Your voice: Oct. 16, 2024

Bob and Mary Beth Thouvenel

The Dalles

Support 33-111

We are writing in support of Measure 33-111 on the Nov. 5 ballot. This measure will provide important funding to Columbia Gorge Community College and support our students and communities.

As a former college staff member (Mary) and as a sitting county commissioner (Steve), we understand the importance of CGCC to our students, communities, and our economy. Easy and affordable access to local, high-quality education and training programs is a tremendous asset to high school students. From those wanting to get an early start on a university degree, to those seeking training and skills needed in a trade or technical profession, the community college is an excellent next step beyond high school.

This bond will enable CGCC to continue to provide high-quality education to our students and create a skilled workforce for our industry. Please visit https://www.votecgcc.org/ to learn about how you can contribute to our effort.

Steve and Mary Kramer

Dufur

SMART readers

Please consider joining us in reading to our local kids in the SMART program that is starting again this fall in the elementary schools. Reading to a child in the Oregon SMART program is the best volunteer work I have ever done!

It is fun to see the excitement and joy the first and second graders exhibit when they share quality, desirable books with their “special reader.” It is essential that children find engaging books at the right reading level and that the books are challenging enough for the child to make progress and build their confidence in reading. Young kids need and love individual attention, and SMART is an excellent program that gives kids just what they need.

Volunteers spend about 1.5 hours a week at the school usually in the morning. It is okay if one has to miss a few times over the next eight months of school since the program is set up to have substitute readers. By volunteering to read to kids at our schools, you can show them the importance of reading. The readers find it very satisfying to see a child make progress one on one through books. If you want to volunteer, call Kate Drahota at 541 436-5457 or you can email Kate at kdrahota@smartreading.org For more information on the SMART program visit www.SMARTReading.org.

Nancy Johanson Paul,

SMART reader

Hood River

Speaking of the rich ...

We have our eyes on the big picture: The threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump, whose disregard for the rule of law, the electoral process, and the peaceful transfer of power, are well documented, but let us not forget that his real economic policies favor the rich. Those policies include keeping the massive tax cut for them with crumbs for the rest of us — that was his main accomplishment in his first term. Also well-documented is the massive transfer of wealth to the already wealthy, our very own oligarchs, ever since Reagan helped jump start trickle down economics. The rich want to keep that money spigot flowing their way, which is why Elon Musk and his ilk are supporting Trump. These wanna-be oligarchs haven’t learned the history lesson that if you create an autocratic system, you are then at the mercy of the whims of your fearless leader. And we’ve seen that Trump's demands for loyalty only go in one direction — towards him!

In Washington State, we have our own rich guy, Brian Heywood, who has funded four initiatives to keep that spigot flowing upward (I-2109, I-2117, I-2124, and I-2166) — all designed to take away things that will benefit the many to enrich the few. Vote NO on them all.

The Harris/Walz ticket and the Democrats want to challenge Trump’s “socialism for the rich” mentality, and provide more avenues for wealth building among the shrinking middle class. Those avenues include adding living-wage jobs; increasing manufacturing; and assistance in childcare, starting small businesses, building housing, and being able to afford those houses once built. Home ownership is a big step towards building generational wealth, a step that has been denied to many in our country. Vote Democrat up and down the ballot.

Mark Browne

White Salmon

Vote yes Prop 1

On Nov. 5, Skamania County Park and Recreation District No. 1, perhaps better known as the Underwood Park and Recreation District (UPRD), will ask the voters in Underwood to renew the existing 20-cents-per-$1,000 property tax levy to support Underwood Park and the Community Center.

To begin, let’s state the obvious: Nobody likes taxes. However, to live in a modern, civilized, society roads, bridges, police, national defense, and public buildings all must be paid for by taxes of one form or another. But the key is: What do you get for the dollars you pay?

A bit of history: Approximately a decade ago, Skamania County, at a time of financial stress, proposed selling off the Underwood Park and Community Center. Nearly a century old, the community center building was in sad shape and the county had no money to maintain the park. To save the park and community center, a group of Underwood residents formed the UPRD. Underwood voters then approved a 20-cents/$1,000 tax levy in 2017, providing a stable funding base for the park.

With dollars from the levy coupled with income from rental of the community center, private donations, and thousands of volunteer hours, the UPRD has worked to repair many shortcomings of the community center building. In the past six years, among other things, UPRD has:

Insulated the community center and reinforced the attic

Replaced the windows

Installed gutters, and French drains

Upgraded the lighting

Refinished and re-striped the gym floor

Remodeled the bathrooms

Remodeled the kitchen

Created an emergency room with Ham radio

Registered with the Red Cross as an emergency shelter

There is more to do. Decades of neglect are not reversed overnight. We need to replace the community center vinyl siding, renovate the baseball field, and re-side and paint the post office building.

