Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sorted by date Results 250 - 274 of 2504
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...
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. - Henry Ford Working together as a community seems to be much needed in our town. Boe Stevenson is the person to help accomplish this goal. Boe owns and operates two small businesses in our town, Locally Nourished, with Alicia Walker, as well as Boe Designs. You may have seen and heard Boe on Main Street playing his guitar while chatting with our local kids, and I’m sure some of you have stopped to converse with him. Boe is a relatable family man who s...
When faced with a significant decision, I often ask myself, what is the worst that could happen. With COVID-19, I fear passing the virus to a friend, family member, loved one, or even a stranger. The worst that could happen is giving it to someone who does not survive the illness. Most people who have died or are suffering long-haul symptoms got the virus from someone they know. I am not a scientist or medical professional. I am an artist, coffee shop owner, and publisher. I am confident in my knowledge of art, my ability to paint, and what...
Letter to the editor: As a member of the Dayton School Board, I would like to address the September 15 meeting at which no business was conducted after it was disrupted by a candidate for the School Board, Aneesha Dieu. The Washington State School Directors Association directs, and I quote, “School districts must refuse admittance to anyone who refuses to wear a face covering. This refusal of admittance includes board directors, members of the executive team, and staff.” It is inconceivable to me that a denizen from the decent town of Day...
Dear Editor, People are quick to believe the bad things they hear about good people. Never has this been more evident. In the last three years I have seen adults I once respected, actively spread rumors and gossip online. They do this because someone else’s views differ from theirs. They leave no room for real open conversation, because their frustration stems from fear. Fear of what? Change? Progress? Spreading misinformation as a public official is something that we should all take a stand against. Vicki Zoller stands for the truth, she a...
Letter to the Editor I have noticed that a number of local shops have discontinued wearing masks and have removed the signs mandating the wearing of masks in public buildings, shops stores, etc. This flagrant defiance of the current law is very discouraging, to say the least. Forgoing all references to science or politics; this is a mandate! Not a suggestion by the State of Washington, but a law. At a minimum, can we all agree that the Miriam Webster dictionary is correct when they define mandate as: Mandate – a verb: to officially require s...
To the Editor, I am writing this letter in support of Korinda Wallace for Dayton School Board District. It has been my pleasure to work with Ms. Wallace since this last spring as we organized the Columbia County Conservatives. Ms. Wallace moved here from rural Oregon where she grew up, to take jobs related to her degree in horticulture from OSU. Coming from a small town she understands the need to become involved in the local community she lives in order to keep it strong. While she is home schooled, I feel this gives Ms. Wallace the...
To the Editor: Dr. James Worthy, a Texas physician addressing a shortage of hospital beds due to non-vaccinated covid variant patients, said that he dislikes the term “elective surgery” because it sounds like “a mere tummy tuck” issue rather than serious procedures that need to happen, even if they’re not considered life-threatening. Some people with pancreatic and cardio procedures have in fact died when a simple operation would likely have saved them. The unending selfishness of those who could safely get the shots, but who think that “fre...
Dear Editor, On Wednesday, August 18, 2021 the Governor of Washington decided to make a decision for most workers residing in the state of Washington: mandating COVID vaccinations. Vaccinations are an extremely personal choice, and they SHOULD be. It is a choice that should be up to the individual receiving the vaccine, and only the receiver. Some people may not have adverse side effects to a vaccine, but there is a large majority of individuals’ who have had heartbreaking reactions from the vaccine that affect either themselves or a loved o...
To the Editor, I am writing to express my support for Vicki Zoller as a write-in candidate for Dayton City Council Position #5. I’ve gotten to know Vicki pretty well, working with her on various projects and committees over the last few years. I’ve had ample opportunity to admire her leadership and character, and there are three things that I think make her a great choice for the Dayton City Council. One is that she doesn’t come into a project or decision with an agenda or preconception of what the final solution will be. She is open-...
Letter to the Editor, At the last Waitsburg School Board meeting, someone was quoted saying that the mask mandate is “harmful against rights and freedoms”. It is harmful to my rights and freedoms that it is mandatory that I stop for red traffic lights, even though it may be for the safety of myself and others. And when you tell your children to wipe their feet at the door before coming in, please consider their rights and freedoms. Even they should get to choose if they want to be inconsiderate of others. Becky Huwe Waitsbur...
