for many years and I wholly support his candidacy. I invite you to join me in voting for David Elofson for Superior Court judge.

HOWARD PRENTICE

Yakima

McLaughlin can lead

To the editor -- Bob McLaughlin is a man of high integrity and family values. He can handle any task put before him as proven by his leadership at Davis High School, building and running the Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center and how he turned the Union Gap School District around. Most people know he has a doctorate in education and his reputation as an educational leader for 32 years in this area.

He is intelligent, works hard and will take his skills to Olympia to serve us all. He and his wife, Carolyn, started a free reading program and have helped over one hundred people become excellent readers. Bob has served on the Yakima Council of Churches representing his church for several years.

On his own time he has talked to small-business owners, health workers, fruit ranchers warehouse owners and law enforcement people such as police chiefs and Superior Court workers to better understand their problems. He will represent all of our needs not just education where he is an expert.

He will serve with honor and gain the respect of all legislators on both sides of the aisle. I urge you all to vote for Bob McLaughlin.

BOB CYR

Yakima

Thanks for hard work

To the editor -- In driving around this summer, it has been great to see the work of the jail inmates who are cleaning up around the railroad tracks and roadways. What a difference their hard work is making in the appearance of our city.

Thank you to the Department of Corrections Street Division for providing this service. Thanks also to our city and county officials for making this a priority.

I am always thankful for those young people who work so hard with the Washington State Department of Ecology to clean up the roadways. I know this is backbreaking work. Join me in giving them a thumbs up when passing them.

LINDA IASELLA

Yakima

It's a group effort

To the editor -- The Yakima Herald-Republic has printed numerous articles regarding the seizures of over 100,000 marijuana plants in the Lower Yakima Valley. I would like to briefly explain to the readers what it takes to dismantle one of these operations.

These marijuana grows are approximately 250 yards wide by 300 yards deep. The plants are in clusters of 3 to 6, and are spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Detectives have to pull, bundle and pack out these plants. Since there are not enough local federal and state drug investigators to handle the enormous amount of labor needed to process these grows, we rely on volunteer organizations for help.

On behalf of the Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force and City-County Narcotics Unit, and all the other agencies who routinely process these marijuana grows, I would like to thank all the volunteers who have come out and sweated with us in 90-degree heat. Thank you to the Yakima Police Reserve Officers, the men and women of the Yakima County Search and Rescue, and all the other volunteers for giving up your personal time to come out and help.

PHIL POSADA

Detective, Yakima City-County Narcotics Unit

No to big dairies here

To the editor -- Here are a few facts to consider about your friendly family dairy. Citizens are told to "shut up and move on" when they object to confined animal feeding operations of more than 700 animals moving into their neighborhoods. With large dairies or feedlots in place, their homes or small farms become worthless and unsaleable. (Ask any real estate agent.)

Next, the air and water becomes polluted and people start getting sick. (Read the Pew Commission's report on factory farms, www.ncifap.org).

Flies and filth make the entire area into a Third World county while CAFO owners and investors reside elsewhere. Government bureaucrats awash in dairy political contributions do nothing. Indifferent dairymen gorging themselves on government subsidized profits fill warehouses with "free" cheese and endlessly lobby for a greater food stamp program to accommodate the excess production. Does this about sum up the situation in Central Washington?

Well, thank God for public service lawyers. Litigation is the only recourse for working people when they go up against monster polluters. What good are environmental laws if they are not enforced and what good are public servants if they won't protect the people? Bring on the lawyers!

ERIC ANDERSON

White Swan

Protesting is OK

To the editor -- On Sunday, I waited, drinking my first cup of coffee prior to reading the Bill O'Reilly "Rockin' and rollin' in the free world" column. Then, I plugged in my "Magic" album by Bruce Springsteen, followed by the Dixie Chicks.

From what Bill said, protest songs were OK in the '60s but not OK now that we Americans are facing the largest budget deficit, ever; that our federal judicial system was allowed to be over run by religious zealots, with the blessing of the administration; that our country is in a major energy crisis; and that we, the American people, were mislead at best, prior to the beginning of the Iraq war.

No, I guess that this is just not enough to protest about. Bill, know that Springsteen, The Chicks and John Mellencamp all love America. ... and believe me, they have the right to protest, in their music, the challenges that our country currently is now facing, due to the ineptitude, injustice and downright incompetence of the current administration.

