APRIL 11, 2013 | OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE
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THE TOWN CRIER
A new era in state government
It can be done. This past week the Majority Coalition Caucus proved that what many in Olympia said was impossible is actually possible. It is possible to balance the state’s budget, while at the same time substantially increasing the public investment into education and protecting our state’s most vulnerable, without new taxes. We applied the same rules people in the real world live by. We had adult conversations with a refreshing level of transparency and bipartisan cooperation. We accomplished some of the efficiencies necessary to do this by holding government agencies accountable to the standard of productivity that so many of our small businesses face each day. There is still a long way to go, but we have made the first step. Obviously, there are those who are pretty attached to the old-fashioned politics of wornOpinion by out talking points, and consequently did not like process. It showed that just like the T-Rex, Sen. John Smith this those old predatory ideas have come to the end (7th District) of their age of dominance. Voters expect better from us. They are tired of egos battling over who will raise taxes more or who will regulate who more. As moms and dads struggle to balance their personal budgets, they know deep inside that the days of the taxpayer-funded gravy train are over. It is time for state government, and those that operate within it, to live within their means. It is time for legislators to have the character and integrity to say no to deep-pocketed special interests and for once represent the real people who sent them to Olympia. I do believe that better days are ahead of us. Those days will not come from more government spending, another program, more taxes or more agency expansion. The solution is the American Dream. We have been so focused on making our political points that we have forgotten what America is about. We were founded on the idea that there were absolute principles that guarantee inviolate rights to each citizen, chief of which is the right to build the better mousetrap. Sometimes the best way to identify that new idea is to fail repeatedly and earn the discovery. In America your latest failure is the first step to your next success. We don’t need government masking mistakes; we don’t need “Olympia whitewash” spread over things that don’t work. A better future is predicated upon an honest admission that politics as usual doesn’t work. Our systems are broken. More money without reform won’t fix things. We need fundamental government reforms, and that sort of remodeling will not happen with a single bill, a vote of the Legislature, or the swipe of a pen by a governor. It will happen with hard work, a determined long-term commitment, and the character to see it through. There are those of us who are determined to commit to that task, but it will not happen overnight and it will not happen without your input and assistance. I am always open to your comments and ideas. Real solutions come from home, not from Olympia Sen. John Smith, R-Colville, is serving his first term in the Washington State Senate and represents the 7th Legislative District. He serves as Vice Chair for both the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee, and the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Transportation Committee. Editor’s Note: In last week’s editorial I stated that the North Valley Hospital District CEO’s salary had increased 100%, it was more like 23%, from roughly $130,000 (not $75,000) to $160,000. CEO Linda Michel also wanted point out that she, not the board approved the staff salary increases. Michel also has a letter in this week’s issue. G.A.D.
GAZETTE-TRIBUNE SERVING WASHINGTON’S OKANOGAN VALLEY SINCE 1905 OROVILLE OFFICE 1420 Main St., PO Box 250 Oroville, WA 98844 Phone: (509) 476-3602 Toll free: (866) 773-7818 Fax: (509) 476-3054 www.gazette-tribune.com OFFICE HOURS Oroville Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor Gary A. DeVon gdevon@gazette-tribune.com Reporter/Production Brent Baker bbaker@gazette-tribune.com (509) 476-3602 Advertising Sales/Ad Design Charlene Helm chelm@gazette-tribune.com (509) 476-3602 | (509) 322-5712 Classifieds Shawn Elliott classifieds@soundpublishing.com 1-800-388-2527 Circulation 1-888-838-3000 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Classified ads can be placed during normal office hours by calling 1-800-388-2527 Weekly Rates: $6.75 for the first 15 words 25 cents for additional words Borders, bold words, headlines, logos and photos subject to additional charges The Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune (USPS 412 120) is published weekly by Sound Publishing / Oroville 1420 Main St. PO Box 250 Oroville, WA 98844 Phone: (509) 476-3602 Fax: (509) 476-3054 Periodical postage paid at Oroville, WA, and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, PO BOX 250, Oroville, WA 98844
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF OROVILLE & TONASKET
