Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 1576 - 1600 of 2586
To The Eagle: My ballot has arrived and I will vote for Mike Backman as Wahkiakum County commissioner. I appreciate what he brings to the board by listening to county residents, asking needed questions, working toward solutions and betterment of our community. As a small business owner, Mike is forced to think outside of the box to help bring added value for his locally caught fish and continues to be a strong advocate for our fishermen. Food security is important and our county is not exempt from need. Mike generously supports and actively...
To The Eagle: We support Teresa Purcell to be our 19th District Representative in the state legislature. It’s helpful that she has strong family ties to this area and owns the family home in Columbia Heights, Longview. What is more important to us is her integrity. She prioritizes building long-term relationships and investigates issues thoroughly. She’s smart and insightful while consistently “taking the high road.” She volunteers at the community level to help solve local problems. She networked at the state and federal level in her managem...
In the past two months, we've printed a lot of election coverage in The Eagle. Last week, it was candidates for state representative and senate; the week before, it was county commission. We've printed Associated Press (AP) stories on state races and most initiatives. We've attended candidate forums in Skamokawa and Cowlitz County. We missed the forum in Grays River because our Cathlamet crew was busy at meetings there and the Grays River crew was flooded in. We've even had a bit of coverage of the presidential debates. One issue we haven't...
To The Eagle: This letter is my plea for folks to support the Proposition 1 Public Safety Levy this November. I am voting yes for this levy. Why? There are several reasons. For 15 years our property taxes have been capped at 1 percent maximum increase per year. While property taxes remain at 1 percent increase per year, our public safety expenses increase anywhere from 3-4 percent, so the gap is widening each year between revenue to fund basic services and the cost to perform these services. We don’t have the retail tax revenue in our county t...
To The Eagle: Enough is enough. No less than three times, Commissioner Cothren has ranted in a public forum about how the town has done nothing regarding our challenges with sewer concerns. He also stated he met with me regarding this a year ago. That is simply not true. He also stated the town hampered extending sewer service. Also untrue! The town offered to lower hook up fees but the county refused to do the same. Of course the town would like a cooperative effort with the county, but I can't possibly think why Commissioner Cothren wishes...
To The Eagle: I write this letter to encourage the voters of Wahkiakum and Pacific counties to vote for Doug Goelz for Judge of the Superior Courts of Pacific and Wahkiakum counties. I would also thank outgoing Judge Mike Sullivan for his years of fine service to the people of Wahkiakum and Pacific counties as Superior Court Judge. The citizens of these two counties are presented with two fine candidates for the open seat on the bench created by Judge Mike Sullivan’s retirement. I have known and practiced primarily criminal defense law b...
To The Eagle: With our national presidential race totally off the rails and crashing through la-la land, it's refreshing to have our local county commissioner race generate some good old-fashioned hate and dissension over traditional issues like truth and integrity -- and sewers. Wow! As the original curmudgeon who coined the phrase "sewer to nowhere," I'm inclined to offer my own take on sewer history, which differs slightly from Dan Cothren's. A decade back, our county commissioners, in their perennial condition of being short of funds, got...
To The Eagle: I am writing in support of Greg Prestegard for county commissioner. Greg and I have been the best of friends for nearly 50 years. I believe I know him as well as anyone and can speak to the qualities that he can bring to the commission. Greg is a leader. He was a well respected manager at the Reynolds aluminum mill. I have many friends that worked for him and with him and their comments have always been favorable. I worked with Greg as a volunteer fireman and saw first hand a take charge attitude to get things done. We served...
To The Eagle: Regarding Mr. Cothren’s letter last week, I wholeheartedly agree with the heading: “Please vote for integrity.” In that spirit, I write to clarify the inaccuracies that Mr. Cothren attributed to me. First, I never presented at any county commissioner meetings in 2015. All of the meeting minutes are online, so it is easy to see that his statement is false. I did present on October 7, 2014 and November 12, 2014. The first time was to request that the commissioners meet with the Town to re-negotiate their interlocal agreement regar...
To The Eagle: I write to support Doug Goelz for Superior Court Judge. But I will start by thanking the readers for allowing me to serve as a judge for 38 years, beginning in 1976. The job was very rewarding for me but also very challenging. A good judge needs to work very hard and apply the law carefully and in a way that makes sense for the people of our rural counties. This year you have the opportunity to select your next Superior Court Judge. I have known Doug Goelz since well before he began serving you as a District Court judge beginning...
To The Eagle: I strongly encourage voters to reelect Mike Backman for County Commissioner District #1 in the election on November 8. With a job as demanding as commissioner, there is a steep learning curve to be addressed before one can be effective. Mike has passed that. He listens to his constituents, does his research and acts as he thinks best for both his constituents and for the county. Besides serving on various boards, Mike has spent time and effort as an advocate for the fair. He has spent hours volunteering at the fair grounds...
To the Eagle: The Pioneer Community Association is inviting you to join us for our first annual, National Make A Difference Day event. We will “Tidy Up the Town” on Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m. to noon. Our sidewalks are overgrown with weeds and the Waterfront Trail is losing its battle with those nasty blackberries. It’s time to polish up this little gem we call Cathlamet. We will meet at the Pioneer Center (church) steps for a group photo at 9 a.m. Bring gloves, shovels, hoes, buckets, wheelbarrows, clippers and your sense of community pride...
