Goldendale Sentinel September 22, 2021

SERVING ALL OF KLICKITAT COUNTY

Goldendale, Washington

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

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Recount affirms KVH bond vote

County meeting erupts in fiery protests

A recount Friday of votes in the August primary election confirmed the final vote from that election on a bond for Klickitat Valley Health (KVH). The recount took most of the day, most of it in organizing and authenticating the ballots before the

LOU MARZELES EDITOR A Klickitat County commissioners’ meeting Sept. 14 began in chaos and name calling from an angry crowd protesting state mask and vaccine mandates, causing it to be quickly concluded as an official meeting. Two of the three commissioners remained to interact with the crowd in what ended up being called an impromptu, and often tense, town hall meeting.

About 40 people were protesting outside the county courthouse before the meeting started.

At 1 p.m., the group entered the commissioners’ meeting room for the public comment period of the meeting. One of the protest organizers, Ashley Cooper, later said the group was escorted into the meeting by Klickitat County Undersheriff Tim Neher, but Neher says his presence was misunderstood; he’d talked with the protesters outside the courthouse but entered from another entrance and encountered the group inside without intention of accompanying it.

As the meeting reconvened at 1 p.m. after its morning session, Commission Chair David Sauter advised the group that the meeting was operating under the state mandate to wear masks. “I’m going to give people the opportunity first,” he said, saying there were masks available for anyone who wanted one. “I see you’re not wearing masks, and if you choose not to comply, I guess we will recess the meeting. I’m going to recess the meeting for five minutes, and we will reconvene on Zoom.”

Commissioner Dan Christopher then stated, “Before we do that, let me explain why we’re doing this.

If we allow the meeting without masks, even though we hate them, it is considered an illegal public meeting. Which means I don’t get to pull this voucher out and pay people’s paychecks this week.

Then you can explain to all these people why their paychecks didn’t get paid.”

There was an immediate pushback from the protesters. “An illegal meeting by what law?” one

Vol. 142 No. 38

actual recount, which itself took about 90 minutes.

The final bond vote stands at 1,674 approved (59.1 percent) versus 1,163 against (40.99 percent).

To pass, the measure needed a super majority. It fell just short of that requirement.

GOLDENDALE FREEDOM FIGHTERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

FIERY MOMENTS: Ashley Cooper, right foreground, one of the organizers of the anti-vaccine and anti-mask protest last week, watches a man off camera explode in fierce shouting at Klickitat County Commissioners Jacob Anderson (back left) and Dan Christopher at last Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting. “You are Communists!” he screamed. “Go live in China!”

The meeting was convened within minutes when the protesters, after being asked to put on masks, refused to do so. asked.

Sauter instantly stated, “We’re done. You may join us on Zoom if you want.”

“When are you coming back?” a protester asked.

“We’re not coming back,” Sauter said.

Cooper then told the commissioners, interrupting Sauter’s comments. “You’re refusing us our constitutional rights. You’re violating your oath of office.

You’re refusing us our constitutional rights to air our grievances.”

“You have that opportunity,” Sauter said. “All you have to do is put on a mask, stay within the rules.”

“The constitution says any law made in [unclear] is null and void.

You work for us.

We want to be heard,” Cooper responded.

After that the protesters erupted into a cacophony of shouted slogans and demands to be heard on their own terms. “After 2022, you will not be working for us,” Cooper shouted as Sauter left the room. The other two commissioners, Christopher and Jacob Anderson, remained.

“Be brave like Cowlitz County!” was shouted, referring to that county’s refusal to follow the mask mandate.

“Protect our community members,” Cooper shouted. “All we ask is for you to do your job and protect our community. People are getting fired over this.”

One protester jumped to his feet, angrily shouting, “We are free! You Communists! You are Communists! You’re not doing your job!”

Another told the remaining commissioners, “You’re working for the Chinese Communist Party that makes [unclear], that makes

‘All you have to do is put on a mask, stay within the rules.’

the Chinese Communist Party happy. That’s who you work for, not the people of Klickitat County.”

“This is an illegal meeting,” Christopher responded.

“By what law?” Cooper rejoined.

More yelling erupted in voices too conflicting to be heard clearly.

“I can’t speak if you’re yelling at me,” Christopher said.

Over time the voices and attitudes calmed some, and a dialog of sorts began. About an hour and a half later, the group left, after being addressed by Anderson, who waited about 30 minutes before speaking.

“We were between a rock and a rock,” Anderson says the Monday after the meeting. “It was not actually an illegal meeting.

It was a meeting in which the public showed up that did not follow protocols, county protocols, and that doesn’t make it necessarily an illegal meeting. That just means that you have people who are not following the rules.

In terms of what happened after that, when Commissioner Sauter said, ‘We’re going to recess,’ it was a very touchy situation. It could have blown up. I made the decision to sit there and to listen; I didn’t speak for 30 minutes, just let them blow off steam. I just wanted to defuse the situation; that was my goal.”

Asked if the meeting constituted an official county commissioners’ meeting, Anderson said no. “It was more of a town hall meeting, listening,” he says. “No official county business was conducted.”

