Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor

Answer to reader's question

Robert Glenn Brown questioned the rational for installing guardrails along Sequim-Dungeness Way and requested a response from the county (Sequim Gazette, Sept. 10, opinion page).

The Clallam County Public Works Department - Road Division continually seeks to improve safety on county roads. The Road Division budgets a certain amount for safety improvements each year (see annual and six-year Transportation Improvement Projects available on the county Web site). Unfortunately, budget constraints always will be the limiting factor in accomplishing these tasks.

Sequim-Dungeness Way was eligible, due to its classification and traffic volume, to qualify for the funding of this safety improvement project

through a state-administrated, federally funded program specifically called the "Rural County Two-Lane Roadway Program." This funding is derived from a portion of the federal gas tax collected on every gallon of road fuel sold in the United States.

While none of us like to pay these taxes, the reality is that they are collected and dispersed regardless of our dislike. It is fiscally responsible to the taxpayers in Clallam County to maximize the use of these other funding sources and save the money, contributed to the Road Division through property and timber harvest taxes, for road improvement projects not eligible for funding from other sources.

Mr. Brown postulates that the only drivers likely to run off the road will be "An inebriated speeder ...." I suggest that there may be other conditions in which a driver, competent or otherwise, may run off a road. I also suggest that Mr. Brown apply some research time to the subject of joint and several liability.

Wikipedia makes the following definition (abridged): "Joint and several liability is a hybrid of both; with respect to the claimant, the parties are jointly liable, but as between obligors themselves, the liabilities are several. This means that if the claimant pursues one party, and receives payment in full, that party can then pursue the other obligors for a contribution to their share of the liability.

"Joint and several liability is most relevant in tort claims, whereby a plaintiff may recover all the damages from any of the defendants regardless of their individual share of the liability. The rule is often applied in negligence cases, though it is sometimes invoked in other areas of law. In the United States, 46 of the 50 states have a rule of joint and several liability, although in response to 'tort reform' efforts, some have limited the applicability of the rule."

I don't expect that I need to explain the potential exposure faced by the county (hence the tax paying residents of Clallam County) due to the above described. Unfortunately, we live in a litigious society so we in the Road Division will continue to do the best job that we can to maintain and improve the safety of Clallam County roads.

Ross Tyler, P.E.

County engineer

Clallam County Public Works Department

Road Division



What happened?

More than 80 percent of Americans profess to be Christians. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God and through Him all things were made. That He came to earth to seek and to save all sinners. (And we are all sinners.) That He gave His life on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins. All we have to do to be saved is to repent of our sins, believe and accept Him as our savior and then obey His commands: Love God and love one another. And believe the Holy Bible is the literal Word of God.

So, if 80 percent of Americans are Christians and believe the Holy Bible, how can so many of them belong to the modern Democratic Party? And how did the Democratic Party of FDR, HST and JFK get sabotaged and changed into the party that it is today? Democrats under those administrations were largely Christians. They believed that homosexuality was a sin. They believed that the killing of unborn infants was a sin. They believed in helping those in need but also believed that able-bodied men and women should work for their living. And they were the most patriotic of all generations.

Christians and Democrats were synonymous in those days.

David W. King

Sequim



American patriotism through the ages

"Give me liberty or give me death."

Patrick Henry 1775

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty ...."

Abraham Lincoln 1863

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933

"Ask not what your country can do for you ...."

John F. Kennedy 1961

"We must surrender our constitutional rights in order to be safe."

American Sheeple 2008

Patrick, Abe, Franklin and John would be ashamed and disgusted to behold this formerly proud and free country groveling for the illusion of security.

Paul Creasey

Agnew



Thanks

I look forward to the Gazette each week and read "Celebrating the river" on p. A-11 with special interest this morning. The photos and article captured a few of the marvelous moments that occurred at the Dungeness River Festival, Sept. 26-27. The 2008 festival brought nearly 3,000 people of all ages together to learn about and experience the natural resources in Railroad Bridge Park and the Dungeness River watershed. Visitors to the Dungeness River Audubon Center also enjoyed the first exhibition of river-related works of 30 local artists. Many individuals and organizations, including the Gazette, contributed to the success of the festival. Without energetic volunteers, media coverage, local sponsors, generous artists, musicians, exhibitors and food vendors, there would be no festival. On behalf of the festival steering committee and the staff of the Dungeness River Audubon Center, thank you!

Julie Jackson

Sequim



Don't bow to special interests

I hope the county commissioners will put citizens before special interests and approve the building of a crematory in Carlsborg. It would add valuable jobs to our city as well as a valuable service to our community for a very low price. (Owner Mr. Linde has much lower fees than his Port Angeles competitor, which explains his competitor's strong opposition to the proposal). Those people who are arguing against the crematory on environmental grounds are not being honest or reasonable. The new crematory would have the best technology available, making it as clean or cleaner than other crematories, and its construction would prevent the waste of fuel and pollution of our air that is currently taking place as bodies are transported to P.A. or Tacoma. This crematory would be a benefit to everyone except its competitor in P.A., which is why the commissioners must approve its construction.

Lara Updike

Sequim



Support Boys & Girls Club

Investing in the Boys & Girls Club is investing in our community. It is much the same as investing in park lands. While no community will be successful without investing in parks, no community will be successful without the investment in its youth being a high priority. I have spent time with the kids, staff and board once again this year. I am convinced that the B & G Club is not only important to our community but vital.

This is one of the very few organizations that provides a proactive comprehensive program for our youth of all ages. I have heard the teen stories that talk about what the club means to them. To many, it is a "lifeline." The Boys & Girls Club stands alone in providing services to 300 to 350 kids in our community each day.

There are no alternatives, there are no safety nets. B & G makes good economic sense also: Is it better to provide a proactive program or a program that reacts after a youth is in trouble? I ask that you take the time to check into what I am saying. Our youth deserve a safe and constructive environment. How our community deals with future of the Boys & Girls Club will be a test of our commitment to our youth. Thank you for your consideration.

Walt Schubert, City council member and former mayor

Sequim



Conversation with W.

Hi, George? Yeah I'm doin' fine, thanks.

Say listen, I wanted to check on the Social Security privatization thing and make sure we're still on track on that.

I know you tried, but the youth of the country and your party are counting on you to see it through.

I know, I know, it looks like the market is tanking now but this is for the long run and you know and I know and all thinking people know that the private sector is the engine that fuels the economic car.

I know engines don't fuel anything that was a metaphor.

M E T A P H O R. Right, look it up.

Speaking of fuel, I thought the darn Saudis were pretty ungrateful the way they told you to pack sand last time you went over to tell 'em know we needed cheaper oil and soon! They musta clean forgot who it was that saved their bacon back when your daddy was runnin' the show.

Say, I was just hearin' down to the coffee shop that some darn liberal commie blogger is complainin' that you been on vacation quite a lot since you got to the Whitehouse.

Well, I did look it up and it looks like about 543 days so far.

I know you cut that one short when the Katrina thing blew up, and probably lots of others too. Hells bells, I don't know what they want either.

Well, I gotta go but be sure to say hi to Dick for me, and be sure to tell him we all hope he gets out soon.

Pat Clark

Sequim