Kennewick City Council prayer is political posturing and other Tri-City Herald letters

Prayer gums up council’s work

Regarding the issue of prayer at Kennewick City Council meetings, I’d like to commend Eileen Turner for the Letter to the Editor of Sept. 2.

If some city council members have difficulty remembering what they’ve been elected to do, perhaps reciting an oath of office would be helpful — something as simple as, “I promise to promote the security and well-being of the City of Kennewick and to avoid using this position to further my own personal agendas.” Maybe print it at the top of every meeting agenda for those who need a reminder?

We already have at least two council members who can’t agree as to who should and shouldn’t be allowed to lead the “prayers.” This will be an ongoing divisive, distracting and time-wasting issue. Stop the political and personal posturing, and get on with council business.

Lynn Niebuhr, Kennewick

White is right for Fourth District

I am voting for Doug White to represent the Fourth District in Congress. I urge you to check out his website (www.dougwhite4congress.us/vision) to see his vision for issues that need addressing across the Fourth District such as water, immigration, violence, healthcare and infrastructure. He has met with citizens throughout the entire district; Democrats, Republicans and independents, to formulate positive policies that will benefit the needs of our communities. His commitment to openly meeting with all citizens across the district is noteworthy.

Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work with and serve many dedicated Republicans and Democrats. I have had the opportunity to brief Doug White personally on energy and Hanford and been very impressed with his focus, understanding and probing questions. These qualities, combined with his values and commitment to addressing the needs of the Fourth District, make him my choice for Congress.

Mike Lawrence, West Richland

Replace power of dams for first step

In 1944, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, “The lower Snake River dams present, collectively, the greatest threat to the maintenance of the Columbia River salmon population of any Project constructed or authorized in the Basin.” It’s a prophesy we can no longer ignore. Modifying dams’ operation by increasing the spill of water for the benefit of salmon and complying with mandates on in-river water temperature have failed to stem the decline. Spring/summer Chinook and sockeye are at or below 1 percent of their historical numbers. Moreover, these constraints on dam operation and the lower flows due to climate change reduce the dam’s flexibility to meet peak power demands.

Remedial justice requires engagement by all parties in policies that restore the salmon runs. Columbia river salmon are rooted in the life and culture of Northwest Indigenous people. Restoring the salmon runs increases recreational and commercial fishing benefiting rural Columbia River and coastal economies.

Breaching the lower Snake River dams opens 140 miles of river bed for spawning. The first step in restoring the salmon runs, found in all studies, is the need to expeditiously replace the power generated by the Snake River dams with nuclear, solar and wind power.

Mickey Beary, Richland

Rename Seattle; let’s call it Scuttle

An article in the Tri-City Herald mentioned that the state of Washington is changing the names of cities, mountains, creeks, valleys, etc. that weren’t complimentary to Native Americans. My suggestion to add to that list is the city named Seattle, which was named for a Native American chieftain. I think the name Scuttle would be much more appropriate in this day and age to describe that city.

Mike Mehren, Hermiston