Letter to the Editor Recently the residents of Columbia County received a one-page mailer about the Touchet Valley Trail. That mailer was written, printed, and mailed by the Friends of the Trail, a group of local citizens that supports the trail. The group became active in late spring, 2021; its activities have included producing and distributing YES for the Trail yard signs, holding monthly walks on Main Street, working on the recent mailer, and donating funds to cover the costs of all these activities. The mailer contained important...
Letter to the Editor I was present at last Thursday’s school board meeting. As anticipated, there were some there who voiced strong opposition the governor’s mask mandate. The view was expressed that the Waitsburg School Board should vote to defy the mandate. There was rationale given. Unfortunately, though, some were vehement in their demands and seemed to have difficulty considering any perspective but their own. When the time set for public comments was over the board made an attempt to discuss the matter among themselves. This dis...
Dear Editor, I want to give kudos to the wonderful photography and articles by Beka Compton. I live in Seattle and have friends in Waitsburg, so I enjoy subscribing to The Times in an effort to keep up with what’s going on in their world. Beka makes the City of Waitsburg visually captivating. She seems to be at the right place at the right time to capture magnificent images! As a professional photographer, I’m a bit envious. Keep it up Beka and thank you! Kathy Oman, Seattle...
Dear Waitsburg School District Families, It’s hard to believe that we are a little over a month away from starting the new school year. The first day of school for Waitsburg students is Tuesday, September 7th. With the guidelines for schools and all Washington residents continuing to change, we will need to remain flexible and ready to adjust our plans as we begin the 2021-2022 school year. It is crucial that families continue to watch our website (waitsburgsd.org) and social media accounts for any changes or updates in the weeks leading up t...
WALLA WALLA—This past session, the Washington State legislature passed multiple bills addressing “police reform” following various tragic police events that have occurred in other cities around the nation. In May, Governor Inslee signed several of these “reform” bills into law. The majority of these laws take effect July 25th, and they will profoundly impact policing across the state of Washington. Most of these new laws are ambiguous and require profound legal interpretation. We have been asking and waiting for clarification from the Attor...
To the Editor, We invited the Christian Church to join us for our 4th of July worship at Waitsburg Presbyterian. This last Sunday, the 25th, we were invited to join them for their service. This has been a taste of the past. Years ago our congregations met together for two months every summer. July meetings were in one of the churches. August meetings were in the other. Those times are fondly remembered by the many who took part in them. In August we will look forward to sharing with the Christian Church as they welcome their new pastor,...
Remembering my awesome Sister, Pam Conover on her birthday July 30. I usually came to Waitsburg on her birthday. So enjoyed spending the day with her and her friends on her special day. Love and miss her, Judy...
Over the last two years, I have had the pleasure of serving as one of the six Fire Commissioners for Columbia Walla Walla Fire District 2. Many of you know, better than I, about the long history of community members volunteering for the Waitsburg Fire Department, now the “CWWFD2”. Past volunteers may include you, your family members, neighbors, and/or friends. Those who have volunteered and are part of this history know the amount of time and effort required to train, obtain the needed certifications, and, most importantly to respond to EMS...
To the Editor, Recently, I have had a series of incidents at my home in Waitsburg. Someone has been knocking on the door, going into the backyard from the alley and trying to peek through the window late at night. I want this person to knock it off or the next time I will call the sheriff. Diane Zuger Waitsburg Comment from the editor: This is one of several complaints we have received in recent weeks concerning unusual late-night activity around homes in Waitsburg. Walla Walla County Undersheriff Joe Klundt asks that anyone who feels...
I remember how vibrant and alive Waitsburg was when I was a kid. I remember my sister and I riding our horses into town to get ice cream from the Delta Connection and having dinner at the White Stallion after a soccer game. I remember going to the pool with all of my friends on hot summer days and re-energizing with a candy bar from the grocery store, likely paying for it with a certificate I earned from the summer reading program (then hosted by Jan Cronkhite). I remember attending the 2010...
