Richland school levies, Rep. Klippert’s conspiracy theories and other Herald letters
School levies deserve support
Please vote yes in support of the two Richland School District levies. The Education Levy supports the many things that make schools a joy for our students – music, arts, drama, sports, libraries, clubs, as well as special education and increased nurses in the schools. The Technology Levy will keep our students at the leading edge with devices, IT support and tech infrastructure. The 21st century reality is that paper, books and pencils are not the limit of how our K-12 students learn, receive and share information. Yes votes on these two levies are a show of community support for our nearly 14,000 students. Our students need your support, now more than ever. Vote yes for their education.
Phyllis Baxter, Richland
Vote no on both Richland levies
The Richland School DIstrict refused to return to in-school classes in the fall of 2020, in spite of the science that clearly indicated it was safe to do so. Further, the Con Committee statement in the Benton County Official Voter’s Pamphlet raises serious questions about test scores and increased suicides, and about what the district has done with the COVID-19 money received from the federal government. I find it interesting the Pro Committee’s rebuttal to the Con Committee’s statement doesn’t challenge Con statements about these matters, leading me to believe there is probably merit to the Con’s allegations.
A no vote is a vote to hold the district accountable.
Richard Englemann, Richland
Richland student urges, ‘Vote yes’
Please vote yes on the Richland schools Propositions 1 (educational) and 2 (technology in schools) levies. The first proposition supports music, arts, drama, teaching and support staff, athletics, special education, student activities, school safety, instructional materials, building maintenance and operations, and smaller class sizes. I am a 10th grader at Hanford High School and involved in music and athletics, both of which have been important parts of my life for years.
These programs are important because I get to use my creativity, challenge myself in ways that I can’t in regular academic classes and improve my mental, emotional and social well-being. The second proposition supports technology in school district schools. Our current reality is that technology is an incredibly important, useful and widespread tool. In my classes (three of which are AP), we use information from many different sources and platforms that make it absolutely necessary to have easy access to technology at school, as well as at home. Thank you for voting yes on these measures in the past; we need your yes votes again.
Camilla Douglas, Richland
Klippert needs to return the money
Thanks for your recent editorial on Brad Klippert’s useless trip across state lines using taxpayer dollars. He needs to return the money ASAP. Our community is lucky to have the Tri-City Herald.
Mike Feyes, Richland
Electric cars can recharge quickly
Charles Robinson’s letter to the editor of Jan. 20 contains a couple of misconceptions.
First, an electric car uses very little energy when not moving (unlike a gasoline car, which must idle). Modern electric cars use efficient heat pumps, which use very little electricity, even in extreme cold. Even at 20 degrees, newer EVs use less than 5% of the battery per hour on heating. In addition, there is no dangerous carbon-monoxide buildup to worry about from idling in snow.
Second, it does not take eight hours to charge. Richland to Twin Falls is 419 miles (according to Google Maps) and should take about 6 hours and 26 minutes. Using A Better Route Planner (https://abetterrouteplanner.com), you can plan a trip with a Tesla car. With a Model Y, two stops are necessary — one for 19 minutes (Baker City) and another for 27 minutes (Boise), for a total time of 6 hours and 59 minutes (and only 46 minutes spent charging, not eight hours).
Gregory Payne, 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
For now, at least, 5G range limited
Here’s the truth about 5G. Basically, don’t bother. All the ads from cell companies are promoting (hyping) 5G as the way of the future for the nation but that’s misleading. 5G service only has a range of 1,000 feet operating with no obstructions. By comparison, 5G only has 2% of the range of 4G. In Washington state, the only 5G service one can get is downtown Seattle, downtown Tacoma and downtown Spokane. And those three places are limited to very small areas.
Cell phone companies will not spend the money to put a 5G tower every 1,000 feet in a grid of 1,000 x 1,000 feet towers/locations for most U.S. cities. Rural customers are basically going to be out of luck for a long, long, very long time. So If you’re planning to upgrade your cell phone because of 5G service think twice. You’ll never get that speed or benefit unless you are within 1,000 feet of the only 5G service in the cities named above. Stick with your 3G/4G cell phone and save your money.
Stan Stomach, Richland
He wants better safety at schools
Over the years, school shooting cases have been increasing dramatically. Considering the number of school shootings throughout the country, I would like to see more protection and action against these shootings with our local police force. No one should have to go to school wondering if their life will be taken.
A solid system in place to prevent shootings would make a massive difference in the peace of mind of the students and teachers. Adding things such as metal detectors at the entrances of the buildings would be helpful, or making sure there is one or more police on duty at every school at all times of the day.
Diego Goncalves, West Richland
Court rulings don’t convince Klippert
Rep. Brad Klippert was reimbursed for his expenses to attend Mike Lindell’s symposium supporting conspiracy theories and Trump’s “big lie.” The expenditure of taxpayer money to support Klippert’s attendance represents a serious misuse of public funds. The symposium promised to provide “irrefutable” evidence that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump by hackers, but the debunked conspiracy theories provided at the symposium produced no proof and ended in embarrassing fashion when Lindell’s own backers said the hacking was nonsensical.
Klippert is also a Benton County deputy sheriff. His willingness to ignore the 62+ state and federal court rulings, and the SCOTUS decision to refuse hearing the cases pertaining to the 2020 election, raise serious questions regarding Klippert’s ability and willingness to exercise the duties and responsibilities of a deputy sheriff in a fair and objective manner in accordance with his oath of office. Klippert should resign his deputy sheriff position, and refund the taxpayer money, if for no other reason to avoid a conflict of interest between his law enforcement deputy position and his radical political position of supporting, promoting and spreading debunked conspiracy theories that our judicial system concluded had no merit.
Carl Grando, West Richland
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 9:18 AM.