Your Voice: Feb. 18, 2026

What is happening in Minneapolis (and broader Minnesota) is simply not something I ever thought would happen in my life time. We are occupied by more than 3,000 ICE thugs, many staying in two hotels steps from my condo. We encounter them at all times and in the most random places — at Home Depot, the parking lots of Target and mostly — in the small city neighborhoods with cafes, bookstores, shops and schools. I’ve personally witnessed four SUVs filled with masked ICE agents drag two men into one SUV while I loudly honked my car as ICE thugs tried to get me to move on. This was Jan. 6 —the day before Renee Good was murdered. Now I have a whistle. I’ve marched and I’ve donated to social aid groups. I’ve loudly protested.

But the most impactful thing I can do is to bear witness. I have learned that the rest of the world moves on and there’s a new storyline to follow. But in Minneapolis, we are still occupied. We are still under siege. And we are still fighting back. If you can, support the ACLU or a mutual aid group supporting families scared to leave their homes. Even U.S. citizens and naturalized citizens are detained. ICE is targeting people of color and any protestor they decide is in their way.

But most of all, fellow neighbors in the Columbia Gorge — keep watching what’s happening in Minneapolis and bearing witness. Speak up loudly against this occupation. If we cannot stop this occupation in Minneapolis, they will come for you and your neighbors.

Sheila Gallagher

Minneapolis

Former Gorge resident

Free press

In these times that could “try people’s souls” and raise questions about the social order, I found it valuable and refreshing to read the short pithy sayings on the last page of the February 2026 The Sun magazine at the Hood River library. Titled Sunbeams, this month’s topic is news, press, media, truth, etc., by writers ranging from Eisenhower, Twain, Shakespeare, Hannah Arendt, W.E.B. DuBois, Camus, Rod Serling, Napoleon, and Scripps-Howard Newspapers motto “Give light and the people will find their own way.” What better place than a newspaper to post a couple.

From Jessica Mitford: “The whole point of muckraking, apart from all the jokes, is to try to do something about what you’ve been writing about. You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass the guilty.”

From Maria Ressa: “If you want to rip the heart out of a democracy, you go after the facts. That’s what modern authoritarians do. You lie. All the time. Then you say it’s your opponents and the journalists who lie.”

From Claude Adrien Helvetius: “To limit the press is to insult the nation; to prohibit the reading of certain books is to declare the inhabitants to be either fools or slaves; such a prohibition ought to fill them with disdain.”

Tom Hons

Hood River

Vote for decency

On Jan. 22, masked ICE agents in Minneapolis pulled Judeson P. out of his car, threw him to the pavement, shackled him, and within a day sent him to a detention camp in Texas, where inadequate medical care, poor food, and maltreatment by guards have been documented (New York Times, Feb. 5, 2026). He was legally in the country, had no criminal record, and worked numerous jobs to send money home to support his 3-year-old daughter. Six days later, he was released and dropped off in El Paso, stranded there with no money and no obvious way to get home.

That month, January 2026, 71% of ICE detainees had no criminal records (factcheck.org). They were simply people arrested without probable cause or warrant and denied their constitutional right of due process.

When we pledge allegiance to our flag and country, where “liberty and justice for all” are offered, it seems to me that our government should lead the way in upholding this solemn pledge. And, according to the Supreme Court, “all” includes the hard-working, freedom-seeking immigrants who form the economic backbone of this country.

I feel we can treat law-abiding U.S. residents better than our government is doing.  Maybe you do too. If so, we can do something to change this injustice. We can vote.  Let’s vote for those who will uphold decency, fairness, honesty, and respect for the law. Let’s vote for those who see the goodness and humanity of all people, not just those who look like us.

Tom Pierson

Glenwood

Won’t SAVE

The GOP, with encouragement from the Trump administration, is actively working to suppress Americans’ right to vote ahead of the 2026 elections. The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and would mandate that voters present specific photo identification — such as a passport or birth certificate — at the polls.

Washington State is one of only five states that issue enhanced driver licenses qualifying as proof of citizenship. Even so, experts estimate that the SAVE Act would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters nationwide. A U.S. passport costs $165, and many people no longer have access to their original birth certificate. For married women who have changed their names and transgender Americans, a birth certificate may not match their legal name, and without additional documentation, they could be denied the right to vote.

Compounding the problem, the House Administration Committee is considering an amendment to the SAVE Act that would eliminate universal vote-by-mail and ban mail-in ballot grace periods. Washingtonians would once again be required to vote in person, creating unnecessary barriers for working people, seniors, and those with disabilities.

According to NPR, instances of non-citizens voting are minuscule. These proposals are therefore not about election security — they are about voter suppression. When citizens lose the ability to elect their leaders, democracy itself is at risk.

Sandy Montag

White Salmon

No confidence

Thank you to Managing Editor Trisha Walker for your editorial “Rethink the vote against equity” (Feb. 11).