Anderson says he and Christopher listened. “We heard what people wanted. They were angry, they were upset. They feel like people are telling them what to do with their own bodies. We listened, and we let them be heard. I hope that the letter that the three commissioners signed mollifies some of their fears.”

See Meeting page B1

SCAN OF PAGES FROM TIME MAGAZINE

COUNTY NEWS IN ‘TIME’: In a recent issue of Time Magazine, Shane Brown of White Salmon was featured in a story on the tragedies inflicted by the devastating heat waves of the summer across the country. Brown was cited among the many who lost loved ones. In the picture, Brown is seen at the grave of his mother Jollene at the Klickitat County Cemetery District 1 in July.

CONTRIBUTED: PAULA RILEY

GOOD CLEAN FUN: Kids at the Junior and High School Rodeos in Glenwood last weekend got muddy and had a blast. Left to right: Layne Bruhn, Lexi Molnar, Jorgia Bean, and Peyton Sanchey.

High school local kids hit the fall rodeos TAYLER BRADLEY FOR THE SENTINEL

Fall rodeo season is underway for our local junior high and high school rodeo athletes.

They headed out for their first stop of the season in Longview, Washington. Both age groups competed for two days, junior high Friday and Saturday morning, and high school Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, against many others from all over the state. The competition was for points each day to make it to state finals in the spring.

In the Junior High Rodeo, competitor Blake Endicott was able to win the boys breakaway during the Friday rodeo, and he ended up winning the boys breakaway average over the two rodeos as well. In the High School Rodeo, Wade Endicott won 5th in the team roping on Saturday. Joslyn Arnold won the goat tying Saturday and won sec-

ond on Sunday, allowing her to win the goat tying average over the two rodeos. Emily Campbell was fifth in the barrel racing Saturday and fourth on Sunday.

She was also 5th in the goat tying on Sunday. Layne Bruhn and his partner were 7th in the team roping on Saturday, and Corynn Kayser was third in the goat tying on Sunday. Overall, every one of them had a great first rodeo and got the ball rolling for the next one.

Their second rodeo was this past weekend in Glenwood that the local rodeo club hosted. And in true Klickitat County fashion, the cold weather set in for the three days. Many parents and volunteers stepped in to get the Glenwood rodeo grounds ready for the event. Our kids competed well and didn’t let a little mud stop them. Emma Patterson was 3rd in the poles and 3rd in the barrels Saturday morning. Blake

See Rodeo page B1

Sutton appointed to CPAKC, grant comes to Goldendale Sunday Sutton has been named the new coordinator for the Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) following the announcement in August that she now serves as the new grant director for the Community Prevention & Wellness Initiative (CPWI).

The grant funding comes from the Washington State Health Care Authority, Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery, Substance Use Disorder Prevention Program. Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) acts as the fiscal sponsor.

This newest grant award for 2021 - 2023 is WAGAP’s second time receiving support for the Goldendale community. The two-year grant cycle provides approximately $137,000 per year for WAGAP to fund the coordinator’s position, pay related expenses, and cover coalition activities. In coordination of prevention efforts, ESD112 receives a separate CPWI grant to support its staffing of a prevention specialist position in Goldendale’s middle and high schools.

Sutton, a participant of the coalition since its inception around 2005, had been a substance disorder treatment counselor for 19 years with Comprehensive

Healthcare before deciding to switch roles and focus on the community core effort to prevent substance misuse in the Goldendale area.

This position is close to Sutton’s heart. “Everything came together at the right time,” Sutton said. She shared that she has been in recovery for over 25 years. She believes both she and the community have benefited from her path, which led her to become educated in mental health issues and serve as a treatment counselor.

Sutton described a family history where substance abuse was rampant. She changed paths when she saw it affecting her children. Sutton got into a recovery program and sought education to become a community mental health responder crisis aide. She then worked on her associate’s degree and later became an accredited prevention specialist in Oregon and Washington.

“This was all part of my healing process,” Sutton said. Her goal has been to give back to her community and find resources to support youth and families.

She hopes that by sharing her personal experiences, she can

See Sutton page B1

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021—A3

GOLDENDALE, WASHINGTON

G OLDENDALE ’ S A TTIC

This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture Four kids flanked by two guys looking on proudly. Why? What’s going on here? We have no idea. We don’t know

anything about this picture other than it ran in The Sentinel sometime a long time ago. If you know more about it, please drop

us an email (info@goldendalesentinel.com) or give us a call (773-3777) or drop in at the office— and remember, you’re

welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph. You can see faces and detail better on the original.

Answer to last week´s Mystery Picture hom Ketc t t i r Mer Rev.

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We got bunches (that’s the technical term) of responses from many people about last week’s photo. See the labels in the picture for names. The year and the occasion remain uncertain.

LOOKING BACK September 23, 1909 – 112 Years Ago The public water fountain for Goldendale arrived and will be placed at the intersection of Grant and Main Street.

September 13, 1941 – 80 Years Ago Jack Davenport, Goldendale, and Adeline Balsiger, White Salmon, were boy and girl high point winners in the recent county-wide 4-H Club Fair.

