News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 1725 - 1749 of 3628
There are some students who fly by under the radar, and they are moving to the college of their choice when you realize you missed out on knowing a senior who is pretty special. That is not the case with Rainy Dawn. I met her a few years ago and have been addicted to her personality ever since. So when I sat down with her this past week to talk about all things “her,” I was really looking forward to what she had to say. She did not disappoint. Rainy is one of those rare students. Good grades, go...
Ballots are starting to arrive and it’s getting to be decision time. As someone who works with a lot of businesses, especially small businesses, I am concerned about the impact of the costs associated with Initiative 1631, the energy tax measure. That’s why the [Moses Lake] chamber is opposed, and why I am voting NO on I-1631. Living in the Columbia Basin, we do have some mass-transit options. But most of us — especially businesses — rely on our vehicles to get around town or leave the county. We also rely on vehicles to transport product...
As we watch the larger political world seem to strain to pull itself apart, it’s heartening to see signs of local unity shining a beam of light through the clouds. Last week, Coulee Dam’s city council agreed to consider paying for the extra horsepower needed to get Elmer City’s effluent to the new treatment plant Coulee Dam is building. The two towns have been at the verge of mutually suing each other over whose responsibility that should be. Then last night, the Grand Coulee City Council voted to put the question of consolidating local munic...
We would like to thank the personnel from all of the area fire departments that responded to the fire in Elmer City on October 15, 2018. The high winds and encroaching darkness made containing the fire difficult and dangerous; however, these brave men and women worked quickly and efficiently to both contain the fire and prevent additional homes from being destroyed. Our home was surrounded on three sides with fire when it crossed Highway 155, and their efforts prevented any damage to our home. One firefighter had to climb a large tree in our...
I have known Terry for 15-plus years, quite some time before he became a PUD commissioner. Terry has integrity, incredible character and is highly qualified for the PUD commissioner position. There is no question in my mind that he is the best person to work through, and address the complexity of, challenges we face. His dedication to this resource we have has been tireless; in fact, he has not missed one PUD meeting in the last five years. There is unfortunate buzz that if you vote for one candidate, you are voting for agriculture; and if you...
Did you know that irrigated agriculture accounts for 24 percent of the employment in Grant County? Grant County agriculture directly employs over 7,000 Grant County residents, and indirectly creates employment for another 10,000. Agricultural processing and manufacturing creates another 17 percent (9,000) jobs for Grant County. All total, this means 41 percent, or 26,000 jobs are created by irrigated agriculture. Irrigated agriculture represents approximately 25 percent of the energy used from Grant County PUD. Terry Brewer and Patti Paris are...
I support Terry Brewer for Grant County PUD Commissioner. I have known Terry for over 20 years. It has been my pleasure to work with him as Director of the Grant County EDC and in his role as a PUD Commissioner. Don’t mistake Terry’s quiet demeanor and even disposition when evaluating his commitment to the people of Grant County and his advocacy for public power. Terry brings to this position extensive experience with private and public power. He is respected in the Public Power Field because of his knowledge and experience navigating the com...
It was the Three Devils Road closure that brought to light the glaring conflicts of interest within our county government. Through public records, we learned that previous road closures/vacations were being approved in spite of public testimony to their usefulness. When decisions like this affect your way of life, it is time to pay attention. Two-term Commissioner Jim DeTro voted to go with the Hearings Examiners’ decision not to vacate Three Devils, but that was after the deal was sealed – two votes to vacate already. He, then, admonished us...
Gail Morin, of Elmer City, is on her 62nd book. Are they western adventure, romance, war stories, children books? No, nothing like that. Gail writes geneology-type books, getting all her information from public records. Her books, many of them available on Amazon, have titles such as: “Manitoba Scrip” “Stignace Parish of Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan 1882 - 1910 Baptisms, Marriages and Burials” “Chippewa Half-Breeds of Lake Superior - Concerning the applicants for Half-Breed Scrip” and “St. Joachim, Fort Auguste (Fort Edmonton) 1858-1890”. T...
Dr. Ann Diamond is running as an independent for the diverse and large Washington Legislative District 12, Position 1. As an independent, she will not be affiliated with a party platform and is more able to represent the varied interests of our district. She can more readily promote legislation that best represents the people of the district, both Republican, Democrat and the rest. Her medical expertise in problem-solving workable solutions will benefit us as individuals, communities, and our economy. Ann has met individuals, community groups,...
Jim DeTro has been an Okanogan County commissioner for eight years and is running for another four years. This is why you should not vote for him. In 2016, after two of his compatriot county commissioners were defeated, he said that he would not run again. But, then he changed his mind because no other Republican registered. Although DeTro is the commissioner chairman, he is seldom involved except in his perfunctory role of calling for a vote or declaring a motion approved. His personal interest comments about wolves are inflammatory and...
In response to the “Jess, Shut Up!” column in the October 3 Star newspaper, I am in agreement with Jesse in his wish to gain funding to reopen the theater and a pool. I disagree with him, however, when he states that the only two events in the area for kids are Koulee Kids Fest and Colorama. In 2018, the Chamber of Commerce hosted 15 events featuring kids’ activities. Our Triple Fish Challenge in April has a youth class and has seen double-digit growth year over year for the last four years. Colorama now has not only a popular carnival, but a...
