Pat's response to Lyle Ferch's letter in The Goldendale Sentinel

P.O. Box 384
Trout Lake, Washington 98650
October 17, 2016

To: The Goldendale Sentinel
From: Patricia L. Arnold

My first reaction to Lyle Ferch's letter was to get mad at the factual errors, so I called the Sentinel and Editor Marzeles kindly offered to print a news item about the factual points. I sent those in and felt better. At least we'd get the facts corrected.

But there's more to say. If you've lived here a while, you are not surprised by Dr. Ferch's letter. You've seen a letter like this in other election years, slinging innuendos and bringing up the same old issues in a very emotional, not very helpful, way.

The existing environmental groups he mentions have mainstream, not radical, goals. Friends of the White Salmon River's mission is restoration of anadromous fish in the White Salmon and watershed protection. Riverkeeper's mission, from their website, is "to protect and restore the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean".

There is nothing alarming in these goals, and really, it's time for Klickitat County to understand that our natural resources are not unlimited. The Central Cascade Alliances mission says it well. They are "dedicated to protecting the long-term economic, cultural and biological resources of the Central Cascades." I had to find this on their website, since I've never been a member, but it makes sense - long term thinking is a good thing.

I can't find a website for Columbia Gorge Audubon, so I can't quote a mission statement, and it seems like quite a few years since there's been any news of Columbia Gorge Audubon activity. I've never been a member of this group either.

So who do I choose to hang out with? Have a look at my bio on my website klickitatpat.com. I've spent most of my professional life in production agriculture, and also working with farmers and orchardists during my first five years of state employment. I'm grateful for many happy years working with some of the most skillful and intelligent people you could meet, regardless of their politics. Hanging out with them didn't turn me into a political conservative, but it did lead me to understand how to get the work done regardless of politics.

I think for myself. I can communicate with people with different experiences, different beliefs, different politics, and different world-views. THIS is what my experience has taught me and THIS is one of the most important things I will bring with me to the Commission. Listen hard, keep my ears and my heart open, and think about the public good, not about who is bringing the message.

Finally, about transparency. Here's a link to my candidate overview on the PDC. It contains a link to my contributor and expenditure reports.

Here's a link to Rex Johnston's candidate overview on the PDC. There is no link to contributor and expense reports because he does not file any.