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Hospital Board gives of their time and energy Dear Editor, I am having difficulty with the fact that some in the community feel the Board of Commissioners need to be recalled. I have a different opinion, which I must state whether it changes those feelings or not. Several of the NVH District Board of Commissioners are long standing members who have given much of their time and energy to the District year after year. Any Board only knows what they are told and shown. In the past they were only told and I, on the other hand, must have the data to support what I tell them. As anyone on the Senior Leadership Team can tell you, I am a data person. Data supports the facts and there is no denying such information. The Senior Leaders, the Board of Commissioners, and I have worked diligently these last two and a half years to build a strong team that communicates, and supports the entire District. We know that we all could be more involved in communicating at a higher level, and we are forming a plan on how to communicate more effectively and efficiently with our service area. Culture change takes several years and as we continue to evolve, I would hope the community could see through their (understandable) emotions and let us all, including the Board of Commissioners, get on with the business of providing a solid foundation for the District. Respectfully, Linda Michel, Administrator NVH Public District #4
Can no longer remain silent on this issue Dear Editor, In the wake of last week’s article “NVH CEO defends...,” I can no longer remain silent about the management issues your healthcare system has been experiencing. After several decades of watching administration come and go, my husband and his colleagues have run into administrators like the one you’re dealing with now and believe me in cases like yours they don’t go fast enough but hopefully they go before the system as a whole is lost. She talks of provider shortages like they are something new, go on to the HRSA website, your state DOH, talk to other rural healthcare systems, they are nothing new. In fact they are addressed through government programs. Why hasn’t your administration utilized these programs? Why has there been no solicitations through industry mediums interested providers would rely on? Your administrations’ dependence on recruitment companies alone spells out certain death to anyone who understands the process. But one has to question the reasons the providers left the system to begin with. Your administrations delight in accounts receivable being 50 days out is nothing short of mystifying. That is unacceptable in any COMPILED BY CLAYTON EMRY FORMER GAZETTE-TRIBUNE PUBLISHER
75 YEARS AGO April 1 - 8, 1938: There was an appreciative audience at the PTA sponsored play, “Patsy Strings Along”. The total amount of $67.50 was realized from the sale of tickets and these funds will go to reduce the erase the soup fund debt. DeLuxe is the way Tonasket sportsmen are putting on their annual seafood dinner this year on April 6, 1938. Cracked crab on ice was selected as the main dish. One half of a thousand of the “Jumbo Size” crustaceans have been ordered from Dungeness world famous as the habitat of the finest ocean crabs. 1938 Psalm: “Mr. Roosevelt is my Shepard, therefore I am in want; He leadeth me to lie down on the park bench; He leadeth me beside the still factories; He disturbeth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of destruction, for my parties stake; Yea, tho I walk through the valley of depression, I anticipate no recovery; He prepareth a reduction in my salary and in the presence of mine enemies, He anointeth my income with taxes and my expense account runneth over; Surely unemployment and poverty will follow me All the days of my life and I will dwell in a mortgaged house forever.” (Remember, this is in 1938.) The Valedictorian for the Molson Senior Class is John Dart and the salutatorian if Rita Carver. Graduation is June 9 with the Baccalaureate sermon by Rev. E. Juday. Groceries: Meyer Prince’s; 1# Bakers cocoa, $.14; Corn Flakes, 2 for $.15; 3# coffee, $.79; Ben Prince’s: 3# can coffee, $.74; Carnation milk, $3.19 per case; Brown sugar, 5# for $.25. Food for Thought: I have my money and my friends. I loan my money to friends. I ask for my money of my friends. I lose my money and my friends. Notices have been posted in the Post Office this week from the U.S. Civil Service Commission for the examination for fireman-laborer. Duties will include; cleaning heating and ventilating a small building, all manual work incident to the duties for minor repairs and/or related work. Applicants must have at least six months experience in firing steam boilers or locomotives and three months experience in firing with wood. Experience in firing small home heating with wood. Ladies Dress & Sport Sandals in white, black and combination colors available for $2.49 and $2.95 at W. H. Neller in the Covert building.
business, not just healthcare, especially with today’s technology. Additionally, The CEO’s statement about the audits being changed to biannually because “the books are so clean” is misleading. Agencies can use the state auditors office to do their audits or use a private company, your hospital just decided to audit through a third party. As per the auditor’s website, though the district has not been “cited” there have been findings when the state was doing the audits. And last but certainly not least, we have known and worked with Rosa for over 12 years, and the hospital districts attempts at discrediting her have gone from humorous to absurd. Because of her dedication and years of successful experience in many areas including, recruiting, credentialing and contracting countless specialties, managing multiple clinic and ancillary services (not just radiology) simultaneously in rural healthcare systems both not for profit and private, in addition to writing many grants, some of which are multi-million dollar grants used to develop programs all of which are still in existence and thriving on there own; the systems and communities she has worked with have done nothing but benefit from her involvement and will continue to benefit for years to come. Can your administration say the same? Vi Thompson Vancouver, Wash.
