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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
December 3, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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December 3, 2020
 
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Page A-6 Shelton-Mason County Journal Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 was, aimed 56,5 page 2x25 Kudos to election team Editor, the Journal, ~ The title of the letter by Carl Olso in the Nov 26 edition of the had a timely “thank you,” fitting for a Thanksgiving edition. It reminded me that I want to give a public “thank ’ you” to Mason County Auditor Paddy McGuire and his staff, as well as elec- tion volunteers, for their tireless and exceptional efforts to ensure fair elec- tions for Mason County voters. I have lived in the county for over 40 years, and haven’t missed voting in an elec- tion. I cannot remember another time. when our auditor wrote numerous articles over several weeks before an election that explained many differ- ent facets of the voting system in the county. The voter information insert that went out to county residents explaining how to register, where the ballot boxes were located, how ballots would be checked for legitimacy, and several other facts about this impor- tant election was clear, helpful and timely. I appreciate the hard work of all who are part of the election team in our county and I am also thankful to live in our all mail-in ballot state, especially after seeing the difficulties and health risks many fellow Ameri— cans in other states faced as they car- ried out their civic duty. While I disagree with many of Mr. Olson’s sentiments regarding the in- formation leading up to the election as well as the results, I can agree that respectful discourse about our differ- ing points of view is vital to help us work together as one nation to solve I the many problems we face. I believe we can agree to respectfully disagree on some things while we continue to work to find common ground and a way forward on others. I was sorry to see that he stooped to the name call- ing in his letter that seems to have become the norm for many now when it comes to political discussions; that does nothing to engender respect for differing opinions. And finally, I do want to point out that his last state- ments about the Electoral College helping to ensure representation for smaller counties in selecting our sena- tors and governor is not accurate. The Electoral College is only part of our national presidential elections as defined by the US. Constitution, Ar- ticle II, Section 1. It has nothing to do with determining our state congres- sional representatives, state senators and representatives or our governor. Those positions are popularly elected by a plurality of the votes cast in Washington. t Leslie uttman Allyn . About that Ukraine claim Editor, the Journal, In a letter to the editor titled .“For right thinkers,” published on Nov. 26, it was alleged that Vice President Joe Biden had bragged about pressuring Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor, Vik— tor Shokin, to stop an investigation tied to Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. A minimum of research into the matter revealed that this allegation was totally false. Biden did in fact play a role in having Prosecutor General Shokin fired. It was because Shokin was not investigating corruption among the Ukraine politicians and businesses which was his primary responsibility. . It was widely recognized that Shokin was bowing to political pressure and was believed to be extorting money from those same people and corpora— tions he was supposed to be investi- gating. There was also the matter of the arrest of two of Shokin’s top depu— ty prosecutors and the seizure of hun- dreds of thousands of dollars in cash, bags of diamonds and precious stones along with evidence linking Shokin’s involvement. Shokin.quashed that investigation and fired the lead inves— tigating prosecutor. Shokin’s firing came as a result of international pressure from the United States government, European diplomats, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, which was threatening to withhold $40 bil- lion in aid, and other international organizations as well as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Anti-Corruption Action Cen- ter in Kiev. I It wasn’t until Biden, with the blessing of all of those organizations, threatened to withhold $1 billion in loan guarantees, that the Ukrainian parliament finally acted to remove Shokin in the spring of 2016. The only time that the Ukraine gas company, Burisma Holdings, was linked to a corruption investigation was in 2012, two full years before Hunter Biden ever became associated with it and that investigation was actually into the Ministry of Ecology over its granting of special permits to» Burisma. That investigation resulted in fines being paid. It’s always best to check one’s facts rather than just repeating some poli- tician’s accusations. Don Rutherford Shelton A call to wits Editor, the Journal In September, Toby Kevin wrote a letter to the editor about Shelton citizens carrying weapons at the “Back the Blue Rally.” In November, I answered his letter. I suggested that Mr. Kevin had selective outrage as he criticized members of the rally for carrying weapons but failed to criticize the destruction caused by antifa rioters. Recently Mr. Kevin responded. He quoted Winston Churchill about engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed man. Mr. Kevin wrote a 62-word ad-hominem attack on me, then ran aWay. His last sentence was “I am not prone to argue.” This is true. He prefers to attack the let- 'ter writer rather than debate the issue. This tactic is used by