Letters - Aug. 12, 2010

Good care

The foresight of the people who created Hill Ray Plaza was a case of right time, right place, right people. They established a retirement community for independent living and it is owned by the residents. The community and businesses of Colfax take good care of us.

Much joy is given to us by the various groups from Colfax that come to entertain us. The Council on Aging, not only provides transportation but finds programs that will benefit our residents. Whenever there is a problem in our building, who ever we call are prompt to respond. What would we do without Empire Disposal? Last year (‘08-’09) after a heavy snowfall, early in the morning, the snowplow was here to keep our driveway open.

Pam and Wayne Bergey, who treat us all like family, are special, the staff at the Whitman County Library keep us in reading material; and Physical Therapy from Whitman Hospital and Medical Center come and help us to stay active. We truly appreciate the deliveries of Rosauers and Tick Klock Drug. They are essential to our existence.

On a Saturday, one of our residents placed an order at Rosauers for groceries. They were terribly sorry, but that day they were shorthanded and couldn’t assure her that her groceries would be delivered. As it turned out, there wasn’t any item that she truly needed until Monday, but she was looking forward to having a maple bar that she ordered for Sunday breakfast. Shortly afterward, there was a knock on her door. There stood an employee from Rosauers bakery with her maple bar.

Donna Fisher, president

Hill Ray Board of Directors

By its fruit

Being in Lamont and thus somewhat removed from the flash-fire-like passions that, as of late, seem to have gripped the body politic that is Whitman County, it was very easy to just look on in wonder as these same passions flamed up into a recall effort for several of the County Commissioners — one of whom represents Lamont directly.

Although Lamont is no stranger to an occasional “tempest in a teapot” and/or circular firing squad (in fact, those are some of our specialties when we have too much time on our hands!), I could not help but recall the words of our Lord, repeated numerous times in a variety of ways — to “Judge a tree by its fruit.” From our somewhat lofty and decidedly removed perch in far northwest Whitman County, this latest dust-up seems all the more confusing because of the fact that, from our humble perspective, anyway, Whitman County in general and the County Commissioners in particular are supremely effective in creating a governmental atmosphere and work environment that is profoundly conducive for towns like Lamont to claw their way back into the mainstream of the modern era — with all the organizational prerequisites and foundational elements that that entails.

Greg Partch, as well as current and past County Commissioners, has worked hand in glove with Lamont as we attempted quite successfully to get drinking water truly fit for human consumption, to pave a large portion of our formerly gravel roads, to bring comprehensive and proactive law and order to a remote outpost of the County and to provide our citizens with a much needed library.

At every step of the way these individuals, Greg Partch in the lead, have supported the smallest town in the County (2nd smallest in the State) with energy, enthusiasm, and gusto - both financially and with administrative and organizational support. So when we watched on, quite dismayed, as an energetic and obviously committed group attempted to throw the baby out with the bath water, one could not help but think of how easy it is for all of us to overlook the big picture of true success in pursuit of the passions of the day — regardless of how valid they may seem at the time.

I do not pretend to understand the particulars of the complaints that were lodged, but with true leadership comes tough choices and the inherent unhappiness that that can bring in some circles.

We might all benefit by taking a minute to think about the fruit of the tree that is Whitman County — as managed by our County Commissioners and staffed by the many excellent and talented individuals who make up the County government.

Our vision up here might be clouded by distance and remoteness, but from Lamont’s standpoint that fruit, although not perfect as nothing in this world ever is, is truly excellent indeed and worthy of our regard.

Steve Lacy,

Mayor of Lamont

Prosecutor endorsement

There are two important races for Washington State Supreme Court on the ballot next week. I’m writing to ask you to join me in voting for Charlie Wiggins and Jim Johnson. Both of these gentlemen show the qualities of a great judge.

Charlie Wiggins is a very experienced attorney and former Court of Appeals judge with a passion for both justice and professionalism. He is challenging a current judge named Richard Sanders. Judge Sanders is the only member of the court who almost always sides with criminal defendants (94% of the time). Now, prosecutors are not always right; but we aren’t wrong 94% of the time. It’s no surprise that Charlie Wiggins has been endorsed by 31 of the 39 county prosecutors in Washington (including me) and by more than 70 judges throughout the state, in addition to the Council of Police and Sheriffs. We need better balance on the court; we need Charlie Wiggins.

The other contested race on the ballot involves current-Justice Jim Johnson.

Judge Johnson is a strong voice for open government and the people’s rights under our constitution.

He holds the government to a very high standard in criminal cases (and rightly so) but is also fair to both sides.

He has written many opinions for the court, including upholding our rights to initiative and referendum, to free speech, to the free exercise of religion.

And when needed, he has written strong dissents, for instance when a majority of judges thought it was just fine for the government to take more private land than needed for a public project and then resell the excess land to a third party for a profit for the government.

Justice Johnson is a strong voice for crime victims.

But maybe most importantly, he decides cases by using a lot of common sense.

He is endorsed by newspapers across the state and across the political spectrum.

He has earned my vote and I hope he has earned your vote, too.

Denis Tracy,

Whitman County Prosecutor