September 16, 1971 – 50 Years Ago It is expected that some smelting pots at the new, $96 million Harvey Aluminum plant southeast of Goldendale will “go on bake,” next week. Bake is the process preparatory to the start of actual smelting. Harvey will create about 450 jobs for the Klickitat County area by the end of the year. When fully operational the plant’s payroll will be in excess of $4.5 million annually. This plant, Harvey’s largest smelter, will have an annual rated capacity of 100,000 short tons of primary aluminum.

September 23, 1971 – 50 Years Ago Chlorination of Goldendale’s water supply will be mandatory by December 1973, the city council was told last week by a representative of the State Health Department. Fluoridation of the City water supply was also recommended.

September 12, 1991 – 30 Years Ago The hands move fast on Taco Day at Goldendale Middle School. At 11 a.m., 30 minutes before the lunchroom fi lls with over 200 hungry students, three cooks fi ll 400 taco shells with pans and pans of seasoned meat. Hand to shell, to meat, to shell… and again. They are quiet, efficient, and knowledgeable … hand to shell, to meat, to shell… and again. In the oven, 500 dinner rolls turn a golden brown, and head cook Kay Kayser turns to pull the bread out. With the skill of a painter, she brushes them with butter. The rolls are a young eater’s favorite, says Kayser, who uses over 50 pounds of flour a day for just bread items. School cooks are Kayser, assistant cook Carol Smith and Joan Heming.

October 12, 1991 – 30 Years Ago On Saturday October 22, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum hosted the Gorge debut of Roll on Columbia, a new fi lm about folk musician Woody Guthrie and the songs inspired by his work for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Roll on Columbia traces the story of Guthrie’s month in the Columbia River Gorge in the spring of 1941. Woodrow Wilson Guthrie was only 28 years old and at the peak of his career when he took a temporary job with the BPA on the Columbia River. The Gorge project was the most productive time of his career; Guthrie wrote 26 songs in 30 days. Among them are classics such as Roll on Columbia and Pastures of Plenty.

—Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society

Points to ponder: “What do we want?”

“Compromise!”

“When do we want it?”

“When’s good for you?”

We don’t need a dinner bell in our house. We have a smoke detector.

I’m as confused as a chemeleon in a bag of Skittles.

Everything is easier said than done. Except for talking. That’s about the same.

I was having a terrible day, so I went for a walk to clear my head. The passenger in my cab was furious.

A4—September 22, 2021

Goldendale, Washington

Shot mandate for volunteers goes too far

Opinion

It’ll be interesting to see if McCracken personally goes to 4-H functions to enforce her letter. But I suspect she’ll sit by commanding others to try to enforce an order that even the governor admits he has no power to enforce.

4-H programs already suffer from a shortage of volunteers. This type of mandate is going to make it worse.

Roger Harnack is the publisher of Free Press Publishing. Email him at Roger@cheneyfreepress.com.

Talk about a bureaucrat with delusions of grandeur.

On Sept. 3, Washington State University Extension Office Director Vicki A. McCracken took it upon herself to dictate that all 4-H volunteers now have to be “fully vaccinated” to continue in their position or face being “inactive.” She cited Gov. Jay Inslee’s edict that It/they represent riots, looting, and Thank you for the mural I took down the BLM mural everyone connected to education—from preschool murder. BLM has destroyed bilthrough the university system—must be fully vaccilions of dollars of property, much of It was me. Vanessa Ladiges.

I would like to comment on the nated by Oct. 18.

I do not have a swastika tattooed it belonging to those they claim to article in the September 15 Sention my forehead. I am not a racist represent. Placing their symbol of nel about the mural painter feeling Apparently, neither McCracken nor Inslee have or homophobic. I am not some evil, hate is the same as painting a Nazi threatened by some locals and how attended the fantastic fairs and other 4-H programs hateful, mean, threatening person swastika. It angers rather than joins they were verbally attacking her that take place daily here in eastern Washington. who set out to destroy your Black the community. and others who work at WAGAP in What makes a university employee think they can tell You have your right to your own Goldendale, all for painting a Black Lives Matter window display. What volunteers what to do in their personal health care?

I did do was take down something opinion, but don’t use my taxpayer Lives Matter mural on the outside that causes hate and discontent dollars to support such a hateful window.

Just because McCracken has a fancy title from a uniI never got to see it because somewherever it’s posted. Nothing good sentiment. Please don’t try to conversity doesn’t mean she has any authority to dictate comes from it. It has not solved a vince me that this will make our one had removed it, and it was gone personal health decisions. single issue. Instead, buildings have local youth of any background feel the next day. I saw it in the paper If it was that important, why wait so long to write been burned, businesses have been safe. All it does it compartmental- and thought it was beautiful. the letter? Why suggest someone else made her do it? lost along with livelihoods. We are ize us instead of uniting us. We are How disrespectful and hateful one nation under God. One nation, and racist that you could do that not that. We are better than that.

The governor made his coronavirus vaccination anWe are a group of people who gath- not separate races or colors. My to people who actually care for othnouncement Aug. 9. If it indeed was husband is an Army veteran. HeI contacted ered together this year to have for a three ers and have compassion Burn-out has got to go hours. the bank for anin their meant to include 4-H volunteers, why foughtthe for city America with soldiersexplanation. of hearts for parade where American, gay pride, I think people in their The answer wascommuof Goldendale Guest did she wait a month to make her all colors.

