Letters to the Editor

Keep government offices open

I was shocked to read in the Journal that a resolution by the Ritzville City Council to close city hall through December 31, 2020, passed. I, for one as a taxpayer, think city hall, as well as the Adams County Courthouse, should be open to all our citizens as an obligation to their office. If the mail carriers, policemen, firemen, grocery, and retail businesses are out there taking risks for our benefit, why shouldn’t city, county and state employees do the same? And to think they’re getting paid to work behind closed doors. Thank you to DeDe Boyer and Mark Weigland, who voted against the resolution. Take reasonable precautions and get on with life.

Marsha Smith

– Ritzville

Vote for cemetery levy

The Washtucna Cemetery Board is planning some improvements (gravel) for the road and parking lot. A lot of volunteers, community members, and family members helped get the cemetery in shape this year for Memorial Day. It was nice meeting and catching up with people that weekend as I worked under the big corner pine. Little did I know that pine tree would soon come down in our big storm. We got the broken pine removed immediately, although we are still working on removing the pile of branches. We have some beautiful Royal Raindrops Crabapples and a Soft Serve False Cypress selected to plant in its place, probably in September when it is better suited for tree planting. In the meantime we are busy maintaining the cemetery and we appreciate your vote for our annual levy request coming up. We are asking our usual amount to upkeep the cemetery.

Lora Hille

– Washtucna

Marshall for Commissioner

The East Basin Irrigators Association endorses John Marshall for Adams County Commissioner, District No. 1, Congressman Dan Newhouse, Senators Mark Schoesler and Judy Warnick, and Representatives Mary Dye and Joe Schmick.

Commissioner Marshall was instrumental in bringing $40 million in grants for Adams County irrigation and municipal water projects. These Representatives continue to fight for the completion of the Columbia Basin Project, an issue that affects not just the multiple generations of irrigation farms in our county, but the rural communities who depend on the water for their daily lives. We sincerely appreciate their efforts both here and in D.C.

Michele Kiesz, Chairman

– Ritzville