If you are an Underwood voter, YOUR tax money IS being used efficiently to restore and improve an important Community asset: OUR Underwood Park.

Please vote YES on Skamania County Park and Recreation District Proposition 1 to renew the existing Underwood Park tax levy on Nov. 5.

Patrick McConnell

Underwood

Yes to college

I am writing to express my full support for the bond on the November ballot, which will continue the critical work of Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC).

When I consider the essential services that make life in the Gorge so special — hospitals, food producers, and first responders — it's clear that our local schools, including CGCC, are just as crucial. Many of the professionals who serve us in these roles got their start at CGCC.

Though we may not see the college buildings every day, we certainly see the impact of its graduates across the community. CGCC plays a pivotal role in training and developing the skilled workforce that supports our region. It serves as a hub for education and lifelong learning, driving growth and opportunity for all of us here in the Gorge.

As the only institution of higher education in the Columbia River Gorge, CGCC helps build the foundation for a thriving community. I encourage voters to visit cgccbond.org to learn more about how this bond will improve campus safety, modernize facilities, and strengthen workforce training.

Voting yes on this bond will also unlock $5.5 million in matching funds from the State of Oregon—funds the college will only receive if the bond passes. Best of all, this bond won’t raise tax rates. Let's keep investing in our future by supporting CGCC.

Lee Weinstein

The Dalles

The best choice

As the former Executive Secretary/Clerk of the Board for the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners, I totally endorse Ron Ihrig for the position of District 3 County Commissioner!

I worked with Ron while managing Landfill Gas grants approved by the Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of upgrading or repairing various community water systems. Ron Ihrig oversaw these projects as the  Klickitat PUD operations manager and he was always professional, knowledgeable, communicative, fiscally accountable and reported to the Board of County Commissioners on a routine basis.

I believe Ron Ihrig has the integrity, honesty, management skills and experience to successfully work with other elected county officials, department heads and employees, as well as the ability to start to rebuild valuable relationships with other county, state and federal agencies. Ron understands how to be a leader and a team member and will work hard for all Klickitat County citizens.

Lee Snell

Goldendale

Change the law

Portland students are calling for greater restrictions on gun ownership to stop gun threats and violence. They're asking Portland Public Schools to increase mental health support, make school safety improvements, and lobby lawmakers to raise the age to purchase semi-automatic weapons, among other actions.

Raise the age to purchase semi automatic weapons? Why on earth does anyone need to have an automatic weapon? I just don’t get it! Aren’t we all tired of "thoughts and prayers" — then go on to learn of another horrible event! The Constitution writers certainly had no clue what their ideas would devolve to.

Keep writing your representatives. We have to change this!

Maria Kollas

Hood River

Worldwide threat

Donald Trump IS a worldwide threat to democracy.

Bob Woodward, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for coverage of the Nixon Watergate scandal and 9/11 terrorist attacks, is out with a new book which reveals more on Trump’s well-documented cozy relationship with Vladimir Putin. New revelations: 1) Trump secretly sent very scarce COVID-19 testing equipment to Putin; and 2) After leaving office, Trump has secretly talked directly to Putin as many as seven times.

Woodward has impeccable credentials. Trump is a well-established pathological liar — and predictably attacked Woodward’s veracity and character:

“None of these made up stories by Bob Woodward are true and are the work of a truly demented and deranged man who suffers from a debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Woodward is an angry, little man ... a total sleazebag who has lost it mentally, and he's slow, lethargic, incompetent and overall a boring person with no personality.”

Trump “doth protest too much,” and there’s no better example of narcissistic projection — Trump’s accusations are a reflection of himself.

As Kamala Harris states, “Trump has this desire to be a dictator. He admires strongmen and he gets played by them because he thinks that they're his friends, and they are manipulating him full time by flattery and with favor.”

Is Putin's power over Trump just a case of a former KGB master manipulator playing a useful idiot like a violin? Or is it a possible blackmail Russian prostitute rendezvous tape, promises of Trump Tower Moscow, or something else? One thing is certain: If Trump is reelected, besides losing our own democracy, wannabe dictator Trump will re-assume his position as Putin's No. 1 lap dog. At that point, you can kiss our NATO allies goodbye, and buy new world maps without Ukraine on them.

