Trump’s tactics on display and other election letters to the Tri-City Herald

AJ Hill effective for Fire District 4

Nobody wants to talk about a fire in their home. Nobody wants to have a heart attack or suffer an injury where they need medical attention. Nobody wants to be in a car crash.

Unfortunately, things like that do happen, and people like AJ Hill want to make sure that when they do, the fire trucks and ambulances will be rolling, and the paramedics arriving at the scene are able to take care of you.

When I was the Fire Chief of Benton County Fire District 4 a number of years ago, we didn’t always have the resources to provide that kind of service to our residents. We were a small district that was growing, and we knew we had to grow along with it. AJ Hill was instrumental in organizing a campaign to raise funds. AJ pounded in signs, spoke at community events, attended business functions and held news conferences. His hard work led to a levy being passed that paid for these kinds of resources to be housed in our district.

Today, Fire District 4 is able to meet the needs of its residents, thanks to AJ. Vote for him for Fire Commissioner.

Mike Spring, Dayton

Trumbo’s probes cost city taxpayers

At a recent Benton County GOP meeting, Councilman John Trumbo volunteered to use his skills as an “investigative reporter” to vet GOP affiliated candidates. I can think of no person better qualified to put ideology above integrity. During his last term, he was the first council member to be censured in one year, and reprimanded the next. In both circumstances, the discipline centered around “investigations” he conducted under the inferred authority of the council. The cost of those investigations? Nearly $60,000 of taxpayer dollars. John states that as a retired investigative reporter he knows how to ask tough questions. Here’s one: Why are taxpayers footing the bill for an investigative reporter, instead of a city councilman? Elect someone who wants to be an effective member of the city council, vote for Jason Lohr.

Kurt C Gustafson, Richland

Trumpian tactics put to work here

Locally, we see several supporters of Trumpian politics interjecting Trump’s model of political engagement into local nonpartisan races. Their strategy involves insulting, accusing and threatening their opponents and our institutions with baseless claims of corruption and incompetence. They play to people’s’ fears and prejudices while avoiding rational, fact-based arguments. Their goal is to undermine public trust and democracy itself. They seek authoritarian rule based upon an ideology that disguises itself as being for “We The People” and the only patriotic way to “take our country back!”

Candidates Bird, Crawford, Griggs, Galbraith, Byrd, Trumbo, Anderson, Klippert and others using this Trumpian model is downright terrifying. These candidates know their positions are fraught with lies and misinformation. They will repeat these lies until they destabilize public trust to the point they can seize power. Once in power, they will deconstruct our democratic institutions so they never have to share power again. It’s a strategy right out of the Trump playbook. We can’t let these wannabe demagogues gain political power. Vote for candidates who will place science, facts and critical reasoning before ideology. Candidates who believe in inclusion and serving all members of our communities; not just those who want autocratic rule.

Jeffrey Marzyck, Richland

Vote Brown and Moran

West Richland has the opportunity to re-elect one of the hardest working members on their city council. She received an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities so she could be a better representative of the WR citizens. She is a long- time resident of WR and knows the problems and issues the city is facing and supports our neighborhood parks much needed repairs/upgrades and a new community/senior center for our children and seniors. She supports the Van Giesen Renaissance which would re-develop the Van Giesen corridor from the eyesore it is currently. She supports business development. She recognizes our assets include the Yakima Riverfront and our closeness to Red Mountain.

I also support Kate Moran for mayor for many of the same reasons I support re-electing Gail Brown. She’s a Navy veteran and has served her country well. She believes in strategic planning for economic growth and development and spending city dollars wisely.

My vote goes to Gail Brown and Kate Moran.

Nancy Aldrich, West Richland

Balance is key to good school board

Finding balance is the biggest task any school board has to fulfill. To find balance between the needs and desires of all the stakeholders, which at times may be at odds with one another. To do this effectively, members need to actively listen to all sides of the issues in order to develop a deeper understanding. Members need to ask tough questions and attempt to see an issue from as many different perspectives as they can in order to find that balance. It isn’t enough to walk in with one’s own preconceived notion of how to solve a given problem.

Danica Garcia would bring a multicultural, multilingual perspective that our school board does not currently have. This means that some constituents may find her the most approachable or accessible member of the board. Danica also brings experience as an educator and a parent.

As an RSD Delta High School parent, whose student actively participates in extracurricular activities at her home high school, I believe Danica Garcia is the candidate who is best suited to listen to and represent all of the district families if elected to the Richland School Board. Please vote for Danica Garcia.

Carrie Hallquist, Richland

Port of Benton needs Hagarty

Jane Hagarty has my vote for Port of Benton commissioner. As a retired dairy farmer, I have known Jane for over 30 years, she has played a vital role in industrial and commercial recruitment to create jobs, providing for economic growth and sustainability for the region.

Jane has advocated for a regional diverse economy through education, transportation, added-agribusiness, high-tech research clean energy and tourism. Recently, as commission president she joined with pubic and private sector partners on an Advanced Small Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Project. She also helped to secure a partnership with Washington State University for the struggling nonprofit of the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. Working as a team player, she has assisted in the growth of the Richland and Prosser Airports.

Jane Hagarty is committed to keeping taxes low, resulting in a 14% decrease over the last 10 years. She has an open and transparent leadership to seek your input for efficient use of your tax dollars to effectively invest in our people, communities and future.

Please join me in voting for Jane Hagarty on Nov. 2 for Port of Benton commissioner.

Helen “Heillie” Den Hoed, Richland

Benton official backs Hagarty

It is an honor to endorse and support Jane Hagarty for Port of Benton commissioner on Nov. 2.

