Letters: Face masks and elections | July 28

Editor’s note: Letters about the upcoming Primary Election are due to the Tri-City Herald by 5 p.m. July 28.

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Wearing masks critical for revival

Want the local economy to open back up? Then put on a mask any time you are in a public space indoors or when mixing with others even when outdoors.

Some people are suggesting things will quickly go back to “normal” if everyone just stops wearing masks and those of us who are most likely to die if we catch the virus just never leave the house again.

But guess what? If those of us who don’t want to sacrifice our lives for your comfort should actually stay home and stop participating in the local economy, then big slices of the local economy are going to die for lack of customers, because surprise, surprise, we are a big slice of local businesses’ customer base.

Speaking only for myself, I miss going out to restaurants and having drink and a meal with family and friends once or twice a week and tipping generously before departing. But if to do so I have to risk my health, or even my life, because some people can’t be good citizens and show some respect for their neighbors by putting on a mask, then I guess I’ll just have to keep my money.

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Vote Chvatal in 16th District race

I want area residents to know how Frances Chvatal is qualified to represent us in the 16th District.

Frances was raised on a family farm in Touchet and grew up immersed in hard work and fiscal responsibility. She was steeped in the small school culture of athletics, clubs, student council, bake sales and chores.

From there, Frances graduated from WSU and has worked as a registered nurse for more than 30 years. If you know a nurse, then you know they are no-nonsense people who balance compassion with tenacity to get the job done. Frances is no exception. Further, she has experience in administration, policy implementation, oversight and mediating difficult situations.

From her nursing career, being the daughter of veteran parents who lived through World War II, and raising her own children through the angst of teenage years, Frances knows what our lives in Eastern Washington are like. She knows how to represent you in a practical, effective way. Contact her and tell her your story. She will listen.

Frances has career experience caring for the people of the 16th District here at home. With your vote, she can continue to look after our needs in Olympia.

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Dump the inexpert commissioners

Benton and Franklin counties: we can vote for better representation. Stop electing career politicians (20+ years) into local offices and then complain when they perform poorly. A career politician should be seasoned enough to discern where they lack expertise. Our Benton-Franklin Health District is governed by the six Benton and Franklin County commissioners. They could choose to have health experts on the board, but they chose not to. The commissioners’ resumes include a football player, former police officer, and career politicians: not a health degree amongst them. No wonder they bungled our COVID-19 response. Small businesses are shutting down and people are getting sick and dying at an increasing rate.

We can do better! Vote starting Aug. 4 for change. We need leaders that will listen to experts. We need leaders to be civil and responsible.

Vote for Justin Raffa, a balanced approach for Benton County.

Vote for Kim Lehrman for Franklin County, a person who leads by listening and learning.

Vote for Ana Ruiz Peralta for Franklin County, co-chair of Tri-Cities Community Health.

These are the people to lead us through a global pandemic who are ready to tackle the negative social and economic impacts we are facing. Vote.

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Garbe Reser is problem solver

Danielle Garbe Reser is the problem-solver we deserve

As mayor of College Place, I know first-hand the importance of effective public service leadership. That is why I encourage everyone to elect Danielle Garbe Reser to be our next 16th District state senator. A vote for Danielle is not about political affiliations or about a “wing,” it is about changing the people we have sent to Olympia who have failed to provide us with proper and bold representation.

In my work in economic development to improve the regional economy and increase employment opportunities, I had the pleasure of getting to know Danielle and watch her in action. In her former capacity as the CEO of Sherwood Trust, Danielle begun the Rural Funders’ Tour, which has attracted over $500,000 of outside investments to directly improve our region.

I have seen how Danielle Garbe Reser is a problem-solver and community helper. No matter your political persuasion or groups you identify with, Danielle has no prejudice; she simply cares about working for all citizens to solve problems.

Voters: please don’t miss out on our opportunity to elect a truly unbiased leader to represent us in the state Senate.

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Face masks and elections | July 28."