I am disappointed to see The Dalles continue to clutch desperately to its vile settler history in an evolving world. It’s like it's the early 2000s all over again: the small towns school districts combine, the student majority vote to replace ‘Indians’ from the mascot options...only to be overridden by The Dalles "Indian pride.” Pride in the genocidal heritage of this place?

Dear The Dalles Main Street Program and Northwest MuralFest this response leaves a lot to be desired as it contains the same gaslighting and gatekeeping that you have used for the last two years to prevent community feedback.

We are not surprised but deeply disappointed in the options listed for this mural fest from The Dalles. We continue to witness a deep lack of respect and acknowledgment for the land we occupy and the communities we build here in the Columbia River Gorge.

Let me start this off by saying, I love a mural. Art is a unique way a community can express its values, remember its past, and envision its future. While many of the murals in The Dalles currently could use a little love (and a lot of updating), some of them are beautiful artistic expressions of our local flora, fauna, and historical community figures. With such a rich history and so much imagination for how our town can improve and grow, it was so disappointing to see the list of suggestions presented by the Walldogs for the upcoming Northwest Mural Fest Voting Event taking place on October 15, 2021. Not a single one of their suggestions highlighted historical or current figures in our diverse LGBTQ+, Latino/Hispanic, or Black communities. I ask, why are we so stuck telling the same story of a town whose truth and future are more interesting than we’ve allowed ourselves to explore?

Many of us are affected by the housing rental crisis: our rents are often high and not commensurate with our incomes, many of us pay a large percentage of our income on rent, and there’s just not enough housing to go around.

We sincerely want to thank the Columbia River Gorge Community and our partners North Central Public Health District and One Community Health for your enthusiasm and commitment to clinical research to find new tests to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Mount Adam’s Ministerial Association makes push for public health, urges Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer to enforce mask mandates. Read their letter to the editor here. “The science clearly shows that wearing a mask reduces an infected person’s chance of spreading the infection to others. Masking prevents unnecessary deaths. We urge the Sheriff to act in ways that uphold public health.”

I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to my community and patients for trusting me as your family doctor for the past 18 years. It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving my medical practice at MCMC as of August 2.

North Central Livestock Association extends our most heartfelt thank you to all that supported our most recent event, The Butchers BBQ.

Due to the incredible hard work of Oregonians over the past year, COVID-19 infection rates are down, and 70% of adult Oregonian’s have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

I read with interest the article about the mutilated cow found on the Johnson ranch. Many are not aware how widespread these animal mutilations are.

In response to your May 25 article about cardiology at Mid-Columbia Medical Center, I want to reassure our community that MCMC will continue to offer uninterrupted cardiology services in The Dalles and Hood River despite the changes in our contract with OHSU.

Nate is running for all of the right reasons: he wants to give back to our community and understands the value of CGCC and its impact on our community and the economy. He has the right background and skills for the job.

I support Michael Held for the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation Board. MIchael is a native West Virginian, he knows the hard-scrabble nature of rural people and places and is keenly aware that to get things done in small towns you have to get your hands a little dirty.

As a local attorney, I’ve had the chance to work with Marcus Swift to solve complex legal issues. In my interactions with him, he’s been professional, prompt, and attentive to detail. He also has a passion for serving our community. That’s why I’m voting for Marcus Swift for Port of The Dalles, Position 3, in the May 2021 election.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented difficult challenges to the D21 educational system. Our board, administrators, teachers, support personnel, students, and parents have responded with creativity, flexibility, imagination, and common sense to keep our students safe and to fulfill our mission to provide a quality education.

Sound judgment, good values, and a commitment to the safety of our children are all qualities we should seek in every elected official. That is why I was appalled and sickened to learn that Dr. John Willer, a candidate for Port of The Dalles Commission, has publicly endorsed Frank Polehn for the position of Columbia Community College Board.

I’m a small business owner, mom and volunteer in our community. For this May’s election, I will be voting for Marcus Swift for Port of The Dalles Commission, Position 3. As I think about the leadership our community needs, Marcus’ firsthand experience starting and building his own small business will be invaluable as a Commissioner.

Please join me in casting a ballot for Nathanael (Nate) Stice for Columbia Gorge Community College Director, Position 1. I have had the privilege of working with Nate Stice over the past year. He is a dedicated professional who cares deeply about the residents of our region.