Letters to the editor
Published on Wed, Jan 13, 2010Read More Letters
Thank you
I am writing to say, "Thank you" Bill and Nina Fatherson for all the hard work. Not everyone has forgotten all you have done for years as you have given to the people of Sequim who have needed it the most.
New people come in and changes are made, people come and go, but your hard work and service will never go away. I think a thank you and a building named after you may not be enough but may be all you get.
I hope my thank you will let you know it did mean a lot. Your kindness and hard work will not go unappreciated.
Glenda Carroll
Sequim
A big disservice
I have been a subscriber and previously an advertiser in your paper for the past 30 years. I was absolutely appalled to see the political?? cartoon published in your paper (Dec. 30).
In the past month, six police officers in the state of Washington, while on duty, have been killed by criminals. I feel this cartoon, which stated "goodbye and good riddance" and had the word "police" in the center of a bull's eye is as disgusting and despicable as anything I've ever seen. Not only did it do a big disservice to those officers and their families but to all police officers and law enforcement personnel. I feel that a front-page apology, a personal apology to each of the families of the slain officers and a generous contribution to the funds established for the families is in order.
Please cancel my subscription immediately. I do not wish to support a newspaper that has such a demented point of view.
Isabelle J. Dunlop
Sequim
Editor's note: We at the Sequim Gazette had no expectation that Frank Shiers' cartoon would be misunderstood so badly. Mr. Shiers drew several cartoons last year deploring violence against law enforcement officers.
We certainly do not advocate violence, especially against public servants who protect us.
Here is Mr. Shiers' response to Ms. Dunlop's letter:
"One of the interesting things about drawing political cartoons is that they're open for interpretation. In this case, I thought my intent was clear. The cartoon was saying that, in 2009, police were targeted for violence and, for that reason, I am glad that the year is over.
However, given the generally crude nature of my art, I'm not surprised that my meaning was misconstrued. Let me add that I'm grateful that any reader took the time to figure out what the cartoon was trying to say. Thanks for reading."
No lights, reflectors, warning
The other morning, out of the side street a ninja bicyclist shot across Washington in the dark. No lights, dark clothing of course - determined to sneak up on someone or destroy the grill of a large delivery truck with his body.
Thomas J. Pitre
Sequim
To Betty Marshall, president VFW District 14 Ladies Auxiliary
On behalf of the Sequim Police Department and the local law enforcement community, I want to congratulate you and the members of VFW Ladies Auxiliary District 14 for your successful fundraising events for the families of the murdered Lakewood Police officers.
I know that the families of Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards will be appreciative of your gift and kind thoughts, as well as your hard work and selfless efforts on their behalf.
When I attended the Officer's Memorial Service in Tacoma, I was struck by the outpouring of community support. While I expected a large law enforcement showing, the community's kindness and compassion helped sustain the spirits of thousands of law enforcement officers and officials - just as your efforts have.
Whether the policing venue is large or small, metropolitan or rural, we find the risks to be substantial. Our loss of Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks, just 18 months ago on the outskirts of Sequim, highlights that violence has no boundary.
Please extend to your membership the heartfelt thanks of the Sequim Police Department. Your efforts and kind gift to our fellow law enforcement family members has certainly made Sequim shine.
As the son of a Pearl Harbor survivor (USS Ralph Talbot), I am especially appreciative of the service provided by the VFW and individually by each and every one of your members. Thank you for your dedicated service - past, present and yet to come.
Hopefully the new year will bring a safer and saner year for us all.
Robert L. Spinks,
Chief of Police
Sequim
Brightening
the season
Once again we wish to thank the following merchants for their generosity and Christmas spirit in donating about 150 poinsettias/Christmas plants to Port Angeles and Sequim nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and a few individual shut-ins. Apologies to Olympic Medical Center and Serenity for being short on plants this economy-impacted year.
Both Port Angeles Rite-Aid stores, the P.A. Swain's store, P.A.'s Walmart store, Saar's Market Place Foods and Home Depot all participated this Christmas.
This act of kindness truly brightens the season for those who might be alone, homeless or hurting.
See you again next December, God willing.
Bill and Lois Zynda,
Randy Hogoboom and
Ron Hathaway
Sequim/Port Angeles
Sustain and maintain
In the next 30 days, voters in the Sequim School District will have the opportunity to vote for a three-year levy to support their community by supporting their schools.
I strongly encourage people to vote yes for Sequim schools.
I realize that we are facing challenging economic times and many folks are looking at diminished incomes and tight budgets; it is in these challenging times that we need to step up and help take care of each other, voting to support our schools is a fundamental way to help each other.
I don't think any of us question the importance of kids in our community and how much giving them a good education affects our future.
The Sequim School District has historically been an exceptional value, providing a high quality education for one of the lowest levy rates per student in the state. The levy we are voting on, even though it is an increase, basically sustains existing programs and maintains that low levy to student ratio.
Vote yes for our community. Vote yes for the kids. Vote yes for Sequim schools.
Steve Tharinger
Sequim
(Steve Tharinger is the Clallam County commissioner for District 1, which includes Sequim and the Dungeness Valley.)
I am writing to say, "Thank you" Bill and Nina Fatherson for all the hard work. Not everyone has forgotten all you have done for years as you have given to the people of Sequim who have needed it the most.
New people come in and changes are made, people come and go, but your hard work and service will never go away. I think a thank you and a building named after you may not be enough but may be all you get.