Bob Yoesle

Goldendale

For Walden Poublon

The voters in Oregon House District 52 have an opportunity this election to send to Salem an outstanding representative — Nick Walden Poublon. He is an engaging, informed candidate whose passion for the issues of affordable housing, the environment, access to meaningful healthcare and living wages is quite apparent. Having grown up on a dairy farm, Nick can speak plainly and compellingly to rural constituents. He is well-versed on the background of important issues that concern Oregonians. He is a good communicator with the adaptability to engage with the diversity of urban and rural constituents in our district.

It is time that the voters in District 52 retire Jeff Helfrich, whose voting record shows he is stuck in the past with a worn out ideology that places special interests above the needs of ordinary Oregonians. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees gave him a grade of F on how he voted for pro-worker policies. The Oregon League of Conservation Voters gave him a meager 7% on their legislative scorecard of his environmental votes. Helfrich’s NO vote on the Climate Resilience Package would have turned down $1 billion in federal funding to improve the lives and livelihoods of Oregonians. Fortunately, the bill passed.

Just as on the national ballot, this election in House District 52 is an opportunity to move Oregon into a future of fairness, justice, and a government that cares for its most vulnerable citizens. Nick Walden Poublon is the right choice to help us all move forward.

John Christensen

Corbett

Harris experienced

The Biden-Harris administration (Biden-Harris) achieved major results at home and abroad in less than four years — results that benefit all of us. The media under-reported these Biden-Harris accomplishments, and virtually did not report on Harris’s significant and many contributions. This led to widespread unawareness of the benefits for Americans that were achieved by Biden-Harris and Harris’s role in achieving those results. Until her candidacy for POTUS, the press also didn’t cover Harris’s nearly 35 years’ experience in government, as an elected official in California, in the U.S. Senate, and as Vice President of the United States (bit.ly/3ZTPOPo).

Due to video coverage of Harris’s campaign and numerous interviews, Americans have learned about her extensive experience as an elected leader and to perceive Vice President Harris’s high energy, high intelligence, sharp mental acuity, rapid repartee, charisma and authenticity. She’s lively, enthusiastic and commanding. It’s clear that Kamala Harris has the experience and bearing to be President of the United States.

Nonetheless, there’s more to learn about her experience, contributions to the Biden-Harris Administration, and her planned Administration focus and policies, if elected. To learn about Harris’s generally under-reported contributions to the successful Biden-Harris Administration, click this link: bit.ly/3NgFitG.

Steve Heitmann

White Salmon

Kitchings has vote

Equitable economic development is crucial for creating well-paying jobs across Klickitat County, not just at the port, and for boosting revenues to support our shrinking county budget. Amanda Holtman Kitchings, a candidate for Klickitat County Commissioner, District 1, has a fresh approach to these challenges. Unlike her competitors, Amanda thinks creatively and understands that economic growth must be tackled from multiple perspectives.

One of the biggest hurdles to development in our county is the lack of affordable housing and childcare, which Amanda recognizes as critical barriers for attracting businesses. She proposes an innovative solution: attracting a housing manufacturer to the area, which would not only provide affordable homes but also create jobs for skilled laborers and apprentices.

Klickitat County needs someone with enthusiasm, vision, and bold ideas. Amanda Holtman Kitchings is that candidate. Vote for Amanda for Klickitat County Commissioner, District 1.

Sandra Holden Montag

White Salmon

Dan Boyes for PUD

Dan Boyes is running for Skamania County Public Utility Commissioner. I have known Dan Boyes for many years in several contexts. He is consistent and solid.

Dan is faithful to show up, he engages, he is always learning, he is involved, and he cares. When decisions do not go the way he believes is best for the public utility district (PUD) he then works to find compromise. He is one of the few in government who can see the long-term implications of current decisions made. He is well versed in economics, political theory, and common sense.

Dan understands the bigger picture — there are not just the current costs but also the long-term infrastructure costs, which include wire, poles, transformers, trucks, labor, along with the costs of satisfying bureaucratic regulations and state and federal mandates.

For Boyes, there is no such thing as a free lunch; keeping power and water flowing to your home and business has a cost. Plus, looking to the future to keep it flowing has costs as well. There is no wisdom in reducing rates in the present — kicking the can’s costs into the future — only to be hit with the inevitable reality of those costs later. This is a public utility, and as such, the public needs to pay the costs. Pay up front or pay later.

