Excited to vote
I am excited by the opportunity I have this election to vote for so many strong, capable, competent and brave women.
KAMALA HARRIS for president. We need a steady hand on the tiller now more than ever.
MARIA CANTWELL for U.S. senator. Proven leadership in the senate for 24 years.
PAT McCARTHY for state auditor. I trust her to make sure our money is spent where we intended.
PATTY KUDERER for insurance commissioner. Why does insurance always have to be a struggle? I will be glad to have Patty in my corner!
MARLA KEETHLER for State senator LD 17. Wow, I couldn’t hope for anyone with more integrity, competence, vision, and heart to send to the state senate for our corner of the state.
TERRI NILES for state representative LD 17. Do you need safe, affordable childcare? Nurse Terri sees you. The caring compassion she brought to the emergency room every day she will bring to Olympia and boy, does our government need some life support right now.
AMANDA HOLTMAN KITCHINGS for Klickitat County Commissioner. She pledges to find common ground and work for all residents of the county, east to west.
Folks in Goldendale and Yakima are lucky to have an outstanding candidate for State Senate in District 14. MARIA BELTRAN knows agriculture. She grew up in a family that worked in Washington’s bedrock fruit industry, and she understands the challenges that face working parents every day.
I am jealous of my friends in Congressional District 3 who get to vote for MARIE GLUESENKAMP PEREZ for U.S. representative. Marie is a working mom and small business owner. She knows the challenges of finding a decent job, putting food on the table and a roof over your family's head are the same for Republicans as they are for Democrats. When she fixes a problem for her neighbors, she’s also fixing a problem for all Americans. That’s her job and why we should send her back to Congress.
I trust these women to protect and defend the bodies, souls, and rights of all citizens against all threats of violence or barriers to freedom and safety.
Howard Bulick
Bingen
Subscribe to CGN
I had a disappointing experience recently related to our wonderful local newspaper. On a Wednesday, I went to pick up the latest issue from the mailbox, which is clustered in a group of 26 in our housing development. I met the postman there, and when I told him I was there to grab the paper, he addressed me by name. Surprised, I asked how he knew, and he replied that we were the only household out of those 26 that subscribe to the Columbia Gorge News. Fewer than 4%? This was even more bewildering, as well as greatly saddening.
Folks, if you are reading this letter, you are most likely a subscriber already, but you can tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your neighbors. Tell your co-workers. We subscribed to the Hood River News for decades and it was a good paper, but the Columbia Gorge News is better and keeps improving. Just in the last couple of years they have added two outstanding feature columns: Mike Ballinger's riverfront trail musings and Flora Gibson's birding essays. I would purchase the paper for either of those articles alone.
In addition, you get generous and accurate coverage of Gorge-wide news and sports, life stories of community members through the obituaries, letters to the editor and longer opinion pieces, 100 years of fascinating nuggets through the This Week in History page, a calendar of current entertainment and other happenings, profiles of local businesses, all manner of classifieds, the police log and timely recaps of city council, county commission, school board and other meetings that impact our lives.
How is this not a steal for the price of one 1979 cup of coffee per week? With great thanks to Chelsea Marr and Trisha Walker for continuing to produce such a high quality product, let’s all promote this invaluable community resource.
Mike Scroggs
Hood River
Selfless acts
A heartfelt thank you to all American citizens who jumped into action helping states devastated by Hurricane Helene. The American love of country on full display. Private Americans risking life, limb and money for their fellow Americans, no hesitation, no questions left unanswered, no hidden agenda. Private American citizens providing food, water, fuel and Starlink communication. These selfless acts providing so much hope. All we need to know is that someone has our backs, it is all we ask.
Sheilah Nelson
Hood River
Free speech?