As a Benton County commissioner, I’ve had a close working relationship with Jane as a current port commissioner and have found her to be an experienced leader in seeking partnerships with Benton County. One of many examples is the port’s willingness to take ownership and make substantial improvements to Crow Butte. Jane led her Port team to a mutual win for Benton County, Port of Benton and the many visitors that utilize the property.

Jane has diligently and successfully served as our Port of Benton commissioner, and I would strongly urge all citizens of Benton County to vote for the most knowledgeable and experienced candidate for this position, Jane Hagarty.

Shon Small, Benton County commissioner

Vote for Rodgers, Steinert for KSD

As a retired KSD educator and current volunteer, I am always concerned about the education of our young people. Scott E. Rodgers and Erin Steinert are citizens who will put the education of those young people first. Both of them have qualities of strong leaders and have experience to back up those qualities. Please join me in making Kennewick School District even better by voting for Rodgers and Steinert for Kennewick School District Board of Directors.

Gayle Hane, Kennewick

Riley for Prosser School Board

Vote Elisa Riley for Prosser School Board Director No. 3.

In my opinion, she is the candidate Prosser needs to elect.

Elisa grew up in Prosser and attended Prosser Schools. As a practicing attorney, Elisa now serves the community that provided her with so much. She is dedicated to the children of Prosser. Elisa supports the Prosser Boys and Girls Club. She encourages citizens to ask questions of their local officials. She asks questions publicly that most people only wonder out loud about with their friends. Elisa wants the quality education and safe school environment that she experienced here in Prosser for all of the children in the Prosser School District.

Elisa will not only bring her personal passion for quality public education to the Prosser School Board, she will also bring the knowledge and experience she holds as an attorney. While she is not, and will not act as the attorney for Prosser School District, she certainly can read policy with a keen eye and she can understand ramifications beyond the moment. What an important and invaluable presence she offers our school district.

I encourage all Prosser residents to vote for Elisa Riley Prosser School Board Director No. 3.

Molly Sattler, Prosser

Herald wrong on KSD board pick

I am very concerned and perplexed by your recent recommendation for Kennewick School District School Board, Position 2. I find it really disappointing that you equate having children to being more qualified to serve as a school board member. As I’m sure you are all aware, there are many women, couples and families that struggle with fertility issues or for some reason are unable or unwilling to have children. In my opinion, this stance is cruel, insensitive and hurtful at best. We are more than our ability to reproduce.

Erin Steinert has been a well-loved educator for many years and I am 100% positive that she has our community and children’s best interest at heart! Erin works for the good of the community. Gabe works so that his wife and kids can freely spread their germs openly and unabashedly to everyone they can, without fear of reprisal. One works for the greater good and the other works for himself. From what I’ve seen on www.gabegalbraith.com, he thinks teachers are lazy freeloaders who don’t want to work! This guy is your recommendation? Please reconsider, this is such a bad look for the Tri-City Herald.

Amy Goatley, Kennewick

Hagarty supports diverse economy

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my support for Jane Hagarty in her re-election bid for Port of Benton commissioner. Jane has been instrumental in creating local jobs, recruiting industrial and commercial companies to the port and leveraging previously federally owned properties for use in local development. In her 45 years of service to our community, Jane has been dedicated to keeping taxes low while working with her fellow commissioners to identify projects that solve issues and provide future economic prosperity for our region.

Her tireless work on the Northwest’s advanced reactor demonstration is an example of her visionary leadership in bringing innovative and efficient clean energy strategies and opportunities to Benton County. In addition, her belief in a diversified economic base that includes tech, agri-business, transportation, tourism and manufacturing is a sure-fire recipe for continued job growth and economic success for not only the Port of Benton but the entire region.

Please cast your vote for Jane so she can continue her efforts to showcase our area, its many benefits and the fabulous work force available to help forge a path for us into the future. Jane has my vote and I hope yours as well.

William N. Lampson, Kennewick

Hagarty deserves another port term

I am very pleased to recommend Port of Benton Commissioner Jane Hagarty for another term. Commissioner Hagarty and the entire Port of Benton staff and commissioners have been great partners to the cities of Richland and Prosser, Benton County and the entire Mid-Columbia. Over the years, her institutional knowledge has been instrumental in the number of successful endeavors that the port has entered into. All of this is the result of constant collaboration and a forward leaning approach to small business, clean energy, tourism, Hanford’s history and public and private partnerships. She is an integral member of the team that has left no stone unturned in a culture of excellence that has benefited us all. Please re-elect Jane Hagarty to continue her good work.

Phillip Lemley, Richland

Hagarty makes a difference at port

I am writing to recommend that Jane Hagarty be re-elected as commissioner for the Port of Benton. During her tenure, the port has expanded its presence and impact in our communities, making numerous positive contributions to the local economy and our quality of life. From Vintner’s Village (in Prosser) to the Benton City Industrial Park and from the 3000 Area to Crow Butte Park, the port has invested deeply in our area and has produced admirable results. These results are not accidental, but they are the outcome of diligent and visionary leadership. Jane Hagarty has been an integral part of that leadership. We need to maintain the continuity and re-elect her to the office of Port of Benton commissioner.

Tom Denlea, Prosser

Hagarty benefits Benton County

I am writing this letter in support of Jane Hagarty for Port of Benton commissioner.

I have worked with Jane on projects in our community and have seen first-hand how well she works with her fellow commissioners and the public. Jane has a talent for getting things done in our community. Benton County has economically benefited from Jane’s business sense and experienced leadership.

Please join me by voting for Jane Hagarty!

Mike Hogue, Prosser

This story was originally published October 28, 2021 at 9:11 AM.