Don’t stand by as gun violence rips through our neighborhoods | Letters to the editor

We need better gun legislation

I am writing today with a heavy heart since our neighborhood in West Richland was struck by tragedy barely four weeks ago. A former police officer shot his ex-wife in front of a group of children at William Wiley Elementary School in a mindless act of violence after class.

As a mother myself, I can only begin to imagine. the fear and heartache of the children and families affected by this tragedy. Sadly, my daughter’s freedom is taken away from her in the blink of an eye.

We cannot stand by as gun violence rips through our neighborhoods and takes the lives of defenseless people. We must take decisive action to ensure that such tragedies don’t happen in the future.

To end gun violence in our communities and schools, I beg our legislators and local authorities to prioritize passing comprehensive gun control legislation.

Our responsibility as a community is to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and families. Could it be time for us to band together as parents and residents to demand substantive change in response to the plague of gun violence in our neighborhood?

Meseret Yemane Gebremichael, West Richland

Let’s create park for Rattlesnake

I commend the folks who have worked to establish the Badger Mountain-Candy Mountain trail system. While the views are great, they are not even close to the view from Rattlesnake.

I urge this newspaper to push for a county park st the summit. It is nuts to prevent the public from enjoying this view. I realize there are political problems to be solved but let’s do it.

Ralph Curran, Richland

Report more on ‘Project 2025’

It’s imperative that the media report on “Project 2025,” a blueprint-like document for the next Republican administration (mentioning Trump 300 times) because it is suggesting something akin to a monarchy. It calls for the federal government, including the FBI and Department of Justice, to “submit to the president’s priorities.”

Legality “should not thwart the administration’s agenda.” It even states that the president and his team can “assess constitutionality.” It dismisses the powers of Congress and judiciary. These statements show that the president would be the main and almost only branch of the government, not accountable to other branches.

Further, it eliminates the separation of church and state. “Christ-ordained civil magistrates” would have authority over the public. Judiciary decisions would be based on their religious/ideological beliefs. Government agencies would be remade or closed, based on religious/ideological grounds. The document states that we should “do what we ought,” but the authors decide what we ought to do.

The authors are also dismissive of scientific expertise – managers don’t need scientific backgrounds. The GOP agenda for scientific research dictates the findings that the research should yield. That is totally against the scientific method.

Republicans want a king-like president; a religious-based, anti-science government. I don’t.

More is coming later.

Joyce Scherpelz, Richland

Potholes on 26th need repairing

I have called the city of Kennewick and filled out their on line form many times asking for the car-eating potholes in the area of 26th and Union be repaired. They they have been an issue for years and are only getting bigger.

When I called the city again last week, I was told that it is a private street and it is up to the local businesses that are on it to repair it, that the city cannot repair it.

So if this is true, Subway, Dutch Bros, Costa Vida, Cenergy, the (nearby) motel and all others, please fix these streets.

Susan Bailey, Kennewick

Let’s hear what omnivores think

Several weeks back an opinion article was submitted criticizing hunting bears. The author attempts to lure readers into thinking that bear hunters are all rich trophy hunters. The majority of the hunters that I know consume the meat.

The author is an executive of the Humane Society, which is anti-hunting. This week (we) heard from PETA telling us that eating meat is killing us. She then goes on to promote the vegan lifestyle. Life without steak, ribs, chicken and fish would be dull.

It would be nice if the Tri-City Herald would use opinions from both sides of the aisle. How about an opinion from a well-known omnivore?

David L. Thompson, Kennewick