The Friends of the White Salmon Valley Community Library sent a letter to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRL) Board of Trustees in support of a Vote of No Confidence in their vote to adopt the last-minute language for the Strategic Plan on Jan. 26.

Our objections to the dysfunctional process of voting during that meeting include significant factors that, in our estimation, disqualify that vote:

• The way the situation was handled, the insistence on a vote that night.

• The lack of acknowledgment by the board that the public and staff support for the original language outweighed the public support for alternative versions.

• The confusion about which motion was on the table.

• The way Trustee Kakorina’s language was introduced with multiple choices of language.

• When questions were asked about which language she was proposing, her “final” version was posted and then emailed to the board members for their review, during a 10-minute recess.

• The lack of review before the meeting of the last-minute changes being proposed.

• Questions about where the last-minute changes fit into the document they were voting on.

• The many technical glitches and extended delay due to executive sessions.

The meeting started with a reading of the Trustee Ethics. Then, four hours later, after 10 minutes for review for Strategic Plan language that will be in place for 5 years, the vote was hijacked by a last-minute proposal which was not adequately prepared, presented, or processed. There was no discussion and no opportunity for public comment. Sadly, we cannot support the outcome of that vote.

Melinda Heindel

White Salmon

Youth will save democracy

Our young people will save our democracy. That’s my conviction resulting from considerable experience with them in retirement. And high school students are proving me true in protesting against ICE thugs’ cruel, racist assaults. Particularly students in the heavily Trump-voting Spokane Valley area have shown exceptional courage (Spokesman-Review, Jan. 21, 2026).

I’ve worked with high school students in afterschool programs, primarily as math tutor, from 1998, when I retired from teaching college math, until 2020 when COVID closed the schools — and also in registering high school students to vote in Spokane County public high schools since 2017. These experiences are always uppers for me and I’ve often said young people will save our country. 

For example, in a letter to the editor of the White Salmon newspaper just after Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, I wrote about the younger generation: “From my experience they transcend many of the divisions that have haunted us as a nation. They are my ‘audacity of hope’ for the future of the country I love.”

Sorry, young patriots, that you’re required to be age 35 before becoming president. But, thankfully, you’re not required to be a cruel, 34-count convicted felon to be president.

Norm Luther

Spokane

Former Gorge resident

Bad idea

The short session of the Oregon Legislature is not the appropriate place to consider a major overhaul of farmland conservation to allow more uses on farm land. Nevertheless, HB 4153-2, the “Farm Store” bill promoted by the Oregon Property Owners Association, is being considered. More appropriately it should be called the “Non-Farm Store” bill on farm land.

Every farm in Oregon will be allowed to have a 10,000 square foot building for the sale of unlimited quantities of “retail items” and “prepared food and beverages.” No crops or livestock produced on site are required to be sold at the store. Agritourism, a permitted use now is further allowed in the bill with an unlimited clause, uses “that may also generate commercial … value.” The store could sell Ariat and Carhartt; be a coffee shop, deli, hardware store, convenience store, gas station, bar or concert venue of 1,000 people, next to you. Yes, read the bill.

HB 4153-2 will mandate counties approve all applications for farm stores. Local governments have no authority to regulate or mitigate serious impacts to the surrounding community.

We value our local farm stands. Farm product sales, u-pick, pumpkin patches and promotional activities are an allowed use now and are not under any threat. The problem with this bill is that there is no requirement for the store to sell any significant amount of farm produce.

The continued expansion of non farm uses and developed non farm infrastructure on farms is significantly increasing farm land prices making it harder for next generation farmers to purchase. Development allowed in HB 4153-2 will take acres and acres of farm land out of production across the state with buildings, parking lots, access roads, amphitheaters, septic fields, beer gardens and playgrounds.

But most importantly, these non-farm stores/cafes in the farm zone will compete unfairly with our valued local businesses in town. Cheaper land, less taxes and fees in the farm zone creates an unfair advantage over restaurants and stores in Hood River and the Dalles.

Tell all legislators and the governor, HB 4153 with amendments is a bad idea.

Mike McCarthy

Parkdale

Support Gambee

Wasco County, like most rural counties, faces many complex challenges. For that reason, the upcoming election of a new County Commissioner is of utmost importance for local communities.

Having served as a Wasco County Commissioner from 2019-2022, I well understand that importance. That is why I am asking you to support Lisa Gambee in the upcoming May 19 election.

Lisa served as the elected Wasco County Clerk for nine years where she oversaw and assured accurate elections, estate recordings and other vital county services. I know Lisa to be a gifted leader, a relationship builder and a nice person who truly cares about improving the lives of every person who calls Wasco County home.

I urge you to please cast your vote for Lisa Gambee, position 1, as your next County Commissioner.

