Letters: Elections and fossil fuel | Sept. 17

Randy Slovic for Richland Council

Most Richland residents do not know that a Richland City Council position has been vacated. The period for applying for the open position is now closed and within a month the remaining six council members will select someone to fill the vacant position.

I and many others support Randy Slovic for the current vacancy on the Richland City Council because:

She has shown she has the knowledge, experience and dedication to the community to help us make Richland one of the most efficient, progressive and quality cities in Washington.

Her integrity is not questioned.

Her dedication to citizens’ needs is not a question.

Her willingness to sacrifice herself to work and understand what is needed for the community is not questioned.

Her dedication to understanding the community needs, through open dialog, is not questioned.

Her lack of conflict of interest is not questioned.

And last, she will not compromise her values for the sake of a facade of cooperation.

Please contact the Richland City Hall, find out who has applied, what the selection criteria will be used, and email the council members who you support and why.

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Raffa is right for Benton County

“A balanced approach, a civil voice, the responsible choice” aptly describes Justin Raffa.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Justin for years as a fellow member of Richland Rotary Club. Justin was a breath of fresh air when he joined our club and quickly found opportunities to engage with our motto, “Service Above Self.” He became chair of our program committee and song committee where he worked to diversify the topics of our guest presentations and reignited our singing club with a surprise song each week.

Justin is a dynamic leader focused on community building and aligns himself with Rotary’s Four Way Test and I have no doubt that he will apply such measures to his work as an elected official.

I am proud to endorse Justin Raffa for Benton County commissioner - District 1, and I hope you will join me in voting for him this fall.

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Fossil fuel costs higher than thought

It has long been known that air pollution linked to the burning of fossil fuels exacts costs in the form of increased deaths, chronic diseases, health care expenses and losses to economic productivity. Recent research is showing that the health costs arising from fossil fuel air pollution are much greater than previously thought.

In testimony before Congress, Dr. Shindell from Duke University stated these costs are twice what was previously believed. It is estimated that the health and economic costs associated with burning fossil fuels are over $700 billion per year in the U.S. alone. In fact, it is estimated these costs alone exceed the costs of transitioning our energy supply from fossil fuels to clean energy options. That does not include co-benefits such as reducing the severity and costs associated with wildfires, violent storms, droughts and floods, as well as improving the health and vitality of forests, agriculture, fisheries, and the natural ecosystems that sustain us. Many new jobs would also be created in the transition.

Details at: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/8/12/21361498/climate-change-air-pollution-us-india-china-deaths

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Elections and fossil fuel | Sept. 17."