To The Editor:
Recently my opponent, Mr. Hastings, has been doing an awful lot of political grandstanding about the trade dispute with Mexico.

To The Editor:

The Toppenish Pro Youth Committee is working with the Toppenish Community Foundation to raise money for a new skate park at Pioneer Park at the site of the tennis courts on Bolin.
Originally it was planned that the park would cost $160,000, which is a large amount of money to raise.
 With the City of Toppenish Parks and Recreation Board and City Council allowing the use of the tennis courts, the cost is reduced and we began raising funds with a budget of 125,000.
The good news now is the vendor we have been working with has offered us the equipment at 50 percent off, reducing the cost further. 
Now we are finalists for a grant that will make it possible to complete the park with an additional $25,000 from the community.   Pastors of local churches have made the skate park a priority and will help raise funds.  
We need the help of everyone and every organization in Toppenish to make the skate park a reality much sooner than we had hoped.
Donations can be made through the Toppenish Community Foundation, P. O. Box 1316, Toppenish, WA.  98948 Attention Mary East.  All donations are tax-deductible.  
The youth of Toppenish are already spending time at the location and will help us set the equipment up when it is delivered. 
I encourage everyone to please join them by donating right away. 

Darel Olson
A member of the Toppenish Pro Youth Committee and the Toppenish Foundation

To the Editor:

Buy Local. Today it happened again.
Years ago, I spent money in Toppenish to rebuild buildings, a local store and a family.
I am proud to call Toppenish my home.
Thanks friends, and past customers.
 Today, Eric Martinez at Ideal Lumber made a custom product that only his father would have done for me.
When I tried to pay, the answer was no.
Thank you Eric and Ideal Lumber for great traditions that I hope will continue for another day.

Dave Meyers
Toppenish

To The Editor:

I would like to say a few words about Yanira Villarreal Valdez, the young lady who lost her life in an auto accident a few days ago.
Yanira was a beautiful person who always greeted people with a sincere smile and kindness.
I feel now that she is gone, I will need to show God’s love toward others more, in her absence.

Rachel Hooker
Toppenish

To The Editor:
I would like to congratulate the Toppenish Police Department for the fantastic job they did enforcing the law about “Absolutely No Fireworks” in Toppenish.
Until I moved back into town two years ago, I lived in a mobile home park on the outskirts of a small town.
The park had one small sign stating that there where no fireworks allowed and none went off.
As you drive into Toppenish, there are huge banners stating “Absolutely No Fireworks.”
The first week of June, I started hearing a few, then last week not an hour went by that fireworks were not going off.
On the Fourth of July, not a minute went by that there were not some going off.
If little kids see that they don’t have to follow this law when they are little, what makes you think that when they get older they are going to think that they have to obey any law?
So once again, congratulations on the exemplary job you did.

Debra Johnson
Toppenish

To The Editor:

Thanks to the Review Independent and Richard Burger’s excellent coverage of my 90th birthday party. There was an outstanding turn out!  
I am so very fortunate to have been a part of Toppenish for 40 of my 90 years.
Thanks to the Visitor Center for the use of their building and a special thanks to all who came and to those who sent cards.

Jane Davis
Toppenish

To The Editor:

To Cindy James, I just wanted to let you know that your Moon Garden article was a big hit with my sister in Newport, Wash.  
She had built a brick circle flowerbed, thought she had an idea for it, but once built, she became stumped at what to put in it?  
I, not knowing about her flower garden dilemma, decided to send her your article on Moon Gardens.
My sister called as soon as she read the article and, told me, “You just sent me the paint and paint brushes for my new flower garden!”  
As I write this, she has been busy putting it all together, and told me it is looking just beautiful.
And, as soon as it is completed, she plans to send me a picture. I hope to bring it by your shop and give you a look.
Thanks from my sister and I for a great idea.

Cindy Barks
Toppenish

To The Editor:

The new board of the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce needs to know that you do not have the right to change rules of a game in the middle of the contest.
Several members of the board are new to the chamber and probably have never read the by-laws or have any idea on how things have been done in the past.
So, to take it upon themselves a task they know nothing about and make a decision that affects so many without input from the persons involved is an error not easily forgiven.
They should not be led by one member’s own personal agenda.
It is with great reluctance that I cannot finish the Fourth of July parade as I promised I would do. I wish the board luck, because they are going to need it.

Karen Rogers
Toppenish

To The Editor:
I am one of the people that complained of the foul odors that spew from the Washington Beef plant at the Toppenish City Council meeting on April 26, 2010.

To The Editor:
In response to last week’s letter from Adrienne Wilson, I have a question for you the author: In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter which flag enters or leave the room first?