To The Eagle: As we all get ready to vote, I just had to comment about our Congresswoman, Jaime Herrera Beutler. I have had my eyes and ears open since January of this year to learn how she is doing in Congress. I wanted to tell you what I found out. I had not heard of what she was doing, so I got curious. In January, she started out pretty well. She made 17 votes, which included a “present” vote on January 5, when Congress reconvened. Total for January, 2016, 17 votes. In February, three votes on February 2, zero votes from February 3 to 12...
To The Eagle: Wahkiakum County has had the pleasure and distinction of having some of the most civil elections with rarely an utterance of a personal attack or a shot across the bow, so to speak. Unfortunately this election is somewhat different and maybe it’s just the oversaturation of political incorrectness 24/7 on every TV channel, but we seem to be plagued by some very poor, dishonest and just plain rude comments right from one of our candidates. As most of you, I am more than a little ashamed of anyone that would choose this path, but w...
To The Eagle: Greg Prestegard can build. He did a great job on our home as he took materials and diverse ideas to form a quality structure. He has a skill set that, in my opinion,transfers well from physical building to community building. Talk to Greg about local issues of growth, preservation, sustainability, jobs, quality of life, etc. You'll likely come away with a better understanding of the concerns that are important to our area. Greg can think and, most importantly, he cares. Jim Bucklin Puget Island...
To The Eagle: Why am I voting for Teresa Purcell? Purcell has shown me that she has a clear vision for the nineteenth district. I know where she stands and I believe she has the knowhow and experience to be a collaborative, effective legislator. Purcell is the candidate that tells the truth, not shades of the truth. In spite of her opponent’s statements, Purcell does not favor a state income tax. Purcell also doesn’t exaggerate her time of district residency. Purcell’s opponent also claims to be pro education. Really, historically the party...
To The Eagle: This is to those who stole the 4x8 Trump sign on Puget Island. You showed your true mentality. As much as I detest the platform of the Democratic party, I would never lower myself to thievery. How are you going to act and govern if your party should get elected to the highest office in the land? This country was founded on Judeo Christian principles. Do you understand what would happen if these principles should fall by the wayside? Our constitution would be in shambles. The country would no longer be the envy of the world. There...
October is Disaster Preparedness & NOAA Weather Radio Month. I am going to provide you with information on how you can take four basic steps: Be informed, Create a Plan, Build a Kit, and Get Involved. By taking these steps now it will make you and your family more prepared during and after an everyday emergency or a large scale disaster. This week I am going to discuss some important components for your Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: How you will get to...
The Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is happy to announce that October is Disaster Preparedness & NOAA Weather Radio Month. It is my goal to make Wahkiakum County and its residents as prepared and ready as possible for a disaster through preparation and public education. Each of the coming weeks in October I am going to provide you with information on how you can take four basic steps: Be informed, Create a Plan, Build a Kit, and Get Involved. By taking these steps now it will make you and your f...
To The Eagle: The voters of Wahkiakum and Pacific counties have a number of critical decisions to make when they vote between October 21 and November 8. One of chief importance is who should serve as our next Superior Court Judge. Fortunately, we have an extremely well-qualified candidate in Doug Goelz. Having been an attorney practicing almost exclusively in Wahkiakum and Pacific counties for 21 years, and having served as a judicial officer for 12 years in Wahkiakum, Pacific, and Cowlitz Counties, I have had the opportunity to observe and to...
To The Eagle: This fall a number of well-respected community residents have written to The Eagle in support of Greg Prestegard for County Commissioner. As they've noted, he has the business experience, community involvement and leadership skills for the office. We're also supporting Greg. He's not only the most qualified but he has our support because "he gets it." He understands what the job of being a county commissioner is and what it isn't. He knows Wahkiakum County issues and people. He listens, learns and has common sense. "Greg Gets It"...
To The Eagle: On Sept. 27 I had the misfortune of encountering the noxious weed control of Wahkiakum county starting to spray my land. They were commissioned by my neighbor who gave them permission to do so. As a result myself, my dogs and my tenant were sprayed with a highly toxic herbicide containing kerosene. The three individuals working were also exposed due to a lack of protective clothing or PPE's. Even after extensive communication they continued to spray. There was also absolutely no warning. Had we not been home the damage would have...
To The Eagle: Sincerity with humor and humility are some of the ingredients that make a leader. After visiting with Greg Prestegard I believe he possesses those qualities. Greg is a property owner, business owner and taxpayer of Wahkiakum County. His experience in the business world will afford a responsible commissioner with sights set on restoring the reserve fund while maintaining a balanced budget. Greg will strive to preserve our rural life style while helping to develop jobs and protect those existing. As citizens, Greg believes we all...
To The Eagle: I am endorsing two candidates for County Commissioner, Dan Cothren and Greg Prestegard. We need commissioners with strong experience and proven leadership. Both Dan and Greg grew up here and both have extensive experience in the community. Dan has proven himself to be a man of integrity, courage and steadfast loyalty for many years as County Commissioner. Greg, a successful businessman who grew up here in the commercial fishing industry, is highly gifted in strategic thinking, economic development, communication and planning. Our...
So, our two main candidates for president come with baggage. That was evident on Monday night's televised debate. The former secretary of state had to answer about her use of a private email server while she served in that office; she admitted it was a mistake and took responsibility. Billionaire Donald's baggage was exposed, too, from his reluctance to release his income tax reports, as candidates have done in recent elections, to his claim, only recently renounced, that President Obama wasn't born in the United States. I thought the two...