Freedom of speech — guaranteed by the First Amendment along with four other freedoms, freedom of religion, right to peacefully assemble, petition the government, and freedom of the press. So how would a second Trump administration view the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment? The answer is clear in the actions of his first administration. Trump leads sycophants in our country. He has taken his cue from other oligarchs such as Mussolini, Maduro, Pinochet, Putin, Erdogan, Hitler and more. Here is how Trump regards freedom of speech:
“… I would like to punch him in the face! Punch him in the face, and I’ll pay the attorney fees …” Feb. 25, 2016, at a Trump rally. He went on in a rant about in the old days they would carry that guy out on a stretcher!
June 1, 2020, people peacefully assembled at Lafayette square. The mayor of Washington, D.C., had BLM painted in bold letters on 14th Street adjacent to the White House. Those letters were part of a nationwide protest of police killing of George Floyd. Trump with orders given to the attorney general and other cabinet level officials forcefully and physically cleared the park using clubs. Donald wanted to march across the park and hold a Bible upside down for a photo opp. He thought only he had freedom of speech!
On Oct. 30, 2020, in Texas, Trump’s henchmen used a train of vehicles to force a Biden campaign bus off the road. A Texas court convicted Elizar Cisneros, a fervent Trumpster, of crimes committed during that episode. Only Trump can have a campaign bus?
On Sept. 23, 2017, 49-er quarterback Colin Kaepernick drew Trump's ire when he simply took a knee during the national anthem. He said, "Get that son-of-a-[xxx] off the field right now, he’s fired!"
This is all coming to The Dalles! Harris campaign signs are disappearing from lawns. On Facebook, Trumpites with MAGA hats are boasting about stealing pickups full of Harris-Walz signs. This demonstrates what free speech will look like in a second Trump administration!
Marta Moser
The Dalles
Man is on ballot
I have read statements by some that they are not voting for the man this year, they are voting for the policies. Except it doesn’t work that way. The policies are not on the ballot, the man is. And he knows it.
That’s why, when his advisors and supporters ask that he talk more about policies than personal attacks, he doesn’t listen: He knows you will still vote for him. That’s why a town in Ohio is victimized. The woman who started the rumor that Haitians ate her cat found the cat (“Sassy”) in the basement. She apologized. But Trump did not, didn’t even stop making the accusation: He knows you will still vote for him.
And if he is elected, then he truly knows it doesn't matter: You will still vote for him. This time there will be no guardrails, because there is no accountability. And he has always known it. He said years ago that he could shoot somebody in the middle of the street and he wouldn’t lose any votes. Would he?
Dean Myerson
The Dalles
What kind of country?
The 2024 presidential campaigns genuinely offer a distinctive choice in how we view our young country and what we want our futures to look like. Since Reagan, political leaders have encouraged us to think only about ourselves and our current prosperity, asking us, “Are you better off today than you were under the previous administration?”
In this current election, a bigger question must be our focus: What kind of country do you want to live in? One focused on fear, racism, revenge, misogyny, loss of freedoms, and a free-for-all for corporations to pillage our planet? Do we want to live in a country where a small group of people has decided that we don’t deserve the opportunity to live freely? A group that wants Project 2025 — essentially a replacement for our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and historical judicial decisions — to force us under the rule of one man and his power-hungry sycophants. An autocratic leadership that will force Christian nationalism into our government, our media, our education systems and our culture, using the fascist playbook as its template.
Or a country rooted in compassionate values like dignity, empathy, equality, kindness and respect? Do we want to live by the democratic ideals that have served our young country well?
Character matters. We must ensure that our leaders have a moral underpinning that shows up every day in their personal and political actions. I want to know that the values of compassion, empathy and kindness guide their actions. Honesty is often hard to find in the political industry, but the truth is simple: If a candidate shows you who they are, believe them.
Would you tolerate a friend who intentionally lies, exaggerates, and distorts reality? A friend who insults and calls you names when your opinion is different? A friend who cares nothing about your life, values, opportunities and freedoms? Someone who refers to you as a loser, a basement dweller and not very smart? Why would you accept a political leader who does?
This election has only one option: Vote blue down the ticket.
