Letters to the Editor

City should follow 30-day cycle

It has come to my attention that the city of Ritzville, under utility billing, believes it can charge a late charge outside of the U.S. 30-day business cycle. The point being is the state of Washington is signatory to the Constitution of the United States.

The state of Washington issued the city of Ritzville its ability to exist as a city. According to these statutes, the city must operate within the guidelines established by the U.S. Constitution and by our governing body. The city cannot make constraints that are more restrictive or pass ordinances or laws that do not comply with our national governing body.

Therefore, why would the city of Ritzville risk the liability of requiring residents to pay their utility bill within 15 days of the issuance of this bill unless they want to set themselves up for a lawsuit? This is a grenade in the making, and I have had the opportunity to speak with our mayor and treasurer/secretary.

A level of importance, I believe, was not understood.

This makes me reflect upon Chief Dave McCormick’s statement about little children riding their bikes and skateboards on the sidewalk. The chief told the City Council you can pass any rules and regulations you want, but he wasn’t going to enforce it.

City Councilman Dave Grove has stated publicly that he’s against the change.

Mark Fowler

Ritzville

Learn about the state treasurer’s duties

PEG — People for Effective Government — is offering a free, online forum featuring state Treasurer Pellicciotti at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29.

It’s an opportunity to learn about the surprising things the treasurer is responsible for,including the state credit rating and its impact on bond sales, as well as investments the state makes and the Financial Education Bill currently in the Legislature.

Email [email protected] to request the digital link for the forum.

Lunell Haught

Cheney

Use planes for humanitarian aid in Gaza

While driving down the road to I-90 from Cheney, I saw KC135 refueling planes circling around Fairchild AirForce Base.

It occurred to me that there are many military airplanes waiting to be deployed. These airplanes could be used to avoid further starvation and death in Gaza by airlifting food, water and medicine in this war-torn region.

And, to help Americans to honor our value for human life, we could send hospital ships like Mercy Corp, to the Mediterranean Sea to treat injured women and children, and of course men.

Involving the military in humanitarian endeavors instead of violence, would likely result in less casualties — both physical and mental — among our returning soldiers and veterans. So these efforts would help Americans as well as the Palestinians. Plus, the U.S. would regain its place as admired leader in the world.

Just thinkin’ – a win-win situation overall.

Nancy Street

Cheney

We need to unite to tackle fentanyl

As an emergency physician, I see too many patients and families destroyed fentanyl epidemic. This is a plague that we can only face united.

Four decades ago, many dismissed the impact of secondhand cigarette smoke. History shows us they were wrong. Today, “educated experts” dismiss what they call trace amounts of fentanyl on public transportation – buses, light rail, and ferries.

The difference? Fentanyl is considerably more toxic.

The time for hiding the effects of addiction and leaving this disease unaddressed in the public square is long past. In fact, bringing these problems to light helps expose the truth and inspire action. Sweeping and bold change is what it will take to address this crisis.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin. It’s 100 times more potent than morphine; simply speaking, it makes the Oxy crisis look manageable. You don’t need to be a doctor to understand how critically serious this epidemic has become.

Our hospital has a special “code orange odor” to warn staff of a hazardous situation that needs immediate attention. This was done after many staff members suffered the effects of secondhand fentanyl smoke, which patients unknowingly bring into the emergency department.

Non-drug users who come in contact with secondhand smoke are at risk of overdosing. We have administered Narcan to several staff members after coming in contact with secondhand or trace amounts of fentanyl.

While this is a horrible occurrence, it is not rare. There are numerous documented incidents throughout the hospitals of our state where the same happened.

These conversations must be had in all levels of government, as well as at the kitchen table.

Dr. Raul Garcia

Astria Toppenish Hospital