Kennewick school board official’s bigoted remarks should end in recall | Opinion

School board VP comments bigoted

Vice President of the Kennewick School Board Micah Valentine spoke at the Tri-Cities memorial event for Charlie Kirk. Mr. Valentine is quoted in the Sept. 15 Herald, saying, “The number one thing that Satan wants to do is destroy the family … if he can turn boys into girls…, he (Satan) wins.”

Those who have transgender friends, family members and community acquaintenances know first hand what an absurd, uninformed, bigoted and defamatory statement this is. Mr. Valentine’s words have the power to fan the flames of ridicule, bullying and exclusion of our transgender youth in their schools, neighborhoods and community.

As an elected member of the Kennewick School Board, it is Mr. Valentine’s responsibility to support the mission and values of KSD, including to provide a safe learning environment where every student is known and valued regardless of their background.

Mr. Valentine shows himself to be incapable of creating a safe learning environment for transgender students when he associates transgender youth with work of Satan, and negates their value as unique individuals, making their own contribution to their families, schools and community. How sad, unfair and dangerous for our transgender youth, their families and friends.

Mr. Valentine should be removed from office.

Kathryn Schroeder, Kennewick

Twice impeached, still irresponsible

Our twice impeached, convicted felon president has wasted no time in abusing the power of his office. From sending hatchet man DOGE to terminate employees and agencies, weaponizing the Justice department, attacking news media, arbitrarily withholding funding to government agencies, bullying elite universities, withholding mandated research funding and putting ICE on steroids so they raid like storm troopers to arrest the undocumented. I don’t have space to point out the catastrophic damage he is causing on the international front

Spineless emasculated Republicans have no choice to follow along in hopes of getting some crumbs from his table or suffer punishment if they resist.

Having said that, I agree in principle with what he is trying to do. Who doesn’t want immigration and the budget under control?

Why is it that we see lots of deportations, but there is no bill in Congress to really fix the issue? We see firings, layoffs, shuttered agencies and brutal cuts to Medicaid, education, and rural hospitals to reduce spending but create a budget that cuts taxes and increases spending. This irresponsibility will add another trillion dollars to our debt. President Bill Clinton balanced the budget without the bloodshed.

Is Donald Trump causing more harm than good?

Donald Sebelien, Pasco

Let’s stick to real science for EPA

Right when then is an urgent need to reduce polluting and heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions, there is an effort to revoke the 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding that the buildup of these gases in the atmosphere endangers public health and welfare.

The arguments that the scientific conclusions are unreliable, or that reducing emissions would increase risk to public health and welfare, are absurd.

Actually, real science (research on a testable hypothesis ... that is replicated and peer reviewed) shows that the basis for the Endangerment Finding has gotten even stronger: the endangerment of public health and welfare is getting worse due to the pollution and changes in global climate. (Higher asthma rates, disease, heat deaths, fire, extreme weather events).

The attempt to revoke the finding can only be motivated by the desire to prop up an industry for the sake of profit for a few. Instead, let’s save the finding and incentivize the transition to a healthier, safer and more prosperous world for all of us.

Use your first amendment right to speak out for the people, while you still can. Public comments were open until Sept. 22. Go to regulations.gov/commenton/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194-0093. Learn more with Tri-Cities CCL or STC sustainabletricities1@gmail.com

Lora Rathbone, Richland

Kirk’s ideas were not to be admired

Who was Charlie Kirk?

There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Freedom of speech is protected by law. But the ideas that Kirk was spreading were neither admirable nor inclusive.

Kirk was a trusted ally of President Trump. He promoted Trump’s false claim that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him by a vast Democratic conspiracy.

Kirk was founder and executive director of Turning Point USA. He advocated for a Christian form of government, a Christian population, and Christian creationism. This is not what the framers of the Constitution had in mind.

Kirk condemned the 1964 Civil Rights Act, calling it an anti-white weapon, and called Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. an “awful” person. Kirk insisted that Black people were “better” in the 1940s under Jim Crow laws when they committed fewer crimes.

Kirk stated that birth control makes women angry and bitter, and it screws up female brains. Women should be wives and mothers, with men as head of households.

Kirk was critical of gay and transgender rights. He was also repeatedly accused of anti-semitism and called Islam a danger to our country.

Our country is so much better than the ideas he espoused.

Amy Small, Richland

LWV set public forums

The League of Women Voters of Benton and Counties is hosting several opportunities for the public to become acquainted with the candidates running in the General Election. (Note: All city council, school board and port candidates from the Richland, West Richland, Pasco and Kennewick areas have been invited to attend.)

The format will be a “Meet & Greet” style with very small groups of candidates rotating at 10-minute intervals. The audience will get the opportunity to meet with each group from their city.

Richland City Council, West Richland City Council, West Richland mayor and Richland School District (Richland and West Richland share this) will be Monday Sept. 29 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Richland Library at 955 Northgate.

Pasco City Council, Pasco School District and possibly Port of Pasco will be Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pasco Library at 1320 West Hopkins.

Kennewick City Council, Kennewick School District and possibly Port of Kennewick will be Friday Oct. 3 at 5:30-7:30 pm at the Kennewick Library at 1620 S. Union St.

Please join us!

Beverly Johnson-Torelli, Kennewick

Blasdel is choice for Pasco council

I am proud to endorse Melissa Blasdel for Pasco City Council, District 6. Melissa is a leader who listens first, acts thoughtfully and always puts the needs of people and community above politics.

Having worked and served in our area, Melissa understands both the challenges and the opportunities facing Pasco. She has a proven record of bringing people together, whether it’s through community outreach, business collaboration, or simply being present and accessible. District 6 deserves a council member who is approachable, transparent and responsive, and Melissa embodies all of those qualities.

Melissa is deeply committed to strengthening Pasco’s neighborhoods, supporting safe and thriving families and ensuring responsible growth that benefits all residents. She values fiscal accountability while still investing in the services that improve quality of life, parks, infrastructure and programs that connect our diverse community.

Most importantly, Melissa cares. She listens to residents’ voices and makes sure those voices are heard in every decision she supports. Pasco will be stronger, more united and more forward thinking with Melissa Blasdel representing District 6.

I encourage my Pasco neighbors to join me in voting for Melissa Blasdel. She is exactly the leader our community deserves.

Shelly Deery, Richland

Why pay any heed to Seattle voice?

Don’t let Seattle man Tim Eyman decide how Pasco pays for its roads. More importantly, why do Seattle (area) counties decide who the governor will be?

Richard Bell, Kennewick

GOP bill means cuts to health care

There’s no doubt that many in Washington Congressional District 4 will lose medical insurance coverage as a result of the tax and spending law passed by the GOP and the expiration of Obamacare tax credits. Republicans hope that’ll reduce the massive budget deficit caused by their extension of tax cuts to wealthy Americans.

Voters should remember, though, that by law ERs have to admit uninsured people who need treatment and provide the required standard of care including surgery and hospitalization.

Health workers are hardwired to take care of sick people regardless, but since nobody pays in those cases it results in providers being under greater financial stress. That probably means closures of some facilities and increased charges to patients who have insurance. Of course non-emergency care is out of reach for the uninsured.

The only way that more uninsured Americans leads to decreased medical costs is if they can’t get medical care when they need it. Sicker people and higher death rates are likely. Polls say that voters hate this, but Rep. Dan Newhouse criticizes Democrats for refusing to vote for a congressional resolution unless damage to healthcare coverage is repaired. He continues to cater to Trump and gaslight his voters.

Greg Carl, Richland