Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor
Read More Editorial
Glitches
with ditches
I was reading the archives of 2007 re the irrigation ditches. I had made comments on the lousy job, re restoring property. I was told my property would be better than it was before - it was the worst job of restoration I've ever seen. I made a comment about the rocks that were left. Mr. White said they were
"Sequim potatoes." What a bunch of hogwash, it cost me $700 to restore my property.
Bruce Bergren
Sequim
Kirshbaum for school board
Jon moved here in 2007 and is familiar with Sequim as his parents lived here since 1981, his mother dying in 1999 and his father in 2005. His wife died in 2006, leaving two sons, three granddaughters and one great-grandson in Illinois.
John has an MBA in finance and was certified as a chief school business official for a large school district. He has the experience and training with school finance, accounting and budgeting needed for our school district.
He trained school clerks, principals and community members in lump-sum budgeting for the Chicago public schools and was responsible for its general accounting, subsidiary ledger, and many support and reporting systems. He also worked on a re-engineering project for approximately two years "retooling" that board's core processes.
Jon has volunteered for many organizations, including the Jaycees, and has led both youth and adult study groups.
He is currently a director for the Clallam County Historical Society and newsletter editor for the Clallam County Genealogical Society.
Jon was editor of a travel magazine and freelance travel writer and photographer, spending many years as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the North American Travel Journalists Association.
His knowledge and experience can help our school board for he has the desire to serve our community and will work with others to give our children the quality of education that they truly deserve.
I urge registered Sequim school district residents to vote for Jon Kirshbaum.
Michael Biscoe
Sequim
Calhoun for port
I would like to ask you to help get John Calhoun elected for his second term as commissioner at the Port (of Port Angeles).
John is a dynamic leader, thinker and listener. I have sat on committees with John on numerous occasions and have been impressed with his dedication to getting things done for the public.
As my former boss with the Department of Natural Resources, John always left the door open to discussion and got back to me when the answer was not quickly available.
He is a true West End representative, living in the Beaver/Forks area for decades. As a forester I appreciate having John in touch with how important the forest industry has been to the port for the last century.
John has set a goal to create 1,000 new jobs over the next six years through the port. He has worked hard to re-establish the new Peninsula Plywood mill, which has signed leases with the port within the last few weeks.
He leads the interest in developing a market for a cogeneration plant to burn biomass - slash - from the West End and turn it into energy and jobs. His work with the Olympic Natural Resource Center has looked at the changing environment that occurs daily on our landscape.
I believe that John has done a great job in his first term as port commissioner. I hope that you will join me in casting your vote to allow John a chance to continue to work hard for us.
Cam Field, forester
Merrill & Ring,
Port Angeles
Supports O'Neil
I am writing this letter in support of Virginia O'Neil for Sequim school board director.
For many years, Virginia and I have "rolled up our sleeves" and worked together on numerous volunteer projects that support students and education in Sequim. It's a pleasure to work with Virginia - her intellect, the strong principles that guide her, and her determined work ethic leave a lasting impression. A longtime Sequim resident who understands the local economic and social climate, Virginia brings a vibrant small-town perspective to her common sense decision making.
Virginia has a thirst for the facts. She keeps an open mind until she hears all sides of an issue. When she encounters difficult challenges and trying circumstances, she makes the best of things and comes up with practical and workable solutions.
Virginia is passionate about nurturing a culture of quality education and opportunity for all Sequim students. Her experiences as a business person and parent provide her with a strong basis for finding the common ground where fiscal responsibility and children's best interests converge. I highly encourage you to vote for Virginia O'Neil for Sequim school board director.
Katie Gilles
SHS class of 1978
Sequim
Negative ad backfires
As a resident for 24 years and a former planning commissioner, I have followed the political ups and downs of our (city) council with interest. The last couple of years have shown unbelievable disregard for cooperation, harmony and even respect for fellow councilors.
How can this be improving when a candidate mails a campaign flier that is mostly concerned with vilifying his opponent?
"My opponent _______ is an angry man." He "has shown contempt for the new councilors, publicly belittled their ideas and their work, and routinely has words with citizens who try to bring their opinions to the council ... accepts no criticism of his own conduct ... does not play well with others. He is responsible for the bad planning that has brought the city to the brink of financial meltdown."
Wow, what a sterling recommendation for electing the candidate that sent out this mailer. It's obvious he will be a great help in enhancing the cooperation, harmony and respect that is so sorely needed. I almost thought the flier was put out by his opponent.
Jim Grau
Sequim
For Brad Collins
I believe that Brad Collins would bring a badly needed fresh perspective to the port commissioners.
The existing commissioners have not been responsive to safety concerns that have been raised relative to the John Wayne Marina regarding rescue ladders, nor did they respond last December to requests from marina slip holders to delay imposing large and unwarranted increases in moorage fees at the exact time that most of our incomes were falling or threatened by the troubled economy. This also came at a time when the port had large contingency reserves in the bank.