SUZANNE STRAUSZ

Mabton

Just pay your taxes

To the editor -- Many complain about the "entitlement mentality." I agree. No one should get a free lunch.

Some propaganda even claims these offenders are "liberal Democrats." Hogwash. This isn't political. Most are in fact spoiled, pampered, slovenly descendants of American wealth who have never lifted a finger to benefit themselves or anyone else. They don't have a clue and will never fully appreciate the huge personal sacrifice it has taken to create and maintain our society. They need to get a job and pay their taxes.

The fact so many of our finest have been forever silenced in this pursuit only aggravates this phenomenon. A history lesson should be required albeit not tainted by the Bush administration.

Taxes are simply the price of admission to American society and the benefits therein. That cannot be a bad thing. Those who have benefited most, the wealthy, should pay more and be more grateful. Most do, but some complain and use taxes as a political football. That's wrong.

It's one thing to complain what my taxes are spent on, that's fair game, but to complain about paying taxes at some point dishonors our dead. Respectfully, please shut up and pay your taxes.

BRYAN BARNHART

Yakima

A different take

To the editor -- Those NRA left-wingers have been beating me up over my weapons shopping list; but I ain't budging.

The Supreme Court said "the people" means "each individual." Since I'm "a people," that means me.

"Arms" range from sticks to hydrogen bombs. A sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, bazooka or A67 recoilless rifle fits neatly between those bookends.

"Bearing" or "carrying" is not necessarily done manually. If I tote my catapult on an ox cart, truck, train, ship, airplane or spaceship, that's my affair.

One of my detractors referred to obeying federal and state laws.

What right, pray tell, do the federal/state governments have to restrict my constitutional prerogatives? The Supreme Court very wisely provided us gun guys a Roto-Rooter for reaming such debris from our legal system. (If Constitution is illegal, as Reese Copeland (Letters, July 10) claims, how can such statutes be lawful anyway?)

I own firearms and carry a concealed-weapons permit; but I will not join the NRA. They're too (ugh!) liberal for me.

"Reduce crime! Ban gun laws!" That's my creed.

Let's see, planting anti-personnel mines among my roses and azaleas might discourage the neighbors' cats from messing around in my flower beds.

DOUG PATTERSON

Yakima

A great addition

To the editor -- Re: The Rosedell bed and breakfast proposal. For the time it was in operation, my mother and I lived next door to the Irish House Bed and Breakfast on South 28th Avenue. We were enthusiastic about it from the start. We saw no increase in traffic or noise. We felt it was a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and were sorry when it closed.

I now live a few blocks from Rosedell and believe making it a bed and breakfast would be an asset to this historic neighborhood.

JANE KENDALL

Yakima

Just give me coffee

To the editor -- Isn't this at least the second article we have been subjected to about scantily clad baristas? (Photos included, of course.)

Just when I thought Yakima was finally turning the corner. People are caring about the image we project to our residents and visitors. Our beautiful new buildings, streets, flowers, lights, etc. And a female-owned business no less, exploiting other females. How sad.

I am heading out this morning to reload my Starbucks card.

JAN LEINGANG

Yakima

Don't be fooled

To the editor -- President Bush, in his 2006 State of the Union address, stated plainly that "America is addicted to oil," implying that it's a problem and we should probably do something about it.

Fast-forward to Aug. 2, and in his weekly radio address, the same president said, "To reduce pressure on prices, we need to increase the supply of oil, especially oil produced here at home."

Is that anything like the admitted heroin addict saying that starting a poppy field in his back pasture is a good idea? Because our addiction isn't the problem, just where we buy our drugs from and how much they cost, right?

John McCain opposed new offshore drilling leases as a senator, but announced in June that he now supports them. Right away, oil companies pumped $1.2 million into his campaign. Amazing coincidence. These same "drug dealers" made $51 billion in profits during the last fiscal quarter.

This country climbed out of the Great Depression, won World War II, defeated communism and built the largest economy in the history of the world, but when faced with an energy crisis, our leaders can only scream for new drilling?

Vote smart this November, and do your part.

BRETT DILLAHUNT

Zillah

08/17/08 Letters to the editor

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