Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 507 - 531 of 674
To The Eagle: Now that our elections are over, I can say what I want to say without being accused of "thumping" for one candidate or another (by golly, I am sick of this election!) I am motivated to write this letter to the editor after hearing for the third time in recent weeks a Cathlamet person say, "I don't think I can afford my medication." I am, I think rightly, upset when I hear people that I view as responsible, normal citizens of various ages state that they cannot afford medications for diseases such as heart trouble, diabetes, and...
To The Eagle: We just returned from a fortnight odyssey to Wichita, where our six Irish Wolfhounds served as the reception line at Judy's mom's 90th birthday party. The visit was delightful but the drive, over on the northerly routes and back along old Route 66, was a graphic tour of the havoc wrought by a federal government trying to turn us into a European style social democracy by strangling free enterprise in a web of taxation, regulation, and litigation. The southwest looks particularly hard hit, and southern California is all shabby, bump...
To The Eagle: The Eagle Point apartments are a great example of public housing in Wahkiakum County. Before the county provided a low interest loan, there were promises made. The local property taxes would be paid on the million dollar project, they now pay based on a $53,000 assessed value of the land prior to construction. Not much support of schools, police and fire. The project was developed with half the units getting low rents and half market rate. The market rate units sat vacant. Solution, project based vouchers. This means if you want...
To The Eagle: I just lost a dog to salmon poisoning. I did not know about this disease, I did not realize it is endemic in our area, and I did not recognize the symptoms (lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, possible fever). The veterinarian said that at this time of year, she encounters a dog a week that dies from this disease--in many instances, the dog's person was as ignorant as I. Salmon poisoning manifests five to seven days after the dog eats raw salmon or trout, possibly dropped by eagles. If it is identified early, it...
To The Eagle: As a retired public safety officer who served a major metropolitan area of California where liquor was available at all but four hours of the morning, 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., and had to respond to the consequences of that open market, I'm concerned that too many Washington voters have overlooked the most tragic potential of privatizing liquor sales in our state, initiative measure 1100 and 1105. I agree with the current sheriffs in Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties as well as the current prosecuting attorneys in both counties who oppose...
To The Eagle: On Monday, November 1, supporters of Cathlamet Library will meet with Wahkiakum Board of County Commissioners, at 3 p.m., to request reinstatement of funding for the county’s public library in the form of $3000 for 2011. Wahkiakum County provided financial support for the library for over 15-years, until 2008. Rationale for the request includes the fact that over 60 percent of the library’s card holders do not live in Cathlamet town limits and pay taxes to support the library. Support of $3000 represents less than 10 percent of...
To The Eagle: A great American resource and bulwark of the American way of life has been withering on its branches and is now in danger of falling from the tree of liberty entirely, unless we get together and help it, now. I'm talking about your public library. Overstating the case a bit with that dramatic intro, you might be thinking? Think again. America is not just a place name on the world map. It is above all, about you, the story that is your life, and the billions of stories of all the people of this nation whose experiences and ideas ha...
To The Eagle: Throughout this month of October, The Charlotte House hopes you have noticed the large purple ribbons lining Main Street and on various businesses as well as individual homes. As October and Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, the ribbons will come down but our work to end violence against women, and to keep families and individuals safe continues. We hope the awareness continues as well. Why is awareness important? Domestic violence continues to be misunderstood and shrouded in secrecy and shame. It is painful to t...
To The Eagle: The Wahkiakum Food Bank would like to thank the grade school for the food drive they did for the food bank last month. It was greatly appreciated by the people who received the food and also by the food bank. I think they had a lot of fun doing this -- 1,300lbs of food! The summer months are usually down from giving, with the children home from school, vacation time, etc. Now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving. The Lions Club will be having their drive for the food bank on November 6, a month earlier than usual. If you plan...
To The Eagle: It's election time, probably the most important in a long time for many reasons. National security, national debt, and direction of our nation, to name a few. Locally, taxes, land use and public safety. I have little comment on national elections only to say that if the voters have not figured it out then we as a nation are truly in trouble. Locally: 1. In public safety we have two candidates, one of whom is a lifelong public servant with over 20 years of experience. Then we have a candidate who has virtually no experience in law...
To The Eagle: The meetings and negotiations involving the Kandoll Road project and it's affect on the properties adjacent to the Kandoll farm, and Kandoll road itself, have been ongoing for a few years now, and final resolution of the issues is nowhere in sight. It seems like a good time to employ the services of knowledgeable negotiators/mediators, and such can be found within the Washington State Environmental Hearings Office (http://www.eho.wa.gov/Default.aspx). The EHO consists of two state boards, which deal specifically with the...
To The Eagle: At the community meeting at the Rosburg Hall earlier this year, the majority of residents present overwhelmingly opposed biosolids and septage in our flood prone fields. Lori Scott wants more study on that subject, despite not being present to hear the numerous university studies read by the residents and the many studies available to anyone looking on the internet. Lori also felt the public didn't qualify to make decisions on the Heritage plan? Our current commissioner has been doing a great job of hands on help with those two...
