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Letters to the editor

The following are letters to the editor that appeared in the Oct. 21 print edition of The Herald. To submit a letter, e-mail editor@puyallupherald.com. Please keep letters submissions to 250 words.

Puyallup resident says Dill is the best candidate because he listens to voters

Dear editor,

Our family is voting for George Dill for Puyallup City Council. George has been a respected city leader, always a gentleman in his demeanor, even when making tough decisions when working with others.

George Dill is well informed and experienced on all policies and issues that confront city leadership. He is aware of policies and issues that need to be changed for the betterment of all of our community. He has the leadership ability to help the council work through controversial issues resulting in doing what is best for everyone.

George listens to his constituents, getting all sides of needs and concerns. He is also very generous with his time, including volunteering at the Puyallup Food Bank.

George is certainly a formidable contender with his extensive knowledge, experience and strong leadership ability. These are the reasons why he gets our vote.

MARGE HOBBLE,

Puyallup

George Dill shows disregard for voters, political process through his behavior

I have been following with interest the debates between candidates for Puyallup City Council.

These events have been hosted by a variety of local groups, including the League of Women Voters, the Pierce County Republicans and the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce. With so much at stake for our city with this upcoming election, it is important for undecided voters to have the opportunity to hear from the candidates and pose questions on issues important to them.

In three of the four debates, George Dill has either arrived very late into the debate or left midway through. In the case of the last debate, he left right after giving his opening statement. Voters can take his actions in one of two ways. Either he has a total disregard for his voters and the political process, or he is unable to effectively schedule and manage his time. Whether his actions constitute disrespect or ineptitude, district one voters deserve, and need, better.

CHANEL STUDEBAKER,

Puyallup

State Sen. Kastama says there’s more to the story about why lawmakers miss votes

To the editor:

Your story on Reps. Dawn Morrell and Bruce Dammeier and myself in last week’s Herald implies that I missed an inordinate number of floor votes this year, so I’d like to set the record straight for your readers.

Senators voted on literally thousands of bills and amendments during the time period you mentioned. If you average my missed votes over this time, you’ll see that I have probably one of the lowest numbers of missed votes in the Senate.

For example, the Senate Republican Leader, Mike Hewitt, has missed 204 votes in the last three sessions alone — more than I have in my entire career. This isn’t a shot at Sen. Hewitt — it’s simply to offer some context to what was a misleading story.

Having served in both the House and Senate, I can tell you that the two chambers are like apples and oranges; amendments can be offered at any time in the Senate, and we confirm all the governor’s appointments which can total hundreds of additional votes. Also, all votes in the Senate are given orally, not electronically as in the House, where it’s easier to add a vote afterward, and Senate chairs have traditionally more power to negotiate legislation.

Many of us, especially those of us who chair committees, as I do, selectively miss inconsequential (or lopsided) votes to spend time negotiating with colleagues over extremely important bills. In virtually all missed votes, I and other members ask permission to be excused by the president of the Senate and also make sure we are present for key controversial legislation.

SEN. JIM KASTAMA,

25th Legislative District, Puyallup