He is the first to say, “We Trump, and other flags were nity, or anywhere.

No matter to rethink supporting The Festival of Wheels gave flown it needs essentially that “we wouldn’t do what own commandment? red.”park.

The BLM in race with no whatsoever.

I all bleed or straight, another tryconfrontation this year. It seems the burnouts in our Next symbol, year that.”

Thenyou whyare, is itgay in your docu- people Editorial does exactly for our was veryhas proud of our little town.don’t I fact, are less thetoworkers McCracken’s letter to volunteers is attendance dwindled to much issue a permit to opposite any group ments,who I asked.

Thefortunate, answer was Roger isolating.There are send me am alevels sole proprietor owner at up WAGAP care, some of us in that youth. wants It tois burn-out. the chain of like command. lower than whenbusiness the event clearly out-of-bounds. And her letter don’t murder black innew, downtown Goldendale. years this town. places Police in the county where it couldpeople.

The second person gave the same was 10 years ago. ThereIn are is typical of a government bureauHarnack Thisjust is not false andcity inflammatory. past, many com-munity likeand to thank Emily Liri in the please. answer Iaswould a lot of competing car showsmembers this be held, the first then was crat bucking for a raise or promoTwisted peopleand wearing police unihave worked to beautify and Naramore for what you I hate toxic smoke, you should time of year, so ithard doesn’t surprise our to have meLeslie contacted by some-one tion. for doup.

Planting flowers and for That the youth in our too. forms do. Condemning all police higher medowntown. . person hascommunity. not rotten is be reprehensible.

It’s nice know that than someone cleaning weeds fromMotorthe curbs. Ona Sept Isn’t it interesting that she sent contacted me to after more a cares This yearthe Goldendale 4 Ifew will asking the The propaganda and the facts are and help them feel safe Painting graffiti is notABATE welcoming week for so Iour amyouth following through sports Association and mayor and his administration to two out the letter near the end of fair and rodeo season. I different things. Such statementson dowhat nor isback it attractive to ourwhich business andI told accepted for who theyIare and the burn-out, make an ordinance forbidding the bank contacts suspect that was so she wouldn’t hear the immediate brought notfrom help reckless our youth feel safe; district.

If youtimes wouldinlike to paint whattothey choose atoletter be into life. And was tried several the past was going do—write anyone unsafe burn-it only backlash from rural volunteers who are overwhelmdistrust and also,tothank you for your for your artwork, perhaps the editor be sure local folks support are with questionable benefitspaint to theit on outscauses in any fear onesand neighborhood or more ingly saying no to vaccination. youth need city to underyourThis ownyear home. gay pride and Black town. someone had the any division. street in Our the Goldendale awarethe of how Columbia BankLives is Matstand our police are here to serve I did,idea however, leave multiter issues the community.

Her letter has some of our best representatives in brilliant to use the old the skatelimits.

I would appreciate some choosing to dealinwith its account Kudos and from protect all of us. Are they being colored thattowere to you ladies. I’m right there with parkhands as a place stagepainted the support like-minded citizens holders.

Olympia concerned. Sens. Mark Schoesler of Ritzville board influenced against the above is something I can We need more people like you return of it. theThat burnout.

It was held at the council meeting.

Letpolice? them WhatMy you. concern is that a comment and Shelly Short of Addy noted the move will push if how a county sheriff was watching?

Toslab, love one another. No in the onget thebehind. concrete a tempting know you feel. as broad ascommunity. this opens Compassion the door matout rural volunteers and could lead to the demise of matter for what your skin color to is. To So? They have every right. ters. I have had no difficulmedium anyone inclined for abuse. many of the activities that occur in our rural comfar as removing the mural,ties it withAnd support andRednecks contribute make a Ken As Emily, I’m and gladam you’re not McKune bum rubber. of to many our to local branch doesn’t belong on such a building better world.

We are in this thing Goldendale upheadquarters and that you’ll be paintmunities. It may also hurt agriculture, as aspiring degrees, punk kids or all maybe the sorry giving that the has to ingtoanother called life together.

Why not make anyway. Why would you continuedecided mural, onlyline. this time it little old lady from Pasadena. take such a hard young farmers and ranchers go without guidance, will be inside thetobuilding. most of itwas by being kind?

C put up something that was causing Ithe personally left with a bad It ap-pears I will need look for aLooking and agricultural education often learned through 4-H forward seeing thatin one.

I’m sorry truly believe the media is the negative comments? Threatened? tasteIin my mouth and lungs.

Even bank that doestonot behave this programs.

Really? So this mural was promotthat some of the locals made you feel enemy, the root of the I recently manner. though I made it acause pointof toall stay received an updated They are probably correct. ing for hate and discontent, but you the way you did when you painted unrest see today inand thewas larger away fromwe the burn-out at cit“Terms Business and Deposit insist on doing it.

What is reallyKenthat andwhere online.I thought It’s easyIto be mean mural. So sad.

