Herald readers weigh in on Kennewick schools, abortion, President Biden and other topics
KSD gets backing of longtime fan
I have again made a donation to my favorite nonprofit, the Kennewick School District. I appreciate the work you do and the reasonable costs to citizens through levies to provide a quality education that includes the extras like activities and coaches; health and safety; support for teams, and quality educators in staff and management. I was disappointed to hear Molly Hamaker-Teals left Southridge and wish her well. I know Ron Williamson will do a great job at Southridge as he returns as principal.
Over the 40+ years I have appreciated the representatives of our community who have served on the Kennewick School Board and made lasting contributions. I am reminded of Nancy Kerr, who went on to develop teacher academies for future teachers, Lynn Fielding, who developed Ready for Kindergarten with KSD staff, and Dawn Adams, who worked diligently to improve safety measures and training for staff.
We as citizens are reliant on the KSD Board to support public education for all children, beyond personal self-interest, with separation between church and state, and maintain a non-political environment in decision making, Thank you. I look forward to supporting the facts of the levy for all kids.
Dottie Stevens, Kennewick
‘Eyesore’ issue matter of opinion
Anonymous “eyesore” complaints remain problematic for the City of Pasco Code Enforcement Officers and Hearing Board. These complaints cannot be abated and billed to the property owners as could the cleanup of overgrown weeds, dumped trash and debris.
An “eyesore” is in the mind of the complainant. Yet the Code Enforcement Officers’ remedy requires that the respondent changes his/her mind and agree with the complainant’s “eyesore” definition. In one of several cases, Code Enforcement Officers became harassing advocates for an anonymous complainant. Their only remedy was for the property owners to timely remove or block the backyard “eyesore” from public view.
Notwithstanding privacy and “quiet enjoyment” rights of property owners, appeals to the Hearing Board are often a vilifying, “guilty until proven innocent” process. To incentivize the property owner to comply with the “change-of-mind” remedy, the board assesses heavy monetary penalties ($100-$500 per day) with a timeline. However, timely compliance could reduce or eliminate financial penalties, but the associated emotional trauma and often two-year probation period remain.
Have continuous citizens’ protests to the Pasco City Council, alleging Code Enforcement’s abuses of discretionary powers that include harassment and extortive penalties, failed to affect needed and justifiable changes? Hopefully not.
Dallas Barnes, Pasco
Why the changes at Eastgate?
I was wondering whose bright idea — not — was it to put all of those weedy-looking tall plants around the schools? Whoever it was, it was a very stupid idea! They grow so tall a person going to pick up a child, the child cannot be seen behind these tall, weedy plants. Very bad idea! Kidnappers could hide behind (them) in the parking lot, really easily and steal the kids. Another thing, why were the school zone’s flashing lights and crosswalks all shortened in front of Eastgate School? The old signs were at least to the bottom of 10th Avenue and Gum, where there are still kids crossing down there, as well as crossing guards. What happened to common sense? The school zone also has been shortened on 10th Avenue going east to a little past the end of the school. Why? This really should be looked into!
Jan Costanzo Billings, Kennewick
What Biden said happens to be true
Donald Havre (Letters, Sept. 18) tells us that, when “President Biden warned the American public about MAGA Republicans being a threat to democracy,” he “insulted approximately 75 million Americans.”
Regardless of whether Biden “insulted” anyone, Havre forgets to ask the most important question: “Is it true?” I hate to say it, but it is!
At the heart of a democracy is the “will of the people.” How is this determined?
By voting, i.e., elections. Trump and his supporters (MAGA) attempted to bypass the Constitution and overturn a legal election, with no proof of “widespread” fraud.
Over 60 court cases have heard these allegations, many overseen by Trump-appointed judges, and none found proof. Trumps’ Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, FBI and even ex-Attorney General Barr agreed: none!
Ironically, those who accuse others of election fraud attempted fraud themselves.
Examples include alternative slates of electors, attempting to seize election machines, pressuring states to “find” more votes, “I just need 11,780 more votes, give me a break!”
Trump is the only president impeached twice, who had a non-peaceful transfer of power upon leaving, plead the Fifth Amendment (he did it 440 times) and was under “criminal” investigation immediately after leaving office. Multiple investigations are ongoing.
D. L. (Andy) Anderson, Richland
Don’t like abortion laws? Alter them
Pro-life people have felt much the same as the writer of this editorial ever since abortion became a constitutional right in 1973; that things have gone too far in one direction. The vaunted standard of safe, legal and rare abortions in America degenerated to a no-fetus-can-beat-us snark since Roe v Wade. (Gov. Northam comes to mind). In Scandinavian countries abortion is permitted upon request from 12-21 weeks gestation. Thereafter, only in cases of severe medical risk and after evaluation by boards of health and welfare. Seems reasonable. But, killing a full-term baby and calling it reproductive health? Really? If that is what pro-abortion people still want, then do what pro-life people have been doing for the past 50 years. Work within the system to change laws you do not like. In the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, the Supreme Court sent the power back to the people in their respective states to do just that. God bless ‘em!
Linda K. Gragg, Kennewick
Why build more homes, stores?
It’s ironic that the City of Pasco wants to build more homes and stores, because over 20 years ago, the Broadmoor Park Outlet Mall was built.
Eventually, the stores closed, and it became a white elephant.
Suzanne Speer, Richland
PHS students trash neighbors
Pasco High School parents, teachers, administration, City of Pasco, Pasco Police Department: I am a homeowner, a taxpayer and a business owner and a Pasco High alumna, and it sadly disappoints me that the future graduates of Pasco High School do not take pride in our city. Every day, the amount of trash from PHS to 7-11 is outrageous. I see kids throw trash in our lawns, harass our animals, hang out on our front lawns and with no respect.
One of my neighbors chained a garbage can to a pole thinking this might be a solution and the next day it was gone. The city came and removed it. I am so tired of picking up trash in my neighborhood, seeing trash in my neighbor’s yard. And I am definitely tired of picking up trash in my own yard. How about teaching these kids some respect for our city? How about holding them accountable when they are speeding and racing in a school zone? Where did the Pasco Pride go? Picking up trash instead of detention sounds like a good idea. Hold these kids accountable!
Melissa Basdel, Pasco
Trying to correct our correctness
After seeing the column about removing the statue of Karen, I checked with ridiculousbs.com and found some other names that were offensive. The name Dorcas is offensive to orcas and should be removed from any location. The name Philomena is an insult to the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and needs to be replaced.
If any of our readers find these names or know people with these names they should be reported to the Secretary of Political Correctness in Washington, D.C. Since this is a matter of national security, please don’t delay in taking action.
Mike Mehren, Hermiston
This story was originally published November 13, 2022 at 4:00 AM.