West-Fest success

To the editor -- I was saddened by the lack of newspaper and television coverage for the West-Fest celebration held June 7, coordinated by West Valley Lions and West Valley High School's Advanced Marketing and DECCA Club students. A great accomplishment by outstanding local high school students should be acknowledged.

Participation and attendance had dwindled in past years, so West Valley marketing students decided to try to revive West Valley Days as their annual project.

It was a tremendous success. High school clubs and classes set up booths. Two bands and local dancers provided entertainment. Local sponsors were so very supportive. The Yakima and West Valley fire departments, Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Yakima Police Department gave their combined support. (The fire departments provided a nice cool-down for the little ones.)

This was the shot in the arm needed to keep our local community spirit alive. West Valley has a lot of heart and it took some very talented students and their instructor to bring West Valley residents back to enjoy it. Hopefully, they will hand this project down next and every year to keep the momentum and enthusiasm.

I thank them for a great time and hope to see them next year.

SALLY BILLUPS

Yakima

Spare the dogs

To the editor -- What is it with the bike riders who hook their dog's leash onto the bike and then pedal along paved streets?

They're often seen in the hottest part of the day.

Have you ever looked at the dogs?

PEG STAPLETON

Yakima

Rock-a-Thon thanks

To the editor -- I wanted to take the time to say thank you to so many people in Yakima for attending, rocking and helping in our Rock-a-Thon, July 10-12 at Denny's in Union Gap for the Dustin Sides Foundation, which raises money for the children who lost a parent in the war. Thank you to all who attended and all those who came by to say hi and gave money.

We were so blessed to be able to do this for our military families and we had a great time doing it. We thank God for the sacrifices that they have made.

We loved meeting all of you and your families. Our hope and prayer is this: When the kids turn 18 and receive this money, they will remember the community that cares for them deeply.

Thank you again.

SANDIE GRAVES

Yakima New Hope Community Church

Great time in Naches

To the editor -- On July 5, the Naches Business Association held an event in downtown Naches that included the businesses on Highway 12. We wish to thank all the people who attended our event, the folks who showed up with their cars and bikes, those who donated and bought raffle tickets, and especially those who came out and donated their time as volunteers to help put this event on; that was greatly appreciated.

We hope those who did the poker walk enjoyed the trolley ride, provided by John Thompson, a longtime resident and champion of "our town." Also thanks to the businesses who donated prizes for the drawing, the Naches Fire Department for displaying its antique fire truck and providing the fire house for the Naches Lions to hold their bingo. Thanks to the Armed Forces that were represented here; the Marine Corps color guards were sharp. Also thank the Masons for dressing up their lot and donating it for some of our events.

Contrary to an announcement made, this event was conducted solely by the Naches Business Association. If we missed mentioning anyone, I'm sorry for the oversight. Again thanks for your participation.

LARRY STEVENSON

Naches

He said what?

To the editor -- Every day that passes, I'm astonished by the free ride John McCain enjoys from the U.S. media. While every nuance of every word Barack Obama utters gets sliced, diced, parsed and scrutinized, John McCain frequently blurts out ludicrous, unsupported statements with nary a whimper from the liberal media.

The latest bizarre claim from McCain is that he "orchestrated" a rescue of hostages in Columbia. Sen. McCain had the good fortune of coincidentally being in Columbia on the day that hostages held by FARC rebels were freed. Nothing in news reports since then suggests any involvement in the rescue by Mr. McCain, beyond being told about it the night before.

Yet, in a July 9 interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, McCain stated "Well, I'm happy to tell you that I orchestrated the rescue of those hostages." (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_576734.html)

Orchestrated is defined as "to arrange or manipulate especially by means of clever or thorough planning or maneuvering." (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/orchestrated)

While this unusual statement bears further investigation, it passed unnoticed due to a curious lack of media interest in the mind, motivations and character of Sen. McCain. Hopefully, before the election, McCain's worrisome blathering will reach a critical mass even Fox News can't ignore.

DANIEL SMITH

Yakima

We'll miss legislator

To the editor -- Soon, voters will be voting for a replacement for Mary Skinner, the current representative for the 14th Legislative District. Replacing Mary will be a difficult task at best.

Those who have had the privilege of knowing Mary personally during her tenure in office know her to have been an effective representative for our district. We also know that Mary has not been just a representative for the 14th District, she has been a representative concerned with the needs and wishes of all of the people of the state of Washington.

In short, Mary Skinner has not been a mere politician representing the interests of the people of this state, she has been a true legislator, not a common politician seeking personal rewards or accolades.

Mary, we are going to miss you.

KEITH ALLISON

Yakima

Parties should pay

To the editor -- Re: The July 11 editorial, "Party poopers." Great editorial, I could not agree with you more. Perhaps it is time to make the emphasis of this debate a point you made toward the end of the article. I quote:

The Democrats and the Republicans have pushed for too long to have it both ways: They claim that primary elections are essentially a closed political process for selecting their own candidates, but they also expect the state's taxpayers to fund the primary ... It has to be one or the other. It's a private selection process and the parties pay for it themselves, or it's a public election with taxpayers footing the bill -- and with the state (and now the Supreme Court) making the rules.

Personally I say, let parties pay for the selection themselves and free up the money for roads, schools or tax cuts!

FRED SCARLETT

Yakima

Addition to team

To the editor -- I have known Kevin Bouchey and his family for more than 15 years. He is a well-respected farmer in our community and within the state of Washington. Kevin is a grounded and organized person with focus on family, business, community and now community representation. Kevin is a tenacious problem solver and a good listener. He hears and sees the issues and works well with a diversity of people and personalities.

I am grateful Kevin is giving us the opportunity to elect him to a position where he can work within our community to help solve a myriad of issues we face on a day to day basis. He will be a great addition to our government team.

JEFF ENRIGHT

Yakima

Log your comments

To the editor -- On July 31 there'll only be 94 days left until the most important election in our life. Thanks to the Yakima Herald-Republic, we have another tool to refute the propaganda and in some cases lies of politicians and their advocates. In addition to being able to print or e-mail an article, we can now add comments. All you have to do is click on the article, click on comments and follow the menus. When registering, choose a good nickname for yourself so you can stay anonymous.

Unfortunately, the syndicated columns are not printed on the Web site and would be unavailable for comments. There were two recently, one by Cal Thomas, a respected journalist now apparently an advocate, and one by Michael Reagan (July 2). I doubt his commentary would have been printed as a letter without corroboration for many of his statements.

As readers we should have equal rights to make comments about all parts of the opinion pages. We have too many problems now and in the future to elect somebody because they're a Democrat or a Republican; we need the best person for the job as president of the United States.

JOHN R. ANDERSON

Yakima

Industrial successor

To the editor -- With a nudge from the Yakima Herald-Republic's July 14 editorial concerning modern dairy operations, I think I have solved how to utilize the old Boise Cascade site.

I think a modern dairy operation is less traditional agriculture than it is industrial milk production manufacturing.

I assume this site is zoned for industrial use and a dairy would showcase Yakima's commitment to industrial production.

TONY MAREY

Wapato