Letters to the editor

Former council member supports Tom Trulove for mayor

Please vote for Tom Trulove. His leadership, qualifications, experience and judgement are needed to get the city of Cheney on track to meet the challenges now and in the future.

Under the current administration there have been instances of some lax spending controls, a confusing budget process and a lack of direction. There have been costly actions and errors such as a fabricated water moratorium, water and electric meter errors costing lost revenues of many thousands of dollars, potentially costly inconsistencies in code applications and the need to more vigorously seek outside grants.

From my experience over the years and as a former City Council member, I know Tom understands these issues and has a plan of action. He knows how to seek new money sources, reduce wasteful expenditures, implement sound budgeting processes with adequate reserves, hold employees accountable and bring back the stong community involvement we experienced during his previous service as mayor.

Join me in voting for Tom Trulove.

Tom Davis

Cheney

Councilman McKeehan will continue to serve city well

When I was a child, the subject of our conversations at the dinner table was often political. I was the youngest, and one evening – eager to contribute rather than listen – I repeated something I had read that day about “needing a change.” I have never forgotten my father's response.

He asked me, “If you owned a business and you had an employee who was honest, came to work on time and did a good job, would you fire that employee and hire someone else simply to have a change?”

Mike McKeehan has served our city well as Councilman. I don't always agree with his vote, but he does listen carefully to all discussion, make an honest decision independent of the trend, and vote to support what he feels is best for the residents of Cheney. What more could we want in a council member? Please join me in reelecting Mike McKeehan to our City Council.

Bonnie Eccles

Cheney

Rep. Judy Warnick endorses Pat Hailey for 9th District

We need common sense in Olympia!

I am confident that Pat Hailey will bring that common sense we so desperately need in the Washington State Legislature.

Pat has been involved with enough diverse groups in her life to understand how to work with all manner of people. Her quiet nature and willingness to look at all sides of an issue without compromising her values is exactly what the district and our state need to help solve the critical issues facing our state.

Pat's experience as a wife, mother, rancher, school employee, community leader and elected school board director, among other life experiences, has prepared her to easily move into the position of representative for the 9th District in Olympia.

She has worked on a local level to follow the sometimes onerous state mandates sent down by legislative directives; one such example is her experience working for a local school district to implement the Becca Bill requirements. Pat has also had experience with the regulatory and financial requirements imposed on our small and agricultural related businesses throught her own family business.

She is a person who knows the value of a dollar, how to make it stretch and how to set priorities; all necessary assets for representing the agricultural community, small businesses and our schools during this financially challenging time period in our state.

I'm asking you to support Pat Hailey for House of Representatives, Position 1, 9th District. She is an excellent, common sense choice for your district and our state.

Rep. Judy Warnick,

13th District

Moses Lake

Vote for Tom Trulove's experience

For the past 11 years, I have worked closely with Tom Trulove in his service to the Cheney Care Center Association Board. He was a member, vice-president and now president of the board. Tom Trulove listens and hears all perspectives. We deal with many real life issues and he has offered us great insight and wisdom.

Tom is thoughtful and caring as witnessed by his faithfully caring for his mother when she needed our services. Two of the many attributes I appreciate about Tom are his openness and approachability. Tom has a great sense of humor and is well liked by the Cheney community.

With his wealth of economic experience, he has helped us to fortify a $10 million community asset. Tom has provided us with trustworthy leadership and an eye towards the future.

Please join with me in supporting Tom so he can do the same for all of us.

Keith Fauerso

Cheney

Eyman's I-1033 bad for everybody

Tim Eyman has proposed another initiative that will hurt Washington state. I-1033 will hurt every aspect of the state.

That is why the opposition to the initiative is so diverse. Microsoft, a huge corporation, opposes it; emergency services such as the Washington State Council of Firefighters opposes it; and the Washington State Children's Alliance opposes I-1033.

Eyman claims, “Removing I-601's reasonable fiscal discipline and policies resulted directly in a massive $9 billion deficit. “ This is false. The state deficit was caused by a massive decrease in tax revenue due to the worst economic situation in this country since the Great Depression. When Washingtonians make less money there is less tax money coming in, creating a budget deficit. I-1033 will decrease state revenue even more, setting a new base line in the middle of this recession that will cause bigger deficits.

Eyman also claims “Under I-1033, everyone's property taxes will be reduced.” This is patently untrue, especially for students or for those who don't own properties. Dorm room costs and apartment rents will not decrease. Landlords will see the benefit of these property tax rebates, not students. Not to mention when schools receive even less funding there will be more cuts to education. Voters for Affordable Housing opposes I-1033 for good reason.

Republican candidate Pat Hailey said,“1033 by – I think it's 2015 – will take $3 billion out of education,” for a reason. I-1033 is bad for education, bad for business, and bad for Washington.

Andrea Brown

Pullman

Pat Hailey good choice for schools

Please cast your ballot for Pat Hailey in the upcoming ballot election in the 9th Legislative District. I've known Pat Hailey for many years, and I think highly of her qualifications and strongly believe that she is the best candidate to represent us in Olympia.

Pat's years as a parent, volunteer, PTA president, registrar and attendance specialist at Connell High School and Robert L. Olds Junior High, and school board member in the North Franklin School District has given her a tremendous background and working knowledge about public education.

She knows firsthand how un-funded mandates and cuts in state funding hurt students in our local schools. Her experience and knowledge will be a terrific asset as she works in Olympia.

I'm confident that Pat Hailey will use her experience with public education and work to support students and schools as a legislator in Olympia. Please show your support and vote yes for Pat Hailey!

Patti Walker

Connell

I-1033 couldn't have been proposed at a worse time for state, local budgets

Election time approaches, and as usual Tim Eyman is offering another “free lunch” special: Initiative 1033.

This measure would make it illegal to increase budgets for public services (police, fire, schools, health care or anything else) above today's depressed levels. Additional revenues, should they magically appear, would be distributed as property tax rebates--a give-away to fat-cat property owners, while ordinary folks, if they're lucky, might get a couple of bucks knocked off their tax bill.

This stinker of an initiative would be bad enough in good times, but we're struggling with the worst economy in 70 years. Last year the state's income fell $9 billion, and lawmakers made draconian cuts, including $1.5 billion for education. Libraries have been shuttered, and jails emptied to save money.

Such cuts don't come out of Eyman's mythical “fat”, the stuff he's so sure is out there, somewhere. If Eyman's measure is approved it would be illegal when times improve to increase expenses in order to reinstate curtailed services. Budgets would be trapped at Great Recession levels for years to come.This is not responsible budget management. Free lunches don't exist. Vote no on Initiative 1033.

 Del Lusk

Spokane

 

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