Letters
Published on Mon, Sep 21, 2009Read More Letters to the Editor
LSHS parents can get more informed through monthly
meetings
Dear Editor,
I love living in the Lake Stevens community, but have an issue
with some of our high school parents. I have heard many complain about
programs, policies, and issues at the high school but when I ask them if they
have attended any of the Parent Meetings with Principal Ken Collins last year,
they say “Huh”.
Ken met with parents the second Monday of each month last year but
only averaged about three to four parents at each meeting. I see on the
calendar that he has changed the meetings to the second Tuesday of each month
at 7 p.m. in the library.
Ken is putting himself out there for one-on-one discussion about
our great high school and if you have issues, please attend these meetings and
I am sure Ken will answer your questions. The only way to solve a problem is to
be engaged in the solution process.
Todd Welch, Everett
Dear Editor,
This is a rebuttal to the letter by Steven Allen, August 26, 9009
on Healthcare reform.
It is unconstitutional for Obama and Congress to force health care
on us.
These elitists refuse this coverage. Medicare is broke, denies full coverage, is behind on
payments.
It also includes what I consider to be bold faced lies from
conservatives. “You will not
have to change your doctor – this bill is to cover those who do not have
insurance (it will exclude millions) – there is not a death clause in this bill”.
The death clause is on page 21. Obama stated elder care should be severely restricted.
We have the world’s best health care. Do you know anyone rushing to Europe for operations?
At the Mayo Clinic, wings are full of people from all over. They did not usurp time “allotted” to
American citizens. People are not
dying here from lack of care. No
one is turned away because of non-ability to pay.
If this reform goes through there will be no America to run to for
care. Your stats are from the
UN.
Want real stats? In
Australia there is a five year wait for joint replacement; in England breast
cancer is a death sentence.
You complain about our system but at least state it in facts. We need tort reform, medical boards
overseeing insurance claims.
Is your health care broken?
Where do you get our whole system is broken?
Because drive-by media says so?
You have the responsibility to check facts for yourself. Get a copy of this health bill. Stop depending on government jackals
for interpretations.
I do not want Obama’s change to turn my country into a socialist
sewer.
If you want an agent to watch everything you do, move to
Cuba. They have health coverage
for you and your family you so badly want. The government will take care of you particularly if you
criticize any part of it. Want
that here?
Marliss Olson, Granite Falls
Referendum
71 will end up costing taxpayers more money
Dear Editor,
With national concern that social security
funds may soon run dry, the Washington State legislature recently approved
what, in my opinion, is an unethical drain on these funds.
According to Laura Turnbull’s article in the
Seattle Times (“Ref 71:
Heterosexual Partners Lost in the Debate”) September 6, 2009, the
legislature’s 2007 Domestic Partnership Law, includes heterosexual couples,
aged 62 and over, a large number of whom are eligible for social security
benefits, including those who receive monthly checks based on a former spouse’s
income.
Registered Domestic Partners get to have it
all. They receive legal benefits
traditionally acquired through marriage, and enjoy improved financial
situations that generally come from pooling two incomes. And by reporting themselves to the
government as “unmarried,” they can also keep that check from the ex-spouse
coming.
Assistance based on a former spouse’s income
was intended for divorced persons who were starting over, trying to make it on
her/his own and therefore needing temporary additional financial help.
The unmarried stipulation in the law, implies that entering into new
committed relationship would then create additional income, and negate the need
for assistance.This income comes from you and me, from taxes we pay into a
system that is close to broke.
Couples living together, benefiting from
pooling their finances, who choose not to remarry to keep that check coming in,
are adding to their income with your taxes and mine.We have the right to ask
the Social Security Administration to be more prudent in its distribution of
taxpayers’ dollars. And, it may be time to update social security law.
Nancy Merz, Lake Stevens
Alumni
breakfast brings scholarships to students
Dear Editor,
In response to Cheryl Peters letter dated August 19, 2009.
Thank you for your concerns.
First of all, I am a newer member of the Granite Falls Alumni
Association. Having never attended
a Railroad Days Alumni Association Breakfast at the Eagles, I can only repeat
unhappy concerns stated by others.
Mostly they were food, noisy atmosphere, service and most of all,
all monies received were property of the Eagles.
Having the breakfast at Our Father’s House and doing our own
cooking and serving, we are able to give to one Granite Falls High School
senior a scholarship worth $1000.
That seems to me to be a very prudent move. Having never met Mayor Romack or his son I can make no opinion.
We are a very proud organization and our sole purpose is to
provide scholarships for needy students, three of which were blessed this past
year. After all, it is all about
the kids.
Let’s all support the Granite Falls Alumni Association and give credit
where credit is due.
Bob Bowyer, Everett
Local,
small businesses need our support
Dear Editor,
Recently I drove through Frontier Village and
saw a “Going Out of Business” sign at the Quality Image Gallery frame shop. It
was the same old story: Property Managers from out of the area have given them
no choice but to close up, despite being here in Lake Stevens for 20 years. (Do
we really need another sandwich shop?)
Allegedly, these property managers have also refused to rent to a successful local small business because they wanted
only “national names”.
Why is someone in Bellevue dictating to the
residents of Lake Stevens what stores will be in our community? These people
would rather leave a building empty than rent to a local business owner (see: Sub
Shop/Paoli’s Pizza). What is
happening to our local small businesses? They need our support! You can contact
property manager Betsy Shriver (in Bellevue) at bshriver@kimcorealty.com.
The panel at the Chamber’s candidates’ forum
last week each mentioned the importance of Frontier Village, but they will need
to find a way to nurture local small businesses there, not shut them out…even
though the “gatekeeper” is in Bellevue.
As for Tom and Sue at the frame shop: thank
you for your generous support of various community events
and fundraisers over the years. We’ll miss
you!
Stephanie Haynes, Lake Stevens
Dear Editor,
I support Referendum 71 and am looking forward to it being on the
ballot in November.
We will see what all people think is normal and what is not
normal.
Marriage is man to woman, not man and man or woman and woman.
Domestic partnerships are not true marriages and should be treated as such.
But, I agree with Scott Leopold (Sept. 2, 2009 Letter to the
Editor). “All families
deserve true equality under the law. The purpose of our Constitution is to limit the power of
government and protect the rights of the people. All of the people.”
Gary Fisher, Everett