That doesn’t seem to matter to McCracken, who Margraf myies home would Account Agreement” from Columbeing promoted? sound and cruel if you know someI am a supporter for the gay pride escape the noise anddon’t smoke, when bia Bank.

I am not inDoesn’t the habit of likeGoldendale wrote volunteers cannot participate “until proof of a positive youth, but and Black Lives Matter movements. you don’t havethe to park look the theone. toxicIfcloud rose from reading the finemessage print butfor for some full vaccination can be observed or until an exempyourthis owntime political garbage.

I myself love people for who they are person inover the eye. and drifted the Little Klicki- reason I did.

I came tion request has been reviewed.” Funny how the vac- tat River are aline number unifying or what they choose to be in their Turn the news off.swimming Focus on what Park (the acrossThere an “added” that I of found cine vultures are circling the language. that couldthis be used, weon can do for concerning.

Again, line pos- lives. pool) to the kidsone andanother. families Focus at verymessages sibly to commemorate what It shouldn’t matter the color you Initially, getting vaccinated meant a single shot. is both forsomething personal and business theon pool andwe onhave to mecontrol while Iover: was our the 13It reads: Lost Soldiers Afghani- are or what gender you prefer or if own on Goldendale community. accounts.

“We mayin refuse my property.

We were Get Then “fully vaccinated” implied two shots. Now that sitting stan. flying you are less fortunate than oth-ers. involved in by ourthe schools.

Volunteer andAlso, account andand maysupporting close toxins in the to open we know two shots are not “fully” vaccinating Ameri- contaminated Rainbow Pride flag another They are people too, just like evewith one theeyes manyand clubs.

Run for smoke, andofmy throat yourthe account at any time forisany cans, boosters are being suggested in hopes they will were matter altogether.

How an imitated, office. Or and justmy plant some flowers lungs filled reason or for no reason at people all.” live ryone else, trying to get by in this last four months. lives and political views are world. This is America, and we all in your front yard. Ifand everyone with carbon monoxide other did “Fortheir No Reason At All” I particudifferent. There are a have the right to be what we want something, our loadcompounds would be light.

At this rate, there will never be anything close to cancer causing toxic larlycompletely found offensive.

I’m not naive in thinking there number of positive and supportive and be who we are in life, full vaccination. are not real problems in the world. things you could use to accomplish It saddens me that some people And then there’s the language on exemption reThat goes with human nature. I do a goal. We know that all lives mat- can be so judgmental or look down quests being “reviewed”—not requested. That gives believe that keeping the lines of ter. Don’t make our youth feel seg- on others who are just trying to get bureaucrats like McCracken an out, so they can tell communication open is always the regated by their race or color. Our by like everyone else, wanting to be key. Talk to your neighbors. Get to community embraces our youth accepted and respected here in our exemption-seekers they never promised to allow an know one another. Help each other in many ways. Poisonous seeds of community. And they should be, no exemption. whenever needed. The things we racism are the last thing they need. matter who you are or choose to be. have in common are far greater Part of growing up is learning We are all human, with feelthan our differences. If we do not, there are those who will dislike, or ings and emotions, and want to be THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL and we continue down this road of hate us, for any reason regardless accepted.

Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington Shouldn’t all lives matter? hate and violence, our grandchil- of what we say, do, or are. PromotEstablished 1879 • Published every Wednesday from offices at 117 W. Main dren will have us to blame. That is ing self-esteem and self-pride will help them face those challenges. something I will not be a part of.

Street • Goldendale, WA 98620 • Telephone: (509) 773-3777 Regina Guzman Our youth need to learn how to deal Goldendale Emails: with those who are hateful. UnforVanessa Ladiges news@goldendalesentinel.com Goldendale tunately, hate can wear the face of (News, editorial, Letters) many colors.

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Photos by local photographers Neil Thompson (top & center) and Steve Nygaard (bottom)

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021—B5

N ATION A L NEWS courtesy of THE E PO CH TIME S

19 Governors, 2 AGs Resist Biden’s Vaccine Mandates KEVIN DIETSCH/GETTY IMAGES

MIMI NGUYEN LY

More than a dozen governors and two attorneys general late on Sept. 9 issued statements defying the Biden administration’s impending vaccine mandates for federal workers and private-sector workers.

President Joe Biden earlier in the day signed an executive order to require all federal workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. There would be no option to opt out via COVID-19 testing. The mandate also applies to government contractors and their employees.

The president later announced he would direct the Department of Labor to create a rule to have companies with over 100 employees mandate vaccinations or weekly testing, a move that affects more than 80 million workers in the private sector.

At least 19 governors and two attorneys general immediately issued statements disagreeing with the administration’s move, with several vowing to defy it.

They include the governors of Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

They were joined by at least two state attorneys general as of that night—Sean Reyes from Utah and Todd Rokita from Indiana.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the chair of the National Governors Association, said in a statement: “I fully support continued efforts to increase vaccination rates across our nation, but the federal government mandates on private businesses are not the right answer.

“I have been consistent in freedom of businesses to require their employees to be vaccinated, and I have opposed the government from saying businesses cannot exercise that freedom. The same principle should protect the private sector from government overreach that requires them to vaccinate all employees.”

