Letters to the Editor

Our Time to Shine
The Washington state primary elections are coming Aug. 4, and ballots are in the mail. Elections are important because all eligible citizens can choose their representatives in local, state, and federal offices. We also vote on initiatives and other ballot measures. Citizens are stakeholders. Elections are our opportunity to make our voices heard to determine the path forward for our country politically, economically, and socially. Such is the power of our vote. First-time voters may still register. All voters may find sos.wa.gov/elections a valuable resource. Engaging with, and supporting, our community through protests and marches is visible, uplifting, and influential. However, voting is the key to affecting change; voting is our fundamental right and responsibility. If you support high gas and grocery prices, and shrinking healthcare, housing availability, and affordability, then you will vote to maintain the status quo. If you support an administration that is focused on retribution and self-enrichment while stealing from its citizens, then you will vote for the status quo. If you support a government whose goal is to destroy human rights and civil rights, then you will vote for the status quo. Current leaders violate the most basic pillar of government: to do for its people what they cannot do for themselves. However, if you envision a different government – one being of the people, by the people, and most importantly, for the people – then you must vote for immediate, transformational change.

Election Season
It’s the dreaded Election season and I'm in a constant “Don’t know whether to laugh or cry” mode. Most incumbents boast of how much they have accomplished and/or plan to accomplish if reelected, while “wannabe” politicians promise to be “good listeners” to our concerns, etc. That’s an easy “promise" to keep – just listen to voters’ requests and/or read their letters seeking their aid then simply refuse to even reply, much less lift a finger or a pen in any honest efforts to find solutions. Just two examples from the Tribune’s July 1 issue: Lori Larsen, Stevens County incumbent auditor, wrote, “My office has worked to increase transparency, welcome public observation, provide accurate information, and ensure that every statutory requirement is followed consistently.” Incumbent Stevens County Commissioner Mark Burrows reported, “Sometimes citizens call with complex civil issues they’ve been dealing with for years, they’ve exhausted all options, and we still take time to listen to their story. That’s an important aspect of our job because there could be a creative solution that no one has considered before.” Both of these (supposedly) “caring” politicians have re- fused even to reply to my letters containing proof in writing by Washington state that my prized dream land was “improperly seized and sold by Stevens County” many years ago. Sadly I don't know whether to laugh or cry over politicians’ “promises.” From sad personal experience, the crying part takes precedence.

AI and Wealth
If some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet tell us AI and its associated data centers are so hugely beneficial to mankind, why would they seek to maximize profits when they already control a disproportionate amount of the planet's wealth? In the late 1800s, the so-called “robber barons” accumulated vast wealth, often by exploiting the citizenry. Then, to buy public tolerance and polish their images, ruthless 19th-century industrialists pivoted to massive, high-profile philanthropy. Their strategies to manufacture public goodwill included Carnegie's libraries and Rockefeller's donation of land to the parks system. They and others founded and endowed universities such as the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, and Stanford. They donated to the arts and museums of the time. Carnegie wrote influential essays arguing that the rich were merely trustees of their wealth and were obligated to use it for the betterment of society, painting their fortunes as a societal benefit rather than a result of exploitation. This current crop of robber barons (Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, et al.) just want to bleed the public dry. Musk tweets white supremacy; Bezos buys super yachts. Wouldn’t they be better citizens if they "donated" AI/data centers for the public good? In the early 20th century, it took Republican President Theodore Roosevelt to finally say ”Enough is enough,” paving the way for monopoly-busting and subsequent wealth redistribution from the greedy few to the many. If the country is to survive and thrive, it’s time for that to happen again.

Eric Simpson for Stevens County Auditor
Eric Simpson is running for Stevens County Auditor on a platform of transparency, integrity, an open office, and in-person voting. Throughout his life, Eric has earned a reputation as a hardworking, dependable leader who works well with others and follows through on his commitments. I believe he will bring that same work ethic and dedication to serving the people of Stevens County. I encourage voters to learn more about Eric, his background, and his vision for the Auditor's Office by visiting his Facebook page and his campaign website, EricForAuditor.org. Then, make an informed decision when you cast your ballot.

