Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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To the editor, Throughout Washington State high schools during Black History Month, there has only been a small lump sum of instances where they’ve mentioned Alice Coachman. More high schoolers should know more than just Jesse Owens, Bessie Coleman, and Mae Jemison. They should be able to proudly notify others that Alice Coachman was the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She was able to accomplish the Olympic high jump title and American record of 5’ 6⅛”, even when there were times where she was shunned and neglected when it came...
To Port Of Columbia Commissioners Seth Bryan, Mike Spring, and Johnny Watts, Because all three of the Port of Columbia commissioners are new to the business of the port, we think they should look into the past accomplishments made before their service began: Improvements to and maintenance of the Lyons Ferry Recreational Area. Fiber-Optic broadband internet to the City of Dayton and to parts of the county. The planning and development of Blue Mountain Station, an incubator for new small businesses. The port also plays the vital role of...
To the Editor, When I was a child, the Dayton Memorial Library was a place my friends and I were always welcome. My father, an avid reader and well-respected schoolteacher, often requested books from that library to read, for pleasure or as resources for his lessons. Like my friends, my father, and me, members of the whole community drew on that splendid resource to enrich our lives. If we couldn’t find something we needed, the librarian, Ms. Weatherford, would help us, thereby expanding the library’s usefulness. The same was true for my wif...
Letter to the Editor We would like to express our appreciation for the wonderful spread you did for “Izzy the Camel” in your February 15th edition of the Times. You turned an extremely sad time into an awesome tribute. You must understand that we may be prejudiced, but he was our grandson. Izzy was a born poseur for pictures, which led to his being a television star in which he was cast as a member of the walking dead in an episode of “Z Nation.” When Mickey and Tawnya got married, he was the best man in their wedding along with Winnie, a minia...
After viewing Seth Bryan’s behavior and his vote at the Feb 14, 2024, Columbia County Port Commissioner meeting I want to suggest that he should RESIGN as a Columbia County Port Commissioner IMMEDIATELY. He proposed, then voted on, removing the Executive Director’s Contract, which would then leave any employee in that position with no job security, except to the wishes of what he wants to allow or not allow. Mr. Bryan’s actions at that Port meeting were unprofessional and cruel. He took it upon himself to discuss personnel concerns at a publi...
To the editor, It was with incredulity and disgust that I watched the Port Commission meeting of February 14, 2024, as Seth Bryan put forth an unprecedented, unorthodox motion to change the executive director from a contracted position to an at-will employee. After the motion passed 2-1 with Mike Spring against and Johnny Watts following Seth Bryan’s lead in lockstep, as usual, Commissioner Bryan proceeded to make unsubstantiated accusations of insubordination against the Executive Director. Having watched many of the Port of Columbia m...
Letter to the editor, I am writing in response to the last commission meeting I watched. Things seemed well until the last few minutes after the executive meeting took place. What I witnessed was a personal attack against the executive director and port employee Jennie Dickinson from commissioner Seth Bryan. After watching a professional and informative meeting, this felt like a personal ambush of ill intent. Down right bullying behavior that should never happen in any work place, let alone in a public forum. The tone and rude responses when...
Letter to the Editor I watched the Port meeting online, 5:00 p.m., the 14th of February. After coming out of executive session where concerns about staff should be addressed, Commissioner Seth Bryan verbally assaulted Executive Director Jennie Dickinson in an open public meeting format. Which to me, is a violation of RCW 42.23.070. I attend Port meetings on a regular basis. Jennie Dickinson has always conducted herself in a professional manner, always showing respect for the Commissioners and to the public. It is now time for Commissioner Seth...
To our community, We are troubled by the potential divisiveness of this upcoming election year. With all the wars, genocide, disinformation, the potential of Artificial Intelligence, any of which, could disrupt our democratic process. While we are thinking globally here, let’s think about how we can act locally. As a community shouldn’t we try living in harmony. If harmony is not the right word, should we consider, civility, respectfulness, kindness or courtesy at the very least. In our small community shouldn’t we strive for unity as every...
To the Editor, I won’t hesitate to vote yes on the Waitsburg School District’s Educational Programs and Operations Levy on Feb. 13. This replacement levy funds our preschool, extracurricular activities (including athletics), transportation and technology. I brag on Waitsburg School District often, singing the praises of having half-day preschool for children ages 3 to 5, at no extra cost to in-district parents. Waitsburg preschoolers are ready for kindergarten, equipped with the skills they need for classroom success. Unfortunately, Wai...
To the Editor, On behalf of Waitsburg Commercial Club, I express our wholehearted support for the upcoming Waitsburg School levy. It should be noted that this is not a new tax or levy; it is a replacement levy for the previously passed measure that is about to expire. Our schools play an integral role in shaping our community. In a recent hospital visit, I ran across a Waitsburg High School grad who earned their diploma and an AA degree last year. They were employed in the medical field with a good job and benefits due to the educational opport...
To the Editor I am writing to clarify my questioning of the statements made in a social media post regarding the levy’s funding of FFA. While FFA does receive some support from the levy, it is minimal compared to the funding received from grants and FFA itself. They used the greenhouse as an example when in reality I’m told the greenhouse was built with grant money. Correct me if I’m wrong. I viewed this example of programs that would be cut as not entirely accurate since the overwhelming majority of FFA funding is not from the levy; howev...
