Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

The Emperor Has No Clothes. As children, we hear many insightful stories that are simple, but often full of meaning. The one mentioned above seems to resonate with what is happening in our country today. Right before our eyes, we are seeing over and over the truth. Even though videos and pictures can be altered, it would have been an almost impossible undertaking to make fake videos of what happened that led up to and included the infamous events that took place on January 6, 2021.

Can we assume that most of the Republicans in the Senate and House, are seeing what you and I have been witnessing? Yet, they deny the truth (just like the adults in the children’s story) of what happened and who is responsible for inciting the mob, including our Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Nancy Street

Cheney, Wash.

To the editor,

Over the past 18 months, there have been several inaccurate headlines and stories printed in the Dayton Chronicle related to our work at the Port of Columbia. This misinformation has caused unnecessary concern among citizens and has inaccurately portrayed the intent of our work.

One example is the recent headline stating “Port Proposes Annexation.” The Port did not propose annexation, and this fact could have been verified with a quick phone call or email to the Port office for confirmation. This headline caused over 35 residents to become concerned enough to write a petition to the City against an annexation that doesn’t exist. Here are the facts:

• A broad discussion of the possibility of annexing the Blue Mountain Station property into the City of Dayton was held at a Port workshop. This was not a meeting in which decisions would be made. It was called as a workshop so we could have an open discussion about our comprehensive and strategic plan, and the potential for annexation was part of that discussion.

• The City did not propose annexation. The Port asked the City planner to attend the meeting and explain the process to us as we know little about this subject. This also could have been verified by reaching out to City Hall.

• Annexation was discussed because doing so would lower utility costs for the nine private businesses that operate at Blue Mountain Station and would allow signs to be located closer to the highway — which we hear regularly from the public would be a good thing. They currently pay county utility rates, and we currently cannot place any signs near the highway because of the scenic by-way designation based on its county location.

• Annexing residential or farm properties was not considered. Commercial properties were the focus of the discussion.

Similar inaccuracies have also been printed about the Touchet Valley Trail and Broadband projects, information that portrayed internal strife between Port staff and commissioners that doesn’t exist, quotes out of context that made it look like our staff is trying to avoid holding a public trail meeting, and reference to the Port undertaking a fiber network plan for one individual private business. None of these three things are true, yet your readers now think they are.

The truth matters! As a Port Commission, we need to be able to have open, honest newspaper [sic]. Community and economic development work is difficult on a good day, and has been made even harder by the rampant spread of misinformation through social media.

For the good of the community, and to save our citizens from unnecessary stress, we respectfully request the verification of information by your newspaper prior to printing. It takes a little more work, but it is worth it.

Sincerely,

/s/ Earle Marvin

Earle Marvin

Commissioner Chair

District 2

/s/ Sean C. Milligan

Sean Milligan

Commission Secretary

District 3

/s/ Shawn E. Brown

Shawn Brown

Commissioner

District 1

To the editor,

I want to say during these tough, uncertain times, I really appreciate the efforts of our home-town Dayton Chronicle. They do their best to keep us informed and updated of local goings on…surrounding/state issues…comic/cartoons…legal issues…and once again coming is our local High School sports. Want you to know you are appreciated!

About five or so weeks ago there had been a couple of letters to the editor that I believe was making the equine activities at the Columbia County Fairgrounds look very negative to your dedicated readers. And it fell back on horse boarding and 4-H activities.

I believe 4-H should be a very positive program to offer education…self discipline…working as a team player…and, in short, getting along and productive so a great leader would want to project these ideals.

No on a positive note, there are riders of many disciplines, for example, reiners…trail riders…barrel racers…ranch wives…pleasure riders…English riders and 4-H, all using the indoor arena at the Fairgrounds. I am one of them and I want to say I have not observed any problems.

This winter we all observed the Covid 19 restriction code and everyone using time slots are respectful of each others’ space. Dakota Baker is the grounds groomer and does an outstanding job twice a week…Leanne [Peters] and Virginia [Schmidt] at the Commissioner’s Office can assist with scheduling and payments off the indoor arena and keep an up-to-date scheduling website. The commissioners are able to troubleshoot any major problems and concerns.

We need to be proud of our Fairgrounds and not disrespect it with poor behavior and negative publicity.

So, please, in these trying times, stay positive. Treat people the way you would like to be treated and we will all be better off!!

Thanks,

Rosie Gallaher

Dayton