Letters to the Editor for June 3, 2014

Former county clerk supports Graser

Who is John Graser you ask? Let me tell you.

John is a life-long citizen of Clark County, and a 20-plus year veteran of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

John has served in command positions for many years and knows how important citizen involvemen43t is in fighting crime.

We are facing an era of rising crime (much of it drug related), unsafe communities, gang violence and a lack of community input or involvement and it is time for a change.

John knows first-hand what needs to be done. We need someone who supports our citizens and gives our community someone they can turn to when the need arises.

I enthusiastically support John Graser for Sheriff.

JoAnne McBride, former Clark County Clerk, Battle Ground

Impressed with Mike Briggs

I have known Mike Briggs for several years now. We met as onlookers of meetings of the Washougal City Council.

Mike and I are both interested in the welfare of our city, and have felt that it is important to be at the meetings and to participate in our city government.

Mike has chosen to run as a candidate for the 18th District in the state legislature.

Every time Mike Briggs and I talk, he again strikes me as a thoughtful person who makes the effort to learn all the factors involved before he comes to a point of view. I see that to be an excellent quality in someone who would wish to be involved in the workings of our state.

I suggest that the voters of this area make an effort too, to find out more about Mike Briggs. I think you will be as impressed as I am.

Marilyn Tyrrell, Washougal

Allow invocation at Washougal meetings

The Washougal City Council has been discussing the possibility of instituting a one minute invocation (or meditation) at the beginning of its public meetings.

In the recent US Supreme Court case of Town of Greece vs. Galloway, all nine justices acknowledged the acceptability of this practice.

While some in our city are opposed to such prayer, others feel a need for this civic recognition of God, higher power, or unifying principle. Since every justice affirmed the rightful place of such a ceremonial prayer/meditation, could an effort be made for compromise? Participation by all faiths and philosophies would be allowed.

Dan Duringer, Washougal