Want to stop wind turbines? You need the right candidate for Kennewick City Council | Opinion

Owens opposes wind turbines

Kennewick City Council candidate Ted Owens differs from his opponent in one obvious and important way. Owens opposes the Scout Horse Heaven Hills Windfarm Protect south of Kennewick, which is the official position of a majority of council members.

Owens believes the giant windmills are unable to produce a reliable source of alternative energy needed should Snake River dams ever be removed; windmills will block future growth of Kennewick to the south; windmills are not compatible with the environment, especially birds of prey; windmills will impede ability to fight wild-land fires with aerial resources; and windmills will negatively impact Kennewick’s residential property values as the city expands southward.

Owens favors small modular reactors and hydroelectric power, which are far better technologies for producing alternative energy.

Owens’ opponent has voted twice for the windmills. He is pro-unions, and believes windmills will be a “windfall of jobs” for his union friends. Kennewick residents have Owens on their side. Unions have the incumbent. It’s that simple.

Curiously, the Tri-City Herald’s endorsement of the pro-union/wind-farm candidate failed to mention anything about wind farms.

Michael Richardson, Kennewick

Oldson best for Richland schools

Jill Oldson is the best choice for Position 5 for Richland School Board.

I have known Jill for over 20 years and know her to be an extremely hard-working individual.

Jill has been active with the Richland School District for many years. She is focused and driven. She has put in the time and care that the position requires. She goes into the schools and asks pertinent questions. She talks to parents and teachers. She has earned the respect of those individuals.

She best understands what to expect in the coming years regarding the different demands of our district.

She cares.

Jennifer E. Kennedy, Richland

Brown is best for Pasco Council

As a community servant, there are decisions that are difficult, and there are those that are very easy. Endorsing Irving Brown Sr. for Pasco City Council District 3 is perhaps the easiest I’ve made this year. I look for many qualities in an elected official: love for community, hardworking, ethical, thoughtful, dedication, toughness, professionalism. Council Member Brown exemplifies each of these attributes. His service on City Council has proven that he is exactly what Pasco needs. His fellow council members clearly see it too, as they unanimously chose him as mayor pro-tem on Oct. 2

Pasco is a city on the rise. We need leaders who understand who we are and can shepherd our city toward continuing prosperity. Irving listens to community concerns with compassion and care. He understands what businesses need, what homeowners need, what the children of Pasco need. He balances the needs of every person who lives or works in Pasco with the need for our future growth.

Craig Maloney, Pasco

Madsen has right stuff for council

I am writing to express my strong support for Kent Madsen, who is running for Richland City Council. Kent’s deep roots in our city, having been born and raised in Richland, make him a candidate uniquely attuned to the needs and aspirations of our community.

Kent Madsen’s track record as a proven and trusted leader during his 14 years on the planning commission is commendable. His unwavering dedication to making Richland a better place has been evident in his many years of community service. From leading local initiatives to supporting essential causes, Kent has consistently shown his commitment to the betterment of our city.

What sets Kent apart is his ability to listen to the concerns of the residents and translate them into effective policies. His approach is not only inclusive but also forward-thinking, ensuring that Richland remains a great place to live for generations to come.

I have every confidence that Kent Madsen will bring the same passion, dedication and leadership to the city council, and I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy.

Tom Mickelson, Richland

Rasmussen has community focus

I have known Christy Rasmussen for over 15 years, since collaborating with her in her home as a principal at New Horizons High School.

Christy is dedicated and passionate about everything she focuses on, whether serving her students, the Port of Benton district or serving as a member of Rotary. Christy is a constant learner at heart and has immersed herself in understanding everything about her district and the issues that impact the economics of our region.

Christy’s love for and commitment to our community and her willingness to serve selflessly will help take the strategic plan for the Port of Benton to the next level.

Erinn Gailey-Genack, Kennewick

Keller assisted his own company

One thing is clear when you understand that Scott Keller’s company, The Axe LLC, only pays $760 in rent, is that Scott is not motivated to help small businesses.

Scott only wants to help himself and his airport buddies businesses by keeping rents on port-owned properties low.

Scott says he cares about small business, but while every other small business in the region pays market prices for rent, Scott appears to think businesses like his at the port should get a break other local small business don’t get.

Kudos to the Port of Benton for functioning like a real business and increasing their revenue which can be used to benefit all the constituents of the Port of Benton, all while keeping a balanced proposed budget for the coming year. There’s probably a good reason no one from the Port wanted Scott Keller back.

Mike Genack, Kennewick

Lehrman has no entanglements

I ask you to vote for Kim Lehrman as the at-large Pasco council member.

Ms. Lehrman is unbiased and not hampered by conflicts of interest as her opponent is.

She studies issues and makes decisions that benefit the entire community. Her opponent is employed by the development industry, paid by the development industry and supported by the development industry.

The last thing Pasco needs is a lawmaker that has conflicts of interest with the many land use and policy decisions the Pasco City Council makes.

Mary Denenny, Pasco

Lehrman is right for the job

I have endorsed Kim Lehrman for Pasco’s at-large seat. She ran first in 2020 for Franklin County Commission. Kim has been serving on the city’s planning commission for the past couple years learning and facilitating smart growth when it comes to city planning and economic development. Kim is also a mother of 4, a Chiawana High teacher (previously taught welding and agriculture), she grew up on a farm in Benton County, is a WSU cougar, and a long-time youth soccer coach. I believe she is a well-rounded, community service-oriented candidate for an at-large seat. For this seat, a candidate must be accessible, approachable, level headed, and understanding, to be able to weigh out the pros and cons of any given issue brought by a diverse resident population.

Zahra Roach, Pasco

Husband is fan of Kim Lehrman

I encourage all Pasco voters to support Kim Lehrman for Pasco City Council, at large.

Kim is my wife and I’ve known her for 26 years. She is a devoted high school teacher and mother of four Pasco students. I recently served on the Pasco School Board for 10 years, and I could not have done it without Kim’s unwavering support and constant striving to understand what the families and residents of Pasco need.

Kim knows that Pasco operates best and grows when the residents feel connected with each other, leaders hear their voices, and the ideas of the community are incorporated into the fabric of city management and operations. Kim doesn’t just talk about these ideals, she models these ideals. She actively listens to constituents from all backgrounds, she takes their ideas to community leadership, and she follows up with decision-makers until this feedback is incorporated or she is told why the ideas should not be incorporated.

Scott Lehrman, Pasco