pseudo- intellectuals as they try to silence people who disagree with them. Mr. Kevin, I stand by my argument. You can refute the facts in my letter; you can continue name-calling, or you can run away. What’s your choice? An intellectual response, a temper tantrum, or AWOL? Ardean Anvik Shelton Be kind and carry on Editor, the Journal, Upon reflection after the holiday, I feel grateful for many things, con- cerned about some things, and sad about other things. I’m grateful for the Journal which I think has been nothing short of he- roic in your efforts to continue pub- lishing in a pandemic which affects physical, emotional, and financial futures for business and the public. Well done! PS. I am really enjoying the columns by writer Alex Fethiere among other features. I’m grateful for the front line workers, many my former colleagues, who risk life and limb while “just doing their jobs.” Firemen, doctors, nurses, health aides, hospital work— ers, police, EMTs, grocery workers, postal workers, teachers, bank work- ers and many other not-so-high—pro- file-folks who go to work to keep the wheels turning. Thank you. The League of Women Voters in general, and the Mason County ' League of Women Voters specifically, has worked diligently registering voters, hosting candidate forums, and using many media formats to get out the vote. In this 100th year of women’s suffrage I’m proud to be a member of this important group. Much appreciation for~your hard work, MCLWV, for supporting the basic tenet of our democratic repub- lic: fair and free elections. I’m concerned about the divisions- in politics that has’cau'sed deep rifts in governmental goals, communities, even families —— mine included. Let- ters to the editor every week point to different realities, oppositional on many key issues, and sadly, vitriolic. Politics seem to provide a prismatic View, reflecting not actual events, but events filtered through social media and colored‘by our own prejudices and predilections. My personal hope for a remedy is to step back, think about my own “mote in the eye” and, as has become my mantra, be kind and carry on. . Sadly, many, too many, lives have been lost in this horrific plague. People are losing their livelihoods, and way too many, their homes. Kids are missing school, and the life les- sons of social behavior they learn in the classroom. Doctors and nurses are exhausted after many months going to work afraid, overworked, and under equipped. As a retired RN who worked during HIV, SARS, and Ebola outbreaks, I can attest to the physical and emotional stress of just getting up and going to work every day with threats .to my health and, the health of loved ones I am close to, in the back of my mind. I humbly recommend that each of us do our best to end this crisis with a few simple acts of kindness: wear a mask outside your home, wash your hands often, stay home as much as possible, keep in touch with family, friends and neighbors — especially those who live alone. And, shop local, order takeout, tip extra, support our impor- tant charities: United Way, Commu- nity Lifeline, Elevate Mason County, Sound Learning, MCSSA (karaoke bingo is a blast), Turning Pointe and Great Bend Choir, to name a few. Scientific facts are not negotiable. It doesn’t get to be a fact if questions are unanswered. Factually: a vaccine ' for the general population is months, maybe longer, away, the spread of the Virus is slowed by some simple . measures I’ve mentioned a few of, businesses, schools, entertainment . venues cannot open successfully until COVID—19 is controlled. I think a national effort in which every state is included in putting in place reasonable measures and equally provided with PPE and other tools, is our best hope for returning to something approximating normal- ity. We need another stimulus pack- age, and we need to avoid foreclo- sures to keep people in their homes — not just a charity for them, but to avoid increasing infection rates, and subsequent stresses on health care and social services which affect us all. Let’s bury'the hatchet, (that ough— ta date me), be kind and carry on. Connie Simpson Shelton Thank you, 3 Alex Apostle ’ Editor, the Journal, Shelton School District Superin- tendent Alex Apostle announced his retirement to start at the end of this school year and the School Board has started the search for his replace- ment. I encourage the School Board to include community’members in the interview process and I encour- age participation by community members. We tend to take so much for granted, but I will remind everyone where we were 5% years ago, just before Apostle came to Shelton. The community was battling with the School Board about the pool. Meet- ings were hostile and comments were vicious. Apostle connected with community leaders and the pool was kept open. During his time in Shel- ton he has led the way to new build— f ings, new athletic facilities, learning academies and so much more oppor- tunity for our students. He strives to include parents, faculty, students and community members in every committee that involves change. I have participated in these commit— tees and appreciate the opportunity to do so. He makes himself available through monthly community forums and is present at school activities. Under his leadership, our commu- nity has come together behind our schools like never before. He will be difficult to replace. We as a commu- nity cannot settle 'for less. We need someone who will continue what has ' i been started. Thank you, Alex Apostle. I appre- , ciate all you have done for Shelton. Helen Thomson Shelton regi‘ ecor ries to d] Gas to re ers 1 mod dise inat beer with undt sout etar the i and ers \ reco: furtl read and of t M ciem Prop plan gene trees been and em ‘ inclt plan 4,001 and ‘ impc love