Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

I received an unexpected email over Christmas break from a former Dayton resident. Her father is in an assisted living home in Walla Walla and they picked up a Dayton Chronicle on their way through town. It just happened to be our Christmas edition, where one of my students asked Santa for books. Since this lady was a retired teacher (30 years in Spokane) and her father was the former Dayton High School Shop teacher many years ago (Mr. Gritman, now 96 years old!), she asked if she could be Santa’s helper and gift my student with some books. She arrived yesterday with a bag of books for the student which included a printed note for the kiddo to read. The beaming smile as the child looked through the books exclaiming, “Oh, I like that one” and “I’ve checked that out from the library” was absolutely priceless!! This retired teacher also gifted me with a bag of read-aloud[s] for the rest of the students, including a well-worn copy of one that she said former students had always loved. There were also snowmen notepads that went home with each student.

Who knew little Santa letters would have such a ripple effect?

Ginger Bryan

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Republicans are not stupid. They know that if there are no witnesses and no evidence there is really no trial. They know that John Bolton would be the most important impeachment witness. They know that if Bolton was subpoenaed by the Senate he would testify.

Jeremy Street

Cheney, Wash.

To the editor,

First, I would like to say how much I enjoy walking my dog on the river dike. How lucky we are to have such a beautiful place to enjoy. Now, the main topic for my letter.

What is the deal with all of the piles and piles of dog poop all along the walk? No way can that all come from stray dogs. So, lets all be responsible pet owners and clean up our dog’s business.

There are bag stations at Flour Mill Park, Washington Federal Bank and at the Dog Park.; so there are no excuses.

I for one don’t want to look at it. So, if you are not faint-of-heart, join me at the Flour Mill Park at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1 with a bag and shovel for clean-up. Thank you.

Poop Patrol Patty

Terri Hessler

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

We have a trail called “The Dike” behind the kids’ fish pond for a mile or more that infringes upon no one’s property rights. The Touchet nearby sings a song much more attractive than highway or train noises. It is pretty self maintaining and is already paid for. It likely provides no economic value to community but it does meet the needs of the community. This trail is basically safe, connects neighbor walkers, one with another, serves health issues without causing health issues. It seems little used!

So, new money for a new trail will not enhance long-term health, not enhance property safety, nor walker safety, but threatens neighbor properties with new rules. E.g. Watch out for bikes…with ear buds. Watch out for uncontrolled dogs….

At a time when we cannot afford a new pool, nor afford a mandated sewer upgrade, how can we then afford a new “toy?” Imagine the use (after the initial honeymoon period) of a Dayton-Waitsburg trail cost per use? We who own property will be required to pay this cost. Taxes…will our economic costs exceed our proposed economic income?

I urge all to think, and to ask for a ballot vote!

1,000 names are needed of registered voters to obtain a ballot vote. Majority wins. Simple as that! Consider your part!

Involved? Send your name and address to P.O. Box 177, Dayton, WA 99328.

Thank you.

Johnny Johnston

Dayton

To the editor,

Four generations of my family 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.

This renewal levy will provide needed funds to bridge the monetary gap left by the state’s funding formula. The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy will support maintaining smaller classroom staffing, Career & Technical Education (CTE), vocational and STEM programs, athletics, extra-curricular activities, student health services and nurses, school counselors, and more. The Capital levy will support technology infrastructure, improvements and upgrades of the safety and security systems, as wells as efficiency improvements for the HVAC and electrical systems. These are all critical to educating the whole child and fostering student success.

Having been a teacher for over 30 years, I understand the importance of a community making education a priority and supporting its local schools. As a current classroom volunteer, I have observed first hand Dayton’s teachers and staff striving to provide the best learning environment for each and every child in the district. Please join me in supporting their important mission, and vote YES to invest in our schools, our community, and our future.

Kris Takemura

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

We are writing in support of the upcoming Dayton School District Levies. Nothing is more important than the children of our community!

The EP&O Levy supports Educational Programs and Operations that are not funded by the state. This levy is a replacement for the previous 2016 M & O Levy. The Capital Levy has two parts. One is a 4-year Technology Levy, which is needed to maintain and improve the use of technology for teaching and learning. The second is a one-year Elementary Building Electrical & HVAC Study. It is our responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for our students!

We urge you to vote YES for KIDS!

Terry and Denise Hoon

Dayton

To the editor,

Let’s look at what they are working on doing against us in 2020: cutting student loans, cutting food stamps, children losing school lunches, lowering school lunch standards, cutting postal workers pay and benefits, still have a national wage of $7.25, but a national debt of $22 trillion, proposed cuts to our Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid while increasing funds to the military and border wall, limiting or eliminating EPA enforcement that would protect our infrastructure, land, air, water and wildlife, cutting Veterans healthcare and food assistance, cutting low income assistance programs, etc.

Trump, McMorris Rodgers and Republicans are cutting social programs to bolster defense, corporations and the ultra-rich. Forget that we were promised they would protect us; those were just part of the thousands of lies we were told and are still being told. It is time to say enough is enough, get involved in saving our democracy and vote corrupt anti-Americans out this November.

Pat Bates

Clarkston, Wash.