10/23/09 Letters to the Editor

Keep Wentz on job

To the editor -- I would like to express my support for Union Gap City Council member Roger Wentz. I have served on the council with Roger and for almost two years, now as mayor.

On the council, Roger has always put the residents and their concerns first. He has strongly supported youth, seniors and all residents during his first term. His main interest is the town's interest as a whole and not his own.

He has been instrumental in just about every positive aspect in our town, including working together as a team player. He has been a strong ally in cleaning up graffiti and litter here. What a change! There was never any concern when his opponent was in office for 10 years.

Roger has been a very important component of our council and is a great asset as we navigate through these challenging economic times. He has helped obtain grant money for the city and has been instrumental in helping speed up the process for future businesses that have been delayed due to the economic slowdown.

Join me in voting to keep Roger Wentz working for you with me and the rest of the council. He has definitely earned a second term.

JIM LEMON

Mayor, Union Gap

Jimenez works for all

To the editor -- It was my pleasure, as a fellow council member, to work with Clara Jimenez during her entire 10 previous years on the Toppenish City Council. Clara always read the information provided to council members and came prepared to each meeting. She contributed thoughtfully with the community in mind at all times.

She educated herself by earning credits through the Association of Washington Cities to become a Certified Municipal Leader. Clara reached out to other communities to share her experiences with them and to learn from their experiences so that Toppenish might benefit.

Clara was raised and educated in Toppenish and raised her sons in Toppenish. She has been and is an active, involved member of the community.

Her previous leadership as a council member, mayor pro tem and mayor have prepared her to again do an outstanding job as a council member for the community of Toppenish. I urge you to elect Clara Jimenez to the Toppenish City Council, position 3.

JUDY BOEKHOLDER

Zillah

Yakima needs Soria

To the editor -- I am supporting Ben Soria for Yakima City Council.

We need people who have a clear vision for the future of Yakima -- people like Ben Soria, who have the energy and courage to seek new solutions to the problems that face our city.

Ben knows we have fiscal challenges, but he also knows that solving them will require more than easy rhetoric and simple-minded solutions. (Just saying "no new taxes" is not leadership.) He wants to give more thought to what Yakima can and should look like five years, or even 20 years, from now.

Ben Soria is a person who will provide the bold but thoughtful leadership to keep Yakima on track to a vibrant future.

M R McDONALD

Yakima

Fox for fire position

To the editor -- Randy Fox has been serving as Benton County Fire District 3 commissioner for the past three years. During that time, he has not voted to increase taxes while still improving the fire department's equipment, training and structure.

Randy is diligent is his research on advancement issues regarding the fire department. He has the highest of integrity.

As a taxpayer of this district, I encourage you to join me in voting for Randy Fox so he can continue the forward progress of the department.

VALERIE BAKER

Prosser

Rodriguez is right pick

To the editor -- A spirited campaign exposes candidates' attributes, resulting in a clear choice for voters. Normally a candidate unwilling to campaign runs a risk of appearing less than serious about the process of an election. Yet, many in Yakima remain staunch supporters of self-proclaimed "uncandidate" Dave Ettl. Are they convinced Mr. Ettl will work hard for them on Yakima City Council when he isn't even willing to campaign for the job?

Part of Sonia Rodriguez's message is to implement strong ethical guidelines for City Council, as well as reform the criminal justice system to curb rising gang violence. In addition, unlike her opponent, Rodriguez understands that a vote must be earned. Of course she doesn't necessarily deserve to be elected for this reason alone, but she does deserve serious consideration.

An attorney, council person, soccer mom and small business owner, Rodriguez's work ethic speaks volumes about her. It is evident that she cares about Yakima. Her council seat is not some feather in her cap but, rather, an opportunity to give back to Yakima. A safe and secure Yakima is Sonia Rodriguez's highest priority and I am confident that she will dedicate herself to achieving that result.

