Richland School Board mask vote, Loren Culp and other Herald letters to the editor

Limit the damage, cut emissions

When people learn that I’m a climate scientist, they often ask me, “It’s too late, isn’t it?”

“Yes”, I reply, “it’s too late to prevent what’s already happened.”

“And, it’s probably too late to prevent additional damage as the Earth warms in response to the carbon dioxide that we’ve emitted so far.”

“But it’s not too late to drive down the emissions causing further warming and much more pain and suffering.”

The metaphor of a climate cliff, beyond which we all perish, is incorrect. Economic damage is pretty much proportional to the accumulated emissions of carbon dioxide. It’s never too late to prevent additional suffering, but the slower we move to replace fossil fuels (which comprise two-thirds of our greenhouse gas emissions), the more future generations will suffer.

So, don’t give up on preventing climate change, but don’t delay either. Do your part to limit your emissions, talk to others about this message, write to your representatives about your concerns about climate change, and join Citizens Climate Lobby to learn how to be even more effective advocates for policies that accelerate adoption of climate change solutions.

Steven Ghan, Richland

RSD board vote ‘egregious’ action

In regard to those on the board who voted in favor of making masks optional in the Richland School District, your actions can be called nothing less than egregious. There are so many things wrong with how those who voted for this abused their power. It was not on the agenda but was suspiciously bought up for a vote and was passed; this is clearly not open communication and lends itself to be seen as only a cowardly act derived behind the scenes by some board members. Let us not discount that the outcome of this action is completely illegal. What kind of board members pass illegal actions and put the district at the risk of losing state funds and opens the door to lawsuits? You have done the district a grave disservice. Taxpayers should be outraged by the situation you have created. Currently, the district has had to cancel a day of school, perhaps more to come, to deal with how they implement these illegal actions. As representatives of the school, you should show how education is used as a tool to make good decisions, not for personal agenda and disregard of law

Roddy Woodvine, Richand

Herald is part of ‘media mafia’

The Herald Editorial Board’s article about a no vote on levies won’t end masks might make readers think the Herald is the “mobbed up media mafia” shilling for the government COVID-19 “Cosa Nostra.” That is: the Herald must ordain any levy no vote reason and all no votes are forbidden.

Reasons like: local districts have or will receive tens of millions of federal COVID-19 funds, test scores/achievement are unacceptable, two-plus years of masks and virtual “learning”, teachers who wanted to jump the vaccine line and still not return to classrooms, and a general lack of fiscal, educational and budget accountability/responsibility.

The Herald’s use of editorial opinion as a smokescreen for their sanctimonious and hypocritical wielding of identity politics to marginalize and malign anti-maskers’ dissent like Klippert, Didier, Anderson and voters is shameful. Together with the tyranny of a governor, whose decrees are executed by departments of health and education, promoted by the media “mafia” elites, and enforced by the government goon stooges is why masks have become a symbol of a despotic media-government tyranny unleashed upon us.

Just like masks, a vote is symbolic; it symbolizes freedom from all things tyrannical. AKA the media-government COVID-19 Cosa Nostra.

Joe Mercer, Kennewick

Culp defines what a RINO really is

Loren Culp calls ex-President Trump “the greatest president of my lifetime.” How old is Mr. Culp — 2? In much the same way that Democrat Sens. (Joe) Manchin and (Kyrsten) Sinema stood in principled opposition to the folly of deficit spending by their party; Rep. (Dan) Newhouse (and 3rd district Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler) stood on principle to vote for impeachment of the former president. Mr. Trump made no attempt by word or by deed to thwart the violence of Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol.

Furthermore, he attempted to disrupt the constitutional provision for a peaceful transition of power to duly elected President Biden.

Trump became the very thing he liked to make fun of in other people — a loser — and a sore one at that. Republicans like me that think are not the “Republicans in name only,” Mr. Culp. You (and Jerrod Sessler and Brad Klippert) are the real RINOs. The GOP has always stood for the rule of law! Read Rep. Liz Cheney’s article in the Feb.11 Wall Street Journal or former Vice President Pence’s recent speech if you want to know what the rule of law looks like in relation to ex-President Trump. It took guts to do what Congressman Newhouse and nine other Republican congressmen and women did when they voted for impeachment.

I will be proud to cast my vote for him again in 2022. And, if it is true (as I have heard said) that the Benton County Republican party has endorsed Klippert, well, all I can say is that they endorsed Sheriff Jerry Hatcher and Judge Sam Swanberg too. Go figure.

Linda K. Gragg, Kennewick

Mediation can help landlords, tenants

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the use of mediation, arbitration,\ and other forms of facilitated negotiations to settle civil disputes out of court. Here in Washington, the adoption of ADR methods resulted in the Uniform Mediation Act (UMA) which established the creation of community-based Dispute Resolution Centers (DRC’s) and outlined the terms under which a settlement obtained through mediation is legal and binding. There are 21 DRC’s in the state. DRC’s are nonprofits, whose mediators are trained, certified volunteers.

Currently, DRC’s are administering the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP) created by SB 5160. Under this program, we assist landlords in getting paid back rent owed and tenants in retaining their residences. Landlords are required to give opportunity for tenants to participate in this program before going to court, and tenants are required to contact the DRC to participate. They must do so ASAP. More information can be obtained at drctc.org or resolutionwa.org.

Our Center is in need of more mediators, especially with the added load that the ERPP brings to us. There are no prerequisites educationally or professionally. Just a willingness to be trained and to serve. Again, info can be found at drctc.org.

Paul A Shelp, E.D., Kennewick

Thanks to 2 who kept oath to RSD

My sincere gratitude to Richland School District Board members Jill Oldson and Rick Jansons for honoring your oath as RSD School Board members! I appreciate your decision to continue to honor the laws of the state of Washington and recommendations of the Benton-Franklin County Health Department! Your vote at yesterday’s school board meeting show your integrity and proved that you indeed care about the safety and well being of all those who participate in the Richland educational community! You have earned my utmost respect and gratitude!

Mr. Bird, Ms. Byrd, and Ms. Williams: You have earned my displeasure and distrust in your ability to lead our Richland educational community! Your decisions ... impact the health and well being of thousands of students and staff members in our community! Please reassess your actions!

Barbara Nickel-LaFerriere, West Richland

Rally not needed

There was a rally for a path to citizenship on Jan. 25. The answer is it was not needed. The path has been in place for many decades. All that is required is to enter the U.S. at a regular border crossing and follow the laws to apply. If you are or were a minor, blame your parents for not following the law. The U.S. admits over one million people a year.

Spencer Miller, Burbank

This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM.