Editorial | Reflections from four years on the Enumclaw City Council | Rich Elfers
In 2009, the Nestlé company wanted to come to our town and establish a water bottling plant. Their proposal involved taking over “first rights” of Enumclaw’s water supply.
May 16, 2012
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Editorial | Get elected, lose a bit of freedom | Rich Elfers
I was elected to the Enumclaw City Council in November 2008. In January 2009 I attended a workshop for newly elected officials workshop where I was trained in the art of being a good public servant.
May 8, 2012
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Taxpayers were protected during legislative session | Editorial
This year, instead of raising taxes to balance the budget, Senate Republicans, with the help of three Senate Democrats, forced a compromise plan that made needed financial reforms without cutting education.
May 2, 2012
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Did they develop a new breed, like hazy holstein? | Letter
I was reading Wally’s column (April 20) and became intrigued by his mention of a “translucent veal.”
May 2, 2012
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Big-time gambling and big-time troubles | Wally's World
When most Americans think of gambling in Nevada, they think of the tourist-oriented Strip in Las Vegas. With more than a dozen huge casino-resorts – some of the largest in the world – and their gaudy, colorful walls of neon, water ballets and spectacular streetside theater, there’s good reason for the Strip’s fame and popularity.
April 30, 2012
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In Focus | Pay now, or pay even more later | Rich Elfers
I watched the April 24 Enumclaw City Council meeting with dismay when the topic of funding our streets came up for a vote. Since 2007 the city has paid consultants more than $27,000 to do evaluations of our streets. The findings were that the longer we wait to fix our streets, the more it will cost us.
April 30, 2012
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Adjustable rates mortgages still a problem | Rich Elfers
Recently I received a second offer in the mail to finance the purchase of a house using a low rate adjustable mortgage (ARM). My first reaction was to think, “Déjà vu.”
April 23, 2012
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Cathy Dahlquist | This first term was a whirlwind | Plateau People
Many of you know that I served as the president of the Enumclaw School Board before running for state office. Education is my passion. I have children in the public school system and know that while our school district is successful, there are areas in our state where school districts are leaving children behind. Every child deserves the opportunity to have a first-class education.
Weighing religious emotion, scientific fact | Wally's World
Well, class, it's time for a little anthropology, a subject that's always been close to my heart.
Editorial | A herd mentality is tyranny's shepherd | Dennis Box
I have seen the word "Groupthink" in action many times through the years. The word is always alive and well in the audiences of the council meetings I have covered for various newspapers.
Guest Editorial | The reasons for elected officials' actions goes more than skin-deep | Richard Elfers
The first clue to find out what is going on in local government is to come to council meetings on a regular basis, at least until you understand the personalities, perspectives and agendas of the various council members. Watching the program on television at home can give you some clues, but actually observing body and facial language and tone of voice can give you deeper understanding. Much of that can only be gained by actually being in the room.