GEORGE HANSEN

Yakima

Re-elect Bill Lover

To the editor -- I had a conversation with Councilman Bill Lover and asked him why he voted to change the city's budgeting process. He said he supports the priorities of government budgeting policy because in the future many difficult decisions are going to have to be made and because of this, we need well thought out, solid priorities in place. He also said that the budget requires controls because year after year, spending increases have exceeded our economic growth, and it's just not sustainable without additional fees, assessments or taxes! Something, he says, the average citizen can't afford.

I'm glad there are those on the council who understand that you can't ignore the basics! Join me in supporting and re-electing Yakima City Councilman Bill Lover.

ELLEN LEWIS

Yakima

Place for City Council

To the editor -- Mary Place is smart, caring, dedicated and experienced. Before I retired, I was the Yakima City Clerk and knew Mary during her previous years on the City Council. I observed her energy, passion and concern for the city of Yakima and its citizens. She behaves professionally and is respected by other city and state legislators (sometimes it is who you know that is needed to get things done).

What I didn't see was a person with a hidden agenda. Mary studied all issues carefully (even the ones I considered boring), returned phone calls from constituents, formed an opinion, then took action to resolve or vote on an issue.

This is a nonpartisan position, and Mary, with her integrity, is a good choice to represent you. If I lived in Yakima, I would certainly vote to return Mary Place to the City Council. She has the desire and the time to devote to this office.

KAREN ROBERTS

Union Gap

Member offers thanks

To the editor -- Thank you to the Granger Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of Granger:

To chamber members, I wish to acknowledge your hosting of the Meet the Candidates night in Granger on Oct. 8. My current term as council member expires on Dec. 31. The last few years have been challenging as well as enlightening. I appreciated the opportunity to share with the citizens my wishes and plans to continue as a council member for the next four years, and to represent the citizens of Granger to the best of my ability.

My mission remains the same: continuing 24-hour police coverage to ensure a safe community; the monitoring and stabilizing of the city's budget; and assuring that the citizens of Granger have the ability to question and be heard on city matters.

To local Teamster members: Thank you for the invitation to your gathering to meet your members and for giving us the opportunity to hear your concerns. I look forward to serving the members of the community in the upcoming election.

DONNA SHIPMAN

Granger City Council, Position 2

Approve R-71

To the editor -- An Oct. 16 Associated Press article reports that a Louisiana judge still refuses to marry interracial couples. Astonishing, in this day and age? Apparently not, given that hundreds gathered in Yakima the previous evening to hear "Tea Party" speakers espousing much the same sort of bigotry.

Just as it now seems unthinkable to deny people of different races the right to marry, so is it fundamentally wrong to deny same-sex couples the rights the rest of us take for granted. One Tea Party speaker spoke of "rampant homosexuality" as if these friends and family members of ours chose on a whim to follow such a difficult path -- a path made that much harder by such public celebrations of intolerance. To believe that shunning will prevent people of different races or the same sex from falling in love and forming committed relationships with one another seems naïve to an extreme.

If a congregation does not wish to consecrate some types of unions in religious ceremonies, their church will never be forced to do so. However, legal rights of partnership are a matter of state, and a matter of basic fairness. I hope Washington voters will stand against hate and approve Referendum 71.

GINA KING

Yakima

Something's missing

To the editor -- In an Oct. 8 letter, Earl Lee is kicking off his campaign with an opening sentence that reads, "Education is paramount in decreasing gang activity and student productivity
in school."

Am I the only one who read this sentence and saw how totally ridiculous it is? It looks like Earl left out a key word, however. What else would I expect from someone who claims to be so educated? Maybe a modicum of literacy?

And Scott Spruill, you know I think you're terrific, however in the Oct. 9 Sports section, are you sure the Vikings girls' volleyball team "stepped on the peddle?"

Just razzing you, Mr. Spruill.

Not razzing you, Mr. Lee.

CANDIE TURNER

Yakima

Vote for Mary Place

To the editor -- It is time to get Mary Place on the City Council again. She would bring experience, energy and complete commitment to the city.

She has a great background that would be invaluable to the city. She has been actively involved in more than 35 special local council boards and committees including the Yakima Greenway, the Joint Board for Urban Planning and Yakima County Law and Justice.

Please join me in voting for her.

RICHARD E. OSTRANDER

Yakima