Letters to the Editor

Keep time constant

Editor, the Journal,

SB 5001 has been sent to the folks on the State Government and Tribal committee to implement Pacific Standard Time year-round. As a school bus driver for over 30 years, every winter the kids and I experience the sunrise being stolen away from us in the name of daylight stealing time.

We go from enjoying the sunrise to suddenly being plunged back into the darkness when the clocks are switched. The funny thing is the evening will be getting longer without our interference. Then every fall I see the dirty trick again, only this time the switch steals the sunshine from the evening folks. Nobody likes switching the clocks and the weird daily adjustments to overcome. Just about everyone can agree to “ditch the switch.” It is well documented the negative health complications and accidents following the twice-a-year clock switching.

We can make all that go away by calling our legislators to support SB 5001 and stay Pacific Standard Time. As you may know, 2019 legislation gave away our state sovereignty to Congress to implement daylight savings year-round, aka the “Sunshine Protection Act.” Thank goodness they have not had the notion to get it done. Thank goodness we have another chance to get back our sovereignty with SB 5001 to stop this nonsense once and for all. Stop stealing our sunshine. Let’s stay where we belong. Pacific Standard Time.

Mary Ogg, Shelton

Fund education

Editor, the Journal,

The Washington Constitution declares that it is the “paramount duty” of the state to fully fund basic education. With a levy on the ballot in North Mason next month, there are misconceptions surfacing about the state’s adherence to the McCleary 2012 decision that mandated increases in school funding but did not remove reliance on local taxes.

Basic education is not fully funded, with many districts supplementing over 10% of their total budgets with local levy funding. Washington education funding is insufficient at a state level. When adjusted for inflation, school districts receive less spending power than before the McCleary decision. Local levies persist in Washington because of the narrow definition of “basic education.” Increasing shortfalls because of staffing costs, fuel costs, utilities, and insurance risk pool increases.

Replacement levies ask voters to consider continuing existing local funding in addition to the state funding for all schools in Washington. The school finance model is broken at a state level and in need of significant reform. Whether you receive a February ballot for the North Mason levy or not, contact your legislators about the paramount duty of the state, rising insurance costs for schools and the impact of inflation on every citizen.

Laura Rarig Pugh, Bremerton

Post office views

Editor, the Journal,

I have three comments about the post office.

First, the people behind the front desk are wonderful. They do a great job under circumstances that I would guess, at times, are very trying.

Second, the outside of the building is the worst maintained government building in the county. All of the wood trim needs to be stripped and repainted. The woodwork inside under the counter could be refinished in a day.

Third, I sent a payment on a bill. It took 20 days to be received. My wife paid a bill and it took 17 days. Since our outgoing mail goes through Tacoma, I would assume that is where the problem is.

I have also heard anecdotal information about delivery people being overworked and under a lot of stress.

Someone at some level of management isn’t doing their job.

Steve Whitehouse, Shelton

Medical coverage

Editor, the Journal,

I have hope that Mason County residents might rally behind Whole Washington Universal Healthcare (SB 5233). This initiative promises fair and cost-effective benefits for everyday people.

With a median household income of $66,325 — well below the state average — and 30% of residents living below 200% of the federal poverty level, many Mason County families struggle to afford health care. Many people avoid doctor visits and treatment because they simply cannot afford to go.

Administrative costs could be reduced by up to 15%, making care more affordable for everyone. Universal health care in Washington could bring immediate cost relief — alongside physical relief.

This system would also boost our local economy. Employers could reinvest in jobs and wages instead of grappling with high insurance costs. For a county where over 18,000 residents commute out for work, this change could stimulate local employment opportunities and economic retention.

A Washington universal health care system offers consistent access to preventive care, helping reduce chronic illnesses and emergency care dependence. Our hospitals and clinics, the lifelines for our rural communities, would also benefit from streamlined funding and reduced administrative burdens.

There is a Senate bill for this initiative: SB 5233. It proposes Whole Washington Universal Health care.

I believe that Mason County residents (young, old and everyone in between) deserve the dignity of reliable and accessible health care that doesn’t break the bank. Perhaps others feel the same.

Mandy Paradise, Shelton

No accountability

Editor, the Journal,

I am responding to two articles written in the Jan. 2 issue of the Journal under court and crime briefs. I already responded with my concerns to the second article about the complete lack of support for law enforcement. This incident concerns the lack of support for crime victims.

Both involved decisions handed down by Superior Court Judge Daniel Goodell.

I am a retired law enforcement officer with a 25-plus year career. One of my assignments was in the sex crimes unit. I always tried to convince my victims they could depend on our judicial system to support them. Not in this case.

This is a perfect example of a person who fits our newly elected president’s plan to deport criminals here illegally.

Juan Hernandez-Zacharias was convicted here in Mason County in 2022 for first-degree child molestation and released in 2023. A one-year prison term was a joke for a serious sex crime. I wonder who the sentencing judge was? When released from prison he failed to register, a requirement for convicted sex offenders. He also had an ICE detainer. If released and not deported he was to reside in Kitsap County. Ten days later, Washington state issued him a driver’s license with a Belfair address after his alleged release to ICE, which apparently didn’t happen.

He was arrested Dec. 3 after MCSO deputy Montejo found him having sex with a young girl in Belfair and that he hadn’t registered as a sex offender. The article doesn’t give the girl’s age.

A felony sex crime conviction, a one-year prison term, and conditions set for his release including registering as a sex offender and live in Kitsap County. He followed none of the conditions and I assume in the present situation the girl was under-age. Then his Dec. 23 arraignment was canceled and not rescheduled? No parole on a felony conviction?

I was shocked when I read the $2,500 bail ($250 bond) amount set by Superior Court Judge Daniel Goodell at a bail hearing. Not following through with any of the conditions for his release and Judge Daniel Goodell sets his bail at $2,500, or normally 10% with a bonding company. Where is the accountability for his prior crime and what about his new arrest? How does this show support for the crime victims of Mason County?

Thanks to the Journal for reporting these two incidents. I hope you follow up on the disposition of both cases and that Judge Goodell isn’t part of that decision.

E.L. Gordon, Belfair