Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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Dear Editor: The Friends of the Weller Library and Board of Trustees want to thank the volunteers who helped in a significant and successful concrete pour project in the back of the library on November 11. A sincere thanks to Louie and Marie Gagnon, Allen and Karen Huwe, Sherri Erickson, Victor Paolino, George Gagnon, John Langford, Brian Segraves, Nicole Gagnon and Terry Lawhead. We worked hard, had a good time together and provided for the future enjoyment and education of all ages of resident...
Thanks to the generosity of so many - at Waitsburg Presbyterian Church - and in our community! Saturday morning we filled 60 shoe boxes with sundry holiday gifts! From tooth brushes to pencils to socks to soccer balls. These boxes will be sent off later this month to children living in poorer countries far and wide. A couple of years ago our own Becky Huwe was witness to the delight of children receiving these gift boxes. She was on a medical mission in a village in Burundi (Africa) when these shoe boxes were delivered to the village church...
To the editor, In regards to the article (Port of Columbia candidate cuts ties with local conservative group, October 7, 2021) in the Waitsburg Times. While it has been sad to see the death of journalism at the national and state level for some time, it is sad to see it dying at the local level as well. According to my recollection, a more accurate account of events at the meeting, Mr. Miller mentions to me, and should include, his threats to use firearms against Covid infected individuals, something with which we disagree. While your...
Columbia County Needs Positive, Nonpartisan, Inclusive, Qualified Candidates I received a flyer identifying “Columbia County Conservatives” (CCC) endorsing Conservative candidates for Dayton City Council, Port of Columbia and Dayton School Board positions. This political group professes that over the 200+ years since our country’s founding, the US has done remarkably well living up to the goals improving the human condition, free from rule by a person, or body, not beholden to the people. But, we’re a representative government, “By The Peopl...
Dear Editor, I have long been a proponent of “We can do together what I cannot do alone.” These words harken back to the days gone by when peoples banded together to form business associations such as the Chamber of Commerce or the Granges that dotted the rural landscapes of the United States. Today we have a pivotal election in the next week. I support Boe Stevenson, Fred Crowe, Teeny McMunn, and write-in candidate Vickie Zoller for Dayton City Council. I have known these folks since I came to Dayton several years ago. They have shown the typ...
This year there are two candidates for mayor of Waitsburg: Kate and Marty. Both Marty and Kate have served on the Waitsburg City Council and have experience with various related committees. Both have experience dealing with the positive and negative sides of public opinion. It has been my experience that both Kate and Marty are very approachable and relatively easy to contact. I’ve found both willing to listen to concerns as well as discuss issues. Anyone who has had the pleasure of conversing with Marty and Kate has likely noticed d...
Letter to the Editor: We are just a few days away from another local election and we have an opportunity to make some truly good and thoughtful choices for leaders in our community. We have an opportunity to elect people that have been active members in this community through volunteer roles, through board and committee roles and through other public participation roles. These are people that have shown up year after year in so many ways in Dayton and Columbia County. They make things happen, they are a part of yearly successful events like Day...
This will be the last week of letters to the editor before the election. I hope that all of you will be voting. I am hoping that Dayton will be moving to a more positive and open attitude in all areas. Therefore, my candidates of choice are: Boe Stephenson, Fred Crowe, Teeny McMunn, Shawn Brown , Jack Miller and Vicki Zoller. I know all of them- some just a bit and others, I consider friends. However, all of them have earned my respect and my vote. I believe that all of them will look at both sides of every issue and make decisions to help...
As a former small business owner in Dayton, I am writing to express my earnest support for the Positively Dayton slate of candidates. When I set up shop in Dayton about 16 years ago, I did so, inspired by our civic leaders’ can-do, positive outlook in Dayton. Now, I see dark storm clouds of negativity, suppression of economy-boosting efforts, and opposition to innovation in our community. I, and others like me who care about our town, must support candidates who will continue to move our hometown forward. Once again, I urge you also to s...
Elections tend to be a confusing time for me. Sometimes a friend may be running for office or there may be other people I don’t know. This year has been different because of the fake information issues and hateful commentary! I promised myself that I would not vote for angry candidates, or candidates without positive visions or platforms for the community I love and have chosen to live in. Platforms are created by local people, then go to county, state and national levels and candidates must have an understanding of their Party’s Platform to...
To Our Community: I am writing in support of Blue Mountain Sation. We visited the BMS Coop last summer before purchasing our home in Dayton. I was happily surprised to find a coop let alone one that offers wonderful meals. Experiences the Coop and meeting Val made Dayton all the more inviting. Since then, we have enjoyed the other unique businesses at BMS including Mama Monacelli’s. Blue Mountain Station is a community resource bringing people together in celebration of food, music and local businesses. If you didn’t stop by for Okt...
Dear Editor, Masks, vaccine mandates and the fear of returning to online schooling - this is a challenging time for our schools. In one to two years, I hope these issues are behind us. With four-year school board terms, leaders must be playing the long game. What I want to hear from school board candidates is the bigger picture - how in this volatile time he or she will step up into a leadership role to build relationships, create a supportive school culture and enhance communication. I want to hear the action steps they will take toward...
Congratulations Beka Compton and Lane Gwinn on your designation as a “serial fabulist” as stated in the recent letter to the Times’ editor by Seth Murdock. As a recent witness to the confrontation between Jack Miller and the alt-right conservative group presented to me by Mr. Miller, you continued your history of excellent, concise reporting by representing accurately the viewpoint of the conservative group in Dayton as experienced by Mr. Miller. Dayton is lucky to have leadership who believe in economic development and who are able to lever...
