YOUR|LETTERS
Published on Fri, Oct 8, 2010Read More Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I read Mike Anderton’s article in the Journal. Yes, I was offended and I suspect you are going to hear from a lot of folks.
However, I have been thinking a lot about this situation. I have known Mike for many years. Did Mike use terrible judgment in choice of words and tone? Yep. Does the fact that it got to print reflect poorly on the paper? Yep. But you know what? The theme of the event itself was compassion and emphasis on something other than the everyday things we mistakenly give far too much importance.
I know that you guys will be faced with a firestorm of criticism this week and in particular, Mike himself. I only hope that as you weigh your response that the message of compassion rings loud.
I firmly believe that Mike will have a difficult time comprehending the furor that he and you are about to experience.
Yes, I know that Mike is extremely intelligent. But I also suspect that he lacks the ability to feel the same amount of empathy that others feel.
For that, he certainly deserves a certain amount of compassion himself.
Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not advocating one way or the other for his continued contributions to the paper. But I am asking that everyone try to look beyond the norm here to see if more could come out of it.
Can Mike actually learn (even at his age) something from this experience? Can the staff itself actually benefit from such a painful circumstance?
You are good people. You do good things. I’m sorry that this has happened to you. But I’m convinced that something good can come from it for all involved.
Chris Wolf
Seattle
Building character is more important than winning
Dear Editor,
I read the recent sports article written by Mike Anderton this past week with interest.
My daughter, who attended the Snohomish/Lake Stevens football game on Sept. 24, shared the experience of Ike Ditzenberger’s touchdown.
Apparently, some of the readers were offended by what Anderton wrote in his article (see apology on the LSJ website). I, too, was frustrated by the article.
The part that frustrated me most was that so many people think that winning a game is more important than anything else.
In the article, Anderton wrote, “Most important is that Lake won last Friday’s football game at Snohomish…”
Working as part of a team is about character building and not just winning. Coaches try to instill certain values and traits in these young men and women.
Apparently, the coaches for both teams in this case have succeeded in their efforts.
Most importantly, these young men showed great character by giving a teammate (and the world) a wonderful experience.
While it is great to win, it is not the most important part of playing a game. While the score of this game will soon be forgotten, these young men will never forget the experience they helped provide to a wonderful young man.
Jim Barnes
Lake Stevens
Vikings are being taught more than just football
Dear Editor,
The online Lake Stevens Journal article posted on Monday, Sept. 27 by Mr. Anderton reflects poorly on him and this community.
I assume Mr. Anderton is a Lake Stevens Journal staffer, though not pictured as such, his article about the Lake Stevens v. Snohomish High School football game did not appear in the editorial section but the sports section.
I refer specifically to his commentary regarding the “asterisk” related to the final score of the game. Really? I am dumbfounded that someone can be so callus and rude as to downplay what many of us think was a great testament to the character and courage of our young people in Lake Stevens, specifically the players on the field for that last play and the fans cheering in the stands.
Whether Coach Tri was aware of the situation or not, it is obvious that Coach Tri and the rest of his coaching staff (and years of coaches and teachers before them) are instilling in our youth more than how to just win a (football) game.
I watched today the YouTube video (which appeared on the Yahoo home page) with goose bumps and misty eyes as our amazing players worked their magic, but this time for a cause greater than themselves. They knew what to do, whether instructed by their coach or not. I watched as they essentially guided that young man to his victory.
All too often we hear about the negative, i.e., Mr. Anderton’s ridiculous commentary regarding the last 10 seconds of a game we were sure to win.
I know I’m not alone in saying to Coach Tri and his staff, the educators of our district, the volunteer sports coaches, the players on the field and the superfans in attendance, thank you for a job well done.
Thank you for the positive example you set for those that are coming up the ranks behind you; and those young kids are watching. Thank you for teaching the players and students of our great home town that a win is great, but that helping others achieve can be even more rewarding.
