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Letters to the editor

The following are letters to the editor that appeared in the Oct. 14 print edition of The Herald. To submit a letter, e-mail editor@puyallupherald.com. Please keep letters submissions to 250 words.

Sumner mayoral candidate is not currently serving as director of the Daffodil Festival

It has come to the attention of the Daffodil Festival Board of Directors that Sumner City Councilman Matthew Richardson, who is currently running for mayor for the city of Sumner, has been campaigning wearing a Daffodil Festival windbreaker bearing the Daffodil Festival logo with the title of director on the front of the jacket.

Though Mr. Richardson was once employed as a private contractor and performed the duties of Festival director, his services were not renewed at the close of his contract which ended with the 1999/2000 Festival season.

Councilman Richardson is not currently associated with the festival and is not a member of the festival.

The Daffodil Festival wants to go on record that the organization does not endorse any political campaign.

Karen Baskett, Daffodil Festival president

Boyle is the right individual for the council position due to his wealth of knowledge

I have known Kent Boyle since he was a student at Maplewood Elementary School in Puyallup many years ago. Kent has been a life-long resident of our community and has taken an active interest in many civic affairs such as coordinating entertainment at Meeker Days, being a member and chairman of the Puyallup Recreation Board, volunteering at the Food Bank and serving on police advisory committees.

Kent has the stability and maturity to be a real asset to the Puyallup City Council. He does not have any hidden agendas or preconceived alignment with any faction. He will listen and learn and then make well thought-out decisions regarding issues without regard to which side of the currently divided Council is the proponent. Kent is articulate and an effective communicator.

In short, Kent is the one candidate for the District 3 Council position who can help bring healing the currently divided Council and avoid further dysfunction, As a former Council member and mayor, I am well aware of the urgent need for a thoughtful, stable, unbiased voice on the Council at this time. Kent is the right person to fill this role.

Sam Peach, Puyallup

Richardson doesn’t consider the public, displays showmanship in the process

Watching Matt Richardson on the Sumner City Council is a perfect study in “It’s all about me.” His constant grandstanding, twisting issues to meet his unique version of reality, implying that he knows more than anyone about everything, taking credit for things in which he had only a minor role all point to an individual who has his own political ambitions at the top of his agenda.

We used to just roll our eyes and let it pass. But now, in his quest to be mayor, he has advanced to insinuating that Dave Enslow is partnering with the Port of Tacoma to ruin our town and is using scare tactics like “chemical tank farms” coming to our industrial area because of the mayor’s politics. These are completely false as anyone who knows the truth will quickly confirm.

We believe Dave Enslow is one of the finest mayors in Sumner’s history. His record speaks for itself. We wish Matt Richardson would take his dirty politics to his real goal, the state or federal level, and leave Sumner the decent place we have always loved.

Bernie and Donna Hardtke, Sumner

Weltzer shows his support of Dill due to the excellence he has exhibited over the years

I wish to take a minute and thank those who supported my candidacy for Puyallup City Council. I appreciate your support. I look forward to a future campaign to represent you on our city council.

After reviewing the remaining two candidates for the position, I have decided to support the incumbent, George Dill.

George has consistently provided thoughtful decisions on tough issues and refused to engage in personal agendas that do not benefit our city. He championed televising council meetings and opposes changing district representation to all at-large positions. George shows sound judgment on fiscal responsibility.

He supports moving the Municipal Court to the unused spaces within City Hall. This will provide funds to staff a traffic unit in our police department to address speeding on our streets.

He has focused on Puyallup’s economic development and providing service to our citizens and addressing their concerns. Candidates were interviewed in depth by the Pierce County Central Labor Council and George won their endorsement.

He is endorsed by the Pierce County Professional Fighters, Retired Police Officers, and The News Tribune.

George restores our confidence in Puyallup’s government. Those that serve our community should be challenged, by stating just how they would accomplish this and when they will stepped forward with their ideas. Please join me in voting for our current District 1 incumbent and deputy mayor, George Dill.

Chris Weltzer, Puyallup