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In Our View: Cheers & Jeers

WSP fully staffed again in county; Congress needs to take action on Zika

The Columbian
Published: August 6, 2016, 6:01am

Cheers: To the Washington State Patrol. The Clark County office of the WSP recently welcomed six new troopers, putting the local agency at full staffing levels for the first time since October 2012. All six of the troopers transferred from other offices around the state, and five of them have ties to Clark County.

The increase in staffing is long overdue, and District Commander Capt. James Riley said, “With the growth and population here, we’ve been burnt out going to call to call to call.” The local additions reflect a bolstering of the patrol throughout the state, as the Legislature this year provided funds for a 5.8 percent pay raise in the wake of media reports about poor pay and low morale within the department. With the increase in local staffing, the highways around Clark County are about to get safer.

Jeers: To the Zika virus. For anybody who might think that Zika is a concern only in the warmer climates of South America or the southern United States, there is this fact: A recently announced case of Zika in Snohomish County is the third there and the 16th throughout the state. The latest case was believed to have been contracted during a trip to Nicaragua.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus linked to microcephaly, which can result in severe birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected. Federal officials have provided some stopgap funding for Zika-prevention measures, but Congress has yet to come up with robust funding. With Congress on an extended recess, the danger to the public continues to grow.

Cheers: To daredevils. Luke Aikins of Shelton, which is located on the western side of Puget Sound, recently became the first person to jump from an airplane and land in a net rather than using a parachute. Aikins jumped from about 25,000 feet in the air and, after a two-minute free fall, landed in the center of a net measuring 100 feet by 100 feet.

“This thing just happened! I can’t even get the words out of my mouth,” Aikins said after landing safely. There is seemingly no end to the stunts people will pull in the name of adventure. And while there is reason to celebrate such examples of the human spirit, there also is a word of warning: Don’t try this at home.

Jeers: To unscrupulous solicitors. Vancouver police have issued a warning about door-to-door solicitors seeking donations for sending care packages to soldiers overseas. After fielding questions from residents, officers did a little research and found that the solicitors represented a for-profit organization and that they are paid a commission.

Choosing an organization worthy of donations can be a daunting task, but citizens should be vigilant. Many “charitable” groups — including some that advertise extensively on TV — pocket an inordinate percentage of donations for administrative costs. CharityNavigator.org and CharityWatch.org, which is run by the American Institute of Philanthropy, are considered reliable outlets for finding out what portion of donations go to a charity’s stated purpose.

Cheers: To school supply drives. The nonprofit foundations for both Vancouver Public Schools and Evergreen Public Schools are undertaking efforts to provide school supplies for students in need. Supplies, backpacks, new socks, and even underwear are recommended as donations that can help needy students prepare for optimal learning throughout the coming school year. The districts will pack school buses with supplies on Aug. 20 for delivery, but donations still will be accepted after that.

The fact that so many families are in need is worthy of a jeer, but efforts to offset that inability to purchase adequate supplies represents an important example of community outreach by the districts.

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