Letter Love your neighbor
Dear Editor:
I have watched and rewatched President Trump’s speech at a campaign stop this week in Nebraska when he said “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” I am convinced this was just another example of Trump’s poor rhetorical choices. We have all become accustomed to the increased hyperbolic nature of political communication, but believe this incident was different. The difference is an audience of American citizens cheered when the President said these words and increased their cheering when the second U.S. city was spoken.
Please stop and reflect on this.
Have we all become so filled with anger, rage and frustration that we would cheer for harm to be inflicted on U.S. citizens whom we disagree with? Is it right for a Democrat to wish harm on a Republican and visa-versa? Is it right for the President to even say these things? The obvious answer is no, but it is time we all look at ourselves in the mirror and ask some very tough questions. How deep is my frustration with the direction our country is going? How do I react to opposing viewpoints? Does “Love your neighbor as yourself” have the meaning it once had for me?
These are difficult times and who we are as a country begins with each of us.
Jack Riley
Winthrop
Support Methow Pride
Dear Editor:
I am grateful to live in a community where supporting important organizations during a giving month is a priority. Perhaps we all feel a sense of urgency in these divisive times to lean in and help those in need.
One of the ways I am contributing is by volunteering on the Board of Directors for Methow Pride. I agreed to join the board because this organization provides valley-wide education, community programs, and celebratory events that allow LGBTQ+ people to safely be themselves.
As we grow, we need support to sustain the staff and programs that strengthen the fabric of our community. As you consider the many worthy organizations in our area, I hope you will join me in adding Methow Pride to your Give Methow list.
Kent Woodruff
Twisp
A fresh perspective
Dear Editor:
When Trinity Hightower Stucker called me for coffee to discuss her candidacy, I had known her husband, Trampus, since his youth. An extraordinary man I hold in the highest regard and count as family. A man with unstoppable courage and unlimited accomplishments. So, although I have not known Trinity well personally in the past, of course I said yes! While it may not be typical for me to be supporting a Republican candidate, after visiting with Trinity Stucker, I came away genuinely impressed.
I found Trinity knowledgeable, articulate, and deeply understanding of how government works. More importantly, I believe she recognizes where government systems can fall short and understands that improving them takes more than simply acknowledging the problems.
What impressed me most was her willingness to discuss practical solutions and the importance of bringing people together to accomplish them. She understands that meaningful improvements require cooperation, accountability, and the critical need for involvement of the people our elected officials are meant to represent.
I also appreciate the perspective Trinity will bring as a woman. I believe we need more women involved in making decisions that affect our families, communities, and everyday lives. Different experiences and perspectives are valuable, especially when we’re facing difficult decisions about our county’s future.
Our county faces challenges that won’t be solved overnight or by any one person. After visiting with Trinity, I was encouraged by her knowledge, experience, and thoughtful approach to addressing those challenges.
I’m glad I took some time to get to know her beyond the campaign signs, political advertisements, and family connections. I encourage others to do the same, ask her questions, and form your own impressions.
I believe Trinity Hightower Stucker would bring a valuable perspective to the Okanogan County Commissioners, along with the expertise, experience, and intention required to turn those perspectives into actions that deliver results. I am proud to support her.
Mindy Miller
Carlton
Re-elect Neal
Dear Editor:
It has been four years since we elected Jon Neal as one of our three county commissioners. The Methow Valley vote is what made the difference. I helped Jon campaign because of a relationship I had with him through an organization called Braver Angels, and because of the great work he had done as mayor of Oroville.
Over these past four years Jon has done an excellent job as commissioner. He is open-minded, practical and a solid manager in difficult situations. The county currently has a significant budget shortfall due to the high cost of public defense, insurance, and among other things, debt from bad decisions made by previous commissioners. We need someone to navigate this with skill and experience.
Even if you are liberal voter, and the choice is between two Republican candidates, it is important to vote. Jon will put the best interests of Okanogan County and the Methow Valley first before party loyalty.
Please join me in voting for Jon Neal as county commissioner in the upcoming November election!
Janice Dickinson
Winthrop
Pause tech adoption
Dear Editor:
In my last letter, I argued that the Methow Valley School District (MVSD) should pause new technology and AI adoption until clear safeguards are in place. The district has since clarified that policies and safeguards already exist. That’s encouraging, but it raises a more pressing question: How do we know they’re working?
At the Oct. 8 board meeting, the charter for the MVSD Digital Technology Working Group was presented. Its first-year deliverables include defining guiding principles, assessing current practices, and identifying future priorities.
These are worthwhile goals, but they fall short of the immediate oversight and accountability our students deserve.
In fall 2025, I began asking the district two basic questions:
• What technology products are students using in each grade, for what purpose, and how often?
• How does the district verify that these products are safe, legally compliant, and demonstrably beneficial to learning?
A year later, I still don’t have clear answers.
If the district cannot readily identify what’s being used in classrooms, how can it ensure its existing safeguards are being consistently applied?
We shouldn’t need a multiyear committee process to answer these questions. The district can begin inventorying student-facing technology, evaluating its educational value and risks, and sharing that information with families now, while the Working Group tackles longer-term strategy.
Meanwhile, families are making decisions. Some have told me they’ve chosen not to enroll their children at MVSD or are considering leaving over these concerns.
This isn’t just about potential risks from technology. It’s about transparency, trust, and the district’s responsibility to demonstrate that its decisions serve students’ best interests.
Pause new student-facing technology adoption. Accelerate the work of understanding, evaluating, and accounting for what’s already in our classrooms.
Melissa Brumer
Winthrop
‘Yes’ for Aero Methow
Dear Editor:
At its Sept. 29 meeting, the Three Rivers Hospital Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting ballot propositions from the Methow Valley Emergency Medical Services District and the towns of Twisp and Winthrop to provide additional funding for emergency medical services in the Methow Valley.
Aero Methow Rescue Service provides emergency medical and ambulance services throughout the Methow Valley under contract with the EMS District. In 2025, Aero Methow responded to more than 900 emergency calls. The resolution recognizes the essential role of timely, appropriately staffed emergency medical services in the continuum of care for residents and visitors, particularly in a geographically remote region where rapid access to EMS is critical. The proposed excess levies would help sustain these services, including a second ambulance operating 24 hours a day, year-round.
Three Rivers Hospital is proud to recognize the vital partnership between emergency medical services and hospital-based care in our region.
The Board’s resolution supports the ballot propositions appearing on the November 2026 general election ballot.
Mike Pruett
Board Commissioner
Three Rivers Public Hospital District
Deadly new rule
Dear Editor:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule beginning Oct. 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, “Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments,” will effectively end Americans’ ability to personally import their prescription medicines.
Importing prescription drugs from licensed international pharmacies is the only lifeline for seniors on limited incomes, people with high-deductible health plans, and the uninsured. That’s why CBP and the FDA have allowed it for decades. Due to the much lower cost of medications in Canada and other countries, imported medicine is their only option.
Many imported drugs can be less than half the U.S. price. These necessary medicines prevent blood clots, treat diabetes, and much more. This CBP rule will cut off access to the only affordable prescription drugs for millions, and that will lead to unnecessary harm and preventable deaths.
I ask readers to immediately call or write our Senators and U.S. Representatives and demand they stop CBP from implementing any rule-making that restricts Americans from importing personal-use prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada or other countries.
Naomi Pinger
Mansfield