We need representation on the port that is sensitive to the needs of local residents and not just focused on increasing their own coffers.
John Marshall
Sequim
ACORN must fall
We need to call our state representatives and senators to demand that ACORN be defunded. Apparently come Oct. 31, the money spigot will be turned back on and federal dollars will start flowing to ACORN.
Anne Olson
Sequim
Congressional corruption
Be your own boss. Performance reviews immediately shredded. Make mistakes and assign the blame to other people with no consequences. Six-figure position with annual increases without regard to performance.
Medical benefits are top of the line and subsidized. Pension plan is extremely generous with a very short vesting period. Travel the world and attend elaborate cocktail parties, all for free. Meet people who think you're personally revolting and professionally inept but must call you "sir" or "madam" out of sheer fear.
If the job of a member of Congress were described candidly, only two types of people would apply: Jimmy Stewart's idealist Mr. Smith, or a grifter.
The idealist would be drawn to the task of reforming the corruption, and the grifter would be drawn to the power and pleasures of the office. We must find more Mr. Smiths and get rid of the grifters.
While the average American earns $40,000-$50,000 a year, your congressman stuffs $174,000 annually into his pockets - more than the salary earned by 95 percent of all American families. I don't begrudge anyone for making as much money as they can unless they do it while also (a) stealing from me or (b) condemning me. Our politicians are doing both.
Sure, they say they know what it's like to lose a job or have a home foreclosed on - but even if they "get it," do they really care or are they doing what they need to do to win their next campaign?
Lloyd S. Pedersen
Sequim
Educational, exciting and fun
Members of the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors would like to thank the Dungeness River Audubon Center and the River Festival organizing committee for allowing us to participate in the 2009 River Festival with a driftwood art show and a children's booth. We had a wonderful time demonstrating the techniques of driftwood sculpting and helping children (and many adults) create a personalized driftwood bracelet.
The many exhibits and activities at this event were educational, exciting and fun. We especially enjoyed the Jamestown S'Klallam Drummer's Circle drumming and dancing, and their generous invitation to the public to join them.
The ambience, tribal presence and community spirit at this wonderful event was very special, and we hope to be privileged to participate again next year.
Tuttie Peetz
Olympic Driftwood
Sculptors
Sequim
Vote Sorensen
and Macaulay
Just one of Sequim's treasures is the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center, SARC. It serves our community across all age boundaries and offers an opportunity for many fitness, recreation and socialization activities. SARC has a great pool, a variety of exercise space and fitness machines that are available to members.
Children are introduced to the water in the clean, safe, "kiddie" pool. Sequim public school children learn to swim, SHS swim teams practice and others churn up the waters in the lap lanes in search of muscle tone and fitness. Others exercise at this facility to fight back from devastating diseases or illnesses.
Like all institutions, SARC is only as good as the people responsible for its management. The facility is clean, well-run and is self-sufficient, depending on memberships to fund its operation. Two people who have kept the standards high at SARC and who have supported its ongoing fiscal responsibilities are Susan Sorensen and Bob Macaulay.
As a retired military nurse and diabetes educator, Susan brings her medical expertise to the board and Bob brings long years of experience in public school administration. Both bring good sense, enthusiasm and high expectations for the facility and have worked hard to see that SARC continues to meet the needs of the community it serves. Keep SARC serving its patrons under the management of Susan Sorensen and Bob Macaulay. We urge you to vote Sorensen and Macaulay for SARC board.
Ted and Judy Shanks
Sequim
Don't
be scared
The Sequim Gazette article (Oct. 7) on SunLand golf Course seeking financial support from SunLand property owners has some serious problems. His story is solely based upon inputs from the SunLand Golf and Country Club and as such, it lacks creditability.
As a SunLand property owner, I have experienced damage to my property caused by the golfers who lack the honesty and integrity to advise me that they had broken my sprinkler system, not once, but three times. I have not repaired the third. I can show how difficult it was for the individual to do the damage and claim he didn't know. This was also the case in the other two.
When buried horizontal pipe runs are broken, it takes recognizable force by the individual. Thus, if these golfers who damaged my property are representative of the club's story and leadership, be suspicious and recognize the bias built into their statements.
The article also refers to input by realtors saying SunLand property values could fall by up to 33 percent in the future. Scare tactics for the elderly property owners.
The article did not say these quoted realtors have direct ties to the golf club. An independent realtor came up with very different values and the actual data may be viewed by visiting Web site http://www.drchuckgd.com. You will see added data about the club's actions/data and possible alternative solutions.
