Snyder has earned support

I don’t write letters to the editor or stand on soap boxes espousing the attributes of political candidates. I do so now only because I have known the candidate for 30 years and can speak to his character. He is dedicated to planning for the future of Spokane, while preserving the things about Spokane we all hold dear.

He grew up here, moved away as a young adult and returned home to Spokane to start his family. Since then, he has been an integral part of the community. He helped start a community radio station. He started a monthly outdoor magazine. He bought an abandoned grade school and remodeled it in compliance with historic preservation standards. He ran a successful grassroots campaign for Spokane City Council, all while running a small business and raising his family.

He was not groomed to be a politician. He has a conscience, and lives by it. If you want to ask him a question, contact him. He’ll find the answer. He’ll listen to your ideas and concerns and work to represent you. He sees that as his job and responsibility as an elected official.

Please consider Jon Snyder for state Legislature, 3rd District representative.

William Barrington

Spokane

Self-interest defeats voters

A King County judge recently ruled the initiative establishing the two-thirds majority requirement for raising taxes unconstitutional. This should surprise no one, since his pay, health care and pension are paid for by tax dollars.

Also not a surprise are the plaintiffs in the case: a dozen Democrat state representatives and the state teachers union. The pols want more tax money to continue to buy votes, and the union wants more money for a number of reasons, none of which are to provide a better education for our kids.

This initiative has been passed at least twice by a popular vote of the people, yet Democrats continue to work to dismantle it. It is interesting to recall last year when Gov. Gregoire and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown both solemnly stated that they would not seek tax increases. Now that the governor is not seeking re-election, she’s pounding the tax increase mantra heavily.

Count on the state Legislature to do the same next year, unless the judge’s decision is successfully appealed. Perhaps a new initiative amending the constitution and including term limits for state legislators would end this nonsense.

Hal R. Dixon

Spokane

Keller is refreshing

I attended Larry Keller’s campaign kick-off in Cheney last week, and for the first time in a very long time I am excited about supporting a candidate. Over the years I have become so disenchanted with our political system, including the incivility and the insincere “I’ll-give-you-everything-you-want” promises that now characterize our election campaigns.

It is so refreshing to have somebody like Larry Keller, who is a gentleman and a leader who knows how to get things done. I don’t want a politician anymore; I want a leader.

I’m pretty confident nobody can match Larry’s diverse and extensive leadership experience. He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who led Fairchild Air Force Base as the wing’s vice commander. After retirement, he became a school teacher and advanced to his current position as superintendent of the Cheney School District.

He fully understands all of the key West Plains and Spokane issues that are regularly in the headlines. Larry has proven time and time again - in the face of difficult national security challenges as well as complex education issues - that he is the right leader for the job. I encourage you to check out Larry Keller’s track record and join me in electing him as state representative.

Dan Simmons

Medical Lake