Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 1982 - 2006 of 2589
To The Eagle: I was a Wahkiakum County 911 dispatcher and corrections officer for 14 years. During that time, I had the pleasure of working with Detective Mike Balch. I have seen Mike work many cases. He has the heart and compassion that Wahkiakum County needs as a sheriff. He has played the leadership role many times, unknown to the citizens of the county. When the sheriff and undersheriff have been out of town, Mike has been in charge. I have watched Mike in amazeAment during horrible calls or arrests. He is honest, professional and a leader...
To The Eagle: Since I am running for your mayor's office, maybe a short history of myself would be proper. I graduated from Wahkiakum Hi in '67. While there I served as student body president. I was awarded varsity letters in tennis, basketball and football. After graduation I went on to Clark College on a tennis scholarship. In '69 I won the state community college men's singles championship and was runner up in doubles, bringing the community collage state championship to Clark. I then attended the University of Portland where I continued pla...
To The Eagle: It is time The Wahkiakum Public Utility District Number One exercise due diligence to the Puget Island Water System in acquiring a stand alone water system. In other words, stop playing games! P.J. Fleury Puget Island...
To The Eagle: Quite a few folks are upset that the federal goverment is partially shut down. Even more are upset over the possibility Congress may not raise the debt ceiling by the deadline so we can increase the debt to a level that is even more outrageous than what we have now. All this posturing and maneuvering by Congress is all a part of the blame game politicians play. Why do people buy into all this? It is all a bunch of nonsense based on ignorance. Mind you, I’m not saying it isn’t serious nonsense. They are all very serious about it....
To The Eagle: Kudos to the Cathlamet Woman’s Club and The Eagle for hosting the September 23, 2013 forum where the voters could listen to the responses of Wahkiakum County Sheriff candidates Mark Howie and Mike Balch to questions about their qualifications, preparedness, and approach to the job of Sheriff. September 17-23 is National U.S. Constitution Week, and I cannot think of a better way to honor the legacy of our Founding Fathers than helping citizens inform themselves about choices facing them on November 5, Election Day. After t...
To The Eagle: What a long, strange trip it’s been! Oregon LNG, then known as Calpine, first showed up in 2004 wanting to build an liquified natural gas (LNG) import terminal. It was trying to convince us that we “needed” more natural gas in the Pacific Northwest. Here we are nine years later with Oregon LNG (ORLNG) insisting it needs to export natural gas. The public hearing on October 9 will allow Clatsop County to decide if the proposed pipeline meets our land use laws. The Clatsop County Planning Staff, administrators and the current count...
To The Eagle: What are the people running this country and the world doing? I have coined a term, “Democanunist.” If it is not readily apparent, this is a blend of Democrat, Republican and Communist. They are all involved in the political arena and appear to be feathering their own nests with no regard to the results and consequences of their actions. Please note: I acknowledge there may yet be people who are still trying to abide by the US Constitution and Bill of Rights; people who are trying to live honest and straight. It appears the ord...
To The Eagle: October 1st marks the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month is nationally recognized as a time to mourn those who have lost their lives, celebrate those who have survived and connect all of us so we can work together to end violence. The unfortunate fact is that so many of us know someone who has been affected by domestic violence – a friend whose creepy boyfriend we never really liked, or a family member who, years later, reveals surviving abuse no one ever knew about, or a family friend whose...
I’ve read the letters in The Eagle the last few weeks with interest. All have reiterated what a nice guy Mike Balch is. I don’t know anyone in the county that thinks otherwise. However, nice guys don’t necessarily make good sheriffs. What experience does he have managing people or an office? What experience does he have managing a large budget? What leadership skills does he demonstrate? What is the largest group of people that he has ever managed? He has 29 years of experience, but is that really 29 years of experience, or three years of ex...
To The Eagle: I grew up in Cowlitz County, not Wahkiakum. Like many others, I left home to pursue an education and a successful career. Later in life, my husband and I were able to return to our roots. After living in Portland, Wahkiakum County seemed like "Mayberry" (the l960's era Andy Griffith show) where the sheriff solves problems by drinking coffee with the folks and riding around in the car with the "bubble light" on top. I wish it were so but we're several decades past that type of law enforcement. We'd be naive or stupid to think we do...
Reading The Eagle, and not having attended a September 17 county commission meeting on the proposed ‘bottom land’ in Skamokawa, I attended the commission meeting today (September 24) to voice my concern. The proposed land purchase, acquisition, take-over, or whatever it will be called, is going to impact anyone living downstream from this projected ‘fish restoration habitat.’ I live on Seal Slough directly downstream from Columbia Land Trust’s wetland restoration project. C.L.T. is currently spending large amounts of money to attempt to correct...
This is in response to Dennis Gordon’s latest attempt to smear Mr. Faubion’s good name. For those who might not know, Mr. Faubion represented Mrs. Gordon in her divorce proceedings against Mr. Gordon a number of years ago. I’m guessing that he did a good job because Mr. Gordon has been a very angry man since then. He needs to get over it and move on with his life. As regards to other issues he brought up, I offer the following: 1. When the Fire Dept. discovered that the Moody’s had misappropriated funds, it was immediately reported to the she...
