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Crescent Bar improvements a misuse of money
The Grant PUD is paying $41,516,398 for luxury improvements at Crescent Bar.
Grant PUD ratepayers need to understand that they are paying for a golf course and a 61-slip boat marina, and these items contribute to higher monthly electric bills.
The federal government required Grant PUD to make improvements at Crescent Bar as part of the re-licensing process. The improvements were approved by a split vote of the PUD Commission, with commissioners Bob Bernd, Terry Brewer and Larry Schaapman voting to protect the privileges of the 410 residences on public land at the expense of ratepayers. The total projected cost for the boat marina, boat launch and commercial building and parking is over 8 million dollars.
Commissioners Tom Flint and Dale Walker have questioned such excessive costs to the ratepayers. In addition, they questioned the PUD’s building of more luxury improvements than are required for the next generating license for the dams.
All Crescent Bar improvements are being financed with ratepayer money while, at the same time, Grant PUD Commissioners are considering how much they will continue to increase your electric bill. I believe that Grant PUD should put the electric ratepayers, and the rates we pay, as the priority rather than the small number of Crescent Bar residents. If you agree, please, call or write and ask for good reasons for this misuse of public money.
Contact PUD: commissioners@grantpud.org. Phone: (509) 754-0500 ask for the Commissioners Office.
If you disagree with the FERC decision to allow private residents to remain on Crescent Bar public land until 2052, please write before December 17, 2016. You need to use the name “P-2114 Crescent Bar Non-project use of Public Land” in your letter. Mail to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, FERC, 888 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20426.
Danna Dal Porto
Quincy
Elected officials need to focus on numbers
Our recently elected federal and state officials now have two numbers to focus on: $135,000 and 19 percent.
First, the $135,000 is the amount of money it will take for a middle-class family to pay its bills with a little left over for emergencies, some savings and the occasional incidental. This is not luxury living or even an extravagant life style. It’s merely a comfortable living. A few years ago it took $100,000, and it will take about $150,000 in a few more years. Given that the average income of a middle-class family is $57,000, that is a big gap to span. If our elected officials really want to make America great, they have to work on closing this gap for the working-class and middle-class Americans each day of the next four years. Gridlock is unacceptable.
Second, the 19 percent indicates that almost one of five Americans trust the government. In the 1960s that trust level was around 75 percent. If our elected officials really want to regain the public trust, closing the income gap for all Americans will be one clear way to do this. Beginning now.
President-elect Trump, re-elected Governor Inslee and all other elected officials, close this income gap and build back the trust in government. Get it done.
Duane Pitts
Moses Lake
Censorship?
Before Columbia Basin Herald updated their website, I’d see some comments regarding letters that I’d written. Now, such comments can’t be placed on their website, but appear on Facebook? I, and many people my age, don’t use Facebook. The reason for this switch was censorship.
It took too much time to remove responses to CBH’s website that were considered offensive. Freedom of speech is not absolute.
People must write intelligently and respectfully (both in content and language). A few people may have destroyed the ability of many to respond to letters in a way that all could easily read.
If you don’t like one person’s letter, then respond with your own letter. Have the courage to show your name. If you don’t write directly in a letter to the editor, then you recognize that your thoughts are worthless, or you’re ashamed of your poor education and intelligence.
Editor’s note: Comments can be posted on the Herald’s website and Facebook simultaneously, or just on the Herald’s website.
Thomas Fancher
Moses Lake
Trump will get us into war
United States of America, get ready for more unnecessary war with Donald Trump being president. Donald Trump is a bullet. Bullets love war and trouble. Bullets harass people. Bullets threaten people.
Already Donald Trump is prepared to start a war with China. China is the United States’ friend, China is not the enemy. Donald Trump is the problem. Now Donald Trump will send your children to war, but his children won’t go to war.
I said a while back, Donald Trump cares for Donald Trump. It’s time to stop the wars and come together in peace. The KKK endorses Trump, but neither the KKK nor Trump will separate what this blessed United States has going on, one people.
James Earl Jones
Moses Lake
Thanks for 38 great years
We are entering into the heart of the holiday season, Thanksgiving to Christmas. It is a time to be reflective about the blessings each of us receive.
Last May, I retired after 38 years of being a receptionist at Lakeside Optical Dispensary, and I realized that I did not get to say thank you for the friendship I received from each customer that came through the door. Over the years, I was honored to work with wonderful people on both sides of the counter, from owners Dave and Rick Kehl, Brian Wilson and Kevin Carvo, to co-workers and most of all, the public. Thank you and gracias to each of you for 38 wonderful years.
Debbie Robel
Moses Lake