Different race is on

To the editor -- Re: June 21 op-ed column, "Boycott is going down a bad road," by Philadelphia Inquirer writer Michael Smerconish.

I will buy Chrysler or GM, just not a gas-guzzling dinosaur. I'm waiting to see Chrysler's version of Fiat's Panda and 500 with the 50 mpg 1.3L turbo diesel. I am also interested if GM will build its Opel division cars with the 46 mpg ecoTECH engines here in the States. Though I wouldn't rule out Ford's Ka with its 50 mpg 1.3L, either. None of these are hybrids. The race is no longer the fastest, but the highest mpg.

TIM PHEIL

Yakima

Liquor sale revenue

To the editor -- In today's economic climate, I've seen many private sector businesses (where overhead is paid by the companies, not with your taxes and mine) downsizing to decrease overhead costs, and lowering prices to try to increase sales volume.

It was interesting reading the June 20 article about expanding liquor sales that our political "representatives" have decided to try to increase income by increasing overhead costs by opening more liquor stores and by increasing prices by raising taxes. That's the kind of representation that's in part responsible for our huge state deficit. The saddest part is that hearing such a well thought-out plan (sarcasm) from our leaders was no surprise at all!

Here's an option: Close every liquor store. Wow, no overhead costs. Let any store that wants to stock and sell liquor do so. Let them sell it during any and all the days and hours that bars can. Lower prices (I know, sacrilege) so you can compete with Internet sales. Without any overhead, you'll still increase revenue. Then use a little piece of the increased revenue to hire someone with a business degree.

I imagine there's one or two other areas of government and its related bureaucracy where the same sort of thinking applies.

DAVE LANCE

Yakima

Ethical governance

To the editor -- Much of the governance that really matters happens at the local level, where governance is what elected boards, councils and commissions do. We work together to choose priorities based on the needs and input of the community, we set policy, we speak through our votes, we supervise the chief executive and we drive the organization to its goals. We are entrusted with large budgets, and with business that impacts people's lives every day.

Good and ethical governance matters. Poor governance diverts energy and focus from priority work, and often prevents an organization from meeting its goals.
I feel fortunate to be part of a school board committed to good governance.

In this election season, it's important to hear candidate views. In the interest of looking forward to a bright future for our community, I challenge all candidates for City Council to answer these questions:

* If elected, what will you do to uphold high ethical standards on the City Council?

* How do you propose to work as a team with other council members to focus the priority work of the city?

Yakima is a community on the upswing, and we deserve strong, ethical leadership to ensure we meet our goals.

VICKIE YBARRA

Yakima

Suffering children

To the editor -- Thanks to the person who wrote the June 21 letter concerning the real facts about destroying the unborn child.

In my letters sent to the Yakima Herald-Republic concerning abortion, I did not have the courage to state the true facts about the terrible pain and suffering the unborn child endures during this heinous act.

I pray for all the aborted infants who have been denied the gift of life; also for all those who support, assist or perform that act that takes an unborn human life.

ROBERT STORY Sr.

Sunnyside