Toxic Waste
We’ve known about the Hanford Nuclear Reservation being at the top of the list for Super Fund sites in the hemisphere. The work has been ongoing for years with efforts to contain the radioactive material and prevent its migration toward the Columbia River. In their infinite wisdom, House Republicans proposed an additional $55 million reduction from the Cleanup Fund on top of the $300 million reduction requested by the Trump administration. This is most likely a knee-jerk reaction to pay for the costs incurred by Donald Trump’s war of choice against Iran. When asked to oppose this, Michael Baumgartner replied with little more than platitudes. His commitment was to closely monitor any developments that might affect progress and to keep my concerns in mind. Given his voting record of toeing the Republican line, I doubt he will do little more than monitor this environmental disaster as it happens and then vote according to party mandate to cut funding. It seems as though Michael Baumgartner’s “concerns” are primarily supporting the current administration and continuing his political career rather than the health of his constituents. Please keep this in mind when casting your vote in November.

If you drive Southwood Shores Road at Deer Lake and enjoy the dust
free experience, I encourage you to vote for Mark Burrows as our County Commissioner. Mark was a strong advocate for this paving. His leadership demonstrated care for the over- all health of this beautiful lake.

Massive data centers that al- low for the rapid expansion of AI are in the news recently. Many communities are realizing that there are serious problems associated with them such as power and water consumption. Allowing data centers to pay industrial rates for electricity often causes rates to skyrocket for residential users. Data centers use gargantuan amounts of water to cool their servers, resulting in hot waste water that must be disposed of. Frequently sited in the arid West, they can run wells dry and raise water rates. Because expansion has been so swift and unregulated, 70% of all Americans are now opposed to data centers. And because some communities have given tax breaks to the AI companies, leaving taxpayers footing the bill for infrastructure, grassroots resistance to assess costs and benefits is now the norm, both in Seattle and more recently Spokane. Europe has gotten ahead of the planned expansion by regulating growth in advance. They realize that the social license to build is the most valuable permit a developer holds – once you’ve lost the public, you’ve lost the buildout. Among other things, European regulations require data centers to fully fund infrastructure, including electricity, water, and roads, rather than passing that cost on to ratepayers. Green energy is required, instead of building new coal or gas burning power plants. We should take a lesson from Europe. Whether or not we want AI, if we are forced to have it, the companies should bear the full cost of development.

Birthday Wishes
Today is my birthday. For some reason, I still hear that question, “What do you want for your birthday?” That memory causes me to wonder what my now older self wants for his birthday. Although that ’57 ‘vette would be nice, I’m thinking differently these days. First, an end to war. This current war especially demands my attention because of its cost, not only in dollars but in the rule of law. The impact on us Americans and citizens worldwide is mind boggling, especially when we realize that this is Donald Trump’s war of choice. He and the Republican Party, including Michael Baumgartner, have steamrolled this war down the streets of the world. Secondly I wish for health, education, safety, and a thriving planet for our children and grandchildren. By ending this and future wars of choice, we would have the funds to provide these and then some. There would be no call by Trump and Baumgartner to slash funding for Medicare, rural healthcare, the Department of Education, the EPA, and other programs to pay for multi-billion dollar attempts to overthrow sovereign nations. Thirdly, I wish for a return of our system of government, of the people, by the worldwide for the worldwide away from the abuse of power that Donald Trump and his enablers are trying to normalize.

