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After seeing the certification of the vote from last Tuesday, I want to take a moment to thank the voters of Newport for their support and engagement throughout this election. As a first-time candidate at 19, I was honored to receive 184 votes from my neighbors and to come within just 28 votes of winning the Newport City Council race.
This campaign allowed me to meet residents across every part of Newport — at their doors, at community events, and in conversations about the issues that matter most. I learned a great deal about the challenges we face as a community and the pride that people have in our city. I’m grateful for every conversation, every question, and every word of encouragement.
While I came up just short this time, I’m proud of the positive and energetic campaign we ran, and I’m even more proud of how many people — especially younger voters — got involved.
I want to be clear: I’m not going anywhere. Newport is my home, and I will continue working hard, staying involved, and serving our community in every way I can.
This is just the beginning.
John Spring Newport
Man of peace
There are major movements both abroad and in America. Our president made a huge breakthrough with a U.S. Peace Plan for Gaza. The New York Times reports that the United Nations Security Council approved his peace plan for Gaza on Monday, Nov. 17. With 13 votes in favor and zero votes against. Russia and China, who abstained, swayed by the support for the resolution from Arab and other Muslim nations.”
The Trump Peace Plan provides a way to move past the cease-fire and presents ways to rebuild the Gaza Strip after two years of revaging war. This is a major diplomatic vicory for the Trump administration and the United States.
Here is an update of President Trump’s surge to fight crime in Washington DC. The New York Times reports that violent crimes are down by 60% compared to 2023. These statistics are verified by Judge Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, DC. She said carjackings were 80 percent higher, homicides were 72 percent higher and violent gun crimes were 75 percent higher in 2023. She states, “The difference in the last 90 days since the surge, has been dramatic in succesfully protecting the people in this district. When law enforcement works together and criminals are apprehended, citizens are safer.”
Doug Paterson Priest River
Baumgartner’s holidays
I just got Baumgartner’s Thanksgiving email message, and it made me pause. It is full of the typical platitudes you expect from politicians around holidays, but a couple things stood out.
First, he says, “Thank you to all those who have taken time to meet, talk and share information about their interests and concerns.” This is right after he sent a newsletter complaining that people were contacting him too much about their concerns. He clearly likes to hear from constituents who agree with him, or give him campaign funds, but not us everyday folks who may disagree with some things he’s doing. He’s being callous and hypocritical, a wonderful holiday sentiment.
Then he closes with “Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, safe, and restful Thanksgiving.” Not a word from him about how expensive and insecure the holidays will be this year. I have family, friends, and neighbors who cannot afford to buy groceries and pay their rent. Not a word from our representative about those in need this holiday season, as if it’s business as usual and nobody’s hurting.
Our country is struggling and our rep gives us nice words instead of actions.
Meg Lyman Deer Park
Ramblin wreck
In response to Mr. Scobby, the reason the seditious six congressional Democrats made a video encouraging our military to disobey orders from their superiors, is the same reason he writes letters to the editor each and every week. To draw attention to themselves. I believe that Mr. Scobby makes up stories and tries to twist the facts to match his hallucinations of reality.
As for the Democrats, they are playing the game of “Whack a Mole”.
Their ideas and policies have not been relevant to the needs of the average American. Looking for honorable, competent leadership in their party has been Slim Pickens (results, not the actor). Their old guard has reached its end. Their younger, unaccomplished trial by error candidates are trying to use the same playbook with name calling and giveaways, but calling it Democratic Socialism.
Do they still teach economics and history in school?
Capitalism and law and order built America. Leadership makes it work.
K.C. Hunt Newport
Confused and over taxed
As an octogenarian I would like to receive a little license for my muddled meandering. The recent article regarding the school bond presentation in the near future reminded me of how a well thought idea can be less than that.
The reminder is that the local PUD has changed things significantly for the citizen owners of the PUD. A free minimum usage of power was given to each electricity user at one time. The proposal to place a meter charge, to cover nonuse by our many residential/recreational customers, has become a revenue source of over $4 million for the entity. This is an example, much the same as the tip of the ice burg was that sank the Titanic.