Kellie McDonald
Lake Stevens
Head lice shouldn’t be allowed in school
Dear Editor,
Head Lice now allowed in school? Yes, in Everett and Monroe. Lake Stevens is also discussing changing their policy to allow children with head lice attend public school.
I called the school district to verify this information and it is correct. Parents are welcome to voice their concerns via the school district web page www.schoolboard@lkstevens.wednet.edu, by phone 425-335-1500, or by attending the school board’s biweekly meetings (times and dates on their web page).This policy is determined by the Lake Stevens School Board.
The main reason is, “School absences cause more damage than a head full of lice. No one dies of head lice,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District. “No one even gets sick from head lice.” (source: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100921/NEWS01/709219852)
When I called the Lake Stevens School District to discuss this I was told that lice are not like the flu which invades a child’s body and makes them ill.
I would agree, and unlike the flu you can get lice over and over again.
If our child/family gets the flu we are comforted by the knowledge our child/family won’t be getting it again. Children who are not properly treated for head lice and allowed to attend school with lice or nits may continue to spread lice.
The only way to break the cycle of head lice is once it is discovered not to allow children to return to school until they are nit and lice free.
As most can attest, it can be difficult to get rid of lice; in many cases it requires hours and hours of combing to remove all of the nits, in some extreme cases it can require parents to “buzz cut” their child’s hair.
Lice are not something to take lightly and in my opinion not something that should be allowed in our public schools.
Kymm Shipman
Lake Stevens
Resident thanks Aquafest and Family Center for their service
Dear Editor,
I live at the Lake Cassidy Resort in Lake Stevens. I have lived here for 15 years. Eight months ago our dumpster was taken away and three months ago our water shut off.
There are seven families living here. We have called and begged for help from everyone we could think of and no one would help us.
But the Lake Stevens Family Center and The Aquafest Committee donated three cases of drinking water per family and have helped us with food.
They are the only ones, with everything we have been through this past year, who have actually cared enough to help us and we send them our love and gratitude. We are truly grateful and forever in their debt.
We love you all very much and want you to know that even though water seems like a little thing to most people, to us it was a windfall.
The Family Center and the Aquafest Committee are in our hearts and we truly, truly appreciate all you have done for us. Thank you so very much.
Mardee Davis
Lake Stevens
Voters need to take back senatorial races
Dear Editor,
On April 8, 1913 the seventeenth amendment was ratified that changed Article 1 and 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the U.S. Constitution which changed Senator election from the state legislatures to popular vote.
I wasn’t around in the early 1900’s but I am sure the citizens believed that this was a great way to eliminate corruption and have a greater voice in U.S. Senator Elections, but the process has now become perverted.
Look at this year’s election cycle where we have national news talking about individual senate candidates and even interviewing them nationally, but they are running for the U.S. Senate in their respective states.
If you investigate where campaign donations come from, most get the majority of their contributions from outside of their state sources.
How about the millions of dollars spent on these elections and time senators spend campaigning vice legislating.
If you are unhappy with your Senator it is practically impossible to vote them out, with all of the outside influence, but very easy to change state senators/representatives if they are selecting a U.S. Senator that you do not favor. Voters need to take back our senatorial elections from unions, big business, and the political action committees and the only way is the repeal of the seventeenth amendment.
Todd Welch
Lake Stevens
Looking for help from large bids, tough times
Dear Editor,
On June 27, 2008 my world was turned upside down, my son was killed in a car accident. Not only was I dealing with the grief but I had to plan and pay for the funeral, if not for the kindhearted Bill Blackburn of Top Notch Towing, the funeral would not have been paid for.
Bill made the arrangements to get my son’s truck to be brought from Grant County to Lake Stevens. He took care of the tow bill over there. He even helped with moving all my son’s stuff from the house he lived in.
On July 3, 2008 my son, Aaron Vinje, was laid to rest at GAR Cemetery in Snohomish, to this day he still has no headstone.
Since his death I have been battling depression and anxiety. I was working for Papa John’s Pizza in Lake Stevens as a delivery driver.
