In 2008, our youngest child graduated from Kamiakin. It would be easy to say that now that our children are out of school, our support of the schools could be diminished. But that is not the case.

Our children benefitted from the great Kennewick schools that have been supported by taxpayers for countless years, many of whom did not have children in the schools but believed in the value of education in this community.

We believe that is the case now for us, as well. We not only owe it to the children who are in school and will be in school in the future, but we owe it to the people who believed enough in great schools through the years and supported them with their yes votes on levies and bonds.

Kennewick has great schools and a community that supports them. We have voted yes and mailed in our ballots. We encourage you to do the same. Pay it back and pay it forward. Your vote makes a difference. Please don't leave that yes vote sitting on the counter. The deadline is Feb. 14.

Bob and Mary Lynn Merriman, Kennewick