Dear Patients,
Have you ever felt like the rug was pulled out from under you suddenly, without warning? Thousands in Washington’s 5th CD may soon feel exactly that as major Medicaid cuts begin to take effect. Representative Michael Baumgartner voted for BBB (2025) with significant Medicaid rollbacks. In CD 5, nearly 29% of residents rely on Medicaid, with more than 50% of children covered. As an OBGYN, I care for many of these patients every day. These cuts affect not only current but future enrollees; loss of coverage frequently translates to delayed (ER) care. Emergency rooms must treat them and will no longer be reimbursed for much of that care. Rural hospitals, already operating on thin margins, may be forced to close. That means longer drives for laboring mothers, stroke patients, trauma victims, and cardiac emergencies. In many of our rural communities, hospitals are also the largest employers. Their closure means lost jobs, weakened local economies, and communities pushed further into crisis. Most cuts begin Jan. 1, 2027 after the midterms – the timing is no accident. This is why leadership matters. Bajun Mavalwalla, a retired U.S. Army officer with more than two decades of service, understands rural communities, veterans, working families, and the importance of protecting access to healthcare – not just talking about it. His life of public service reflects the kind of leadership eastern Washington needs. Voters deserve to know who made these choices – and who will fight to protect them.

Why Are Our Counties Ignoring Public Safety Funds That Could Change Lives?
When the Washington Legislature passed Senate Bill 2015 in 2025, it created a $100 million public safety grant program to help law enforcement agencies improve crisis response, training, and to purchase equipment. These funds can be used for programs that save lives and for equipment such as body cameras and drones. Yet Stevens County, Ferry County, and Pend Oreille County do not appear to have applied for these funds. That is deeply concerning because rural counties were specifically intended to benefit from this program. The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission even allows agencies to receive advance funding assistance to hire a grant writer or contract with a company to prepare applications. Round one is already closed, meaning our counties have already lost access to the first round of funding opportunities. Round two is expected to open up soon, and there may not even be a third round. This should not be political. It is about public safety, fairness, fiscal responsibility, and ultimately saving lives. Our communities pay taxes too, and we deserve our fair share of these public safety resources. As citizens, taxpayers, and voters, we should all demand that local leaders pursue these funds before this opportunity disappears. The burning question is why. Why haven't our elected officials taken steps to secure this much needed funding? Residents can learn more at cjtc.wa.gov/public-safety-funding-program-eshb-2015.

Tax day was a few weeks ago and we have since heard Republican politicians like Michael Baumgartner bragging about how voters were getting larger tax refunds. Maybe, but let me share a personal anecdote. My shirttail cousin who lives near Burlington, Vt., is 67, on Social Security but still working as a long haul truck driver because his wife is younger, and her health needs costs more than they could afford if he retired. In a family Facebook thread, he related, “I was surprised at how much I got back on my taxes this year. The problem is, nearly the entire amount of that refund was spent on increased cost of diesel fuel on my last trip to the West Coast and back. That price increase began after Trump started the war with Iran. How am I to afford my next trip?” Incidentally, he is from the side of the family that supports Trump. And that increase in fuel prices will be passed along to the public in the form of higher prices on food and consumer goods. At events in his district last week, Baumgartner repeated his claim that higher tax re- funds, as small as they actually are, makes America more affordable. Touting tax refunds without acknowledging the overall economy is typical of his out-of-touch relationship with the voters of this district. He continues to support the war and tariffs without any understanding of how they affect his constituents. He needs to be re- tired.

Tax Time
In his April 17 newsletter, Michael Baumgartner bragged about how the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) has put money into the pockets of District 5 residents. According to IRS data, the average increased refund was $351 per taxpayer. Do the math. The Republican tariffs have increased annual costs to each of us by $1,700 according to the Joint Economic Committee. Now determined illegal, we are responsible to pay for a refund program for those tariffs. Will those companies lower their prices after they receive their refund? Donald Trump’s war, which Michael Baumgartner supports, has increased gas prices at the pump by about $50 per driver, each month, by conservative estimates. Increased fuel costs to farmers and truck drivers have driven up costs of goods. The costs for Donald Trump’s war are in the billions of dollars per day. He has stated, due to the war costs, Medicare/Medicaid and other programs need to no longer be funded by the federal budget. Meanwhile, the BBB tax cuts are increasing our national debt up to $5 trillion over the next 10 years while cutting social services. Let’s make Michael Baumgartner a one-term representative.