OPINION
Write to us: The Herald welcomes letters from its readers. We reserve the right to edit. Letters should be typewritten and not exceed 350 words. They must be signed and include a daytime phone number. Send to P.O. Box 278, Poulsbo, WA. 98370; fax to (360) 779-8276; or e-mail to rwalker@northkitsapherald.com.
North Kitsap
Page A6
NorthKitsapHerald.com
Friday, December 14 , 2012 | North Kitsap Herald
IN OUR OPINION
Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund needs your help T
he Poulsbo Lions Club/Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund needs your help. As of Thursday, the fund was a third of the way to its year-end goal. That could spell trouble for a lot of people in North Kitsap. Consider making a holiday gift to the fund. Make a donation in someone’s name as a Christmas present. Make a donation in someone’s memory. Make a donation as a family in lieu of an something to have around the house. Make a love offering to the community. Chances are good that your donation will help someone you know. If you gave to the Poulsbo Lions Club/Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund in 2011, you made a big difference in someone’s life. Since its inception in 1946, the Poulsbo Lions Club/Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund has helped provide food, emergency shelter and emergency financial assistance to North Kitsap residents in need. There is no overhead; every penny goes back into the community, according to John Macdonald, co-chairman of the fund. In 2011, money distributed by the fund to North Kitsap Fishline, Kingston’s ShareNet and St. Vincent de Paul Society enabled those organizations to help local families avoid eviction and keep their utilities from being shut off, and get emergency transportation to medical appointments and work. The fund assisted more than 300 local families and ensured 102 local families had food for the Christmas holiday. In 2011, as the economic recovery continued to slog along, North Kitsap residents dug deep and gave what they could; some gave $5, some gave more. But the donations added up — combined, you gave a remarkable $33,061, some $7,471 more than that collected in the 2010-11 campaign. Because of money you contributed, “We’re able to stretch what we’re doing for people in crisis — whether it’s paying rent, mortgage, or utilities,” said Rae Rodriguez, North Kitsap Fishline’s client services manager. “We’ve been in crisis mode for a couple of years, and we’ve probably tripled our client load since then.” These organizations are coming up with creative solutions to help people meet their basic needs — matching people who need a place to live with people who need help with their mortgage, or connecting clients looking for work with companies and job service providers. But to meet immediate needs, like food and shelter, Fishline and the others depend on the money donated to the Poulsbo Lions Club/Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund. Fishline, ShareNet and St. Vincent de Paul are a critical part of See EDITORIAL, Page A7
for the record VFW Post 2463’s post number was incorrect in the story “Citing safety, county asks VFW and Food Bank to move,” page A15, Dec. 7 Herald. North Kitsap VFW Post 2463 of Poulsbo and Ray A. Weaver VFW Post 7329 of Kingston combined to form North Kitsap-Weaver VFW Post 2463. — Accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism. If you believe we have erred, call (360) 779-4464, or send an e-mail to rwalker@northkitsapherald.com n
Letters Disagree with Henden’s sovereignty comments It is rather embarrassing to find that a member of our School Board is so uneducated about, and unaware of, the history of the area he is supposed to be representing (“Henden disputes sovereignty,” page A1, Dec. 7 Herald). The sovereignty of the Native American Tribes is what it is — a fact, not open for discussion or question. For Mr. Henden to say he cannot sign an agreement that refers to the Suquamish Tribe as a sovereign nation because he doesn’t know that to be true is kind of like saying he won’t sign an agreement with the state of California because he personally doesn’t believe it to be true that California is a state. The Suquamish Tribe being a sovereign nation is a fact that just is — that’s what facts are. The Suquamish Tribe contributes immensely to this region, and has always been very active in support of the schools. As a sovereign nation, they do not have to
do that. They are great neighbors and it is a privilege to live here and learn more about their culture. Mr. Henden would do well to learn a little more about them himself. He could begin with visiting their new museum and, in doing so, may come across the facts of how they came to be a sovereign nation. Bobbie Hawkes Suquamish n
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The absurdity of Scott Henden’s take on tribal sovereignty should be seen for exactly the kind of political diatribe it is. It’s hard work for everyone involved, making a school district run. It’s even harder when basic language and reasoning (skills we hope all of our kids learn at school) are ignored by board members. The vast majority does understand the fact you have chosen to politicize. The sham of moral indignation or deep concern over the words “sovereign nation” is preposterous. You are wasting precious resources and time. So, I would appreciate it, Scott, if you would
Herald North Kitsap
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leave your political agenda home, do the job you were elected to do, or seriously consider resigning, so someone who supports public education with the broadest views for the good of all present and future students can take your place and move eduction forward not backward. Marsh Menne Kingston
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EDITORIAL
North Kitsap Herald (USPS No. 296-360)
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It has come to my attention that
The Voice of North Kitsap since 1901
Richard Walker, editor, ext. 5050 Kipp Robertson, reporter, ext. 5058 Megan Stephenson, reporter, ext. 5054
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As I opened the Dec. 7 Herald, I was appalled to read that we here in the North Kitsap School District have a school board member that displays such ignorance. To think that he serves in a position of influence over the education of our children. The superintendent should have asked him if he is also a charter member of the Flat Earth Society! Come on, North Kitsap people. Can’t we do better in our elected officials? Charles Bickel Poulsbo
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