Kathy Schwartz

Port Townsend

Former Gorge resident

Your vote

If you voted for Donald Trump, it is likely that you did not vote for him to take $10 billion of taxpayer dollars and give it to himself. But that’s exactly what he’s doing (Reuters, Jan. 29, 2026). He claims that a contractor who released his tax returns without authorization caused him a loss of $10 billion, a precise and tidy sum, thank you very much. So he’s suing the government for this arbitrary $10 billion figure, and he’s made it known he’ll order government administrators to hand him the dough.

That money comes from the government’s general fund — your and my taxpayer dollars. When we pay up to the IRS, part of that money is going to Donald Trump. This is the same Donald Trump whose fortune has increased by $1.4 billion in the first year of his second term (New York Times, Jan. 20, 2026).

If you voted for Trump, it is likely that a lot of what that man is doing to enrich himself and horde power isn’t what you were hoping for. If you look at what he’s done with clear eyes, you see that he’s more focused on enriching himself, accumulating power, and having his name blazoned across every building and airport he can.

He has betrayed us all.

Rick George

White Salmon

Yes to Gambee

Wasco County is very fortunate to have Lisa Gambee as a candidate for the Wasco County Board of Commissioners.

As the former Wasco County clerk, she has worked closely with the board of commissioners and has extensive knowledge about county organization, its processes and its people. Experience in volunteering on county projects made clear to me how extensive and diverse the obligations of county government are. The Wasco County budget for the current fiscal year totals $39.5 million, and is detailed on more than 640 pages (www.cms5.revize.com/revize/wascocounty25/FY26%20Wasco%20Adopted%20Budget.pdf?t=202509051044160&t=202509051044160).

Becoming familiar with and able to make good decisions about all of the subjects contained within that budget requires time and experience, something that few candidates will have in advance to the extent already possessed by Lisa Gambee.

In 2024, Lisa was one of five of Oregon’s 36 county clerks recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State. The Medallion Award was given in recognition of her being “one of the people who make democracy work,” in spite of “ongoing threats, harassment and false information campaigns” (“Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade Recognizes County Clerks with the 2024 National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion,” Secretary of State Newsroom, Dec. 17, 2024).

Lisa Gambee has demonstrated her dedication to Wasco County and her leadership abilities. I urge you to take advantage of her willingness to serve, with your vote.

Keith Mobley

Dufur

Get the lead out

A bald eagle was recently brought to a local wildlife rescue organization, weak with severe breathing difficulty. He was given fluids and stabilization support, along with chelation medications for lead intoxication. Sadly, the eagle died shortly after it was admitted.

A subsequent lead test showed his blood lead levels were high, so high that the machine used to measure lead concentration could not produce a quantity. (For reference, a child is treated with a result of 5 µg/dL or higher, which is considered dangerously harmful; the eagle had results >65 µg/dL.)

Adding to the heartbreak were this eagle’s radiographs, which offered visible proof of the metal lead fragment in his digestive tract. We suspect the eagle ingested prey that had been shot with lead ammunition.

Lead intoxication is a preventable problem and is directly related to the use of lead bullets and lead fishing tackle. The smallest amount of lead in the environment can poison wildlife to the point of death. The easiest solution to save wildlife — like our majestic eagles — is to avoid putting lead in the environment in the first place, regardless of how careful and responsible you are as a hunter, fisherman, or landowner.

Carol Breen

Hood River

Oregon vs California

Have you ever noticed how different Oregon is from California? Drive around Hood River County then look at Orange County California. Notice any difference? Orange County got its name from the 67,000 acres of Orange Grove in production in the mid 20th century. Today there is little to no commercial production of oranges in Orange County. The only sizable orange grove is being kept as a museum.

What happened to Orange County agriculture? Why did all those acres disappear and become commercial and residential lots? Why does Hood River still have 17,000 acres of orchards still in production? In case you don’t know the answer, I’ll tell you. It’s Oregon‘s Land Use laws!

In Oregon, unlike California, the state passed laws to protect farm and forestland from economic and developmental pressures. These laws were passed because Oregon saw how without them farms and forestlands would disappear in Oregon just as they did in Orange County. Farmers in Hood River County and Oregon are experiencing hard economic times. There has been a shift in how the governor and legislature see these land use laws. They have proposed changes to these laws in an effort to improve the economic situation most farmers face.

While I agree something should be done, I think the new Bill HB4153 is throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Gutting the land use laws that have kept Oregon’s farms protected is the first step towards becoming California. If HB4153 is passed, Hood River county government will be forced to allow changes to the rules that govern what can and can’t be done on exclusive farm used land. The state will take away Hood River County’s ability to disallow activities that have nothing to do with farming and should not be allowed on exclusive farm use land. I am asking everyone to tell the governor and our legislators to defeat HB 4153

Jim Mederios

Hood River

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