To The Eagle: Please vote for Lori Scott as your next county commissioner. Lori is ready to listen, do her research and make the well thought out decision. I worked for Lori as a real estate agent, for many years, and saw first-hand her professionalism and honesty. After my previous letter, in support of Lori, appeared in this paper, I was talked to by the current commissioner, Blair Brady. Blair was disappointed that I decided to get involved in Lori’s campaign. He said that since I had changed my mind, about ‘getting involved’ then I could...
To The Eagle: Another important part of the election process passed with Grays River Grange #124 hosting the Candidates Forum for Wahkiakum County candidates. Well attended and thanks goes to Krist Novoselic and Robert Pyle. As possibly expected, our sitting District Court Judge did not appear to talk with constituents. It must be assumed that some candidates, especially running unopposed judges feel that once elected they are entitled to the job. Running unopposed for 20-plus years probably makes a candidate forget they owe honorable service a...
To The Eagle: I have subscribed to the Wahkiakum County Eagle for four years ever since Blair Brady began campaigning for the office of county commissioner in 2006. It has provided me with a weekly account of the problems and issues facing the county. Many of those difficulties are experienced nationwide but the impact locally is what residents feel the most. They turn to their local officials for help and answers. You are most fortunate to have Blair Brady as commissioner, who has been watchful and anticipated the sinking economy by taking...
To The Eagle: In looking at the recent comments from Troy Norris who is running for Sheriff who stated "The sheriff doesn't run it by himself, it's a team effort." I find this statement very troubling. Having spent over 38 years in law enforcement and 20 of those as Sheriff of Wahkiakum County, I have a different take on this. The Sheriff is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county. With that the duties of the Sheriff of Wahkiakum County are multifaceted. The Sheriff has not only the duties of the Chief Law Enforcement officer of the...
To The Eagle: Having attended two candidate forums and listening to the candidates for Wahkiakum County Commissioner, District #3, our clear choice is incumbent Blair Brady. He has been a perfect example of what a commissioner should be: fair, consistent, true to his constituents and himself, standing up for what is right and using common sense when it comes to decision making. Blair Brady has always kept his promises, been truthful, and gone above and beyond the usual office work when it comes to those he represents (our entire county). He has...
To The Eagle: The voters of Wahkiakum County have the opportunity to elect a very well qualified person as your next county commissioner. Lori Scott has contributed to her communities by being a successful business person and a well-regarded school board member. She gave freely of her time and expertise to help taxpayers combat the excess county property tax assessments. She was requested to run for office to bring insight and expertise to an important position. Lori Scott is not a politician! She has never done things just because of...
To The Eagle: The recent meeting on the Kandoll Road project, involving WADFW, ACOE, county commissioners, CLT/DU, and various property owners seemed to involve the wrong people, based on accounts published in The Eagle. It appears as if the meeting was simply another one touting the benefits, to the fish population, of the project, not examining the effects of the project on adjacent property owners. As background, the project was done using what is called the ‘Streamlined Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)’ process. An HPA is required to do...
To The Eagle: Laura Blain’s October 7 letter relates as fact details of a July 16 “assault” in our jail. The incident is currently under investigation by an independent law enforcement agency. The results have not been made public; therefore, Blain’s statements as to what occurred must be understood as hearsay, not established fact. Mrs. Blain states the public was not promptly advised of the incident. She infers the Sheriff’s office, and Undersheriff Jon Dearmore particularly, were negligent. Mrs. Blain addresses Dearmore’s “platform...
To The Eagle: Sheriff John Didion has done a commendable job for us and I see no reason to replace him. He has been criticized for the amount of time he spends in Olympia but I know first hand that Pacific County benefits by John’s attending meetings and seminars. He is an expert witness in law enforcement matters and highly respected by both the House of Representatives and Senate. Please join me in voting to retain John Didion as Sheriff of Pacific County. We can do no better. I have been voting in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District sin...
To The Eagle: I have lived in Wahkiakum County for over 50 years and I have found myself in the position that now is the time to speak up. I have known Jon Dearmore for over 14 years and know that he is a very respected man in this community. He is a very family and community oriented person. Jon has been in law enforcement for 20 years and it is his passion. Jon is in law enforcement because he cares about people and justice. Jon serves various boards within the community. To me, this is a man with compassion for the people of this community....
To The Eagle: I would like to encourage the voters of Wahkiakum County to elect Bill Coons as our County Assessor. Who could be more in touch with the “Fair Market Value” of our real estate than a realtor who makes their living knowing the local market? Bill believes in realistic valuation not wishful thinking-your assessed value should be the amount of money you could expect to get in the current market within several months time. He has served on the Board of Equalization hearing taxpayer appeals of property values and has recently ste...
To The Eagle: I'm writing this letter in support of Blair Brady as commissioner. Blair has spent his own money to help small organizations keep their programs going. Blair has always kept the Wednesday Senior lunch group informed on issues. Blair has helped make our group grow by donating. Blair works hard for Wahkiakum County and we need him to continue working for us. As the election draws near, we need a PUD commissioner that has a good communication with the people he represents and is the best person for the job. Dennis Reid is qualified...
To The Eagle: Survivors of domestic violence face special challenges this October, as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month rolls around. The continuing recession creates extra hardships for victims who may not have the resources to leave their abusers. A common question we hear is "Do you think we are seeing more domestic violence now because of the economic stress of the nation?" It's important to know that economic stress does not turn someone into an abuser, but it can lead to more frequent and dangerous abuse. Insufficient income...
