Supporting Ben Franklin Transit tax, concerns for climate change among Herald letters
Transit taxes should not be cut
Ben-Franklin Transit (BFT) taxes should not be cut.
Many folks rely on transit for school, work and mobility. People with disabilities, our youth and elderly residents are especially reliant on transit. Many do not own a vehicle nor have family to drive them. Nor do they have the resources to hire a taxi or ride share.
I support more funding for local transit and thank BFT for the way they help the most vulnerable in town in the most cost-effective manner, looking at the short-term and long-term costs.
Randy Willis had an excellent opinion letter on April 24, promoting the need for a public swimming pool in Kennewick. I support his idea. Benton and Franklin counties and the cities should do their best to support indoor and outdoor swim facilities.
I respectfully disagree with him that the money should come from a reduction in the transit tax.
My husband and I support quality and efficient bus service and public swim facilities in the Tri-Cities area. We believe that these two public services reflect the values of our community’s culture of caring for the needs of all our residents.
Barbara Puigh, Richland
SARC is there, offers help to all
Child neglect is defined as any deprivation of basic needs that results in reasonable potential to result in physical or psychological harm.
Children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse may also suffer from long-lasting psychological damage. This includes child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
Physical abuse is non-accidental injury of a child. This includes bruises, lacerations, head trauma, fractures, shaking, burns and poisoning.
The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center (SARC) is a non-profit community-based agency that helps anyone who has been impacted by a crime.
If you need to talk to someone, have questions or need help, please call SARC at (509) 374-5391. All of SARC services are free and confidential. SARC also has a crisis line that is available 24/7. You can reach the crisis line by calling (509) 374-5391 or 1-888-846-7273.
Bibiana Juarez, Richland
Seeing only what we want to see
Today while in the Richland library, a woman asked me if I knew who Eli Weisel was.
I told her I did, and that he was a famous Jewish writer and holocaust survivor.
Surprised, she smiled and said, “You know, there are people who still think the holocaust never happened.”
I told her, “I know, and because of that, I think it could happen again.”
She replied, “Yes, people believe what they want to believe. And it’s all because of poor eyesight!!”
I looked at her, puzzled. “They do not see what is there, and do see what is not there.”
They see proof of widespread election fraud (when there isn’t any).
But, they don’t see the long history of vaccination success and governmental direction in us getting them (public schools, military, etc.)..
I told her, “Yes, but another problem, is our problem with problems!” Now she looked puzzled.
I explained, “Many people find it easier to find someone to blame for a problem than to figure out the cause and nature of a problem, the solution to it, and then to finally apply that solution. Which is often the hardest part!”
So, we agreed, Americas’ problem is poor eyesight, and our “problem with problems.”
D. L. (Andy) Anderson, Richland
Climate change threatens habitat
A state issue that concerns me as of now is the extreme growth of climate change. With no action of policy shifts on a global scale, without good strong U.S. leadership, our planet, Earth, will and can become unlivable for the human race and its future.
We are destroying so many species every year and changing climate is also not helping with the problems caused by human encroachment on animal habitat
Destinee Lopez, Pasco
This story was originally published May 10, 2022 at 7:48 AM.