Sue Kusch
White Salmon
Yes for CGCC
Please join me in voting for the Community College Bond Measure 33-111. I remember the day when we cut the ribbon on the new building in Hood River and joined the college district. Since then, countless kids (and adults) have benefited from this local educational resource. As the buildings age, we need to keep them up and modern. I want the next generation to have the same high quality Columbia Gorge Community College that we enjoy today. Thanks.
Mayor Paul Blackburn
Hood River
Support bond
I am writing to voice my strong support for Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) Bond Measure 33-111, which will be on the ballot next month. As a 15-year resident of The Dalles, I have seen the positive effects of having a strong local community college in our community and on our regional economy. As a member of CGCC's Board of Education, I understand how our Columbia Gorge communities will benefit with passage of this bond.
Voting yes for Columbia Gorge Community College will not raise our taxes and will grant our community college the means to maintain and enhance its ability to provide high quality accessible education and workforce training opportunities for students of all ages in our region. This $13 million bond would keep the current tax rate of $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed property value and, if passed, secure an additional $5.5 million in state matching funds, bringing the total benefit to CGCC of $18.5 million.
Before introducing this bond, the college did a thorough needs assessment for both The Dalles and Hood River campuses. A survey polling its faculty, staff, students and community partners helped to prioritize the list of needed capital projects. The clear results were that campus safety, better learning technology, and updating the older buildings with more efficient systems — from HVAC to wifi, are most needed in order for the college to continue to grow its ability to serve our community.
This bond measure was written carefully to bring in enough taxpayer investment to secure a significant matching grant from the state with no tax increase, and still be enough to complete the highest priority campus safety, technology, and infrastructure updates in The Dalles and Hood River.
I urge my fellow community members to vote in favor of Bond Measure 33-111.Let's come together to support the future of Columbia Gorge Community College and secure the resources needed for the continued success of our students and community. Thank you for your consideration.
Kim Morgan
Chair, CGCC Board of Education
For Farris
Rob Farris is not a "yes" man. He is not always agreeable and likes to challenge agency plans and proposals. He is an expert devil's advocate and is comfortable with uncomfortable conversations. These are the reasons I included him in important work when I was a school district leader. More importantly, his unwavering commitment to the community is evident in all his actions, which is why I would trust him as a county commissioner.
As a former school district superintendent, I approached Rob. I asked him to join the district task force responsible for formulating a plan for the district's future, specifically considering buildings, configuration, and infrastructure. Rob responded, “You don't want me on that task force, Karen. I won't agree with all of your ideas and I ask hard questions.” I responded, “That is exactly why I'm inviting you to the table.” Over the next 18 months, Rob was an engaged, thoughtful, safety- and money-minded citizen who shared impactful ideas and challenged popular suggestions. Rob had the ability to see the big picture but also notice intricate details. His voice was always respectful and reasonable, contributing to other committee members listening. He was able to effectively collaborate with others, even those with differing opinions, which significantly strengthened our final proposals. This should reassure you of his excellent decision-making skills.
There is no doubt that some will be uncomfortable with Rob as a commissioner. "Old ways" will be examined, and if they are not best for the county, they will be challenged. Spending, systems, and procedures will be questioned to ensure that they meet their intended purpose in the most efficient way possible. There is no expectation of "status quo" when Rob is at the table. However, his unwavering commitment and his heart will always be for the people of Skamania County.
Rob deeply understands the needs of our community and is dedicated to serving them, which should instill confidence in his dedication to our community.
Karen Douglass
Stevenson
Be kind
Be kind, be respectful and tell the truth are just a few of the attributes we try to teach our children. We expect our leaders to be further examples by contributing to the health and well-being of our communities. We speak of divisiveness, social media stress, and all the issues facing families these days. Until 2016, the United States had never experienced a leader who set a tone of unkindness, dishonesty and disrespect without remorse or understanding of the impact to the core fabric of a healthy society. We have a choice, my vote is for Kamala Harris for president. Please vote for a kinder and healthier world with me.