It is my belief that our representatives, elected commissions, and board members give much more clarity and communication to their plans and visions.
The reason for the example given is to bring attention to the upcoming budget hearing for the PUD and the non response to my call to the school administrative office regarding the $46.3 million bond being proposed.
Confused and all ready over taxed.
Mike Hanson Newport
Baumgartner ignoring constituents
In his weekly email of 11/7, Congressman Michael Baumgartner complained about constituents contacting his office with questions he considers irrelevant. Earlier I had reached out via the email system at his website, with the following basic questions: 1. When can I expect you to request from the Administration and then share with me an accounting of expenditures by ICE and National Guard deployments as of November 1?
2. Number of individuals detained by government agencies.
3. Of that number, how many are: a) undocumented; b) legally documented; c) American citizens; d) alleged criminals 4. Number of individuals removed from this country and: a) deported to home country; b) deported to third country; c) rendition to prison in a foreign country As of November 25, I have not received an answer, not even one of his dismissive form letters. I guess he considers these questions irrelevant. He says he cares about spending. My contention is he is unwilling to ask these tough questions because he is afraid of what he might find out. Unlimited money for ICE, money for the wealthy in the form of tax breaks, but money to extend insurance subsidies to his voters: out of the question.
Roger Haick Loon Lake
Psychopaths aren’t violent
In DOCUREAL video, “Murderous Minds,” Peter Tomblim explains most psychopaths aren’t violent. More are successful CEOs or other powerful individuals than imaginable. Aloof in high-stakes situations exhibiting extraordinary lack of empathy or remorse. They enjoy inflicting suffering without discomfort. Institute of Human Anatomy’s documentary, “Inside the Brain of a Psychopath,” explains psychopaths display behavior perceived as inhumane by most. This explains Hitler’s merciless power.
Recently a man collapsed near Donald Trump. Google the entire two- and one-half minutes posted by journalist Christina Lory, not Fox’s edited version. Watch DT’s lack of reaction. Everyone else rose to help, Trump stood expressionless, turned his back to the crisis glaring at the cameras, bored.
Virginia Giuffre, Epstein whistleblower, wrote: “no way am I suicidal…if something happens to me…protect my family…evil people want… me quieted,” later committing suicide. Epstein emails mentioned DT 2,300 times, bragging he could take Trump down. Under surveillance, but two and a half minutes are missing, Epstein supposedly committed suicide then. Trump’s exwife, Ivanka, died falling down a staircase. Her connection to Trump warranted surveillance in case of abduction, or robbery but there was none. All three deaths occurred to people who had damaging details about DT.
Curious and Curiouser?
Betty Gardner Priest River
Depolarize to solve issues
I’m old enough to remember a time when politics was just another topic of conversation like sports or movies.
So, how did political issues become so polarized?
Marshall Rosenberg, founder of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), brilliantly demonstrated how humans, regardless of ethnic background, all have the same basic needs. Conflict resolution training starts with learning exactly what those needs are as opposed to desires.
Rosenberg asserts that conflict arises due to opposing strategies for meeting our needs; thus, trainees learn to differentiate strategies from basic needs. The secret to conflict resolution, then, is to acknowledge the underlying basic needs, a foundation for empathy, and negotiate strategies that meet the needs of both parties.
Recently I attended the local Democrats’ “Friend Raiser.” The conversations centered around issues stemming from basic human needs: affordable food, shelter, and upholding human rights. A whiteboard listed issues with which I agree – disagreement arises from proposed strategies for meeting them.
The media, rather than practicing neutral fact-based journalism, spins these strategy disagreements to elicit outrage, successfully polarizing us. If everyone ignored the “news” and engaged in friendly conversations with neighbors, we might rediscover our commonalities and cooperatively strategize how to meet our needs.
Kamori Cattadoris Newport