Multiple Republican governors, including for Arizona, Georgia, and South Dakota, hinted or announced that they would seek legal avenues to resist the mandates.

“The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective tools to prevent the dis-

•

•

President Joe Biden speaks about combating the coronavirus pandemic at the White House, on Sept. 9, 2021. ease, but getting the vaccine is and should be a choice,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said in a statement.

“These mandates are outrageous.

They will never stand up in court. We must and will push back.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on Twitter, “I will pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wrote on Twitter, “South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom. @ JoeBiden see you in court.” She later shared another Twitter post saying her legal team is prepared to stand up to the Biden administration’s mandates.

The Biden administration didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Biden earlier in the day commented on the issue of vaccine mandates in schools, saying, “If these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my power as president to get them out of the way.”

Biden said the matter of getting more shots into arms “is not about freedom or personal choice. It’s about protecting yourself and those around you—the people you work with, the people you care about, the people you love.”

Statements from the remaining governors and attorneys general as of late Sept. 9 are as follows:

US Doubles Fines for Violators of Mask Mandate at Airports, on Trains ZACHARY STIEBER

President Joe Biden’s administration on Sept. 9 doubled the fines for people who are caught violating the federal mask mandate in effect at airports and on some modes of public transportation.

The fees, previously ranging from $250 for first-time offenders to up to $1,500 for repeat offenders, will now be $500 and up for people caught violating the mandate for the first time and up to $3,000 for people caught violating it more than once.

The mask mandate is in effect at airports, on airplanes, and in other modes of public transportation, such as buses.

The boosted penalties took effect Sept. 10.

“Wearing a mask protects the traveling public and all of the personnel who make the travel experience safe, secure, and comfortable,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “We will continue to enforce the mask mandate as long as necessary to protect public health and safety.”

“We appreciate the majority of travelers each day who voluntarily follow the requirement, but find this action

TRUTH and TRADITION

necessary to maximize the protections for those who use and work within the transportation system, and to contain COVID-19,” added David Pekoske, administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

“By doubling the range of penalties, we seek to reinforce the importance of voluntary adherence.”

The mandate, imposed by the administration on Feb. 2, is currently in place until Jan. 18, 2022.

Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the administration, to double the fines as part of a fresh plan to try to curb the Delta variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

While campaigning last year, Biden promised he would stop the virus when he entered office. Instead, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths jumped over the summer, though they’re on the decline in some states.

Experts blame the Delta variant, which has been described as more transmissible than other variants, and which vaccines aren’t able to mitigate as well as previous strains.

Biden also announced new CCP virus vaccine mandates, including for companies that have more than 100 employers.

• Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (in part): “I support the science and encourage folks taking the vaccine. However, I am absolutely against a government mandate on the vaccine, which is why I signed the vaccine passport ban into law here in Alabama. This is not the role of the government.”

• Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy: “This is ridiculous and unenforceable. If there was ever a case for the 25th Amendment…”

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (at a press conference): “I do not believe that people should lose their jobs over this issue, and we will fight that. If they try to do that through a rule like the Department of Labor, I don’t think they have the legal authority to do that, but we obviously would want to support protections for people who are just trying to earn a living.”

• Idaho Gov. Brad Little: “Today’s actions from President Biden amount to government overreach. Government should stay out of decisions involving employers and their employees as much as possible. I’ve advocated for and championed fewer government regulations and mandates on business.”

• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds: “President Biden is taking dangerous and unprecedented steps to insert the federal government even further into our lives while dismissing the ability of Iowans and Americans to make healthcare decisions for

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themselves. Biden’s plan will only worsen our workforce shortage and further limit our economic recovery. As I’ve said all along, I believe and trust in Iowans to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families. It’s time for President Biden to do the same.

Enough is enough.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (in part): “Vaccination protects us from serious illness, but the decision to get vaccinated is a private health care decision that should remain as such. My administration will always fight back against federal power grabs and government overreach that threatens to limit our freedoms.”

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves: “The President has no authority to require that Americans inject themselves because of their employment at a private business. The vaccine itself is life-saving, but this unconstitutional move is terrifying. This is still America, and we still believe in freedom from tyrants.”

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte: “President Biden’s vaccination mandate is unlawful and un-American.

We are committed to protecting Montanans’ freedoms and liberties against this gross federal overreach.”

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts: “President Biden’s announcement is a stunning violation of personal freedom and abuse of the federal

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government’s power. This plan isn’t about public health—this is about government control and taking away personal liberties.”

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum: “President Biden’s misguided plan steers our country down a dangerous path away from states’ rights and the freedom of private businesses to make their own decisions on vaccinations. We stand opposed to this blatant federal overreach.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt: “It is not the government’s role to dictate to private businesses what to do. Once again President Biden is demonstrating his complete disregard for individual freedoms and states’ rights. As long as I am governor, there will be no government vaccine mandates in Oklahoma. My administration will continue to defend Oklahoma values and fight back against the Biden administration’s federal overreach.”

