The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

After reading the letter written by former Coulee Dam Mayor Wilder, I felt compelled to address what appears to be nothing more than a self-congratulatory essay and an attempt to criticize those who didn’t vote the same way he did. 

First, I want to make it very clear that I am in no way defending Larry Price. The accusations against him should be taken very seriously and subsequently investigated and dealt with by the proper authorities. I also want to make it clear that I am not criticizing Gayle Swagerty as a mayoral candidate or anything to do with former Mayor Wilder’s time in office. I supported him on many things and disagreed with others. I do think he shook up the council a little, and that is a good thing. I can honestly say that I would have given him some serious consideration for reelection had he run. 

I was just a little surprised that he would take cheap shots at so many citizens in our town. He seems to put himself above everyone in saying that he “took the time to vet the process for both candidates” and that “you should have done the same.” How condescending can he be? It sounds like he is still sour that his preferred candidate lost and wants us to think that he saw this coming and we should have also. Some anger towards other council members also seems to come out and slightly overshadows any valid points that he is trying to present. All this rhetoric does is distract from the good points in his letter. I did not know either mayoral candidate and voted for the person that I thought was the best person for the job based on what they had said their vision for the town was. I am not saying who I voted for, but if I did vote for Larry Price, I certainly would not appreciate being scolded for not properly vetting him and I that I should have seen this coming. This is what I got out of Mr. Wilder’s letter.  

Now is not the time to stand above others and say, “I told you so.” Now is the time to ensure that the behavior that Larry Price [allegedly] engaged in will not be tolerated and that justice is served. I hope that the [alleged] victims in this can heal and the council can pick up the pieces and move forward. Now, what will it take to get a McDonald’s or Jack in the Box in this town?

Chip Cathcart

Coulee Dam