Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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Madam Editor, I write to bid fond farewell to a Starbuck, Washington institution. Rebecca’s Lodge closed its doors after serving its last meal on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Tiina and I drove to Starbuck from Waitsburg that morning to mark the end of an era and to enjoy a great breakfast. The house was full of folks catching up with family and friends. Being a small town (population 120), everyone minded their own business. More or less. It was about 9:30 a.m. when a young couple sat with their children at the next table. They began by o...
Dear Editor and readers of The Times, As I began my exit through the hallways behind the scenes at a mall last week, I saw my Santa's Helper and asked if the reindeer were okay. He smiled and said the young ones always think the grass is greener outside the pens. This time not only was that grass greener, but it was artificial. Alas, a learning experience for another young reindeer. You see, Santa's sleigh is pulled by experienced reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner,...
Dear Editor and readers of The Times, I am taking the time to send a follow-up letter to the Editor of the Waitsburg Times after a fabulous weekend spent in the Waitsburg area visiting with children of all ages. Not only did I visit with children in Waitsburg at Ten Ton Coffee but had the opportunity to visit the Walla Walla Senior Center and the Kirkman House Museum. The Senior Center hosted a bazaar to welcome the holiday season. I was invited to visit the vendors, staff, bazaar patrons, and their children. I had a surprise visit from the...
Dear Editor, Every year thousands of letters pour into my Inbox. Believe it or not, they trickle in all year long, but for the most part, they come in during the month of December. The letters range all over the map, from a request for a doll or car to miraculous healings. By and large, these letters are dripping with sweetness and wide eyes, literally dreaming of the items requested. Some are written very formally, and others are scratched out on scraps of paper with smeared crayons. I am particularly touched when a letter mentions others and...
The recent Waitsburg Times interview with pop artist Kellie Rose is what drove me to attend her recent concert at the Royal Block. Her life story told in the Times article about her years of hard work, dedication and unwavering determination to become the professional that she is made me really want to see her do her thing. Her live performance and sound was way, way bigger than any solo performance I’ve ever seen! She not only sang and played guitar, she used a doubling pedal unit to a beautiful effect often sounding like a 5-piece band! I f...
To Whom It May Concern, First, a big thank you to the new deputies & Joe Helm! I would like to inform my community about this topic and recognize the benefits of the deputies in our high school. Joe Helm hired a lot of new deputies this year. Many of which have been involved within Dayton High School. The deputies are here during school hours, greeting kids and making our school experience fun and safe. Joe Helm did a wonderful job hiring these deputies. They each have their own personalities and are very involved with all the kids. “Deputy B...
The recent election has, once again, been filled with negative ads with questionable “facts.” A while back, a news item on CBS Morning News stated it was legal and acceptable for candidates to lie in campaign materials and ads. My question is, why should those paying for political ads not be held to the same standards as average citizens? Shouldn’t they be held legally accountable, as would the citizens they hope to represent? It seems like a no-brainer that this should not be acceptable nor allowed by any reasonable standard. The quest...
Jared Hawkins is the clear choice for Walla Walla County Part Time District Court Judge. Not only does he have the necessary relevant experience and personal character, he has also dedicated countless volunteer hours over the past decade to serve and improve all corners of Walla Walla County. He leads by example and genuinely cares about our community. Jared can be trusted to take the time to listen, analyze, and provide sound and impartial judgment, free from external influence. He will be a judge who balances compassion with accountability...
To the Editor, Residents of Washington’s 16th legislative district would be better served by Jan Corn as their representative in Olympia. Jan was a business owner in Walla Walla for over 25 years and knows the challenges facing entrepreneurs in our community. She has demonstrated her leadership skills by serving on the boards of local organizations including Rotary where she was president. She appreciates differing points of view and can work across the political aisle. Our current representative portrays himself as a moderate but he blames t...
Dear Editor, I endorse Proposition #1. The creation of a Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District. Columbia County Resolution 2022-23 and the City of Dayton Resolution 1498 signed by all county commissioners and city council members to put forth Proposition #1 for voter approval to create a Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District. The resolutions state, “Stable funding is essential to provide citizens of Columbia County and Dayton the best possible recreational opportunities and facilities, provide proper operation and m...
To the editor: Skyler Rude has claimed that “affordability concerns,” including healthcare, housing, and childcare are among his top priorities. However, as state representative he voted against the development of affordable housing (HB 1220), against establishing a state-funded rental assistance program (HB 1277), against expanding the coverage of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (HB 1073), and against providing a monthly diaper subsidy for parents and caregivers who receive temporary assistance from the state (SB 5838), to name but a...
To the Editor Darren Goble exemplifies the motto family and community first. Goble is a small town man, in every positive sense of the word. A fire department volunteer for decades, Goble always steps forward. When Goble was putting out his first road signs, he asked if he could place one in my yard. Without asking his position on things, I told him absolutely, I knew the man he is. Before he got in the political arena, Darren had my vote. Darren Goble is an American man. The kind we desperately miss these days. A man who looks up at the flag...