Shawn Brown has been serving as a commissioner for the Port of Columbia. He has been approachable, and open to discussing and carefully considering various options for the port to improve the local economy (such as broadband). We need someone with his experience as a port commissioner, especially considering the other two commissioners will be new to their positions. I support retention of Shawn Brown (Position 1), and I urge you to vote for his experience and leadership. Glen Mendel Dayton, Wash....
I am writing this letter in full support of Teeny McMunn for City Council. Teeny is a well-rounded caring person. She has been a dedicated volunteer in many areas of life including her church’s activities, breast cancer support, grief counseling, and much more. Her broad business and education background will be of great value to the City of Dayton. Her only reason for being interested in this position is her desire to serve the community she loves. To help keep it be healthy and vibrant, and continuing to provide a good quality of life for u...
Dear Editor, The Letters to the Editor column is around all year, and it is rarely used. Generally, the only time you see the column not empty is when there is an election or a school levy. This is disappointing, because there are issues that are far, far more important that we don’t talk about. This is not a political letter, and quite frankly I am appalled at the lack of letters concerning what has been happening for almost two years now. Has everyone forgotten or lost interest in what is being thrust upon us? Covid mandates are the e...
When we opened Ten Ton Coffee three and a half years ago, Luke and I made a point to stay out of politics both local and otherwise, so that our space felt comfortable and open to everyone in our community. We still believe in that philosophy, but I am going to break it just a bit to endorse Kate Hockersmith for mayor. Hear me out. I am basing this decision not on politics or anything personal about our current mayor. Anyone willing to do public service deserves a lot of respect, in my book. The reason I am advocating for Kate is simply because...
To the Editor, The ballots will soon be arriving for the local general election. Voters have 2 very different groups of candidates to select from. One group, the Columbia County Conservatives, is against a long list of projects and proposals. As a group, the members can be described as angry, aggressive towards their own local government, and disruptive to the process of decision-making. As described in an article in The Waitsburg Times, Jack Miller divorced himself from the group when he was verbally attacked in one of their meetings. One of...
Editor, In regards to the Times’ 10/7 article “Port of Columbia candidate cuts ties with local conservative group”, it seems that your reporter has been wooed by the wild successes of the failing NY Times and decided to wear the hat of serial fabulist for the week. From the article: “The group [Columbia County Conservatives], which has become known for its anti-vaccination and anti-masking rhetoric, has been regularly meeting at … [my place]” Become known by whom? Did Stephen Glass whisper that into your reporter’s ear? Or was it Jayson Blair?...
To the Editor, A recent letter from a well-intentioned newcomer to Waitsburg unfortunately accused the Mayor, the City Council and City Staff of allowing the swimming pool, and Fairgrounds to fall into disrepair and close. And suggested that the Weller Library is being sold. As the husband of a City Council member I have a bit of insight into these issues and would like to correct some misapprehensions. These issues are much more complex than can be addressed in a letter. They are the cumulative result of decades of cost-cutting and postponing...
To the Editor: I wish to strongly endorse Karen Gregutt for re-election to the Waitsburg City Council. As a member of the Planning Commission, which she chaired several years ago while we updated our Development Code, I can attest to Karen’s deep commitment, and thoughtful, conscientious effort to ensure that the revised Development Code would be realistic, reasonable, and fairly applied to everyone. As a member of City Council this past year, Karen’s dedication to researching and understanding various issues was always evident in her inf...
Letter to the editor, I am writing in support of Shawn Brown, candidate for Port Commissioner seat 1. Shawn brings depth of knowledge and a holistic approach to the economic health of the county that extends beyond a single issue, or series of pet issues. He understands that in order to accomplish the growth and prosperity that we all want in this county, we need to expand our tax base and bring in businesses. He also understands that we can’t just wave a magic wand and make businesses want to move here. We are missing critical infrastructure t...
To the voters of Waitsburg, Here is the dream team I’d like to see on the Waitsburg city council: Kate Hockersmith for Mayor; Karen Stanton-Gregutt, Jim Romine, and Jillian Henze to continue as council members; Randy Charles for the newly opened position #3. They have my support because they have demonstrated through their work in the community that each of them has a hands-on commitment to our town. Each has shown up when needed, whether it is for the planning commission, flood relief, fire and emergency services, RYES. During the nine y...
Dear Editor: Teeny McMunn worked for me for about three years as office manager, bookkeeper and salesperson for The Times newspaper in Waitsburg. On top of that, she wrote a well-loved recipe column for the paper. She was the best employee I could have had in that position. Teeny came to The Times after retiring as co-owner of Hometown Carpets and Trade Center, which she helped run for nearly 30 years, including the last ten in Dayton. Teeny’s entrepreneurial and business experience as well as her conservative but compassionate outlook and h...
We need Karen Gregutt to continue her outstanding service in our Waitsburg government. While on the Waitsburg’s Planning Commission and City Council, Karen has effectively and tirelessly worked on behalf of our town for many years. Her beautiful Waitsburg Cottages are a shining example of her ability to create a thriving business, restore classic Waitsburg homes and bring new people and interest to our community From her experience as a producer and director of many documentaries and commercials, she knows how to get things done within a g...