I hope my thank you will let you know it did mean a lot. Your kindness and hard work will not go unappreciated.
Glenda Carroll
Sequim
A big disservice
I have been a subscriber and previously an advertiser in your paper for the past 30 years. I was absolutely appalled to see the political?? cartoon published in your paper (Dec. 30).
In the past month, six police officers in the state of Washington, while on duty, have been killed by criminals. I feel this cartoon, which stated "goodbye and good riddance" and had the word "police" in the center of a bull's eye is as disgusting and despicable as anything I've ever seen. Not only did it do a big disservice to those officers and their families but to all police officers and law enforcement personnel. I feel that a front-page apology, a personal apology to each of the families of the slain officers and a generous contribution to the funds established for the families is in order.
Please cancel my subscription immediately. I do not wish to support a newspaper that has such a demented point of view.
Isabelle J. Dunlop
Sequim
Editor's note: We at the Sequim Gazette had no expectation that Frank Shiers' cartoon would be misunderstood so badly. Mr. Shiers drew several cartoons last year deploring violence against law enforcement officers.
We certainly do not advocate violence, especially against public servants who protect us.
Here is Mr. Shiers' response to Ms. Dunlop's letter:
"One of the interesting things about drawing political cartoons is that they're open for interpretation. In this case, I thought my intent was clear. The cartoon was saying that, in 2009, police were targeted for violence and, for that reason, I am glad that the year is over.
However, given the generally crude nature of my art, I'm not surprised that my meaning was misconstrued. Let me add that I'm grateful that any reader took the time to figure out what the cartoon was trying to say. Thanks for reading."
No lights, reflectors, warning
The other morning, out of the side street a ninja bicyclist shot across Washington in the dark. No lights, dark clothing of course - determined to sneak up on someone or destroy the grill of a large delivery truck with his body.
Thomas J. Pitre
Sequim
To Betty Marshall, president VFW District 14 Ladies Auxiliary
On behalf of the Sequim Police Department and the local law enforcement community, I want to congratulate you and the members of VFW Ladies Auxiliary District 14 for your successful fundraising events for the families of the murdered Lakewood Police officers.
I know that the families of Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards will be appreciative of your gift and kind thoughts, as well as your hard work and selfless efforts on their behalf.
When I attended the Officer's Memorial Service in Tacoma, I was struck by the outpouring of community support. While I expected a large law enforcement showing, the community's kindness and compassion helped sustain the spirits of thousands of law enforcement officers and officials - just as your efforts have.
Whether the policing venue is large or small, metropolitan or rural, we find the risks to be substantial. Our loss of Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks, just 18 months ago on the outskirts of Sequim, highlights that violence has no boundary.
Please extend to your membership the heartfelt thanks of the Sequim Police Department. Your efforts and kind gift to our fellow law enforcement family members has certainly made Sequim shine.
As the son of a Pearl Harbor survivor (USS Ralph Talbot), I am especially appreciative of the service provided by the VFW and individually by each and every one of your members. Thank you for your dedicated service - past, present and yet to come.
Hopefully the new year will bring a safer and saner year for us all.
Robert L. Spinks,
Chief of Police
Sequim
Brightening
the season
Once again we wish to thank the following merchants for their generosity and Christmas spirit in donating about 150 poinsettias/Christmas plants to Port Angeles and Sequim nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and a few individual shut-ins. Apologies to Olympic Medical Center and Serenity for being short on plants this economy-impacted year.
Both Port Angeles Rite-Aid stores, the P.A. Swain's store, P.A.'s Walmart store, Saar's Market Place Foods and Home Depot all participated this Christmas.
This act of kindness truly brightens the season for those who might be alone, homeless or hurting.
See you again next December, God willing.
Bill and Lois Zynda,
Randy Hogoboom and
Ron Hathaway
Sequim/Port Angeles
Sustain and maintain
In the next 30 days, voters in the Sequim School District will have the opportunity to vote for a three-year levy to support their community by supporting their schools.
I strongly encourage people to vote yes for Sequim schools.
I realize that we are facing challenging economic times and many folks are looking at diminished incomes and tight budgets; it is in these challenging times that we need to step up and help take care of each other, voting to support our schools is a fundamental way to help each other.
I don't think any of us question the importance of kids in our community and how much giving them a good education affects our future.
The Sequim School District has historically been an exceptional value, providing a high quality education for one of the lowest levy rates per student in the state. The levy we are voting on, even though it is an increase, basically sustains existing programs and maintains that low levy to student ratio.
Vote yes for our community. Vote yes for the kids. Vote yes for Sequim schools.
Steve Tharinger
Sequim
(Steve Tharinger is the Clallam County commissioner for District 1, which includes Sequim and the Dungeness Valley.)
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Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words may be shortened. We strive to publish all letters.
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• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words may be shortened. We strive to publish all letters.
• Letters are subject to editing for spelling and grammar; we contact the writer when substantial changes are required, sending the letter back to the writer for revisions. Personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are not printed.
• All letters must have a valid signature, with a printed name, address and phone number for verification. Only the name and town/community are printed.
• Deadline for letters to appear in the next publication is noon Friday. Because of the volume of letters, not all letters are published the week they are submitted. Time-sensitive letters have a priority.
• Letters are published subject to legal limitations relating to defamation and factual representation.
• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
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