Letters to the editor-- Jan. 21 issue

School Board Recognition

By proclamation of the governor, January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth.

School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult, or require sifting through a great deal of information. They also bear responsibility for developing a vision that will guide the school district for years to come. Through collaboration as a team, and with school district staff, their governance and advocacy are building the future of education in Washington state.

This January, we’re encouraging all members of the community to thank a school board member. Please thank them for volunteering their time and playing a critical civic role that helps form the bedrock of our democracy—public education. As a crucial bridge between the local community and the school district, their efforts are instrumental in helping all of us realize the hopes and dreams we have for the children of our community.

Deanna Fitzpatrick, Heather Panke, Brad Sweet, Tami Odenrider & Garrett Husky currently serve on the Davenport School Board. Their efforts to help our district work through the numerous challenges of educating our youth during a pandemic are greatly appreciated!

Jim Kowalkowski

Superintendent – Davenport School District

Salary Tensions

Harrington’s City Council meeting on Dec 22 turned into open conflict over the potential pay increase for the City Public Work’s Supervisor Scott McGowan. By capping the amount the city pays for his insurance, Scott must assume payment of more than $200 per month. Since the city is giving him a raise to cover that, they claim he has received a raise just with very little net increase. Public outrage occurred at the meeting since McGowan has more than 39 years worth of experience with the City and carries certification. As the 2017 Honored Citizen, he reaped many compliments of his abilities at work, his steady personality, and calming influence on ambulance calls. For all intents McGowan seems to be on call 24/7 and he has been called for help from vacation points. Mayor Luck said the numbers won’t allow a raise, however, the City Treasurer reported at that same meeting “the city may be more than $150,000 over where we were two years ago, rough numbers.” It has been projected that if the City loses this employee, they will not find a replacement for twice his salary. Harrington patrons need to pay closer attention to the actions and discussions of the Council each month.

December 2019 was a difficult time for the City when Mayor Slack refused vacation pay to Bunny Haugan and Scott McGowan. Slack saved money with one hand while seemingly overpaying the new “clerk in training” who herself stated that she had no office experience prior to the job in Harrington. This year, Mayor Luck reaps the benefit of the raise in pay for the Mayor position from $200 to $600 since the Mayor does not receive insurance. While Luck pockets that substantial pay increase, McGowan’s increased insurance payment severely decreases the net raise of one of Harrington’s most beloved employees.

Marge Womach, Mohler

– Harrington

Capitol riot False representation

I was disheartened to read your article in the Jan. 14th issue of the Times regarding the so-called riot at the nations capitol building. To blatantly label people as a “pro Pres. Donald Trump far-right extremist mob” before the dust settled and the TRUTH started to become know, is not good “journalism”.

Now, not even 2 weeks later, we have learned that the FBI knew there were terrorists in D.C. even before the rally. One Antifa member admitted he posed as a photographer to get inside the Capitol building. Eye witness accounts also indicate one door was even opened to the crowd. Isn’t that a little odd? Not if, the whole event was a pre-planned operation by the leftists so it could be blamed on pro-Trump folks. I’m convinced that most of the “mob” were the same people we’ve been watching all summer burn and destroy American cities. To infiltrate a crowd like we saw that day, surely wouldn’t be hard for the left-wing to do.

As Sheriff Magers and Police Chief Manke both remarked, pro-trump supporters are law and order people. It would be unlikely to see them breaking laws to voice their concerns.

With “73% of Lincoln county voters in support of Pres. Trump, you might carefully consider how you report an event when more details are lacking.

Karen Ebel

– Creston