On January 9, 2009 I was on a delivery when I started to feel sick, I crawled to my car to get my phone, after calling everyone I could think of I called 911 only to find out I was having a heart attack.
Everything moved rather fast that evening. Within a few hours I was resting in a hospital room, and I had my first stint in my right coronary artery in August. I had another stint placed in my left leg. Since then I have had five more stints placed around the heart.
With everything going on with my health I had to quit my job. And if having congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and poor circulation in the legs wasn’t enough I was told I have gallstones so it’s back to the hospital for more surgery. I have filed for disability and now I am waiting for a date to see the administrative law judge.
In the meantime my savings has run out and I need a new roof and the LP siding replaced on my house.
I have been getting bids from many contractors but they are too high, especially compared to those my neighbor has received. One of them wanted $21,400 plus tax to replace the front of the house and half of the side. As for the roof I was told anywhere from $6,000-$10,000. Why am I getting the outrageous bids? Is there anyone out there that can help me?
Kelly Vinje
Lake Stevens
Thank you to Lake Stevens Rotary and their mission in Monterrico
Dear Editor,
I just read the article about the Lake Stevens Rotary starting up a new project in Monterrico, Guatemala and wanted to say bravo!
I live in the highlands of Guatemala amongst the indigenous Mayans.
So many different missions and charity groups come here and do good things for the impoverished in this area. But rarely do we hear about benevolent work being done along the coastlines, and especially in remote Monterrico.
All of Guatemala has suffered tremendously during this ongoing and unprecedented wet season, which began with Tropical Storm Agatha at the end of May.
Getting in and out of little Monterrico has been almost impossible because of demolished bridges and almost constant flooding over these past months.
The poor people who live there have lost so much of what little they had. And now a new outbreak of denge fever is on the rise in their area due to greatly increased mosquito population.
So thank you Lake Stevens Rotary. You chose an excellent location.
Henry Brian
Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala
Dinners Ready thanks clientele before closing its doors
Dear Editor,
First we want to say “Thank You” for your support and patronage of our Dinners Ready meal assembly business in Lake Stevens. We have made many friendships and acquaintances over the last five years, which we will always treasure.
When we began this business in October 2005 we had planned for this to be a long-term venture for our families.
However, due to the difficult economic times, our business has struggled over the last few years.
In October 2010 our building lease is up. With much sadness, we have both decided that it is time to move on to the next chapters in our lives. We will be closing our Dinners Ready Kitchen October 30, 2010.
Along with our normal menu and sessions during the months of September and October, we will also have a large variety of meals and side dishes in our freezer for sale. Stop by during business hours to check out the daily selections.
If you or your friends and family have any outstanding gift certificates, please redeem them before October 30, 2010.
Thank you again for your business, we have truly enjoyed our time here.
Keri and Tammy
Dinners Ready, Lake Stevens
Think about your vote this election season
Dear Editor,
This election season, all across the country, we have easy choices.
One side wants to return to the policies that led to economic disaster. They want to eliminate many government programs and departments including social security, Medicare, and the VA and to repeal legislative progress that moves this country forward on the path of recovery.
They think “fiscal responsibility” and “common sense” are exclusive to their party. Where was that common sense when they were driving this country into the ditch? Now they threaten to use “second amendment remedies” if they don’t get their way, and to shut down government. That is not common sense.
The other side is the opposite of those things. They see the necessity of a clean energy economy that would employ millions in jobs that can’t be outsourced, would rebuild our manufacturing sector and infrastructure, end our addiction to fossil fuels, and won’t risk our national security.
They want every American to have access to affordable healthcare, jobs, education and housing, a fair tax system and our rights preserved.
Only one side truly has common sense, and it’s not the one that’s pro-corporate/anti-people and relies on fear. Yes, it’s a very easy choice. Vote for continued recovery and progress. It’s going slow, but we are on the right path. To turn back now would be disastrous.
Carolyn Fox-Allen
Lake Stevens