To the Editor: I urge you to vote for Jack Miller for Columbia County Commissioner and Jeff Jenkins for County Sheriff. These two men will work well together to reunite the community and lead with integrity. Jack Miller has the experience and knowledge to help lead this County using sound economic wisdom. Jeff Jenkins promises to use his law enforcement experience to protect the community with integrity and transparency. The current administration has led us toward more radical and adversarial tactics and has divided the community on many...
Letter to the Editor On Thursday October 20th, Port Commissioner Seth Bryan made the following statement on social media about County Commissioner Candidate, Jack Miller: “He has experience at nothing except farming.” And he didn’t follow it up with anything nice after that line. WOW, at least we all know how the CCC elected leaders really feel about the farmers in the area. Commissioner Amerein must have had to really carry more than his own weight sitting on the same commission as Farmer Marty Hall. Poor Marty must have to struggle every...
Dear Editor Walla Walla County has two fine choices for Part Time District Court Judge. However, Jared Hawkins is exceptionally qualified for this role. District court hears the disputes that normal people will likely experience at some point in their lives– traffic violations, minor criminal offenses and civil disputes less than $75,000.00, among others. For District Court, these issues are routine, but for most people, appearing before the court to resolve these problems may be the worst day of their lives. Jared has the temperament, e...
Letter to the Editor On Thursday October 20th, Port Commissioner Seth Bryan made the following statement on social media about County Commissioner Candidate, Jack Miller: “He has experience at nothing except farming.” And he didn’t follow it up with anything nice after that line. WOW, at least we all know how the CCC elected leaders really feel about the farmers in the area. Commissioner Amerein must have had to really carry more than his own weight sitting on the same commission as Farmer Marty Hall. Poor Marty must have to struggle every...
Dear Editor, I endorse Proposition #1. The creation of a Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District. Columbia County Resolution 2022-23 and the City of Dayton Resolution 1498 signed by all county commissioners and city council members to put forth Proposition #1 for voter approval to create a Columbia County Joint Metropolitan Park District. The resolutions state, “Stable funding is essential to provide citizens of Columbia County and Dayton the best possible recreational opportunities and facilities, provide proper operation and m...
Dear Editor, I am writing to endorse Jack Miller for Columbia County Commissioner, Position #3. My wife, Kris, grew up in Dayton, and we moved here from the Seattle area in 1988. I have known Jack since the 1990s and had the opportunity to get to know Jack while working with him when we have volunteered for community events associated with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. Jack has the knowledge and experience we need! Jack was raised in eastern Washington and has farmed in the Columbia and Walla Walla Valley for over 20 years and has over 30 yea...
In response to Morgan’s unhinged rant in the Dayton chronicle. Dear Editor, I am not affiliated with any political group and have served this community for the last ten years. I would like to thank Neighbors United for Progress (NUP) for understanding the concept of diversity and the definition of community and attempting to offer a safe place away from animosity, division, and hate, where concerned community members could meet their candidates and ask them questions about their concerns. We live in a diverse community. Diversity is the r...
Jeff Jenkins is a very dedicated, caring, and professional police officer. He has 28 years of law enforcement experience. He has been heavily involved with the youth in our community and would like to see more officer involvement with the schools. Jeff is a drug enforcement officer and has been a member of the Washington State Narcotics Investigation Association since 2004. He feels that communication and cooperation with citizens and community agencies is important and a high priority. If elected, he is committed to holding regular public...
Dear Editor and neighbors, Do you know the County Sheriff is the highest official of each Washington county? Our current Sheriff Office common-sense leadership approach has value, BUT… JEFF JENKINS’ extensive training, professionalism and experience are now needed in leadership here. He deserves our support. I urge all voters to investigate the truth. THEN, help to elect Jeff Jenkins as out next Columbia County Sheriff. Respectfully and THANK YOU Johnny Johnston, Dayton, Wash....
To the Editor: Jared Hawkins, candidate for District Court Judge (Part-Time), has my enthusiastic support, and I would like to encourage voters to cast their ballots for him. I worked closely with Jared in his capacity as City Attorney during my nearly 8-year term as mayor of Prescott. He displayed several valuable traits working with the City, as well as with other agencies in which I was able to observe his work. Those traits, I believe, make him highly qualified for this position. First, Jared approaches questions and problems in a very...
To the Editor Vote for what’s right in our community and country. I’m a proud Vietnam Veteran and loyal American voting for Jack Miller. Yes, to City Pool. Sincerely, Randy Tewalt Dayton, Wash....
Letter to the Editor: During the Vietnam War, a quote attributed to US Army major P. Booris achieved notoriety: “It became necessary to destroy the town in order to save it.” He was referring to the decision by allied commanders to bomb and shell the town of Ben Tre, regardless of civilian casualties, to rout any Vietcong hiding there. These days, the Columbia County Conservative leadership expresses that same war-time attitude. In order to save Columbia County/Dayton from thriving economically in the modern world and to discourage and sup...
Dear Editor: Leadership is about vision, commitment, hard work and working with others to achieve a common goal. If you’re not committed, what’s the point? The Columbia County Commission and the Dayton City Council have both passed resolutions to place a proposition on the November 2022 ballot to create a Joint Metropolitan Park District (MPD) for the primary purpose of maintaining and operating a community swimming pool in Dayton. Should the voters approve the formation of the District, five candidates (Dianne McKinley, Lisa Naylor, Carol Ande...
