Police response times, Kamiakin mascot and other letters to the Tri-City Herald
Response to car wreck too slow
There was recently a car wreck on Road 68 near where I live. So naturally I called 911 and alerted them of the situation. None of the people involved appeared to be hurt, and there were several people stopping to help, so I decided to refrain from getting in their way.
So I waited for first responders to arrive. And I waited and watched and waited some more, until finally, one half an hour later, a single sheriff’s car showed up. It seems reasonable to expect a timely response, especially if this were a more serious predicament.
How could this be allowed to happen? For surely there is a fully staffed police force available to do what we are paying them for. It sure is a good thing the government isn’t firing anybody.
Joel Macduff, Pasco
Kamiakin mascot always a positive
As a former student of Kamiakin High School, I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Yakama Nation for allowing this school to at least continue to use our Braves mascot for another year. I had the opportunity to accomplish some amazing things while being a Brave. Our FFA Chapter brought districts together using Klickitat County campgrounds, allowing me to meet some wonderful people I may have never had the pleasure of meeting otherwise.
A mascot is a very tough thing to change. I understand that certain events led up to this legislation, but I still disagree that established mascots should be forced to change their names once a council agrees that it is appropriate. I do not think that “Braves” carry any sort of biased or derogatory connotations to its name and believe that it should not be changed. When I was going to school there, our mascot was a powerful symbol of courage and strength and created unity through expressions of school spirit.
My question through all of this is do you think adding tribal curriculum to the school will strengthen or diminish its ties to the use of the Braves mascot?
Heather Whitehouse, Kennewick
Housing help in Build Back Better
I encourage everyone to call or write our Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to ask them to vote for the Build Back Better (BBB) bill. This bill provides much needed assistance to low-income renters to help them afford rent, to build more homes here and pay back landlords for some of the losses due to COVID-19. It is not perfect, but lays the foundation for building back our economy and making the future of the Fourth Congressional District brighter.
Because of rising rents and stagnant wages, many families are paying more than half their earnings toward rent; for years now, only 1 in 4 eligible renters have been able to access federal housing assistance, and many of the minority families are likely to be cost-burdened renters.
BBB expands the Housing Choice Voucher program to help low-income Americans afford rent, provides money for landlords and for building more housing. Expanding rental assistance to all eligible renters will lift children out of poverty (and) stably house more families.
When the Build Back Better bill comes to a vote, I hope you will strongly urge our senators to vote yes.
Stan Moon, Richland
Crosswalk needed
I witnessed a middle school boy almost get hit by a car while running across the south side of the intersection of Jadwin and Catskill. It was between 2:30 and 3 p.m., and he had a backpack on, so I assumed he was on his way home. The three drivers ahead of me and I slammed on our brakes! There were also at least four other cars at the intersection. At first I was mad at the boy! I then realized there was no crosswalk! He could have stood there a long time to no avail. I think this situation probably causes him to make a mad dash every day. I know the city and school district are working to make it safer for our children to cross streets. There is clearly a need for a crosswalk here, not only for a child, but any pedestrian.
Cathy Wickholm, Richland