To the Editor We will soon have the opportunity to once again show our support for the children and schools of our community. On Friday, January 26, ballots for the upcoming Special Election (February 13) will be mailed. On the ballot is the Waitsburg School District’s Education Programs and Operations Levy. A levy is a local property tax passed by the voters and generates revenues for the schools that are not part of “basic education” and are not fully funded by the state. This levy would replace our currently approved EP&O Levy, which expires...
To the Editor Four generations of my family have attended Dayton Schools and received a solid education here. I want to ensure that the children in our community continue to have the same opportunity for a quality, well-rounded education. That is why I am supporting the upcoming levy for Dayton Schools. The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy will support Career & Technical Education (CTE), vocational programs, athletics, extra-curricular activities, food services, transportation, and more. The Capital levy will allow for...
WAITSBURG-Future Farmers of America (FFA) is one of the largest student-led organizations in the U.S. According to the National FFA website, there are almost 950,000 middle and high school students and 9,163 chapters across America, including Waitsburg's Student Chapter (WA0126). To every student, FFA is a unique experience. "FFA created a second family for me," said Alyssa Hollingsworth, vice president of the local chapter. "I've learned how to just be normal again, if that makes sense, like...
To the Editor: Usually, you have zero say about taxes. But this February, you have the opportunity to say No to a tax, when the Dayton School District puts forth two special levies seeking to extract from taxpayers, beginning in 2025, $1.41-$1.48 per $1,000 of assessed home value for a Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy AND $1.50 per $1,000 assessed home value for a Replacement Capital Levy for Technology, Safety, and Facility Improvements. Often, school levy supporters like to speak in terms of “cups of coffee,” as in, “Th...
In response to a November 23, 2023 Waitsburg Times article concerning Dayton School Board meeting. Dear board members It has come to my attention after reading a November 23 article in the Waitsburg Times that CCC member Aneesha Dieu stated that she wanted a bit of “heightened awareness” on what kind of books were being brought into the school. I would like to caution the board members and staff on entertaining such cynical ploys to undermine public education. Over the past 18 months, we have witnessed an unprecedented campaign of cen...
To the Editor: Thanksgiving is a time to be appreciative, grateful, and thankful. It is a time to reflect on what we are thankful for. I often say a silent prayer of thanks for my life in Dayton, an area, with a few exceptions, that doesn’t have wild, crazy, and destructive weather like tornadoes. I say a prayer of thanks for being able to safely walk around my community, meet neighbors, and enjoy conversations with people like Curtis at the post office, who is always cheerful and helpful. There are many people I am grateful for; some have b...
If the vision that launched Lions Club International (LCI) in 1917 still applies to local Lions Clubs across America, it surely applies to the Waitsburg Lions Club. Formed in 1940 as a chapter of LCI, Waitsburg’s Lions have been a stable element of social life and community service for 83 years, something not to be taken for granted. The club and others, including the Freemasons, Eastern Star, Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), and Kiwanis, support community life and friendship, provide service and aid where needed, encourage c...
Letter to the Editor We believe that Mike Spring is the best choice for Columbia County Port Commission, position #2, due to his extensive leadership, business, and community service experience: Mike has been the fire chief in La Grande, College Place, West Richland, and Hanford as well as serving as a fire Commissioner in Columbia County. He has been involved in running a family farm business and has owned and operated two businesses in Dayton for the past ten years. Mike is a member of the volunteer fire department, and he and his wife,...
Dear Editor, I wholeheartedly support Christy House’s candidacy for the Waitsburg School Board. Christy’s intimate knowledge of the Waitsburg community and the unique culture of the Waitsburg School District, combined with her experience as the parent of two WHS alums and as a current board member, make her an outstanding choice for this essential role. Christy’s connection to the Waitsburg community runs deep. As a parent and board member, she has witnessed the successes and challenges of our local school system over the years. Her commi...
Letter to Editor Experience matters on the Waitsburg School Board. Having been a librarian, a preschool teacher/parent educator for the Walla Walla Community College, and a music teacher, I feel it is very important to vote for Christy House in the next election. Christy brings much-needed experience to the school board. I have known Christy since she moved to Waitsburg many years ago. I taught her younger son music and worked with her husband on the Waitsburg City Council. Christy brings a lot of talent to the School District. She works in the...
WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg Resource Center is gearing up for its annual Christmas baskets for the community. If you want to participate by donating or receiving a basket, visit the food bank, the Waitsburg Christian Church, or the Presbyterian church to share your information. Signups are for November. The center is also gearing up for its annual kid bags, where it donates cute little goodie bags to the Waitsburg Elementary School children....
There are two incumbent candidates that I think deserve to be re-elected: Court Ruppenthal for Waitsburg City Council and Christie House for Waitsburg School Board. Both have shown their ability to serve with open minds, common sense, and a deep commitment to their community. Court and Katie Ruppenthal have run a successful and popular business, Laht Neppur, one of two businesses in town that has stayed open under the same ownership since I moved here in 2012. Court is the only business owner on the City Council; our business community needs hi...
Dear Waitsburg Community: My friend Jennifer Bishop is running for City Council. I’d like to tell you a little bit about her, and encourage you to join me in giving Jennifer the vote. She has my full support, and I think she will be a great advocate for citizens of Waitsburg. Jennifer is a Waitsburg homeowner and taxpayer. She keeps her property beautifully, and it adds to the charm of our city. She participates in local events like the Main Street Christmas Tree contest, Waitsburg Celebration Days, and similar. Folks know they can count on Jen...
