Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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Last week, word traveled by social media that people supporting the Black Lives Matter would hold "A March of Silence" on Friday afternoon, state wide. According to news reports, the event's purpose was to honor those lost to police brutality and institutionalized racism, with the silent part also to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. I and members of my staff were pleased to learn a group of Wahkiakum County citizens would join the statewide event. They gathered in front of the community center in Cathlamet, held signs and waved at...
(An incorrect link for the Zoom meeting was submitted in this letter. It has been corrected. --editor) To The Eagle: The Wahkiakum County Republican and Democratic Parties formed a joint Subcommittee for Debates/Forums. I was excited to serve on this committee and in January we began planning mass gatherings so Wahkiakum County residents could get to know political candidates and submit questions. That came to a screeching halt with Covid 19. And then Zoom arrived as a communication tool. I am pleased to announce that Wahkiakum County will...
To The Eagle: Letters to The Eagle in the June 11th issue were so earnestly and respectfully written, on a variety of issues that I feel that the writers, Mr. Schreiber, Mr. Skemp, Ms. Ling, Ms. Brightbill, Nicole Emery and Luke Bohn should be commended. Our sheriff, Mr. Howie, weighed in also in the same manner. I appreciate being able to live in a community with individuals who can speak their minds with passion asking for change. Jacquelyn Ostervold Puget Island...
To The Eagle: Writing strictly as a Cathlamet resident and independent voter, I felt it necessary to comment on the article in the June 4 Eagle labeled Life under Attack. The writer made many statements I do wholeheartedly agree with. I do find though that he succumbs to using the same vitriol regarding the Democratic party that many other embarrassed and desperate GOP supporters increasingly have to resort to. In particular, it’s ironic he infers Democrats are the party of “handouts.” It’s hard to square that circle after after a $22 billion...
To The Eagle: And now we are forced to witness another massive hysteria brought to us by our leftist media. The awful and destructive riots are meant to demoralize and terrorize our people. How they love to bring their lying and dispiriting ‘news’ to their audience. How they take pleasure in spewing their nasty and grim predictions of doom. Their non-stop contempt for their own country and traditions seems almost overwhelming to us who would be free of them. For those who live in the metropolises, it is getting to be unbearable. I ask what pol...
To The Eagle: There’s an old saw about the guy with excellent will power – could resist anything but temptation. Regardless of how the China Virus got started, the ChiCom government couldn’t resist the temptation to jockey around with travel policy, disinformation, and monopolistic medical supply practices to turn it into a worldwide pandemic. And then a few blue state governors and mayors couldn’t resist the temptation to turn it into a political football with querulous quarantines and economically disastrous lockdowns. By imperial decree, the...
To The Eagle: What is white privilege? Here is the explanation someone requested. We live in White America and sup daily at the banquet of white privilege. White privilege is not something that you choose — it exists. This social construct was in place before you and I were born. Accepting white privilege doesn’t mean you’re proud of it. It also doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. There are good people I’ve known my whole life that have done positive things for their communities, saying that they “love all races” or something to that effect. An...
To The Eagle: Please read the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, the answer to repair what divides the races is there in that brilliant caring man’s words. The Black Lives Matter movement lost much support when they accused anyone that said All Lives Matter is a racist and joined hands with ANTIFA Anarchists. BLM became irrelevant when the movement bonded with ANTIFA and other hate groups that never cared about lifting poor Black people out of poverty or seeing innocent Black children being denied the promise of America because they are forced t...
To The Eagle: Every cop in America should walk off the job for two weeks so we can see what they do, city, county, state and federal. Let's see what happens if they are not on duty and who is affected the most. It is not a good time to be in the business of "Protecting and Serving." It is sad that as in every work group there are bad people, those few bad cops deserve what they are getting, but the millions of good cops should not be punished. Thank you for your service, good cops and sorry you are being treated as you are. Steve Sharp Puget...
Student weighs in on possible pool closure To The Eagle: My name is Luke Bohn and I will be a senior at Wahkiakum High School next fall. I moved here from Portland, Oregon just last summer. I worked at the pool last year and it’s one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had here. I know it’s a difficult decision, but it would be very helpful to ask the right people. I’m glad the pool has another chance, but let me tell you why this shouldn’t even be a big discussion. The town council looked at the financial side of the situation, and I can...
For those interested in what your Cathlamet Town Council has been working on, in no particular order, here’s what’s been keeping us all busy: - securing overhead street banners promoting Cathlamet’s history and culture. - working in conjunction with Oregon and Washington state officials for both signage from Oregon to Cathlamet, and improved safety turning lanes for using the Puget Island Ferry. - securing grant funding to help pay for planned charging stations on the Butler Street property on Main St. - signing a 16-year lease with the Cemet...
To The Eagle: Most businesses I have frequented usually have signs posted announcing either “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service” or “We reserve the right to deny service to anyone.” Business owners have the right, within the limits of anti-discrimination laws, to deny service to the shoeless for sanitary reasons, I suppose, and troublesome customers for reasons of safety, one presumes. It is my opinion that certain businesses in Cathlamet whose physical layouts make social distancing difficult, need to post another notice, in the interest of public...
