Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 2557 - 2581 of 2582
To The Eagle: Last week's Eagle brought to mind an old favorite T-shirt epigram, "I am their leader. Which way did they go?" A front page article has Congressman Baird indicating that federal economic stimulus money helped with jobs when in fact the hemorrhaging never slowed and the fed lied outrageously about it. This is the congressman who voiced some reasonable views on both the Iraq war and health care that were contrary to the party line extant in the Kingdom of Obama, so he has chosen to quit and put in a year of lame duck...
I would never use the term "lame duck" to describe Representative Brian Baird. In the 16 years he has served this area and this district in Congress Baird has done so much to get federal agencies to pay attention to local concerns and so much to get the Washington establishment to pay attention to constituent concerns that the words "duck" and "lame" don't apply. However, that term is used to describe an elected official who is nearing the end of his term and apparently has limited effectiveness, and he is starting to resemble parts of that...
To The Eagle: Boy, oh boy, are we ever in the big time now! Just think of it - our very own commissioners and sheriff negotiating behind closed doors on a matter of national security. Heady stuff, but it gets a little complicated for some of us simple country folk to sort out. Here's a stab at it: Kristin Lee writes a letter warning us that all these secret security negotiations may not be a perfectly wonderful idea; in fact, could be a financial and environmental disaster. Then the sheriff and commissioners come out of their secret session...
To The Eagle: Did you know that 1.5 million teens experience abuse in their relationships each year? That equals roughly one in three teens becoming victim to verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. In fact, females between 16 and 24 experience the highest rates of relationship violence. Teen relationships are just as important and complex as those of adults. They are not just "puppy love" or "kids being kids." Abuse in teen relationships is not just unhealthy; it can be scary and very dangerous. Research shows that it has a major impact...
To The Eagle: I wish to disagree respectfully with Richard Erickson’s assertion that all of us who have to work for a living and are raising children here hope for the LNG plant to be built. Somehow left out of the discussion are the jobs which will be negatively impacted by an LNG plant at Bradwood. I happen to have one. I have earned a living as a kayak guide out of Skamokawa since 1998. I’m currently part owner of Columbia River Kayaking, along with six other local guides. My job may be modest compared to a potential security position wit...
To The Eagle: Judging by his letter to The Eagle last week, Richard Erickson would have us believe that anyone opposed to NorthernStar’s planned Bradwood Landing LNG facility is the enemy of all economic development in Wahkiakum County. Don’t fall for the false dichotomy. In fact, such a facility would suppress property values, hinder tourism and crimp the steady flow of well-heeled retirees into the area– negative impacts that, in my view, far outweigh the job creation proponents of the LNG project forecast should it move forward. Mr. Erick...
To The Eagle: Time do fly when you're havin' fun. It's just shy of one decade since we had a rousing good knock down, drag-out community debate over the fate of the then-shabby Julius Wendt school building. The school board wanted to tear down and rebuild for over seven million dollars and some of us skinflints wanted to just repair it for about forty bucks. After many gallons of printers ink on these pages, more than a few high temp school board meetings, and three trips to the ballot box, moderation prevailed and we got the nifty remodel job...
To The Eagle: Four years ago, our state legislators recognized the need to help rural counties combat the scourge of methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. Our state legislators provided vital funding to Wahkiakum County which enables us to dedicate specific personnel to combat illegal drug activity in our community. Unless we act now, that funding will end! Over the past four years, as a direct result of this funding, our county and our 12 rural county partners have conducted over 2,358 criminal investigations. In addition, our counties...
To The Eagle: One hundred and twenty five Washington State Law Enforcement Officers died in the line of duty in 2009. That number is the best number that Washington State has seen since 1959. So although these are senseless tragic deaths, I am proud that as a State we are safer and our communities are safer than ever before. I am proud to serve you and this community, but my heart goes out to our local heroes who every day risk their lives to make our homes and community safe. These are the men and women who leave their place of business,...
To The Eagle: It is beyond disturbing to me that others have such an "I got mine" attitude in this county. I have only written one letter to the editor in the six years that I have lived, worked and run a business in the Cathlamet area. But the letter from Kristin Lee last week was just too frustrating for me to ignore. When someone that has their own agenda then accuses business leaders of "secret and private meetings" without justification, I have to question their motives. Are Kristin Lee's motives to make sure that development and jobs do...
To The Eagle: I wish to say farewell to the taxpayers of Wahkiakum County. Being a tax appraiser is not a thankful job anywhere but when the taxpayers are as wonderful as those in this county, it has been doable. These past few years with the economy being so poor, has made this position even less desirable for myself as well as the taxpayers. I really can't blame the taxpayers a bit for any ill feelings, however it has taken its toll on me too and I am looking forward to being retired. Kay Cochran is a person I am thankful for and indebted to...
To The Eagle: It is beyond disturbing to me and others that the ongoing meetings, both secret and private, between NorthernStar, Fred Johnson, David Goodroe, Sheriff Bardsley, the county commissioners and others have been taking place. Fred Johnson has already signed a non-disclosure agreement with them; David Goodroe wants to turn our Elochoman Marina into a base for NorthernStar's armed vessels; Sheriff Bardsley has been negotiating a contract and to quote Lisa Marsyla at a meeting September 15, she had met with William Garrett of...
