I’m an employer, and I interview former Hanford employees. I see significant issues | Opinion
Hanford workers want fulfilling job
I am a local manufacturing leader who moved to the Tri-Cities from out of state four years ago. Unfortunately, I am not surprised at the accusations of idle workers at Hanford. I have interviewed many Hanford employee for technical roles at my manufacturing site, and it is always the same story.
Engineers tell me they are chastised for completing project tasks vs. “making this project last another four years.” Hourly workers talk about watching movies all day. These employees come to me looking for fulfilling work because they are tired of the non-work happening at Hanford.
Frankly, this situation disgusts me. I served in the Army, deploying twice to Afghanistan. I love our country, and I believe in our citizens.
The thought of Hanford contractors taking advantage of taxpayer money to extend work indefinitely while asking for more and more money is discouraging. What happened to honest people doing honest work?
John Wagner, Richland
Victims Rights Week in April
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) is observed in April. This year’s will be commemorated April 21–27. The theme is: “How would you help?” This year’s theme is a call to action to identify how we can offer support to those who have been affected by a crime.
If you are the victim to a crime in the Washington, you have certain rights. These are the Crime Victims’ Rights (RCW 7.69.030) and the Child Crime Victim Rights (RCW 7.69A.030) acts.
Some of these rights include, but are not limited to, “the right to be informed of any final disposition of the case by local law enforcement or prosecuting attorney … (and) the right to have a victim advocate present during court proceedings to provide emotional support for the victim.”
For children, these rights also entail the right to have any legal proceedings or investigations that the child may be involved in and explained in a language that is easily understood for the child.
If you or someone you know would like more information, you can refer to What Are My Rights? (wcsap.org) or call the Support Advocacy and Resource Center at 509-374-5391.
Emilie Acosta, Richland
‘Elite’ get special handling from feds
The Biden special counsel’s report laid bare that when it comes to complying with the law, there’s “them” (the government elite) and then there’s the rest of “us.” The report states Biden willfully retained classified material, but ends up excusing it because Biden “thought” (report p. 8) it was his personal property.
Did Biden confirm his assumption with anybody? Apparently, no. So much for concern with national security and following the law. Similar lame excuses have been given and accepted from other “thems,” Hillary Clinton being the most notable.
And then there’s the rest of us. Lower-level people go to jail for much the same thing, taking classified information home (some not even sharing it with uncleared individuals as did Biden). For examples, see bit.ly/JusticeDocs.
Jail is a reasonable consequence based on my past security briefings at Hanford about the extreme importance of properly managing and securing such material.
There is a prominent exception to this “them” and “us” application of the law. His name? Donald Trump. He is treated like the rest of us in matters like these. Is it a surprise then that so many in the “us” category identify with and support Donald Trump?
Richard Engelmann, Richland
Editor’s note: The report shows the special prosecutor admitted he could not make a case for prosecution.
Bike lanes in North Richland a mistake
There are three serious problems with the city’s plan to force one-way traffic on George Washington Way and Jadwin, pushing aside commuter traffic in favor of additional bike lanes:
Businesses like Auto Zone and Office Depot are already closing their doors in anticipation of less traffic equaling fewer customers;
It will be more difficult for residents to reach businesses and homes in a timely and efficient manner;
The bike lanes do not make safer driving for car-commuters, as the larger lanes are confusing for vehicles turning into traffic and will cause unnecessary accidents.
In addition, our city already has excellent bicycling access with many trails, including along major routes such as Jadwin/Stevens. Why are we putting aside the needs of commuters already dealing with increasing traffic in North Richland?
This non-solution does not increase quality of life for the majority of North Richland residents.
C.J. Pace, Richland
Republicans sold out border security
Republicans struck a deal on an immigration-Israel-Ukraine package with the most restrictive border legislation in decades.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board noted, “This is almost entirely a border security bill, and its provisions include longtime GOP priorities that the party’s restrictionists could never passed only a few months ago.”
In fealty to Trump, the Republican party bent a knee. The leadership in the House said it was dead on arrival and the lead Republican negotiator in the Senate voted against it.The funding for the Ukraine, which was included in the bill is also opposed by Republicans.
For decades the Republican party was internationalist in foreign policy. It is now the party that would have you believe that Vadimir Putin’s wars in Europe will have no consequence back home. David Brooks, columnist in the New York Times, said, “Somewhere Neville Chamberlain is gaping in disbelief”.
Without the loss of one American life, the funding for Ukraine has appreciably degraded Putin’s war machine. According to a declassified US intelligence, Russia lost 87 percent of its preinvasion active-duty ground troops and two-thirds of its tanks.
We should be sending a check with thank you in the memo line.
Mickey Beary, Richland
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