Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

An article on the front page of the September 1 issue of the Dayton Chronicle reported that Commissioner Charles Amerein responded to a community member at the Aug. 22 commissioner's meeting by saying that he has "learned to investigate first before making accusations".

I found this to be in contrast to recent statements made by Commissioner Amerein.

Mr. Amerein claims that a flag rally, where he gave opening comments, was held at the Dayton Historic Depot "because that was where it was believed the 'Betsy Ross' flag was pulled from".

Had the commissioner investigated first, someone could have explained that the Dayton Historical Depot Society had no part whatsoever in the removal of any flag, anywhere. It could have also been explained to him that the Dayton Historic Depot property is privately owned, and available to rent with board approval. Because none of this investigation took place, the advertised "rally for the flag"–which included flags and signs ranging from patriotic (current and historical representations of the American flag) to political (God, Guns and Trump) to homophobic (people huddled under an umbrella with rainbow colors above it)–began in an unauthorized location, for an invalid reason.

I was inside the Depot during the flag rally. Unfortunately, there were a couple of out-of-town visitors, also. Shellie gave them a tour, but they seemed uneasy and asked, "Is this a normal event for Dayton?" They left with a somewhat skewed vision of our town. After attending the flag rally, a young man came in with some well-thought-out questions. He seemed to be open and willing to listen to the answers. Later in the day, Joe Helm came in to talk to Shellie about the happenings during the rally. I witnessed both of these people investigating, and appreciated their thoughtfulness in doing so.

More investigation would have been helpful to Mr. Amerein had he done it before providing quotes supposedly from Vladimir Lenin and Karl Marx in a letter he wrote to the Port of Columbia opposing the building of a child care facility on Port-owned property. Though the statements he quoted are often attributed to Lenin and Marx on unreliable internet sites, there is no source material to support that attribution.

These examples describe Mr. Amerein acting based on rumors, and using false information as a scare tactic. In these two incidents, Mr. Amerein clearly did not investigate the facts before addressing community members.

I am concerned about the unwelcoming climate evident in Dayton. These rumors and falsehoods are tearing our little town apart.

This letter has been submitted to the Dayton Chronicle and the Waitsburg Times.

Sharon Eaton

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

The recent negative controversy about book selection at our local library is really frustrating. It is so easy these days to be critical of the trustees, director and staff when it comes to book selection. In order to serve the entire community a wide selection of books needs to be offered. Having this wide selection, the public is then able to check or not check them out.

It is really the parent's responsibility to guide and supervise their children in the book selection process.

Director Vanderbark and his staff are doing a wonderful job. Let's be positive and recognize the good things that are happening at our library.

Gordon Gerlitz

Dayton, Wash.

Letter to the Editor:

We are so grateful to have our current Sherriff Helm and Undersheriff Patterson! We know that they'll have the clarity and courage to defend our religious, second amendment, and speech rights. We recognize that they take this responsibly seriously, and that they serve the same God that we do.

Ron and Janice Huwe

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

It has come to my attention that one of our elected officials has taken it upon herself to block people from commenting or engaging with her on her official government page. The First Amendment does not permit a public official who utilizes a social media account for all manner of official purposes to exclude persons from an otherwise-open online dialogue because they expressed views with which the official disagrees. This behavior offends the constitution and the principles of transparency.

Shutting down discourse and creating echo chambers of one-sided viewpoints does not allow for the breadth of community voices to be heard. In this manner voices are missing from the conversations. How can our elected officials feel secure that they are representing their community and their community's concerns when they censor voices? Is it a wonder only one side of any issue continues to be heard? Is it a wonder that a handful of extremists think they represent the majority of this community, when we have elected officials interfering with community members' freedom of speech?

Let's talk and listen, not judge

Theresa Eier

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

I would like to address the fear-filled letter submitted to the Chronicle in the 9/1 edition from Seth Murdock.

Mr. Murdock, there is simple way for you never to have to worry about a "Drag Queen Story Time" and it is so easy that anyone can do it: Don't go to one. Otherwise, please rein in your fear mongering. I'm happy that you believe that Commissioner Amerein possesses conviction and courage. But convictions are personal and subjective, as is courage. There isn't a 'one-size-fits-all suit of conviction that we all can pull on and strut about in. And forcing your convictions onto others that do not look like, worship like, vote like or love like you and Mr. Amerein do, isn't really the kind of freedom that I believe in as an American citizen and especially as a Republican.

You stated, regarding Ketchikan, 'rewind a decade and not a soul in Ketchikan would have seen themselves or the town standing silent . . ." And therein lies the problem; you cannot rewind or step back in time to something that feels safer for you. That's just not going to happen. And I am pretty sure that rewinding 10 years wouldn't be sufficient for you and Mr. Amerein either. Maybe we could rewind to the 60s before civil rights or the 50s where the women were kept in skirts and silent at home, or the 40s when the 'Red Scare' had neighbors turning in neighbors as possible communist threats. How about the 1930s when lynching of blacks was a pastime for many? Just where is it you want America to go back to so it can be great again?

Freedom is a difficult concept to grasp for many people when they don't want others to have freedoms that make them feel uncomfortable. But freedom requires us to step out of our places of fear or provincial thought processes and learn to live with others even when the others don't do like we do, live like we live, vote like we vote, or dress, love, and marry like we dress, love, and marry.

If your endorsement of Commissioner Amerein was meant to be uplifting or affirming, it fell short. All you did was seek to instill more fear in people; fear of Public Health, fear of CPS, fear of guns being taken, fear of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE that is different. And if that's Commissioner Amerein's platform for reelection then all I can say is YIKES and I'm grateful we have another choice in Jack Miller. At least he is focuses on local issues and concerns and has generated support from Republicans and Democrats alike.

Seth, if the Drag Queens come to Dayton for ANY REASON, please just keep your family home and let those that want to take their family to the show, do so. THAT is freedom, that is how it works. Until then, find something positive about your community and support that.

Vicki Zoller

Dayton, Wash.