Letter: Girard proves she is the better candidate| Opinion

To the editor — Although I find both Amanda McKinney and Angie Girard capable of understanding complex issues, and dedicated, Girard is the better candidate.

Last winter, my neighbors and me met with Commissioner McKinney to discuss problems at DTG landfill. After expressing our concerns regarding toxic gases and groundwater risk, we hoped that she would support DTG’s request for core samples of the landfill.

McKinney rebuffed this immediately, claiming that it would be too expensive for DTG, disregarding the much higher costs of potentially contaminating our groundwater.

When we asked about implementing an out-of-county host fee, which would cost Yakima County residents nothing, extend the landfill life and raise revenue to ensure compliance, McKinney didn’t think the commissioners had the authority to create a host fee.

There is no taxing authority. Really? Three candidate forums were held in which Commissioner McKinney was asked whether she would support this measure. She evaded the question in the first two forums. Last week, after receiving general support from other candidates she finally stated her willingness to investigate the matter.

Angie Girard was a different story. She understood the need the first time she spoke to me about the landfill issues. Yakima County needs an interested commissioner who is not only interested in protecting west-side businesses but also solves problems.

NANCY LUST

Yakima