Friday, January 25, 2013 | North Kitsap Herald
NorthKitsapHerald.com
Page A5
State’s rate affects your health T
reaty Indian tribes in western Washington are calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to reset the process of updating the state’s unrealistic fish consumption rate. The fish consumption rate is supposed to protect us from long-term exposure to poisons in our waters. The fish consumption rate is one of the factors that the state uses to determine how much toxic pollution industry is allowed to discharge in our waters. Updating the current rate will help reduce levels of more than 100 pollutants that can make us sick and even kill us over time. For us Tribes, pollution denies our treaty rights because those rights depend on fish and shell-
BEING FRANK By BILLY FRANK JR.
Letters
Carmen, to keep everyone informed of her care and arrange support for her and her family. Leslie Burns is no stranger to organization, and she has made a difference in this family’s life. Carmen loves knowing that so many people are praying and pulling for her. Please “like” her page, as she enjoys seeing it grow. This child is one of the sweetest, smartest and bravest community members. I know that we will see great things from her in the future! Thank you for all the support. Rhonda Rotsten Port Gamble
Continued from page A4 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. For many of the children who receive these gifts, this shoebox will be the first gift they have ever received. Although our local drop-off locations here in Poulsbo are closed, gifts are received year-round at Samaritan’s Purse by mailing them to 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607. There are also year-round volunteer opportunities available with Operation Christmas Child. Find out how you can use your gifts and talents to make a difference in children’s lives around the world by visiting www.samaritanspurse. org or by calling (253)5721155. Thank you again to everyone who participated in this project. A simple gift, packed with love, can communicate hope and transform the lives of children worldwide. Michael Ishmael Northwest director Operation Christmas Child
Facebook page is helping girl heal The community has shown its amazing powers of grace for one of its own, Carmen Garringer. Carmen, 8, was diagnosed with cancer recently and is being treated at Children’s Hospital. A dear family friend set up a Facebook page, Caring for
fish being safe to eat. The state Department of Ecology promised more than a year ago to develop a more accurate rate, but halfway through the process did an about-face. All it took was for business and industry lobbyists to voice some concerns to stop development of the new rate dead in its tracks. Tribes across the state have rejected Ecology’s proposed new roundtable approach to revise the rate because it does not offer a clear, decisive path forward in a government-togovernment framework. In the meantime, Tribes have
Praise for staff at Whiskey Creek In response to the story, “The rebirth of Keyport’s Whiskey Creek,” page A20, Jan. 11 Herald. I find it strange that the issue surrounding their attempt to open a second restaurant in downtown Poulsbo was never mentioned. There seemed to be a direct correlation of that failed venture with quality decline in Whiskey Creek. I would have thought, and I could be wrong, that much of the financial issues stemmed directly from that attempt. Another thought: While we have been going to Whiskey Creek since the mid ’90s — 20-plus times — we have never seen the owners. Prior to the show hitting the air, my wife thought the major problem with Whiskey Creek was
begun talks with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help address the problem. The state says that 6.5 grams daily — roughly a single 8-ounce serving per month — is how much fish and shellfish that we all eat. That standard has been in place for more than 20 years. Oregon’s rate, by comparison, was recently increased to 175 grams a day. We think the people of Washington deserve at least that much protection from pollution. The state acknowledges that the current rate does not protect the majority of Washington residents because most of us eat more than one seafood meal a month. This is especially true for Indian people and
members of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities here in Washington. In fact, Washington uses one of the lowest fish consumption rates to set pollution standards, but has one of the highest fish-consuming populations in the nation. Instead of fighting development of a more accurate fish consumption rate, business and industry could be leading the effort to protect human health in this state. Weyerhaeuser, for example, stepped forward in the mid-1980s to help lead the process that reformed forest practices in Washington. The resulting agreement — the work of Tribes, environmental groups, the timber industry and state government — brought protection to fish
the owners’ “hands off” attitude toward running that shop. I agreed. Chef Irvine came up with the same conclusion. I also thought it was a low blow for the TV program to insinuate the staff was deep into theft. While that may have been great entertainment fodder, the core issue is leadership. If there is any contiguous theme of Whiskey Creek, it is the high quality staff. The staff is clearly a very dedicated group, still hanging in there. Notable though, in our very recent trip to Whiskey Creek, once again, no owners in sight. Hmmm. We still love the place; we will continue to be there through thick and thin as in the past. Craig Kelly Bainbridge Island
Who is responsible for this project? Why the late amendment, which required the placement of the large steel plates? Why, with all units of government in a state of short money supply, are such projects undertaken? Federal grants do nothing but contribute to the national debt — pork that costs us all for no good reason. Earle Willey Indianola
‘Pork’ contributes to national debt The road sign reads “Noll Road Roundabout” and lists the large amounts of money provided by Kitsap County, the City of Poulsbo, and a federal grant for its construction. There is no valid reason for this space-consuming roundabout. It has excessive ornamentation; expansive landscaping, which leads to future maintenance costs; and sidewalks that lead to nowhere. Soon, after the project reached completion, steel plates with large bumps were placed in several locations and were there for several days.
Balanced report on gun in mall store Thank you for the nonbiased reporting on the Silverdale incident involving Marc R. Bromberg (“Poulsbo man charged with reckless endangerment for gun fire in store,” page A15, Jan. 18 Herald). I feel it was a very informative writeup, something that isn’t done much anymore. Most media put a spin on things to draw attention, in order to demonize something. Very balanced and thorough. Please pass my thanks to the reporter.
and wildlife habitat on private timberlands while also ensuring a healthy future for the timber industry. We stand ready to work with state government, business, environmental groups and others to find a way forward in developing and implementing a more truthful fish consumption rate. We all want a strong economy, but not at the expense of human health or the environment on which we all depend. I urge our new governor and other elected officials to provide the leadership needed to do what’s right and require Ecology to establish a more accurate fish consumption rate in Washington. The health of every one of us who lives here hangs in the balance. — Billy Frank Jr. is chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
Look in Today’s Paper for the following sections and inserts Best Buy Century Link
Thanks again. Anthony Huff Lynnwood
More reaction to guns, gun control Facts: n The U.S. leads the world in guns per capita with 310 million estimated in civilian circulation. n Our firearms homicides are six times our Canadian neighbors per capita. This should be telling us something! n There were 30,000 U.S. gun deaths in 2012 and such deaths are expected to surpass auto fatalities in a few years (because sensible regulations have auto deaths declining). Similar policies could do the same for gun deaths. As ex-career military and a current gun owner, I support the right of lawabiding citizens to legitimately acquire and own appropriate type weapons for sporting use and personal protection, but semi-automatics with large magazine capacity accessories and designed for battle-
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