Kids at Christmas, gun control and honoring Richland coaches among Herald letter topics

It’s a blessing to help at Christmas

Hey everyone who is as blessed as I am. I have extended family living in the Tri-Cities and know I could go to several homes for a huge, delicious Christmas dinner. My children always knew Santa Claus would come on Christmas Eve while they slept. But there are many children right here in the Tri-Cities who don’t have that assurance. Our family thought about it and decided we could help a little.

We are taking sandwich bags, putting wrapped Christmas candies and a mini-ornament in each one and donating them to the local Food Bank. Can you imagine the look on those kids’ faces when they get their own ornament and the candy? Just thinking about it gives me a warm heart and a huge smile.

How about you? Can you take a few bucks and do the same? The Richland Food Bank says it is a blessing. I’m sure all the others will feel the same. Make sure it’s wrapped candy.

Bless all and have warm and wonderful holidays. And for others have a blessed Christmas.

Pam L. Jones, West Richland

Find better way to control guns

It was with sadness that I read the account of the lockdown and shooting scare hoax at Southridge High School. Thank goodness it was a hoax, a phenomenon that apparently is becoming more prevalent across the nation. However, the fear among both students and parents was as real as if there were a shooter. I cannot avoid blaming both the NRA and a conservative Supreme Court, who will say this fear among the populace is unfortunate, but it is the price we must pay to honor the Second Amendment as they interpret it.

How could anyone truly believe what we have was the intention of the nation’s founders? The level of public resignation to this reality is dismaying. Soon we may hear that the best defense is to have all the students carry. Perhaps the best we can hope for is to reduce the demand for guns. One approach could be a requirement for annual registration of all firearms, with a fee proportional to the firepower of the weapon. The more you own, the more you pay. Turn in the firearm and obtain a rebate. How else can we reduce demand for firearms?

David King, Richland

Coaches’ honors are long overdue

It’s long over due to officially name the main court in Dawald Gymnasium “Phil Neill Court” for the longtime coach, Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coach’s Association (WIBCA) Hall of Fame Inductee who was also born, raised and educated in Richland.

Coach Neill’s resume and successes would fill the editorial page.

In addition, long, longtime Richland High School Track Coach Jim Qualheim is also overdue in having the track named after Coach Qualheim, who was also born, raised and educated in Richland. Coach Qualheim’s resume would also fill the editorial page.

The Richland community, countless student athletes for years and years benefited for decades.

Yes, long overdue for Coach Neill and Coach Qualheim and for the former student athletes, Richland alumni, Bomber boosters and Bomber fans.

Steve Piippo, Richland

A special day for the Boy Scouts

I think there should be a day to recognize Boy Scouts in the Tri-Cities by having an event where they are in charge of it. Then that way, people can see that Boy Scouts is fun and have their kids do it as well.

I think it should be an annual thing at Howard Amon park. It could be where Boy Scouts hold a thing where people clean up the park and plant flowers to make it look better.

Conner Goodsel, Pasco