Sam L. Sutherland
Sequim
with ditches
I was reading the archives of 2007 re the irrigation ditches. I had made comments on the lousy job, re restoring property. I was told my property would be better than it was before - it was the worst job of restoration I've ever seen. I made a comment about the rocks that were left. Mr. White said they were
"Sequim potatoes." What a bunch of hogwash, it cost me $700 to restore my property.
Bruce Bergren
Sequim
Kirshbaum for school board
Jon moved here in 2007 and is familiar with Sequim as his parents lived here since 1981, his mother dying in 1999 and his father in 2005. His wife died in 2006, leaving two sons, three granddaughters and one great-grandson in Illinois.
John has an MBA in finance and was certified as a chief school business official for a large school district. He has the experience and training with school finance, accounting and budgeting needed for our school district.
He trained school clerks, principals and community members in lump-sum budgeting for the Chicago public schools and was responsible for its general accounting, subsidiary ledger, and many support and reporting systems. He also worked on a re-engineering project for approximately two years "retooling" that board's core processes.
Jon has volunteered for many organizations, including the Jaycees, and has led both youth and adult study groups.
He is currently a director for the Clallam County Historical Society and newsletter editor for the Clallam County Genealogical Society.
Jon was editor of a travel magazine and freelance travel writer and photographer, spending many years as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the North American Travel Journalists Association.
His knowledge and experience can help our school board for he has the desire to serve our community and will work with others to give our children the quality of education that they truly deserve.
I urge registered Sequim school district residents to vote for Jon Kirshbaum.
Michael Biscoe
Sequim
Calhoun for port
I would like to ask you to help get John Calhoun elected for his second term as commissioner at the Port (of Port Angeles).
John is a dynamic leader, thinker and listener. I have sat on committees with John on numerous occasions and have been impressed with his dedication to getting things done for the public.
As my former boss with the Department of Natural Resources, John always left the door open to discussion and got back to me when the answer was not quickly available.
He is a true West End representative, living in the Beaver/Forks area for decades. As a forester I appreciate having John in touch with how important the forest industry has been to the port for the last century.
John has set a goal to create 1,000 new jobs over the next six years through the port. He has worked hard to re-establish the new Peninsula Plywood mill, which has signed leases with the port within the last few weeks.
He leads the interest in developing a market for a cogeneration plant to burn biomass - slash - from the West End and turn it into energy and jobs. His work with the Olympic Natural Resource Center has looked at the changing environment that occurs daily on our landscape.
I believe that John has done a great job in his first term as port commissioner. I hope that you will join me in casting your vote to allow John a chance to continue to work hard for us.
Cam Field, forester
Merrill & Ring,
Port Angeles
Supports O'Neil
I am writing this letter in support of Virginia O'Neil for Sequim school board director.
For many years, Virginia and I have "rolled up our sleeves" and worked together on numerous volunteer projects that support students and education in Sequim. It's a pleasure to work with Virginia - her intellect, the strong principles that guide her, and her determined work ethic leave a lasting impression. A longtime Sequim resident who understands the local economic and social climate, Virginia brings a vibrant small-town perspective to her common sense decision making.
Virginia has a thirst for the facts. She keeps an open mind until she hears all sides of an issue. When she encounters difficult challenges and trying circumstances, she makes the best of things and comes up with practical and workable solutions.
Virginia is passionate about nurturing a culture of quality education and opportunity for all Sequim students. Her experiences as a business person and parent provide her with a strong basis for finding the common ground where fiscal responsibility and children's best interests converge. I highly encourage you to vote for Virginia O'Neil for Sequim school board director.
Katie Gilles
SHS class of 1978
Sequim
Negative ad backfires
As a resident for 24 years and a former planning commissioner, I have followed the political ups and downs of our (city) council with interest. The last couple of years have shown unbelievable disregard for cooperation, harmony and even respect for fellow councilors.
How can this be improving when a candidate mails a campaign flier that is mostly concerned with vilifying his opponent?
"My opponent _______ is an angry man." He "has shown contempt for the new councilors, publicly belittled their ideas and their work, and routinely has words with citizens who try to bring their opinions to the council ... accepts no criticism of his own conduct ... does not play well with others. He is responsible for the bad planning that has brought the city to the brink of financial meltdown."
Wow, what a sterling recommendation for electing the candidate that sent out this mailer. It's obvious he will be a great help in enhancing the cooperation, harmony and respect that is so sorely needed. I almost thought the flier was put out by his opponent.
Jim Grau
Sequim
For Brad Collins
I believe that Brad Collins would bring a badly needed fresh perspective to the port commissioners.
The existing commissioners have not been responsive to safety concerns that have been raised relative to the John Wayne Marina regarding rescue ladders, nor did they respond last December to requests from marina slip holders to delay imposing large and unwarranted increases in moorage fees at the exact time that most of our incomes were falling or threatened by the troubled economy. This also came at a time when the port had large contingency reserves in the bank.
