Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,
The unexpected announcement of the December auction of the county lands around the Whistler Canyon Trailhead is disturbing to the many users of the trail, but also should concern citizens of the whole county. The northern part of the county needs increased tourist spending, as well as easy public recreational access to the federal lands along the valley.

Dear Editor,
I have seen several letters in various papers criticizing Sen. John Smith, obviously written by supporters of his opponent, Brian Dansel. I have seen one in support of Sen. Smith which explained the source of the bizarre criticisms that have been thrown at him and his family. It says look at his Senate record and make your decision.

Dear Editor,
I got m PUD bill Saturday: $61.80. A bit surprised I read their little message box: “This statement reflects the September rate adjustment.”

Dear Editor,
Elections in large districts can be difficult for voters. It is difficult to personally know the candidates. Over the years we hear campaign promises and after the election those we have voted into office develop amnesia.

Dear Editor,

I love that politics is a contact sport, so, though I currently favor our 7th District Senator John Smith in the coming election, I don’t get all huffy reading the contrived slime-slinging against him. Seems his wife’s grandfather apparently had to do with some uber-right wing church that the Southern Poverty Law Center divines a hate group. I also appreciate a good irrelevant, salacious sneer like how old Senator Smith’s wife was when he married her (16, he was 23, it is said).

Dear Editor,

After reading Rob Thompson’s letter entitled “Hasting doesn’t have to care,” there are a few questions that need to be asked. First, is it Doc Hastings or any other elected official’s business whether or not someone has Health Insurance? Is that one of the defined duties of the federal government? I’m sure that “promoting the general welfare” as it is termed in the Preamble to the Constitution had nothing to do with the Affordable Health Care Act….

Dear Editor, A July 14 Sunday news article raised questions about the Seventh District’s appointed Senator, John Smith. The article focused on Smith’s history of attending a racist Christian Identity church, a.k.a. the “Ark,” and his marriage to the granddaughter of Christian Identity minister Ray Barker. The Smith’s first wedding took place at the Ark. [...]

Dear Editor,
On June 17th, Okanogan County Farm Bureau hosted a Seventh Legislative District Senate Candidate Debate (video online). At the end of the debate, I myself asked the candidates if they supported mandatory community service for high school students. Mike Brunson and Brian Dansel both opposed mandatory community service. John Smith clearly supported it.

Dear Editor,
Molson Grange #1069 would like to say a great big thank you to everyone who made our fund raising dinner such a huge success. The set up crew, the cleanup crew, all who bought tickets and attended, all the businesses who sold tickets for us, all the generous donations, grangers, non-grangers, church volunteers, and especially Linda and Dave Darrow and Linda’s cousin Diane, without everyone’s involvement we could never have done it.

Dear Editor,
In the 7th Legislative District state senate race I will be voting for Brian Dansel. I had no trouble eliminating John Smith from any consideration for my vote. Here’s why: