Judge Swanberg, micro apartments, police, Biden, Trump and other Tri-City Herald letters
Litigants can dump judge from cases
This old legal researcher — 20 years as a courthouse rat — was dismayed to learn that Judge Swanberg is refusing the Tri-City Herald’s calls to resign. In trying to Kavanagh his way out, he’s forgotten something: nobody has to use him to decide their case.
Parties before the Supreme Court are stuck, but litigants in Washington state courts have a fundamental right to disqualify a judge — and the standard is what the litigant believes.
In a motion to disqualify, nobody cares what he said, what she said or if Judge Swanberg likes beer: what matters is whether the parties before him think he can be fair.
If a litigant thinks Judge Swanberg can’t be fair to them, disqualification is automatic. As a result, Judge Swanberg may hang on to his position, but he won’t be able to do his job.
Some cases will leave his docket entirely. Divorce lawyers will put “recuse Swanberg” at the top of the checklist or be guilty of malpractice.
But it goes further. Prosecutors won’t want fragile assault victims triggered during testimony, so many criminal matters will have to be handled in another courtroom. Domestic violence? Ditto. Women litigants? Yep.
With respect, your honor, it is time to resign.
Cynthia Ewer, Richland
Be responsible in use of plastics
We have an opportunity to elevate single-use waste into an evolved state of resilience. Imposing responsibility on America’s plastic producers propagates generational well-being to our landscapes, bodies and mind. Operating in a field of guilt or shame surrounding the subject of pollution is a weight too large for the individual to carry.
Plastic is my primary concern, consequential of our current state of industry, I contribute against my higher will consistently. Unconsciously consuming microplastics daily, I ingest the equivalent to a credit card a week, along with the rest of my fellow Americans. In the interests of public consciousness, local students like myself are calling for a statewide responsibility bill for plastic producers.
Riley Heyden, Richland
TV changed, promotes Biden
Have you noticed how the TV programming has changed greatly when the election was finally declared for Biden. The stacked anti-Trump mostly quit and the Democrats spent time trying to make Biden creditable (impossible). The truth is that the Democrat elite thought they could tell Biden what to say and we might believe it. This is not democracy. This is why the other papers are better.
Pelosi et al still think they do and should run America. Even in the short time Trump had at term end, he did a great job of restoring the democracy to the people. Some elitists still think we should govern (not by democracy) as in Europe but by elite. These people want to remove democracy from us and just be another nation. I know that if you are truly American, you will fight this.
James C. Langford, Richland
Vietnam-era vet not a fan of Trump
I would like to respond to Ira Johnson about former President Trump. First of all, as a Vietnam-era vet; I do not consider a draft dodger a patriot.
2. He made no difference at the border other than making money
3. He hates China so much but that’s where (unofficial) MAGA hats are made as well as his daughter’s products
4. He ignored the advice from his own intelligence agency and listened to the dictators
5. As far as other countries fearing us, we were laughed at by all of our allies as he made a fool of himself
6. As to his bringing jobs back to America, where?
7. He slowed the production of vaccinations and backed disinfectants, horse dewormer and other junk to just defy science
8. You’re right about one thing: he is not a career politician, but neither was Ronald Reagan. Big difference.
Reagan listened to his advisers, while Trump listed to Hannity and the Pillow guy.
Dennis Kent, Pasco
Police too often underappreciated
The police in our community are underappreciated and woefully defunded right now. With all sorts of criminals being put back on our streets and drug busts gone, we have much to worry about. I understand that racism is rampant and police abuses are terrible, but we need the police. Though it would be a better place if there were more Black and Latino officers and more women were sheriffs.
Without Kennewick Police Department, I would not have recovered my stolen vehicle and wouldn’t be safe at night. Though many officers should be outright fired, we appreciate them.
Eric Kalia, Richland
Try better way to help homeless
Jacob Moody of Kennewick suggests that to solve the problem of homelessness in our community, people who have enough money to live in mansions, eat plenty of food, buy jewelry and fancy cars they don’t need should pay an extra fee to go toward helping the homeless. He says that this money should go directly to the homeless rather than organizations set up for their aid because he doesn’t trust them.
At first I thought of suggesting that Mr. Moody move to the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle where a 6-foot statue of Vladimir Lenin still stands, even in these times of pulling down monuments to truly great men. But, I’d rather that Mr. Moody spend a few weeks volunteering at the Tri-Cities Union Gospel Mission — an organization this woman who loves jewelry supports with donations. Homelessness is not a money problem as you would find out there. Your concern for the homeless is commendable, Jacob.
Linda K. Gragg, Kennewick
Richland needs rec center for kids
I am a local resident, and I wanted to voice my opinion on a very personal matter: I believe that the city of Richland should build a new recreational center funded by the community and city. Going through high school, I saw many of times adolescents using narcotics, starting drama that sometimes got physical or standing outside because they must wait for a ride or way home, or they have no better place to spend time with friends.
I believe we need a rec center with such additions like a gym for sports such as basketball or volleyball, a pool for people to cool down in during the summer, and lounge area with chairs and small games like Foosball or ping pong. I believe some of the younger generations get into trouble due to their environment, but with monitoring from volunteers and employees, they may be able to enjoy themselves in a healthier setting, and have a chance away from negative influences. I want this to be an area people can easily get into and go in for a few hours to spend time with friends, study for school or play a game for fun.
Zane Ganton, Richland
Micro apartments not a good choice
Turning the Clover Island Inn into high-density micro apartments would be a game changer all right — the traffic and parking, already terrible, would become even more horrendous. The Tri-Cities only has a handful of noteworthy properties with restaurants and motel rooms right on the water, and this proposal would eliminate one of them. Putting the restaurant on the ground floor takes away the current beautiful view from the top floor. Apparently this upper space would have to be rented out for events. No to this proposal, as it will benefit the builders and those who choose to live there, and take away a resource that the rest of us have enjoyed for generations.
Kimm Minkler, Kennewick
This story was originally published January 27, 2022 at 6:36 PM.