Bill Lennox
The Dalles
Vote Keethler
As United States citizens we have the great privilege of electing the folks who represent us in running our government. As human beings, the right thing to do is for us to elect those who take care in working for all of us, not just a special few. There is such a candidate running for the Washington State Senate in Legislative District 17 (LD17). Marla Keethler, as a former White Salmon city councilor and now mayor, has shown that care. Please go to www.marlaforsenate.com to read about her background and her positions on affordable housing, childcare, public safety, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Janet Holen
White Salmon
Vote Andrews
I am writing in support of Todd Andrews for commissioner of Klickitat County. I have gotten to know Todd over the last couple of years and have found him to be a hardworking, reliable and honorable man with integrity and a desire to help make local government work for the people. Todd understands the challenges of running a business and will fight to defend the rights that we as citizens cherish. He is a fine gentleman who will be an excellent servant leader for Klickitat County. Please vote for Todd Andrews!
Patricia Kreiter
White Salmon
Free Palestine
I’ve never reached out to my community in this way. However, if I’m being honest, since Oct. 7, 2023, I’ve learned to lean on my community in new ways — sharing food, sharing anger, sharing late-night phone calls with friends experiencing injury. I’ve understood the truth of resiliency to be something I’ve never chosen — that a community would never choose — but as something that is thrust upon us and forces us to be creative, connected, and irrefutably hopeful.
That being said, as an Oregonian, I’ve been consistently demanding that my tax dollars no longer fund financial, moral or military assistance to Israel while their government engages in genocide. I can acknowledge the complexity of this sentence and the defenses that might be coming up for folks as they read it. However, from the Gorge to Palestine, an occupation is a crime, and I do not consent.
I demand that my representatives on a state, congressional, and district level listen to their constituents, and take action. For someone like Rep. Helfrich, who is confused on how a Free Palestine impacts his community on a district level, consider the millions of dollars Oregon has divested from its fight for housing, education, etc., only to be spent on weaponry.
After a year of calling and writing to my representatives every day, being spat on by community members passing me at a peaceful protest, being harassed on my own school’s campus, I’m grateful for this opportunity to speak. I want to leave my representatives and my neighbors with this thought:
If you’re ever been kept awake, haunted by environmental injustice, reproductive injustice, the need for equal rights for Black, Brown, and Indigenous neighbors, the expeditious rise of police brutality, the militarization tactics within police forces, the housing crisis and homelessness epidemic, then you are, by proxy, concerned for a Free Palestine. If you’re White, as I am, we do not have the privilege of losing hope. Speak up.
I dream of community that isn’t based in genocide.
Clare Stanfield
Hood River
Bipartisan Newhouse
In this upcoming session of Congress, with conservatives needing to hold onto our very thin majority, one of the most senior committee and caucus chairs is our own Dan Newhouse.
Dan has represented Washington State so successfully because he is not only a leader in the agricultural industries but understands how critical energy independence can be in our everyday lives. We voters each have our special issues but we need always step back and also see the forest not just specific trees. No senior congressperson will vote every single time the exact way you or I had hoped but Dan understands that rarely will any bill ever get every single legislator of your own party to agree, and in Washington State, it would only take two or three dissenters to keep a bill from passing, so it is critical to always get that two or three from the other party. Dan has the honor of being highly respected by key congresspersons on both sides of the chamber and that is how we get the most benefit in Congressional District 4.
This would be the worse possible term to even consider a freshman with no proven leadership skills or career reputation especially one whose reputation were that of an extremist right. Dan’s majority was diluted in the primary due to multiple failed challengers in his own party.
Voters eliminated them so let’s be certain Dan gets the full majority in November.
Adrian Bradford
Lyle
Bridge walk
I’d like to add my vote for having an annual bridge walk until the Hood River Bridge is removed. If there was a fundraiser as a part of each walk I bet the Port could recoup lost revenue from tolls. Thanks to everyone who made that possible for us today [Oct. 6]!
Avery Hoyt
White Salmon
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