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster: “The American Dream has turned into a nightmare under President Biden and the radical Democrats. They have declared war against capitalism, thumbed their noses at the Constitution, and empowered our enemies abroad. Rest assured, we will fight them to the gates of hell to protect the liberty and livelihood of every South Carolinian.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee: “‘This is not about freedom’ is a phrase that should never come out of a U.S. President’s mouth. For a fight that requires working together, a lot of cynical and divisive edicts came out of the White House today pitting the vaccinated against the unvaccinated, businesses against employees, and the federal government against states.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: “Biden’s vaccine mandate is an assault on private businesses. I issued an Executive Order protecting Texans’ right to choose whether they get the COVID vaccine & added it to the special session agenda. Texas is already working to halt this power grab.”

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (in part): “I have asked the Attorney General to stand prepared to take all actions to oppose this administration’s unconstitutional overreach of executive power. It has no place in America. Not now, and not ever.”

Judge Blocks Florida’s ‘Anti-Riot’ Law, Says It Violates First Amendment Rights ISABEL VAN BRUGEN

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Florida’s new “anti-riot” law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying it violates First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Sept. 9 didn’t rule the entire statute likely violated the U.S. Constitution, but found that the state legislature’s new definition of the word “riot” was too vague and confusing to satisfy free-speech rights guaranteed under the First Amendment.

“If this court does not enjoin the statute’s enforcement, the lawless actions of a few rogue individuals could effectively criminalize the protected speech of hundreds, if not thousands, of law-abiding Floridians,” the Obama-appointed judge wrote in a 90-page ruling that includes a three-page history of the civil rights movement in Florida dating back to 1956.

The so-called anti-riot measure, known as HB1, was signed into law

by DeSantis on April 19. The Republican governor said at the time that it’s “the strongest anti-rioting, prolaw-enforcement piece of legislation in the country.”

The law increases criminal penalties for assault, defacing monuments, and vandalizing public property dur-

ing riots. Local governments that interfere with law enforcement trying to contain violent demonstrations will be penalized.

The bill changed the definition of what a “riot” is in the state of Florida.

Under the law, a riot is defined as a violent public disturbance involving three or more people acting with a common intent that causes damage to public property or injuries—or can cause imminent injury or damage.

The law also creates a new seconddegree felony—“aggravated riot”— for any riot involving more than 25 people and resulting in grievous bodily harm or more than $5,000 in property damage. It would also apply if participants use or threaten to use a deadly weapon or block roadways by force or by the threat of force.

DeSantis said during the signing event in April that the left-wing idea of “defund the police” that echoed throughout Black Lives Matter demonstrations last year is an “insane theory” and is “not going to be allowed to ever carry the day in the state of Florida.”

Democrats and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have said that the law is designed to intimidate Black Lives Matter and related protesters. The ACLU and several other groups sued the governor, state

Attorney General Ashley Moody, and others over the measure earlier this year.

DeSantis in a written statement said that he “vehemently” disagrees with the judge’s decision.

“But this case was always going to be decided by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals,” the governor said. “There is a difference between a peaceful protest and a riot, and Floridians do not want to see the mayhem and violence associated with riots in their communities.”

The ACLU of Florida welcomed the decision in a statement shortly after the ruling, saying that the law “appears designed to target those who protest police violence.”

“We are glad the court has agreed to suspend enforcement of this key provision while we continue to advocate to ensure that protesters in Florida can safely exercise their right to speak out against injustice,” it said.

Meanwhile, DeSantis said during a press briefing on Sept. 9 that Florida would be appealing the decision.

“That’s a foreordained conclusion from that court,” DeSantis said, The Washington Post reported. “I guarantee you, we’ll win that on appeal.”

Jack Phillips and Reuters contributed to this report.

“THE EPOCH TIMES IS A BEACON OF LIGHT IN THE ‘NEWS’ DARKNESS THAT PRETTY MUCH COVERS THE COUNTRY.” —Jonne Rosenau LEARN MORE AT

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B6—SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

GOLDENDALE, WASHINGTON

Introducing Smartypants The Sentinel is now offering this new feature for kids: Smartypants.

Advertisers: help support this valuable learning tool for kids. Contact us. Email Peggy@GoldendaleSentinel.com or call Peggy at (509) 250-3373.

B8—SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

GOLDENDALE, WASHINGTON

Get ready for the unexpected with a disaster go bag At their home in Goldendale, Washington, a first aid kit, medications, and toiletries get checked off Harry and Martty Knickerbocker’s list of emergency go bag necessities.

In 2014, a fire nearly caused them to evacuate their previous home in Halfway, Oregon. “We could see the fire from our backyard,” Martty said, “We could see the trees burning and the sparks flying.”

The Knickerbockers saw the wisdom of having a go bag. Harry said, “We were all prepared, so we weren’t worried at all.”

When they moved to Goldendale six years ago, they remained prepared.

Their emergency go bag includes items such as food, water, toiletries, and important papers, to name a few. The Knickerbockers also encouraged their new friends to have their go bags ready. “It means life and death in a lot of situations,” Harry stated.

Preparing in advance with a disaster-ready kit has helped families nationwide through extreme and abnormal weather events, which experts warn are on the rise.

