Commissioner McKay deserves due process in court, but he should resign | Opinion

Time to remove McKay from post

When will the paper of record’s Editorial Board be calling for the resignation of Commissioner Will McKay? The time has come.

When will Benton County Commissioners Michael Alvarez and Jerome Delvin call for their colleague to do the right thing? When will our other elected officials? Members of the LDS Church, to which Mr. McKay belongs? Community leaders? Organizations Mr. McKay serves on the boards of, including the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Regional Revolving Loan Fund, Transit Board, TRIDEC, Library Capital Facilities Board, Benton Clean Air Agency, Bi-County Health Board, Columbia Regional Economic Development Trust, and so on?

Mr. McKay deserves to defend himself in court, innocent until proven guilty of the multiple felony and gross misdemeanors he’s been charged with, including lying to our local police officers.

But the video footage now released speaks for itself; our community does not deserve to be represented by someone with such poor judgment.

Mr. McKay, as the video shows, aggressively physically assaulted another community member. He should resign immediately and ensure the many facets of his elected office can be conducted by someone responsible who is not distracted by such troubling circumstances.

Shon Smith, Kennewick

Serious questions at Port of Benton

The recent suspension of Port of Benton Executive Director Diahann Howard raises troubling questions about how our public institutions treat employees who report wrongdoing.

On Dec. 10, Howard received a raise with no performance concerns noted. On that same day, outgoing Commissioner Roy Keck publicly warned that “staff must be safeguarded against any retaliatory actions.” Twenty-eight days later, Howard was suspended.

What happened in between? She properly disclosed potential misuse of public resources involving a sitting commissioner — the same commissioner who then voted on her suspension.

Howard has served our community for 20 years, securing over $30 million in grants and leading major economic development initiatives. She deserves due process, not a rushed suspension without explanation.

The next commission meeting is an opportunity for our community to demand transparency and fairness.

Eugene F. Pratt, Retired Benton County District Court judge

Put state money to use on tire pile

I believe that the money that the state gets for used tires should definitely be used for that tire pile. If it is used for some other pet project, that is totally wrong. Or they could get some of money we have been paying for the plastic bags at the grocery stores.

It could be a good use of some of that money also. Or maybe we could get some money from WSP; they have plenty if they can still pay a guilty WSP officer while waiting for her trial. Just saying. In my humble opinion.

C. Anderson, Kennewick

Past protests he recalls ‘peaceful’

With regard to the tragedy that happened a couple of days ago in Minneapolis: My background, as a sixth grader we had to avoid our normal route to school as thousands protested the founding of NSB Bangor, and it was mostly peaceful.

I was in Seattle in 2000 when the “Battle in Seattle” broke out. I met many of the protesters the day before and they intended to be peaceful in making their statement and just wanted to send a message for us to hear. But their voices were overshadowed by the violent ones.

We do not remember the voices of those who have concerns. They were overridden by the violent ones. Does anyone remember the “fool” who laid his legs across the train tracks to stop the train delivering nuclear warheads? What did he achieve? Nothing. Or do we hear the legitimate concerns of our fellow citizens? Yell, scream, block roads, we cannot hear you or see you. You are just noise when you are violent.

Mark Wilk, Richland

KSD levies worth support by voters

As former members of the Kennewick School Board, we understand the immense responsibility of providing our children with an education that prepares them for the future. On Feb. 10, our community has the opportunity to continue this mission by supporting two vital replacement levies.

This year’s vote is particularly significant as we welcome Superintendent Lance Hansen. With 33 years of experience and the distinction of being a former “Idaho Superintendent of the Year,” Mr. Hansen brings a renewed, data-driven focus to the district. His leadership is defined by an unwavering emphasis on academic achievement and ensuring every student — from kindergarten through graduation — is learning at the highest level.

The Educational Programs & Operations and Safety, Security & IT levies are not new taxes; they replace expiring ones. They provide the necessary 13% of our budget that the state does not cover, directly funding the classroom resources and safety measures essential to Hansen’s vision for excellence.

Please join us in supporting our students, teachers, and our new leadership, for the continued success of Kennewick schools.

Vote “Yes” for Kennewick students on Feb. p10.

Ed Frost and Lynn Fielding, Kennewick

Serve the nation, impeach Trump

Dear Rep. Newhouse:

I read with mixed emotions your announcement to retire from Congress this term. You have done many good things for our district, but you have let us down on Important national issues.