We need representation on the port that is sensitive to the needs of local residents and not just focused on increasing their own coffers.
John Marshall
Sequim
ACORN must fall
We need to call our state representatives and senators to demand that ACORN be defunded. Apparently come Oct. 31, the money spigot will be turned back on and federal dollars will start flowing to ACORN.
Anne Olson
Sequim
Congressional corruption
Be your own boss. Performance reviews immediately shredded. Make mistakes and assign the blame to other people with no consequences. Six-figure position with annual increases without regard to performance.
Medical benefits are top of the line and subsidized. Pension plan is extremely generous with a very short vesting period. Travel the world and attend elaborate cocktail parties, all for free. Meet people who think you're personally revolting and professionally inept but must call you "sir" or "madam" out of sheer fear.
If the job of a member of Congress were described candidly, only two types of people would apply: Jimmy Stewart's idealist Mr. Smith, or a grifter.
The idealist would be drawn to the task of reforming the corruption, and the grifter would be drawn to the power and pleasures of the office. We must find more Mr. Smiths and get rid of the grifters.
While the average American earns $40,000-$50,000 a year, your congressman stuffs $174,000 annually into his pockets - more than the salary earned by 95 percent of all American families. I don't begrudge anyone for making as much money as they can unless they do it while also (a) stealing from me or (b) condemning me. Our politicians are doing both.
Sure, they say they know what it's like to lose a job or have a home foreclosed on - but even if they "get it," do they really care or are they doing what they need to do to win their next campaign?
Lloyd S. Pedersen
Sequim
Educational, exciting and fun
Members of the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors would like to thank the Dungeness River Audubon Center and the River Festival organizing committee for allowing us to participate in the 2009 River Festival with a driftwood art show and a children's booth. We had a wonderful time demonstrating the techniques of driftwood sculpting and helping children (and many adults) create a personalized driftwood bracelet.
The many exhibits and activities at this event were educational, exciting and fun. We especially enjoyed the Jamestown S'Klallam Drummer's Circle drumming and dancing, and their generous invitation to the public to join them.
The ambience, tribal presence and community spirit at this wonderful event was very special, and we hope to be privileged to participate again next year.
Tuttie Peetz
Olympic Driftwood
Sculptors
Sequim
Vote Sorensen
and Macaulay
Just one of Sequim's treasures is the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center, SARC. It serves our community across all age boundaries and offers an opportunity for many fitness, recreation and socialization activities. SARC has a great pool, a variety of exercise space and fitness machines that are available to members.
Children are introduced to the water in the clean, safe, "kiddie" pool. Sequim public school children learn to swim, SHS swim teams practice and others churn up the waters in the lap lanes in search of muscle tone and fitness. Others exercise at this facility to fight back from devastating diseases or illnesses.
Like all institutions, SARC is only as good as the people responsible for its management. The facility is clean, well-run and is self-sufficient, depending on memberships to fund its operation. Two people who have kept the standards high at SARC and who have supported its ongoing fiscal responsibilities are Susan Sorensen and Bob Macaulay.
As a retired military nurse and diabetes educator, Susan brings her medical expertise to the board and Bob brings long years of experience in public school administration. Both bring good sense, enthusiasm and high expectations for the facility and have worked hard to see that SARC continues to meet the needs of the community it serves. Keep SARC serving its patrons under the management of Susan Sorensen and Bob Macaulay. We urge you to vote Sorensen and Macaulay for SARC board.
Ted and Judy Shanks
Sequim
Don't
be scared
The Sequim Gazette article (Oct. 7) on SunLand golf Course seeking financial support from SunLand property owners has some serious problems. His story is solely based upon inputs from the SunLand Golf and Country Club and as such, it lacks creditability.
As a SunLand property owner, I have experienced damage to my property caused by the golfers who lack the honesty and integrity to advise me that they had broken my sprinkler system, not once, but three times. I have not repaired the third. I can show how difficult it was for the individual to do the damage and claim he didn't know. This was also the case in the other two.
When buried horizontal pipe runs are broken, it takes recognizable force by the individual. Thus, if these golfers who damaged my property are representative of the club's story and leadership, be suspicious and recognize the bias built into their statements.
The article also refers to input by realtors saying SunLand property values could fall by up to 33 percent in the future. Scare tactics for the elderly property owners.
The article did not say these quoted realtors have direct ties to the golf club. An independent realtor came up with very different values and the actual data may be viewed by visiting Web site http://www.drchuckgd.com. You will see added data about the club's actions/data and possible alternative solutions.
Sam L. Sutherland
Sequim
![[Post to Twitter]](/module-resources/article/tt-twitter-big3.png)
© 2009 Sequim Gazette. All rights reserved. 147 West Washington, Sequim, WA 98382 • 360.683.3311 • Email the Webmaster