In southern Washington, residents face danger from wildfires, earthquakes, and power outages from storms,

COURTESY JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’ PUBLIC INFORMATION

READY TO GO: Harry and Martty Knickerbocker of Goldendale prepare for an emergency by packing a go bag.

disasters that may catch them off guard. “You can’t wait till the last minute to put these together,” Harry said, “It takes some time and thought, you can’t wait till the last minute.”

Martty admitted that when a disaster happens

people have a tendency to panic. “Something comes on you and your heart starts pounding and you start running around like a crazy person.” She has found that having a go bag helps her emotionally. “The fact that we have a lot of emphasis

City council keeps flowers program RODGER NICHOLS

FOR THE SENTINEL The Goldendale City Council meeting was set to be a long one due to lengthy agenda. But at the start of the meeting, Mayor Mike Canon announced that two items had been pulled from the agenda, a supplemental request from the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce and notice of award on the Simcoe sewer project.

The council did have several other items to deal with. Fil Ontoveros reported that the Life Pack machine that the city’s fire department uses on emergency medical calls was failing. He explained that it was a hand-me-down from another agency. The fire department started handling emergency medical calls in 2017 when the ambulance service started needing more help. He said sometimes it would take an ambulance half an hour to reach Goldendale if they’d been out on other calls. The machine can monitor vital signs, including temperature and blood pressure.

It’s also a defibrillator and EKG tester and can connect

by Wi-Fi to transmit information and receive medical records. Councilors authorized an expenditure not to exceed $30,000, which would include the machine and an extended warranty.

Councilor Dave Jones had praise for the fi re department, saying that he had a gas leak in his store, and the department was there within five minutes.

“They coordinated everything to get the gas guy down there,” he said. “They even brought a big fan to blow all of the gas out of the store so I didn’t have the smell the next morning. I was really impressed with the way they rolled in there.”

Councilors also debated whether to continue fi nancially supporting the hanging baskets that decorate certain city streets. The program was started some years ago by Ty Ross, then turned over to the city. In 2020 the city spent $25,000 on the project and $15,000 this year. Councilors were initially split on whether to continue the program, but

ultimately decided to continue at the present level for one more year, then revisit the program.

City Administrator Larry Bellamy reported that the city had taken delivery of a new street sweeper and was expecting a vacuum truck on Thursday.

And council members voted to reject the two bids received for site development at the municipal airport to receive fuel equipment that has already been ordered.

“They came in much higher than expected,” Consultant Corey McFarland of Precision Approach Engineering told the council. “In fact they were almost double, and they were within $1,000 of each other. They exceed the grant funding, and so in my mind we need to revisit the design and pare back the cost so we stay within the grant funds.”

For those attending the meeting by Zoom, the audio quality from council chambers was plagued with low volume and fidelity.

The contrast was evident when people from outside addressed the council.

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Calendar of Events

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday • Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays • Zumba Classes – Soul 2 Soul Health Center 5:30 – 6:30pm Monday • Programs for Peaceful Living Domestic Violence Victim support group via zoom Mondays at 10am. Call for more information: 509-773-6100 or 509-493-1533.

• The Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County

(CPAKC) meets at 4:00pm every second Monday via Zoom. Contact number is 509-773-3776 or CPAKC on Facebook.

• Yoga Zoom meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Please call Jill Kieffer RN Instructor to pre-register (541) 490-3704 • Goldendale City Council meetings 7 p.m. at 1103 S Columbus – First and Third Monday of every month except on holidays.

Tuesday • Soroptimist International of Goldendale business meeting 3 pm at the Goldendale Grange.

Dedicated to helping women and youth in our community

and worldwide. Guests and new members welcome, call Cindy at 509-250-1590 for more information.

• TOPS Club Inc – Taking Pounds off Sensibly – 10:00 am American Legion. Questions?

Sally/ojala@gmail.com • Goldendale Junior Community Chamber – 7:00 pm the second Tuesday of every month at Umpqua Bank. Call 509-2500625 for details Wednesday • Kiwanis meets at 7 am at the Simcoe Café the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

on being prepared is really calming, it gives me peace of mind,” she said.

“Having a personal preparedness plan increases your chances of staying safe,” according to a training program from the Columbia University’s

National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

Jolted awake by a neighbor’s urgent knocking, Aaron and Jacqueline Pate were horrified to see the encroaching fl ames of the fast-moving Woolsey fire that had been miles away

when they went to bed. It burned to within 100 feet of their Westlake Village home in 2018 as part of California’s deadliest wildfire season on record.

“Because we had go bags, we weren’t running around trying to pack things at the last minute,” said Jacqueline. “We had the time we needed to comfort our kids and get everyone safely into the car.”

Like the Knickerbockers, the Pates credited the disaster-preparedness help they received as Jehovah’s Witnesses, both through periodic reminders at their congregation meetings and from tips for putting together go bags on the organization’s website, www.jw.org.

“Life is precious, so we encourage all to heed the Bible’s advice to take practical steps to protect ourselves from danger,” said Robert Hendriks III, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States.

Disaster-preparedness suggestions and tips for putting together a go bag are available from FEMA at ready.gov and from Jehovah’s Witnesses at https:// tinyurl.com/zksz2p2y.