In a previous letter, prior to my knowing of your retirement plans, I had proposed that you join Democrats in 2027 to impeach President Trump.

The appalling dictates by the president now include controlling our citizenry through fear (ICE), engaging in illegal war (Venezuela) and removing consideration of human health from clean air standards (EPA). The situation is so dire, leading to my making a new proposition.

I assume that reasons for your retirement might include inability to get things done, loss of legislative power to the executive branch, and threats to those not toeing the line.

I suggest that you and some of your Republican colleagues who are departing from Congress for such reasons join this congressional year with Democrats to impeach President Trump, Secretary of Defense (War) Hegseth, and head of Homeland Security Noem prior to the elections.

You and two others would be sufficient to swing the balance. This would be a great service to our nation.

David King, Richland

Land of the free? Maybe we are not

Land of the Free? Ladies: beware of masked men approaching your vehicle. Run! But of course, in this day and age you might be shot. Gentlemen: Your spouse, daughter, etc., could be in danger. What did we do to invite attacks on law-abiding citizens?

Next question: What can we do to control this out-of-control situation? Stand up. Speak up. Join up. Contact your representatives! Do not take no for an answer! Our nation’s future is at stake. This nation (the people) is capable of doing better!

Dorothy Rawson, Kennewick

ICE use of force was unwarranted

The killing of Nicole Renee Good during an ICE operation in Minneapolis was an unwarranted use of lethal force against an American citizen exercising her constitutional rights.

It was a contemptible act carried out by what has become, under President Donald Trump and his Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, an organization contemptuous of the Constitution.

Good posed no imminent threat. She was engaged in lawful protest — activity protected at the very core of the First Amendment. She was killed because she did what we all need to do, speak out against unhinged ICE raids on communities — against the brutalization of other human beings.

Good’s murder was a despicable denial of her rights under the First and the 14th amendments. These amendments are not conditional. They do not disappear because ICE, or any other government agency, is conducting an operation.

If this killing is allowed to go unpunished — from the ICE agent who pulled the trigger to the officials who misrepresented what happened — it will signal that constitutional rights exist only at the government’s choosing. That is a repudiation of the very foundations of our democratic republic. Left unchallenged, it threatens our survival as a free people.

Richard Badalamente, Kennewick

Newhouse’s legacy ‘wasn’t fulfilled’

Dan’s Newhouse’s father was a stalwart of Washington politics, there’s building named after him in Olympia. He fought for us all. It’s a shame his son chose to quit. Five years ago, Newhouse had a spine, and after Jan. 6, he did right by us and the American experience.

Now when the moment to do right really comes, he quits. He has again and again voted to harm the good people of the Fourth District. He took months to decide if protecting a pedophile and child rapist was better than protecting the victims.

He wants your healthcare costs to skyrocket or for you to lose it altogether, and now his silence on ICE violations of our Constitutional rights shows he believes they don’t apply to you. This was his moment to do right.

The Bible says to protect the meek and help those in need, clearly Newhouse’s hasn’t read that book yet. He’s a Christian in name only and a false prophet to all Americans. We must erase the damage he has done. We must elect someone who actually has all our interests at heart. I wish Newhouse well, but it’s his father I will remember.

Gregg Bafundo, Tonasket

Another fiasco by Trump’s actions

Saturday morning, Jan. 2, U.S. military forces struck key Venezuelan military facilities and seized Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia. The couple have been transported to New York, where they face federal drug, weapon and narcoterrorism charges.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court has sworn in the country’s vice president, Delcy Rodiguez, to lead the country. Trump said during a Saturday press conference that the U.S. would “run” the South American nation for the time being. Trump added that the U.S. planned to take control of Venezuela’s state-run oil industry and sell “large amounts” of its supply to foreign nations.

The following Monday, Trump said he’s prepared to send U.S. ground troops to Venezuela if leaders in the South American nation don’t cooperate.

What is the evidence against dictator Maduro? What right does the U.S. have to manage Venezuela’s oil? This appears to be an intervention without legal authority or an implementation plan. First it was about fentanyl, then it was cocaine, then it was about regime change, then it was about oil and never about restoring the winner of the last election to Venezuela’s people.

This escapade will end up a disaster for both the president and our nation.

Bill Petrie, Richland