Mask debate, the need for a new Richland bridge and other Herald letters to the editor
Let’s listen to new voices on boards
Sad when parents and residents vote to send “new blood” to school boards for reasoned voices for schools when all we see is “one size fits all” views and “narrow-minded lockdowns” resulting in lower test scores and students losing socialization and positive education opportunities.
The electoral process allows “new blood” willing to speak to whether rules or policies are beneficial or damaging to our kids’ learning. Why are new board members “shouted down” and “demonized” for presenting reasoned ideas and alternatives to the board and the community?
Lip service is paid to “democracy” but where is the “reverence” for the Constitution and First Amendment and a “fair and open discussion” about issues which impact our most important topic — the education of our children?
Listen to the newly elected board members, give them a fair opportunity to make their positions known and then debate the pros and cons reasonably and intelligently without acrimony and name calling.
Whether the schools worry about losing funds from the state or feds, where do you think the money comes from? Local parents’ and residents’ property tax dollars. We pay for the schools. We should say how they are run!
Norman Gillette, West Richland
Trumpian vision lacking reality
I am responding to Jim Langford’s letter to the editor dated Jan. 27.
I still scratch my head how anyone could support a person, let alone a president who spews hatred, division, lies and disrespect.
Trump’s ego is so big he still can’t accept he lost the election. He continues to claim false elections without evidence..
I suggest a lot of his support is generated by social media that push false and misleading information to promote their agenda. At least our current president brings a level of civility not seen by Trump.
It’s okay to disagree with someone but rather than degrade them, how about listening to them, show some respect, and try to work through differences. Not seeing much of that in Washington.
I am 69 years old and I don’t remember as much division and hatred that exists today. Trump promotes it.
The United States is the greatest country in the world. How about we show a little respect for others and unite?
I suggest Mr. Langford remove his blinders and see reality as it exists rather than how he perceives it.
Tony Schouviller, Pasco
New GOP has lost moral compass
Reported by Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post on Feb. 5, the Republican National Committee (RNC) censured U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., for joining the select House committee in investigating what led up to the Jan. 6 insurrection, giving a claim to being a bipartisan endeavor. By censuring Cheney and Kinzinger, the GOP proves it has lost its moral compass.
Even worse, the RNC declared that the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol that the then-president encouraged was a mere situation in which “ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.” The “discourse” in question included breaking into and entering a government building, assaulting Capitol police, threatening to hang those who were performing their constitutional duty to certify the electoral college count, trashing the building and smearing feces on the walls.
The party’s “values” were also spelled out in the same censure resolution: “Winning back the majority in Congress, including the United States House of Representatives, in 2022 must be the primary goal of the House Republican Conference … and requires all Republicans working together to accomplish the same.”
This suggests all the Republicans care about is regaining power, a good argument as to why they shouldn’t.
William Petrie, Richland
Keeping masks in school right choice
I was glad to see the editorial on Feb. 11 supporting the continued use of masks in Richland’s schools. I am pleased that cooler heads on the school board prevailed despite the behavior of the vocal minority at the latest board meeting, protesting that requirement.
The majority of people, who do not voice their opinions loudly but just live their lives, strongly support using masks in schools to protect students and staff. Please, Richland School Board, do not succumb to the vocal minority, who would like you to think that they represent all of us. They do not. Exposures to the virus in schools percolate throughout the community. One reason we have one of the worst virus rates in the entire country is the attitudes and behavior of anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers here. If they weren’t so selfish, and focused more on supporting their communities, the Tri-Cities wouldn’t be in this position. If the Canadian women’s hockey team can win gold at the Olympics wearing KN95 masks, then surely it’s not that onerous for the rest of us to wear them during our daily lives.
Peggy Hamilton, Richland
Mask mandates harmful, not good
I just saw your editorial and was very disappointed in that it was void of the vast majority of substantiated facts.
I have taken both vaccination jabs and the booster, I wear masks when at work and at other establishments because I try to be respectful of others and increase my defense-in-depth as one who has underlying conditions.
But I am also a statistician and historian and with both aspects of my background the school board choose unwisely.
Your headline should be, “It takes guts to follow the science.”
Public health officials most likely took the Hippocratic oath in that, “one would not do more harm than good.”
Should those officials be held accountable in breaking their oath?
And school board officials that are given the honor and responsibility of caring for our youth doing more harm than good? Yes, they are negligent.
It is easy to be conservative in risk choices, however the public deserves accurate and substantiated decision making.
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to respond; appreciate it.
Mark Wilk, Richland
Reconsider north Richland bridge
I have been thinking about the coming traffic nightmares from the new Amazon warehouses. I think it’s time for our leaders to dig up and polish off those old plans to construct a bridge between North Richland and northwest Pasco. Wasn’t it called the Benjamin Franklin Bridge or something similar?
There’s no need for traffic between the warehouses and sites west of the Tri-Cities to drive through Richland. Back in the good old days, Pasco merchants feared that their residents would use the bridge as a shortcut to Richland stores. Considering all the development in Pasco, I doubt that concern any longer has merit. Instead, the bridge would help Richland residents get to Pasco. Such a bridge also would be a welcome shortcut for the Pasco-Hanford traffic.
Stephanie Anne Dawson Janicek, West Richland
Grant expands access to skiing
Skyline Adventures, a nonprofit based in Dayton, would like to thank Three Rivers Community Foundation and The Arc of Tri-Cities for making it possible for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to hit the slopes. Three Rivers awarded Skyline a grant that made it possible to purchase a state-of-the-art fully adaptive ski chair/sled that allows “skiers” with I/DD to feel the thrill of gliding down a mountain.
Through generous donations, Skyline is able provide professional instructors, tickets, ski gear and the food needed for each trip. The Arc provides “skiers,” caregivers and transportation to and from Bluewood Ski Resort.
Skyline Adventures was founded by Bill Pogue of Richland, in order to share his love of the outdoors with those who lack the means to do it on their own.
Contact: Bill Pogue, 509-947-4403, email bill@bluewood.com.
Sherry Emery, Richland