Letters: Elections, stop calls for defunding police and more | Oct. 1

Vote to 2 new commissioners

Chaos, egos, infighting and bad governance reign under the current leadership of Franklin County. We need change.

It’s time for level-headed adults to lead. Kim Lehrman and Ana Ruiz Peralta are qualified citizens with different backgrounds who are perfect bookends to lead. Lehrman is an educator. Peralta is chair of Tri-Cities Community Health. Together, they would oversee our large, diverse Franklin County with an attitude of growth and future vision.

Current commission members peck at each other like roosters trying to assert dominance. Every meeting is filled with name calling and accusations. The problems have now spilled into the election (Sept. 20, Herald). One of the commissioners recruited someone to be a write-in candidate against a fellow commission member. This write-in candidate has already stated he has a full-time job and would treat the commission as a side gig. We don’t want that to manage this complex county.

Our community is languishing due to economic issues, inadequate pandemic response and egos distracting from the work of the county. Let’s choose smart people to lead us and leave the divisiveness behind. Franklin County needs strength and foresight. Time to Build!

Vote Lehrman and Peralta. Vote for the future.

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No more calls for defunding police

No more calls for defunding the police. This is so crazy and dangerous. I have been biting my tongue over the last weeks with letters talking about defunding police. Then today I saw a unfortunate letter from Jim Watkins.

Jim, please research facts, facts matter. The police you have seen holding back have been restrained due to weak, worthless mayors such as Ted Wheeler or Jenny Durkin in Seattle. These mayors have told the police to stay back. The thought of not funding police reminds me of communist countries.

Everyone living in Washington and Oregon, look what has happened to Seattle and Portland because of the failed leadership of both governors and the mayors in Portland and Seattle. Remember, both cities saw people killed because the govenor and mayor of each state let it happen. All four of them have blood on their hands.

It’s time to up funds for law enforcement, weed out the half or 1% of bad cops and make our country safe again. Because of the comments from Democratic leaders, we have seen police officers ambushed. It needs to stop.

Full disclosure: I am a retired sheriff’s deputy. Vote Republican for entire ticket. Be safe.

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Remember to check air filters

This is just a reminder to check all filters in your home: your vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, air cleaners, etc.; one I almost forgot was the c-pap machine! Even though I replaced it recently, when I checked it tonight, it was black with soot!

No wonder I’ve had breathing issues!

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Left’s charges not true, reader says

These are the things the left is accusing President Trump of doing:

Threatening to shoot and kill peaceful protesters.

Calling the COVID-19 crisis a “hoax.”

Stealing the 2016 election.

Covering up his crimes in office.

Locking up innocent children at our border.

Intentionally dividing the country for personal gain.

Every single one of these is a bald-faced lie, but these are talking points that the Dems are chanting throughout the mainstream media. How are Americans who still think they can get “the news” from the networks supposed to educate themselves about the stakes in this presidential election if all they hear is this balderdash?

It is not a realistic contest if one of the candidates, or in this case campaign workers, refuses to deal in the truth. There is nothing in the above list that can even remotely be proven, much less evidenced by President Trump’s conduct in office. He has done more for the benefit of and improvement of life in America than the last four presidents behind him combined. I am sick of the lies.

The list was taken directly from a survey online entitled “STOP REPUBLICANS.”

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Studies ranked U.S. very tolerant

There have been at least two recent studies looking at racism across the globe. In a study by two Swedish economists, the USA was rated in the top tier of the most tolerant countries, with our northern partner Canada in the same category. The top tier represents countries in which the survey identified from 0% to a maximum of 4.9% of those polled indicating aversion to persons of a different race as neighbors. This was in stark contrast to South Africa, Nigeria, Libya, Morocco, Thailand, U.K. and Russia, to mention a few.

When the Swedish study was collated with other studies, Insider Monkey reported the USA was still in the top tier. India rolled in as the worst. However, China was not polled, but had it been, its egregious treatment of blacks and other ethnic and religious minorities would have ensured its first place in infamy.

I am proud to be an American and proud of our history. Unlike some other nations across the globe, we have faced the hard issues including slavery and discrimination and together have worked to ensure the blessings of equality, justice and liberty for all.

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Science magazine endorses Biden

Popular science magazine Scientific American has endorsed Joe Biden for president, the first political endorsement ever granted by the publication in its 175-year history. In the magazine’s October 2020 issue, the editors state, “The 2020 election is literally a matter of life and death.”

They argue that President Trump “has badly damaged the U.S. and its people — because he rejects evidence and science.” They add that Trump neglected to develop a national strategy to distribute personal protective equipment to healthcare workers, construct a coronavirus testing and tracing system, or issue clear health guidelines to the public.

They also say that Trump and Vice President Mike Pence misled the public to believe that “the worst days of the pandemic are behind us,” contrary to warnings from infectious disease experts that loosened safety rules would cause a rebound in COVID-19 cases.

Biden, meanwhile, has put forth policies to “beat the virus” without sacrificing economic recovery, such as establishing a national testing board tasked with distributing test supplies, as well as a Public Health Job Corps of 100,000 people. “He solicits expertise and has turned that knowledge into solid policy proposals,” the editors write.

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Mitchell knows all aspects of the law

I’ve known Mike (Mitchell) a long time. He was a trustworthy, straight-talking friend to all as a teenager and hasn’t changed. He has become more so. His compassion runs deep and he understands how important it is for everyone to be heard. That is how Mike approaches every facet of the law and he has practiced them all! From prosecuting cases in criminal court, traffic court and the State Appellate and Supreme Courts to defending criminals and engaging the breadth of civil law and arbitration, Mike is committed to fairness for every person he stands alongside or who stands before him.

The County Superior Court is where experience and knowledge of the law count. There are no gaps for Mike; he has done it all, and done it well. He is ready to serve his neighbors and address the growing court backlog caused by the pandemic.

We’ve had remarkable judges who served many years, but this is a four-year term, and rightfully so. We have a right and a responsibility to re-evaluate every four years. Mike is sharp as ever, a hybrid getting sharper and more efficient, who continues learning from each encounter.

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Raffa is the person for Benton County

Why vote for Justin Raffa?

The conflict in Benton County over managing the jail and sheriff’s operation is not the only issue. Several years ago, county sales tax was raised to fund programs improving mental health and behavior of people in our area. We’ve accumulated money, but not yet developed effective enough actions. We need on the (county) commission new ideas based on broader input and community support.

Justin Raffa has wider participation and contacts in many community organizations. He is expert in communication, energetic and experienced in organizing actions. He will stir participation and bring out fresh approaches to improving lives among us.

Reflect on what we should venture out on to improve our community. Step out of whatever rut we’re in, even if you think it’s a risk. Vote for Raffa.

This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Elections, stop calls for defunding police and more | Oct. 1."