Dan is willing to listen and dialog. He is witty and helpful and kind. I will be voting for Dan Boyes PUD Commissioner. I encourage you all to do the same.

Richard Mahar

Skamania Co. Commissioner

Washougal

Boyes best choice

I have lived in Skamania County for 50 years and I have known Dan Boyes for many years. He is up for election as PUD Commissioner.

I voted for him last time and I wholeheartedly will vote for him this time! When you talk to Dan, he is calm, logical and wise. He really knows PUD details and can explain things well.

I am 97 years old. I do not give out endorsements to just anyone. If you drive past my place, you will see his pretty blue sign on the side of my barn. Dan has earned my endorsement along with my vote!

Thomasina (Tommy) Campbell

Underwood

Poublon will show up

I'll be voting for Nick Walden Poublon for Oregon state representative (HD-52) because I know he’ll show up and do the hard work of listening to constituents, attending legislative hearings, working with other legislators to reach agreement on bills, and then show up to vote on those bills.

Nick’s opponent has already admitted that he’ll use yet another walkout to stall or kill legislation that he and his GOP colleagues don’t approve of. With so much that needs to be done here in Oregon, we just can’t afford to let a few legislators hold us all hostage by walking off the job to prevent the passage of all legislation. Even after Oregonians overwhelmingly (68%) voted for Measure 113 in 2022 to stop walkouts, Republican legislators continue to manipulate the law and use walkouts as a threat to serve their minority agenda.

Please join me in voting for Nick Walden Poublon because he will show up to work every day to improve the lives of all Oregonians. Learn more at NWPforOregon.com.

Serena Smith

The Dalles

Vote for Poublon

If you live in The Dalles, Mosier, or Hood River, you probably live in Oregon’s House District 52. If so, you have a great opportunity to elect an excellent candidate, Nick Walden Poublon, as our next state representative.

I have gotten to know Nick since he decided to run for state rep almost a year ago, and each time I meet him, I learn something more about him and am more impressed.  After experiencing a healthcare crisis as a college student, Nick has since dedicated himself to ensuring that others have access to affordable and effective healthcare. He is very knowledgeable and deeply passionate about this issue, as well as many other issues that matter to Oregonians.

I will be voting for Nick because I know he will also be a strong advocate for affordable housing, a healthy environment, addressing climate change, and economic development that focuses on support for small businesses and programs to create high-paying jobs in the technology and green energy sectors. Nick has been endorsed by the Democratic, Independent and Working Families Parties of Oregon.

Your ballots are being mailed to you on Wednesday, Oct. 16, so watch for them in the mail between Thursday and Saturday. When your ballot arrives, please join me in voting for Nick, and then return your ballot as soon as possible. With so much at stake in this election, please use the power of your vote to elect people with integrity, respect for the rule of law, and good old-fashioned human decency.

Debi Ferrer

The Dalles

Kamala Harris for president

My family and I were all born in Canada. We immigrated to Houston, Texas, so my father could attend Bible school, where my twin sister and I remember separate drinking fountains for white and Black people. We couldn’t understand why they had different water fountains.

Later, we moved to a German neighborhood in northeast Portland. One day when I was in middle school, my mother came home from work at the Lloyd Center and told me that a Black person had not been allowed to eat at a lunch counter there. My mother and I were shocked that a customer was denied service. I am still stunned even now.

Today, we in the United States of America have the freedom to include people whom previous generations have excluded. We can advocate for those against whom others may continue to discriminate, and we have the opportunity to vote for a candidate who stands up for others; who tells the truth; who cares and empathizes; who honors race, gender, ability, diversity, religion, and all socioeconomic levels; who believes in the goodness of immigrants; who abhors physical and sexual abuse; and who has the utmost integrity.

I have therefore decided to vote for Kamala Harris as president. She is a strong and articulate leader who fights for the rights of all, including those historically overlooked by society: women and children, the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed. She will be a president for all people of a United States of America.

Sharon Stewart

The Dalles

For Ihrig

As a former Klickitat County Commissioner for District 2, having served 16 years, I know both candidates running for District 3.

I worked with Dan Christopher for two years, so I feel I know him pretty well and how he works. I have had multiple opportunities to observe his approach to county governance, his character and how he treats county employees and citizens. I’ve known Ron Ihrig for about 18 years. He has done the job as a county commissioner before, and did it well. He did it with honesty, integrity and decency. That is why he’s earned my endorsement and my vote. I’m glad he’s running for the position to serve again. Please join me in voting for Ron Ihrig for Klickitat County Commissioner for District 3.

David Sauter

Lyle