Look for the big picture Dear Editor, I think the Tonasket Hospital Commissioners need to realize the bigger picture. They have been on county warrants and this involves the whole county. Are there those of us out there that would support the continued use of warrants to support any of our hospital systems, if they were being run efficiently? Without a doubt. But you are treating the whole county like idiots. You are try to convince us it is the Assisted Living or any other service creating problems, when warrants were going down
ITEMS FROM THE PAST 50 YEARS AGO: APRIL 4 - 11, 1963: Enthusiasim for a community float and a variety of jobs combines April 1 as Oroville High School students worked and donated their money for a community float. $551.20 had been tallied April 2 with approximately 62 percent of the students having turned in their money. Finishing touches were put on the Molson-ChesawKnob Hill Community History Book in the bindery room of the Oroville gazette recently. A picture showing but a few of the 500 books now available to anyone interested in stories of “The Old Days.” Appearing in the picture were but a few of those who had a hand in the writing, printing and binding of the books. Those pictured were: Raymond Dart, Carl Rounds, Mary Rounds, Harry Sherling, Sid Rice and Bill Davies. The annual meeting of the Oroville Television Association was held on March 29 at the Oroville Grange Hall with some thirty citizens attending. Three new members were elected to replace John Haskell, Vernon Valentine and Paul Loe and they are Wayne Callison, Ed Scott and Don Thorndike and they will join Fabian Kresek, George Ueland, Ward Johnston, Ezra Buckmiller and Clarence Rise. May Day Princesses were selected by their classmates on April 2 at the Oroville High School. The chosen princesses are; Senior, Patsy Buckmiller, Junior Patricia Hemry, Sophomore, Luanne Emry and Freshman, Nancy Zosel. Attendants for each class are; Lindy Syring, Sandra Hill, Angie Milicia, Donna Nealy, Susan Lundgren, Kay Walker, Sally Byers and Nancy Rader. The Board of Directors of Oroville School District #405 met on April 2 to organize for the coming year. Clayton Emry was elected Chairman and H. Ben Holden as Clerk of the board. Both Emry and Holden showed their aptitudes early when they both married local Oroville girls. Other member of the board is: Kem Smith, Wesley Rogers and Ted Thorndike. A business transaction was completed last week, whereby Dick Suryan, of Sedro Woolley, Washington has leased the Peerless Coffee Shop and Glow Room. Dale Bartell, former operator of the business has
until you and your administration decided to do all that construction. The recent salary raises are absurd and yet you continue to blow smoke about technical language and “lay persons,” now you are using the tax paid attorney! When will it stop? Ansel Grove Okanogan
Appreciate the kindness Dear Editor, Randy and I want to thank Princes Department Store and their amazing employees for initiating and organizing Randy’s benefit dinner. We appreciate and are extremely grateful for every business and individual that donated their time, their money or item/service to auction off, for every person that baked some delicious sweet treat to be auctioned off, to everyone who came and ate the incredible homemade chilli cooked by Akins Harvest Foods and the many donated items from Frontier Foods. We were completely overwhelmed at the number of precious people that came out to buy dinner and then stay to bid on items and services that had been donated, often paying far more than the original value. We did not take lightly the hard earned money that was given so graciously in our behalf to help with medical bills! Thank you Jack Hughes who with his “unique” sense of humor stood and auctioned all night and Michelle Smith who tried to keep Jack in check all night, to Mary Hughes and her team of fast fingered calculator operators who managed to keep the income tallied and everything organized throughout the night to the Department Store employees who served through the night...set up and clean up crew.... It was overwhelming and deeply appreciated to be blessed with all the help! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Randy and Cindy MacAllister Oroville
taken over the management of FAO’s Café. Weather Wise, Provided by Marge Frazier: High and low temperatures for the previous week are: April 3, 55 degrees maximum and 30 degrees minimum; April 4th, 63 and 42; April 5th, 62 and 35; April 6th, 52 and 38; April 7th, 49 and 32; April 8th, 57 and 39 and April 9th, 60 and 39. Precipitation for the week; April 5th, .22; April 6th, .18; April 7th, .09; April 8th, .38; and April 9th, .68.
25 YEARS AGO: April 7 - 14, 1988: Smokey’s Saw Shop, formerly located on old Highway 7 South and owned by Larry Lempke, now has a new owner and location. Mike and Peggy McDaniel are now the proud owners of the shop. The name will remain the same, but the shop will be in a new location. They are now located a 306th West 4th, right across from the Riverview Market in Tonasket. What started as a simple inquiry a year ago, has turned into what Fred Richardson, local Tonasket man, thinks could be a thriving industry in the economically Okanogan County area. It seems that he had had a contact from North Okanogan County Economic Development about manufacturing chopsticks. Several Japanese companies have indicated they would purchase all of the chopsticks that could be manufactured in this area. Governor Booth Gardner appointed Arlie Clinkenbeard of Okanogan, as Okanogan County Commissioner for District 2 Last Friday, April 8. The Governor made his decision after interviewing Clinkenbeard and two other candidates in the Governor’s office on April 17. The Washington State Liquor Control Board announced that it will distribute its third quarter excess funds for fiscal year 1988 amounting to $11,900,000 on March 31, 1988. Okanogan County will receive $9,252.62, the City of Oroville will receive $3,299.58 and the Town of Tonasket will get $2,174.58. The Bridgeport-Pateros combined baseball team, The Mustangs, had a field day against Oroville in a non-league contest last Saturday. The Hornets even had problems picking off runners and trounced Oroville 15 – 0. Saturday, the 16th, the Oroville High School Band will be sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast in the elementary school cafeteria. The cost will be $3.00 per person, $2.00 under 12 and $12.00 per family. All proceeds will be used to pay the expenses of the bank trip to the Spokane Lilac Festival parade and buy much needed instruments as well as repairing those already in use.