Letters to the Editor: On impeachment and roundabouts

Kilmer on impeachment

To the editor,

I didn’t come to Congress to pursue impeachment. Having said that, the very first thing I do as your representative is raise my right hand and swear an oath to uphold the Constitution.

That’s an oath I take seriously, and it remains my guiding principle. And it was with that oath in mind that I voted in December in support of articles of impeachment based on evidence brought to light in the course of the impeachment inquiry that showed that the President abused the power of his office and obstructed Congress in its investigation to evaluate that abuse.

Like most Americans, I had hoped that the Senate would hold a fair trial with the opportunity to hear from witnesses. That didn’t happen. But Democrats and Republicans have now acknowledged that President clearly used his office to pressure Ukraine to dig up dirt on his political rivals — and that he withheld military aid to increase the pressure.

I still believe that no one is above the law. Just as reforms were made following Watergate, Congress should look at ways to improve the system so that it is more transparent, more accountable, and more ethical. I will keep pushing to make sure that elected officials work for the public interest — not their own gain.

Derek Kilmer

6th Congressional District

Relax. Roundabouts are easy

To the editor:

I was surprised by Kevin Kennedy’s letter in opposition to the Stinson roundabout. Driving in France thirty years ago I went through my first roundabout, ever. I thought, why don’t we have these in America? It has taken decades, but finally we have joined much of the rest of the world.

It is interesting that Mr. Kennedy’s friends all oppose roundabouts. My breakfast group has discussed roundabouts a number of times. We were disappointed with the rumors that flew a few weeks ago that a signal would be installed on Stinson. Then we heard that the City Council had approved roundabouts on Stinson. Our group is a bunch of guys all in our seventies, and in most instances qualify as seniors.

I can still manage electric signals, but I truly like the predictability of roundabouts. I know I have to approach every roundabout the same way, stop or pause for traffic and then proceed. What could be simpler? Looking forward to a smooth flow down Stinson to the harbor.

Dave Mumper

Gig Harbor

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 12:00 AM.