Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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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...
Dear Editor, I am supporting the following candidates for various offices in Columbia County, the City of Dayton, Dayton School District Board, and the Public Hospital District: Shawn Brown, Commissioner #1 Columbia County Port #1 Jack Miller, Commissioner #3 Columbia County Port #2 Teeny McMunn, City of Dayton Council Member #3 Write In Candidate Vickie Zoller, City of Dayton Council Member #5 Fred Crowe, City of Dayton Council Member #7 Grant Griffen, Dayton School District Director #3 Jeff McCowen, Dayton School District Director #5 Jim Kime...
Dear Editor, My friend Teeny McMunn has decided to give up some of her retirement time to become a member of Dayton’s City Council. I’m endorsing her to fill position 3 because I know she will work to benefit Dayton. Teeny will seek ways to solve the challenges that our beloved Dayton faces. I assure you she will listen to your concerns and gather information and viewpoints to find solutions. She does not have a pre-existing agenda nor an axe to grind. She will be our energizer bunny working to solve problems for the best economic and com...
To the Editor, I am endorsing Kate Hockersmith as Waitsburg’s next Mayor. I urge the residents of Waitsburg to consider what they want to see happen under new leadership for the City. As a new resident of Waitsburg, I was dismayed to find that under the current leadership of Mayor Dunn, the swimming pool closed, the fairgrounds in disrepair and of the Weller Building under consideration to be sold. If elected mayor, Kate Hockersmith will be an advocate for thoughtful, and well-planned development of the historic downtown area. I truly b...
Dear Editor, Candidate for Mayor Kate Hockersmith has one of those deep rooted histories of decades of broad helpful participation in the Waitsburg community, from our children to our elderly and always including music and education as well as public health and political concerns, that convinces me that she will provide thoughtful and compassionate leadership for all citizens. Vote Kate. Sincerely, Terry Lawhead Waitsburg, Wash....
To the Editor A neighbor of mine who has been in the community for many years lent me her book ‘The Flood of 96 - in Dayton and Columbia County’, full of pictures of what is described as a 100-year flood. The pictures are full of the major damage and destruction that Patit Creek and the Touchet River caused. The book also describes the way that the community pulled together to try to mitigate damage and then to help clean up: citizens filled sandbags, high school students were sent to fill sandbags instead of school, people hauled and sta...
I am writing this letter in support of Teeny McMunn, who is running for Dayton City Council Position #3. I have known and been a good friend of Teeny’s for over 15 years. Not only has she been a competent business owner and manager, but also one who listens to her customers and their needs. Since her arrival in Dayton in 2001 she has immersed herself in community and church involvement. This includes many roles she plays, being a team leader with Cancer Relay for Life for several years, and creating and facilitating an ongoing grief group. T...
Dear Editor, I am writing to enthusiastically endorse Teeny McMunn for the City Council, position #3, of Dayton. I have known Teeny for about 16 years having first met her at her small business she ran along with her partner. I know her to be a passionate supporter of Dayton and a savvy businesswoman. I most admire Ms. McMunn for her selfless volunteer work. Teeny is very well liked and respected in her community, where she has served long hours as a volunteer at our church, including heading the church participation in the community yard sale...
I was disappointed to read Barbara Phinney’s letter concerning the County’s purchase of a big, new pickup truck for the E911 Manager - to the tune of $118,000 when there was already a pickup for the new manager to use. I admit I haven’t been paying too close attention to how the county is spending money. I thought that since we were a rural area, and country people pride themselves on common sense, the commissioners would be good stewards of our taxpayer dollars. Clearly, close scrutiny is needed of the county budget before approval, and not j...
I am supporting Fred Crowe for City of Dayton Council, Position #7. Dayton is my hometown, and I care deeply about the future of this community. I believe Fred is the candidate best qualified to serve on the council in position #7. I have known Fred and his wife, Genie, since they moved to Dayton about 11 years ago. They chose to move here because as Fred says, Dayton is a “small, rural town with a lot going for it.” Fred is running for city council because he wants to help our town “function highly and flourish”, and he has the background whic...
I am writing this letter out of concern for the financial health of Columbia County and the poor spending decisions that the County Commissioners have let happen. Here are a few examples of such decisions that affect our County. Columbia County Commissioners approved a new black 2021 Dodge Ram 3500 for the County E911 Director/Emergency Manager. This department already had a Pickup to use. To try and understand the process I submitted several public record requests; the following information is what I have received so far: A 2021 Dodge Ram...
Letter to Editor - We have candidates running for leadership positions in Columbia County and the City of Dayton that profess to be followers of Jesus Christ yet cannot seem to perform the simplest act of loving, Christian kindness towards their fellow man: the wearing of a mask when indoors at public locations such as school board meetings. This basic, simple act of loving-kindness isn’t much to ask of Christians that profess their love of a Savior that willingly died for them. So, it makes it hard to accept that this same Savior wouldn’t be...
Dear Citizens of Waitsburg: As many of you know, the voting for City Council has changed from the original charter. The original charter had the people of Waitsburg selecting candidates from a list and the candidates with the most votes received the seats on the council. Now the county monitors elections and each seat has a list of candidates voters will choose from. When I signed up for City Council, I was unaware that this is how it would work this year. I signed up for the position that Mr. Paxton had vacated. Unbeknown to me, Jillian Henze...