Voters, please speak to your neighbors, friends and family about the upcoming election. After making hundreds of calls on behalf of candidates, I have found that there are many voters who do not subscribe to a newspaper and do not have internet access. They know nothing about who is up for election except from billboards on our roadsides, as one voter told me. So, you see, that leaves only us to discuss candidates with such voters. Who will I vote for? We have to bring on Salley Bull for Okanogan County Commissioner with deep roots (six...
I am endorsing Cari Hall for Okanogan County Auditor. I have known Cari for many years, I had the pleasure of working with her in her previous position as chief financial officer for a large non-profit entity the county has connections with. And, more important to me, I have had the pleasure of working with Cari on a daily basis for three years now, after being given the opportunity to hire her as our finance manager for the county. Cari is uniquely qualified for the important position of Auditor. She has the accounting background and...
'Is it time for change in the Grant County Treasurer’s office? The answer is simple: NO. Darryl Pheasant has the training, experience, integrity and respect to be retained as Grant County Treasurer. His opponent does not list any credentials qualifying him for money management, which is the primary duty of the Treasurer. On the other hand, I know that Darryl Pheasant has a BA in Finance, a minor in Economics and 32 years of experience as Treasurer. His opponent demonstrates his lack of understanding of the Treasurer’s duties by erroneously sta...
Has everyone had enough of partisan politics? Of shaming, and name calling, of representatives voting party line instead of for their constituents? This election, you have a chance to effect change by electing change in your own backyard. We have two qualified, independent candidates running for office here in Eastern Washington. Salley Bull (vote4sal.com) is running for Okanogan County Commissioner. Her platform focuses on four key issues — improving the employment picture, careful planning for our water resources, supporting our full-time res...
I’d like to take this opportunity to ask the citizens of Grant County to re-elect Terry Brewer to the board of commissioners of Grant County PUD. My name is Jack Janda and I serve as a commissioner of Mason County PUD #1. As a fellow PUD commissioner, I have had the opportunity to work directly with Terry and observe his enthusiasm in protecting the rights of the customers he serves. Terry is informed and engaged with public power organizations that protect and support utilities, such as Grant County PUD, and he works with other member u...
To my friends in Grant County, I would like to offer my endorsement of Terry Brewer for re-election to the Board of Commissioners for Grant County PUD. I have known and worked with Terry for 12 years, as we were both elected as PUD commissioners at the same time. (I am a PUD Commissioner for Douglas County.) During this time, I have seen Terry interact with PUD Commissioners, State Representatives and Senators in Olympia, and Congressmen in Washington, D.C. I have personally worked with Terry, and find him well informed, articulate, and respect...
My name is Rodolfo Rodriguez, and I’ve been living in Royal City for the last 15 years. I met Cindy Carter five years ago. She helped me when my family lived in a very small trailer, and I was told I had to pay $5,000 for a road off the highway so I could put a bigger trailer on my property. My wife was going to have a baby and she had medical problems. Cindy helped us so we could move into our property before our baby came. I can say that she works really hard at home and the office. She really cares that the small businesses keep working a...
If we take a peek into our past and look at options available in it for kids in the Coulee area, we see many things to keep them busy. At one time there were two theaters showing current flicks of the time. There were dances every weekend in different locations. School functions, church functions, community events and traveling enterprises kept our kids constantly entertained, and the great outdoors held many other adventures. Fast forward to when I was a youngster. The Village Cinema in Coulee...
In the 1960s, there was a popular movie called “The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming.” The plot was that a Soviet naval commander runs his sub aground off a Massachusetts coastal island and sends two English-speaking crewmen ashore to procure a boat with enough power to pull them free. The Russian sailors didn’t exactly blend in and chaos ensued. That was fiction, but today American farmers face the hard facts that the Russians are invading our wheat markets worldwide. Many of us re...
I would like to make it clear: I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me who wrote that op-ed piece in the New York Times telling of the disarray at the White House. This is for the record. I do not know anyone that works for the Times, I have never been in their building, and I have not met with anyone from the Times at an alternate location. Now, I must admit that I do receive the Times’ Sunday edition, courtesy of my daughter, Kathy Beck. I receive it on Monday, but I do not have contact with a member of their staff. It comes in the mail. For insta...
Recent large funerals for icons of music and democracy were cause to reflect on what it means to be American. We weighed heavy words: honor, respect, teamwork, service, greatness; this reminds us that our country is based on liberty and equality for all with a free press. Let these words not only be whispers, but a roar! Our country needs “lions” in Congress, those strong enough to reach across the aisle for the good of the people. In November, I will be voting for Christine Brown, a candidate with the strength to cross the aisle. Go to Chr...
My occupation as a tree fruit consultant for the past 23 years has afforded me the opportunity to work with Cindy Carter, not only as a consultant, but as a concerned citizen. Grant County currently possesses roughly 55,000 acres of tree fruit. The present acreage in the county boasts almost 40 million trees, making Grant County the highest apple-producing county in Washington as well as the U.S. Apples generate $4.7 billion (yes with a B) and potatoes create $686 million in annual sales to the state every year. Grant County captures the...
Terry Brewer and Patti Paris think residential and irrigators’ power rates are subsidized. By whom … the data centers? The residents and farmers of this county built Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams 60 years ago at the cost of $100 million each and put in all the infrastructure to run power to everybody in the county. Who is subsidizing whom? The data centers came in and gobbled up a lot of our cheap power. They have only been here maybe 10 years and they think they’re subsidizing us ... come on. The data centers have negotiated with the current...