Herald election letters support Britain, Rodgers, Steinert, Hagarty, Jansons and Garcia

Steinert, Rodgers are best for KSD

Electing Kennewick School Board directors is a right and responsibility. Candidates must be qualified to deal with the complexities of guiding public education. Clearly, Erin Steinert and Scott E. Rodgers are highly qualified. Erin and Scott will work to serve students first. They envision an inviting school environment for all students based on individual achievement and social development.

Both will ensure an academic program that provides the higher-level skills needed for learning beyond high school. Importantly, Erin and Scott possess the transferable skills, knowledge and background requisite for being a school district leader. It would be a missed opportunity not to select them as directors. Kennewick voters are fortunate to have excellent candidates like Erin Steinert and Scott E. Rodgers. Please elect them to serve our students and community on the Kennewick School Board.

Caprice Consalvo-Olson, Kennewick

Hagarty her pick for Port of Benton

Jane Hagarty has my vote for Port of Benton commissioner this election.

As a retired economic development director, I have personally witnessed countless times when Jane Hagarty’s leadership and experience has literally driven a vital role in economic development. Her vision as our port commissioner has been to strategically align with other economic agencies to focus on a diverse economy for the region, such as agribusiness, transportation, manufacturing, clean energy and tourism.

Jane is a team player and has been successful in forming public and private alliances that have benefited our area. She is highly respected for her no-nonsense approach to solving issues. Commissioner Hagarty has successfully pushed for strategic investments to improve regional economic growth and prosperity. Actively listening to community input has allowed Jane to move into action with her fellow commissioners to expand the Richland and Prosser airports, provide incubator space in Richland, Benton City and Prosser to support small business startups and helped to secure a Washington State University partnership for the struggling nonprofit of the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.

Jane Hagarty has been a proven Port of Benton leader.

Deb Heintz, Prosser

Jansons, Garcia right for Richland

Over the last 20 years, Rick Jansons has always had my vote for the Richland School Board. He has served us admirably and is well regarded at the state level, at great benefit to us. No other candidate or current board member has his experience and expertise. The future of our children, and indeed our future, depends on quality education. Vote for Rick Jansons. He puts kids first!

Danica Garcia has the right experience we need on the Richland School District Board. She is compassionate, hard-working, and dedicated to ensuring all students get a quality education. Please vote for Danica Garcia.

Janell Hales, Richland

Rodgers her pick for school board

As a physician with over 35 years of service in the Tri-Cities and parent of three children educated in the Kennewick School District, I am honored to endorse Scott Rodgers to the Kennewick School Board position 1.

Counselor Rodgers is devoted to education. He has a vision for the future, along with a deep respect for the past. I look forward to seeing him strengthen the school district and help guide decisions affecting our children in the years to come.

Sheila K. Dunlop, D.O.

Founding director, Trios Family Medicine Residency

Britain effective in helping downtown

As a commercial property and business owner in Kennewick, I have seen (the) downtown struggle at times from the lack of attention and care received from the City of Kennewick.

When Don Britain was elected to the City Council 12 years ago, he worked to establish partnerships with the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership and the Port of Kennewick. The partnerships he put in place are bringing about meaningful changes.

His leadership resulted in the city partnering with the Port of Kennewick on the Washington Street improvements to help the connection from downtown to the river, and with the port on the port’s Columbia Gardens Urban Wine and Artian Village. This project won the Governor’s Award for economic partnership excellence.

As the Port of Kennewick develops Vista Field, Clover Island and the former Willows Trailer Park, Mayor Britain’s leadership has the city being a strategic and meaningful partner in these projects.

Don Britain believes he is elected to serve his constituents. He has no personal agenda except working to enhance the quality of life enjoyed in Kennewick and elevating the economic viability of Kennewick’s business community. Please vote to return Don Britain to office.

Shannon Novakovich, 2010 Kennewick Woman of the Year

Hagarty has right experience at port

As Richland’s economic development manager and longtime member of the Tri-Cities Research District, I have been in a position to watch and evaluate the success of the Port of Benton for more than 20 years. During that time, Jane Hagarty has often led that success.

She has served on the commission for 27 years and is currently chairperson. During that time, the port has supported a diverse economic development program including agribusiness, transportation, high-tech research, entrepreneurism, small business creation and development, clean energy and tourism. Recent examples include a co-sponsorship of a federal grant to develop startup programming for small business and a local equity fund; joining with public and private sector partners on an advanced small nuclear reactor demonstration project; partnering with the City of Richland in planning and development of the 1,300 acres received from the federal government in North Richland, Prosser airport improvements, and a home for the Hanford History Project and the Department of Energy B Reactor Visitor Center. Jane played a vital role in the recent transition of the port staff as they prepare for the future.

Join me in supporting Jane Hagarty for Benton County Port commissioner.

C. Mark Smith, Richland

Jansons a veteran in school matters

What kind of a person would do a volunteer job for 20 years? Must be someone who is totally committed to making sure the Richland School District is the best it can be for everyone’s kids. Rick Jansons is that guy.

With 20 years of experience, he’s seen it all: levies and bonds, superintendents come and go, new schools built and old ones torn down, unimaginable crises and he’s dealt with them all in the calm, cool manner that ensures the best outcome for our kids.

He knows what school boards can and cannot do. He won’t make wild promises that are beyond the limits of the position just to get your vote.

His position as president of the Washington State School Directors Association gives him access to the best ideas from other school districts in our state and weekly conference calls with the governor’s office.

If he’s willing to serve for another four years, I’m sure going to vote for experience in these difficult times. I hope that you’ll join me in voting for Rick Jansons for Richland School Board, Position No. 2.

Ed Smith, Richland

How about a pill to fix stupidity?

Do you suppose if PNNL or another lab would come up with a pill to fix stupidity we could have enough vaccinated people to put this COVID-19 virus behind us?

Larry Walker, Pasco