Voters in the Wahkiakum and Naselle/Grays River Valley School Districts will receive their vote-by-mail ballots this week for special levy elections. Both districts are asking voters to approve continuation of the special levy taxes they have approved in the past to pay for costs not covered by state funding. The Naselle/Grays River Valley School District Board of Directors is asking voters to approve a two-year, $695,000 special levy. The estimated assessment would be $3.24 for each $1,000 of assessed property value. Wahkiakum directors are...
To The Eagle: I would like to thank everyone that helped with the Christmas Stars program. It takes many people and hours to make it work, from cutting stars, newspaper stories, making calls, filling out forms and stars, and hanging the stars. Thank you to everyone who took a star, donated money, extra gifts or wrapping paper. Thank you to the Bank of the Pacific, the Sheriff's Office, the Bank of America and the Rosburg Store for all your help. Many thanks to the four shoppers that bought gifts for the 45 stars not taken, the 12 people that...
To The Eagle: The article opposing the proposed LNG plant (The Eagle, 12/24/09) is the same old story, only the names have changed. Had this group existed when the Wauna mill was proposed, they would have opposed it. If Crown Z or Weyerhauser applied for logging permits on public lands (or even their own land), they would have opposed it. Most of these groups are made up of fairly new residents that have moved to the area because they love it and are determined to craft it into what they want it to be. I call these people "gotminers." They...
To The Eagle: We have just finished a very busy year and want to give a big thank you to the generous people of our community who so faithfully have supported us. We cannot tell you how much we appreciate you and what a big help you have been to so many in our community. To the churches, clubs and associations, Lions Club, Boy Scouts, the schools--we appreciate the activities and drives that you have put on to raise support for the Food Bank. Also to the many, many individuals who continue to send us donations, have special events on our...
To The Eagle: I’m writing in appreciation of your coverage of the Skamokawa Grange’s Family Movie Night featuring short films by Wahkiakum 4-Hers, and also to make a couple corrections. We’re grateful the Wahkiakum school district allows use of the middle school gym for movie nights and helps to get the word out about our activities; however, the afterschool program is not offered through the school. Funding for the program comes from the Wahkiakum Community Network. The Network’s funding allows us to hire a part-time afterschool coordin...
The annual Washington Legislative Dance has begun. It has become a tradition, with the governor and political parties of the legislature dancing around issues, with someone taking the lead and the other partners following without caring if they step on someone's toes. This year, however, everyone seems to be trying to avoid taking the lead in dealing with the state's latest revenue shortfall. Cut government, cut spending, say the minority Republicans. That's fine, Governor Gregoire has said. In December, as required by state law, she presented...
To The Eagle: President Obama was interviewed for a "60 Minutes" segment that aired on December 13, 2009. The President's comment regarding the recent multimillion dollar bank executives bonuses was "Which I think tells me the people on Wall Street still don't get it. They still don't get it." It appears the people on Wall Street "get it" all too well. They know our country is entirely at their mercy or whim as to our dismal financial situation. And they really don't care if we want them to receive huge bonuses or not. Sad to say it is...
To The Eagle: Seems that a lot of time and articles have been dedicated to river problems and suggested solutions to the same problems with many differing thoughts and "plans." This should be expected since most of the county is part of a river system, second largest in the US. Perhaps the biggest interest is in the huge amounts of money being "handed" out to almost anyone claiming to help our salmon. I was encouraged to once again write to The Eagle after reading the "wonderful" article on how the WDFW is going to once again "solve" a...
As we start the new year, I want to say thanks to recently retired elected officials. People have a tendency to look down their noses at "politicians." I hear that in some parts of the country, newly elected officials routinely fire government employees and appoint their cronies upon being elected. Connection is more important than qualification. Being from the Pacific Northwest, I haven't seen much of that. Overall, I'd say our local politicians have kept one goal in mind above all others, and that's serving the public in their jobs. Sure,...
To The Eagle: I am writing to clarify aspects of your coverage of the Town Council’s LNG “debate” published in The Eagle’s 12/24 issue. First, my position is that the Town of Cathlamet should monitor the ongoing negotiations between Wahkiakum County and NorthernStar, the Texas-based organization that plans to construct a LNG facility several miles from Cathlamet -- not become a signatory to any agreement they might make. Second, we must stay well-informed because the issues under negotiation could potentially impact our town’s waterfron...
To The Eagle: Thank you for the article regarding Wahkiakum Conservation District’s and our partners activities in the Skamokawa Watershed. Two projects were highlighted including the Historic Skamokawa Creek Channel Restoration project and the Skamokawa Community Watershed project. The projects were presented from a flood perspective yet both more appropriately address other natural resource concerns. The Historic Skamokawa Creek Channel Restoration project includes installation of a freshwater inlet structure (completed), upgrading the o...
To The Eagle: Thank you for the article regarding Wahkiakum Conservation District’s and our partners activities in the Skamokawa Watershed. Two projects were highlighted including the Historic Skamokawa Creek Channel Restoration project and the Skamokawa Community Watershed project. The projects were presented from a flood perspective yet both more appropriately address other natural resource concerns. The Historic Skamokawa Creek Channel Restoration project includes installation of a freshwater inlet structure (completed), upgrading the o...
With the third spate of letters in as many weeks concerning our recent coverage of Grays River water management, it's easy to see that this is a controversial issue. Several writers object to our analogy to war. Perhaps the term "under seige" wasn't most accurate for a headline, for the agencies sponsoring projects don't feel they're invading the Grays River Valley and attacking the residents. However, I'm comfortable with the war analogy for the point of view of a large number of Valley residents: For a variety of reasons, they seem to be reje...
