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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.
Enslow has a ‘proven track record’ that Sumner residents shouldn’t overlook
Please tell me there is more to an endorsement of a candidate than signage. As a former business owner in Sumner and a long-time resident, I felt compelled to respond to the recent comments from a Sumner shop owner, who apparently in the 10 years of doing business in Sumner had never met our mayor, Dave Enslow.
In the four years Dave Enslow has been our mayor (in addition to his eight years as a council member), he has not only supported the downtown association and the businesses in Sumner, but his leadership has helped bring new businesses and jobs to our town. Dave’s leadership in those issues that matter to the families of Sumner include the Safe Routes to School grant, sidewalks, traffic control and most recently his personal involvement which has resulted in a commitment to bring the YMCA to Sumner.
We need Dave Enslow’s vision and leadership, on-going commitment to the residents of Sumner and a proven track record that has earned the endorsement of five out of seven council members and residents of Sumner. I endorse Dave Enslow for his understanding and leadership when it comes to the important issues that face our community.
Jan Sanford, Sumner
Petty, personal attacks have no place in Sumner mayoral race; endorse Richardson
I think Sumner is a great place to live and raise your family. It is just the right size of town. I look at how large Puyallup has become and what has happened to Orting really disappoints me. Orting was just a great little farming community. Now it has congested traffic like South Hill in Puyallup.
When I read the negative comments Mayor Enslow stated pertaining to his political opponent Matt Richardson it really bothered me. Then I read the letter to the editor from the Hardtkes making personal petty attacks on Mr. Richardson and endorsing Mayor Enslow....well, that made up my mind on who I am voting for.
Sumner is a neat town and we should base our judgments on the qualifications and the merits of each candidate. We just do not need the dirty politics in our community.
I have never met Mr. Richardson but he and his family live a few blocks from our home. On my way back from work or running errands I have to drive past their house to get to our home. I have observed Mr. Richardson on several occasions working in his yard or playing with his children. He appears to be a man who cares for his family and his community. He has my vote.
Jerry Crawford, Sumner
Enslow gets the support of councilmember for his fiscal prudency, efficient changes
Residents of Sumner, I am recommending our Mayor David Enslow for another term in office as he has earned it in my mind.
He has worked diligently with his staff to get things done.
He has brought in excellent staff members to work with him to bring in new jobs in the warehouses to our north, also Honda and Winco to the south to mention a few.
Drafted a five-year plan for the first time, has the staff working with a biannual budget to allow for better use of time.
Has helped keep our finances in good shape and our credit ratings good.
Has supported no new taxes even in these demanding times.
Has represented the city on the Sound Transit board, at the city mayors and many others.
Is working hard to get more water rights for our residents and has tried real hard to find some relief from the flooding in Sumner.
Helped to bring is better fire and EMS protection.
The list goes on and on, all in four years.
I can think of no reason to change now.
To change now would be a big mistake in my mind.
Leroy Goff, Sumner City Councilmember
Dill’s vague answers, tardiness at forums is another sign that Aho is the best choice
After reading Chanel Studebaker’s letter, I couldn’t agree more. Tony Aho is the best choice for Puyallup City Council. I was unable to attend the forum at the library in September due to my work schedule, but my husband Todd was in attendance. The forum was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. My husband sent me a text when George Dill arrived — at 7:39!
My husband submitted two questions for Mr. Dill. Both questions were addressed to him, but he did not really answer either one. In typical political form, Mr. Dill gave a vague response to each concern. Tony Aho responded honestly and candidly to each question presented to him.
Tony has proven that he will represent us well. Not only will he fight to fix streets (as George Dill has done) but he will also strive to build up the downtown core. As a board member of the Puyallup Main Street Association, Tony supports keeping the Farmers’ Market at Pioneer Park rather than moving it to River Road or another location away from downtown Puyallup.
Tony Aho will receive my vote on November 3. He is deserving of your vote as well.
Julie Giltner, Puyallup
Richardson votes for small-town values, properly addresses Sumner flooding issues
I fully endorse Matt Richardson for mayor of Sumner.
Last month I visited the Sumner City Council meeting and spoke to the council and advised them against adopting the Manufacturing Industrial Center zoning for Sumner, citing the need to keep the town’s ambience, to keep with the vision of its occupants as a small town and staying away from heavy industry and the already unmanageable traffic flows. Let some other entity be industrious.
Matt Richardson made a motion to table the idea. Two voted no for the designation and the rest of the board voted yes. It proved to me that self interests and the tax base was more important to the council than the requests of the residents.
Richardson made plain that his view encompassed the family values that Sumner was built upon. He also spent many hours as chair of the River Revitalization Task Force, dealing with the immediate and local needs of the victims. Sumner shrugged off the work of that group, thus telling me that the council isn’t interested what its local citizens have to say yet again.
We do not want councils that seek only bottom lines, self gratification and careless regulation. This flood plain is on the verge of emerging spoilage for the next 10 to 20 years without resolve in sight.
I believe Mr. Richardson will act and restore family values, maintain the quality of life and push for reform for the Puyallup River system, so that owners and citizens alike can go back and enjoy our precious valley and rivers.
Shelly Butterfield, Sumner