To The Eagle: I have written and rewritten letters to the editor towards the issue of the current campaign and have torn them up without sending. I came to the sheriff's office at the start of this year from King County. My reason in doing this had nothing to do with pay, I took a huge pay cut to make this happen. I saw a community that was really hurting and I wanted to help. If the voters don't choose to re-elect Howie then I will be retiring. I have no regrets about making the move. I have grown to deeply love this community and the people...
To The Eagle: I grew up in Cowlitz County, not Wahkiakum. Like many others, I left home to pursue an education and a successful career. Later in life, my husband and I were able to return to our roots. After living in Portland, Wahkiakum County seemed like "Mayberry" (the l960's era Andy Griffith show) where the sheriff solves problems by drinking coffee with the folks and riding around in the car with the "bubble light" on top. I wish it were so but we're several decades past that type of law enforcement. We'd be naive or stupid to think we do...
To The Eagle: There is great interest in the race for sheriff. America is a land of laws, and a sheriff has the job of upholding our laws. Not always easy, and yes, a job-skill that requires a great deal of responsibility and discretion. But I ask; what if the judicial system above the sheriff makes their own laws and these office holders lack responsibility and discretion? There are two candidates for sheriff and this is good. Since both candidates have agreed to a public discussion, I plan to be there but state my questions now and will liste...
To The Eagle: While attending the recent Wahkiakum County Fair, I had the opportunity to meet Sheriff Mark Howie. A very nice guy, and I’m sure, a competent law enforcement officer. But, I have to say that I was very pleased when I learned that Deputy Mike Balch was running for the office of Wahkiakum County Sheriff. I have known Mike for 20+ years. Of all the present officers with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office, I would think Mike would be far and away the top candidate for this post. Over 16 years ago, a tragedy occurred in our family...
To The Eagle: Most dikes in the area were created by farmers to have more grazing, hay and so on. As the years have gone by, more and more of these farms are now owned by people simply living behind those dikes. I am one of those people. I have a fairly short piece of dike, and am co-owner of a tide-gate. I had cat work done to strengthen the dike from the inside. I replaced the tide-gate, upgrading to a fish friendly aluminum gate. I keep trees from growing on it as well. I, along with Grays River Habitat Enhancement District, our...
To The Eagle: Over the past couple of years it has been my pleasure to get to know your sheriff, Mark Howie. As the sheriff of Cowlitz County, I had several discussions with the late Jon Dearmore regarding whom he intended to appoint as his undersheriff. For a variety of reasons, he decided to bring in someone from an agency outside of the area, but who was a man who was making a home in Cathlamet. He was a man Jon trusted, a friend; he was Mark Howie. On that black day last October when Jon chose to move on from this world, I had the opportuni...
To the Eagle: Last time I owned a television set, or did any serious viewing, the big law enforcement program on was called "Gunsmoke" starring Marshal Matt Dillon, so but for a stroke of fate, last week's letter by Nick Nikkala trying to bend our sheriff election into parallel with one on a TV series would have gone right over my head. But as luck would have it, my wife bought me a starboard hip replacement for our 26th anniversary, and I invested in a large stack of books to tide me over while learning to make all my new bionic parts work --...
To The Eagle: We would like to know the history of the Cathlamet water district and what role Puget Island plays in the structure of the system. The story goes that Cathlamet didn't have enough numbers, so they came to Puget Island for help. Olaf Thomason, Puget Island...
To The Eagle: We feel that Mark Howie has done a good job as Wahkiakum County Sheriff. He stepped into the position under adverse circumstances. He has earned his place in the community and shown to the public that he is dedicated to the well-being of our county. We would like to see him continue as our sheriff. Ray and Ora Loraine Bauer, Cathlamet...
To The Eagle: My name is Lynda Gerlach, 25 year resident of Cathlamet, parent of WHS graduates and newly retired from the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce. We have two fine men running for the position of Wahkiakum County Sheriff, both whom I have known for quite some time. It is my belief that Sheriff Mark Howie has shown that he possesses the experience, education and leadership qualities to continue as Sheriff of Wahkiakum County. He exhibited these qualities first as a local business and property owner, then as Sheriff. Working with him many...
To The Eagle: I found the recent letter submitted by Nick Nikkila comparing the show, “Longmire” to the current Sheriff’s race amusing and demonstrates what a good writer he is. Unfortunately, both the show and parallels to the current sheriff’s administration are also in the realm of fiction. As a recent deputy with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office I am endorsing Mike Balch for Sheriff of Wahkiakum County. This is not a decision I took lightly. I, like Sheriff Howie, have worked in larger police departments and believed when he was appoin...
To The Eagle: As a former emergency manager, I know the importance of having clear information about the kinds of disasters that can happen and the needs of the community being served. When working with Wahkiakum County to prepare for a public health emergency, I know that we did not have up-to-date information about the needs of all our neighborhoods and all of our community members. That is why I am writing to encourage everyone to complete the Community Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Survey. The Emergency Management Program in the count...
I'm doing a lot of catching up these days, and one of the things I'm catching up with is the change in our lineup. If you check out the masthead of The Eagle (that listing of our papers employees and jobs you'll find at the top of Page 2), you'll see a name is missing, a name has been added, and a job title has changed. Our business manager for the last 3-4 years, Jamie Nelson, is gone. He packed up his bags and headed south to the Divinity School of the Pacific, an Episcopal seminary in Berkeley, Calif., to earn a degree in theology. This has...