To The Eagle: The wrong that needs to be corrected is rather simple: For Blacks there is a different justice system, for them "they are guilty until proven innocent" and for us white folks it’s “innocent until proven guilty.” Think about it, and you will understand why the police act as they do and why our prisons are mostly occupied by blacks and browns. This must be changed or else nothing will change. Eric Skemp Puget Island...
To The Eagle: I believe in my heart and soul that all lives matter. If that makes me a racist to some morons I couldn't care less. I remember many years ago walking a peaceful protest line outside of a Woolworth Store in New York City because the store served Black customers at the lunch counter on paper plates and Whites on regular dishes. That was despicable in my eyes and I did my part to stop it. These days that kind of disgraceful action would not be tolerated by anyone of any color, my point being that there has been change for the...
To The Eagle: Summer is rapidly approaching and the Town of Cathlamet has some difficult decisions to make regarding the swimming pool. In an area with multiple waterways it is vital, and in fact lifesaving, that children learn to swim and learn water safety. Prior to the opening of the pool, drownings of children were not uncommon in this county. However we are still dealing with a pandemic and the safety restrictions necessary to prevent further outbreaks. The pool advisory committee would like to see the pool open, even if only for...
To The Eagle: It’s been quite a couple of months to say the least. I hope you all have been staying safe and healthy. I’ve missed seeing all of your friendly faces, and can’t wait to get back to doing what I love. While my business has been shut down I had the opportunity to evaluate my business and many of you have been wondering what my plans were. Well, I wanted to announce that Daisy Chain Floral is moving to a new private location. I am not going anywhere. I will continue to provide the same floral services as before, just without the s...
An anonymous comment drew our attention to a misstep in last week's edition in which we allowed the use of the term Chinaman in a letter to the editor. It was strange for us to see that term; it's an archaic term and not in our normal vocabulary. It was used in conjunction with writing from Cathlamet's past, perhaps close to 100 years ago. But after receiving that anonymous comment, I went to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, always a good starting place for quick research. Here's what Wikipedia had to say about the term: "Chinaman is an...
To The Eagle: I told my son, that I would try to point to positive reasons for Biden, instead of negative Trump comments. I also said I’d have to close one eye, in order to not comment on his idiocy. That is extremely difficult, when during a double crisis, he tweets this: "vicious dogs" and "ominous weapons," “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” etc., etc. Many seem to think Obama caused the racism to increase. I think his election caused the already existing racism to show itself. The looting and violence will not, IMO, help the c...
To The Eagle: Not sure if I'm glad I'm a white man or embarrassed to wake up still white after all these years. Watching what appeared to be a bored white police officer murder a black man, handcuffed and pleading for his life, is just too much. There were several other officers just standing around to prevent the reasonably concerned citizens from stopping the killing is equally maddening. And then we're supposed to wonder why the black folks riot? Are you kidding me? This has been going on for nearly ever in this country. Being choked to...
To The Eagle: We are saddened to announce that the Cathlamet swimming pool may not be opening this summer due to COVID-19 implications. After much consideration and impact analysis, the town council unanimously determined that pool operations do not appear to be viable this season. Aside from the financial impact, social distancing requirements would greatly restrict occupancy levels and place too many limitations on swimmers. The council is however seeking written public comment which will be read aloud and taken into consideration at the...
To The Eagle: Our way of life is under attack, make no mistake about that. When a major political party such as the Democrats publicly take the side of the Chinese Communists over our own government in regards to the origin and spread of a pandemic that kills 100,000 plus Americans it is hard to believe, but believe it. The Democrats spend way too much time with the likes of anarchists, socialists, environmental terrorists and just a lot of people that want something for nothing to realize the following facts: 1. Most Americans love their way...
To The Eagle: I woke up this morning in my warm bed recognizing my good fortune of being born white in this country. I also recognize the pain of those who were born any other color. The inequality and injustice in this country is sickening. We cannot continue down the same path and expect a different result. Changes have to happen. We can either be a part of the problem or part of the solution. I cannot imagine the pain black and brown people live with on a daily basis- the fear of simply walking down the road with their hands in their...
To The Eagle: The election is rigged unless I win. The news is fake unless it’s flattering of me. Everything is a hoax unless I tweet it. Nepotism is bad unless it’s my family. I’m the most transparent president but you can’t see my taxes. I have the best and smartest people until I fire them. Corona virus is one person coming in from China and we have it under control, but it’s not my fault we have the highest infection and death rate in the world. Confederate flag waving protesters, brandishing assault rifles threatening state legislato...
To The Eagle: Well, I had the time to read the liberal gentleman from the Island’s letter in the paper in which he misrepresented my last letter to the editor, clearly he must have been reading someone else's comments while critiquing mine. The assertions he made about the points I was making of course were wrong but one thing you can say about him is, he is consistent and wrong most of the time. I must say unlike some people, that don't mind having their constitutional rights taken away by a politician in Olympia, I most certainly do. The p...
To The Eagle: For as far back as I can remember my dad insisted we put flowers on the Chinaman's grave every Memorial Day. He's the only one of the Chinese workers who was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery. The others who died here were buried on the hillside behind the old gym. Their markers were cedar boards that have long since perished. Only this Chinaman's grave stone is marble. It used to stand upright but years ago it was placed on its back in a concrete surround. This was probably for easier mowing once more land was needed for graves....
