Teacher thanks
I would like to thank the many friends who organized a wonderful retirement party for me recently at Spookys in The Dalles. After almost 50 years of teaching, I officially retired.
I could not believe the many people who came by to see me and wish me a happy retirement. I taught in many schools over the last 50 years and was excited to see that there were people there from almost all of the schools I had taught at. People came from as far away as Spokane. I felt so loved, and I enjoyed seeing and talking to everyone. I want everyone to know how much I appreciated all of the cards, gifts and well wishes. I was a lucky person to have been able to teach and spend time with them as they grew up and I grew older. Again, thank you to everyone who organized the party and to everyone who attended. God Bless all of you. You’ll never know how much I appreciated it. Love, Mr. Kiser
Courtney Kiser
The Dalles
Won’t do job
Rep. Cliff Bentz’s silence in the face of Trump’s unlawful executive orders is inexcusable.
On June 25, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked Trump’s executive order that attempted to coerce states into turning over voter data by tying it to the U.S. Postal Service’s processing of mail ballots. As Judge Talwani wrote, “The Constitution does not grant the president any specific powers over elections.” States — not the federal government — run elections.
Though the courts have repeatedly ruled against him, Trump continues issuing executive orders that force states like Oregon to sue the federal government to protect our constitutional rights. We taxpayers are footing the bill for more than 850 lawsuits so far. An exact dollar figure is currently impossible to calculate because the Trump regime has removed all public tracking tools and websites previously used to monitor federal agency legal spending.
If members of Congress like Cliff Bentz had the courage to actually do their job, many of these lawsuits wouldn’t be necessary. Bentz is an attorney. He should recognize when executive orders exceed presidential authority.
Call Congressman Cliff Bentz (202-225-6730) and ask him to do his job as a co-equal branch of government and put some guardrails up for Trump. We deserve a representative who will uphold the rule of law — not stand silently by and leave all checks on this president’s power up to the courts at his constituents’ expense.
Debi Ferrer
The Dalles
Supports Larson
I express strong support for Judge David Larson during his time on the bench. The public and the legal community has praised him for fairness and a keen ability to understand, interpret, and apply legal principles effectively in practical situations, and for an unwavering commitment to equal treatment under the law. He approaches every case with careful attention to facts, clear application of precedent, and respect for all parties. These are qualities we need in a Supreme Court Justice. Judge Larson’s record shows thoughtful sentencing, adherence to due process, and effective courtroom management that keeps proceedings efficient and respectful. He is known for clear, well-reasoned opinions that withstand scrutiny and for treating litigants, attorneys, jurors, and court staff with dignity. This is the kind of judge who will protect our rights and maintain public trust. Judge David Larson has earned that trust through steady, principled service. I urge the voters to elect Judge Larson for the Washington State Supreme Court position 5 (larsonforjustice.com).
Delmer Eldred
Goldendale
MAHA-ha-ha
So, the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) folks under Robert “Brainworm” Kennedy are phasing out the artificial dyes in M&Ms at the same time as they are allowing the sale of candy flavored vapes that appeal mainly to the young to help them get addicted to nicotine after lobbying from the tobacco companies (“FDA approves some flavored vapes after reports of Trump pressure,” The Hill, May 5). Also, the Trump administration is increasing the production of coal (“Trump uses wartime powers to dole out $700m to ‘clean, beautiful’ coal,” The Guardian, June 4) and loosening air and water pollution restrictions and standards (“Congress moves to loosen toxic air pollution rules,” NPR, May 22), raising the acceptable limits on lead, asbestos, and PFAS (whatever the hell those are).
As well, they are making vaccines seem suspect, when they have saved more lives in the modern world than anything but sanitation and other public health measures. What’s next? Eliminate seatbelts, airbags, and crash tests in autos? Get rid of air traffic control in airports? Ban helmets on all donorcycles? … I mean, motorcycles? Why not go all the way and make Russian roulette an Olympic event?
How much death and destruction on the altar of personal freedom are you willing to see in your kids, your parents, your loved ones, or your neighbors and friends? It’s a good question to ask yourself. When you have an answer, let your congresspeople know.
Mark Browne
White Salmon
Defusing the bluffs
The article “White Salmon Fuel Treatment Moves Forward” in your June 10 issue highlights actions DNR has taken to reduce wildfire fuel in the greater White Salmon area. But clearly, DNR has structural limitations that prevent them from leading what this city needs:
• Time: DNR is proud that they have stuck to their fuel suppression plans in this area for 22 years. I’m not blaming this delay on DNR — maybe it is “just” the budgeting process.
• Compromises: Because the DNR program is completely voluntary, it requires an extensive effort to convince landowners to participate, cooperating with each landowner on what solutions might be customized just for their specific situation.
• Dealing with large landowners: DOT owns most of the steep slopes on the western bluffs, which are heavily laden with fuels. Apparently, DNR has not contacted them about converting their property into a shaded fuel break.
• Experience with building genuine “fire breaks”: The subdivision of DNR doing the wildfire mitigation has no experience with the commercial logging practices required for clearing the bluffs.
Our local leaders can no longer hide behind DNR’s “leadership” for our protection needs. Specifically, the mayor needs to accept responsibility for making a realistic plan for creating a rational fire break and forcing delinquent landowners to drastically reduce fuels. If there are barriers to enacting the plan — money, landowner rights, logistics, then we need to work hard (and loudly) to push forward. At stake is the difference between a quaint town and a toxic waste dump.
Wayne Thayer
White Salmon
Editor’s note: Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has collaborated with both private landowners and state transportation officials to mitigate fuels along White Salmon’s west bluffs. The agency also has completed similar treatment projects across Washington.
Executive team
We have two very special offices on this year’s county ballot, both executive/CEO level. And we are uniquely fortunate to have two candidates who already have proven executive-level experience.
Lori Zoller has years of planning background leading up to her current county commissioner position, and John Bruce retired after 10 years as chief of a police force in a Texas city with more than 200 police officers.
Lori is one of the three county commissioners who have executive authority over county officers, policy and huge financial budgets while she constantly measures resident priorities. This teamwork is even more critical in our growing county, with needs growing faster than revenue, which requires executive experience where every department budget has more and more pressure.
John comes to us at a key time when the sheriff’s department administration needs serious rebuilding, and he not only is qualified to see where the problems exist, but has the years of management experience to fix them. He also has years training of officers so they can advance their own careers.
It is so important for we voters to hang onto Lori by reelecting her and get Bruce into the sheriff’s position as soon as possible.
Adrian Bradford
Lyle
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