R-71 support did not stop at Cascades

As an avid supporter of Referendum 71, and a resident of Eastern Washington, I have to point out that a majority of support for R-71 also stopped at South Puget Sound, not just at the Cascades [“Gay-rights support stops at Cascades,” page one, Nov. 5].

Traditionally, Southwestern Washington is as conservative as — or even more conservative than — Eastern Washington. We even had politician Tom Foley for many years.

The article should have paid more attention to Vancouver in Clark County. Even their neighbor, Portland, can’t influence their vote to support equal rights for all of our fellow citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.

— Mary Janelle Foucault, Ellensburg

Initiative 1033 surely over; Eyman probably not

Well, Initiative 1033 has bit the dust [“Eyman’s tax initiative loses,” News, Nov. 4].

It struck me that we have been dealing with one initiative after another. This is costing the state a lot of money, both to place it on the ballot, then to include it in public voting guides.

Tim Eyman has been making a living off the backs of the average taxpayer in this state for far too long.

I believe he should be declared “persona non grata,” and provided with a police escort out of the state.

Let him take his initiative machine to a state that would appreciate him, such as Idaho.

— Gordon Ridgeway, Bothell

Race for mayor: Winner separated by only a few hundred votes

Mayor Michael Bloomberg reportedly spent $90 million of his own money to capture the race in New York City [“GOP sweeps N.J., Virginia,” News, Nov. 4]. Do we really want to complain that Joe Mallahan is just too poor to become mayor of Seattle [“Candidates too close for comfort,” page one, Nov. 5]?

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed is apparently troubled by the law allowing ballots to be received after 8 p.m. on Election Night. He chooses to focus on this aspect of the campaign for mayor of Seattle, rather than the ability of one campaign to outspend another by an enormous margin.

The McGinn campaign volunteers were making calls throughout the days leading up to the closing of the polls.

The Mallahan campaign may have been hampered by the network failure of T-Mobile, and the inability of their paid staff to respond to crisis on Election Day.

This failure marks a stark contrast to the grass-roots organization and commitment to government for the people of Seattle that Mike McGinn will bring to City Hall if he does win.

— Bill Levinger, Kennewick

Turnover on Seattle School Board

I am very disappointed at the insulting tone toward board member Mary Bass in The Seattle Times editorial regarding changes to the School Board [“Stakes high for Seattle School Board newbies,” Opinion, editorial, Nov. 5].

The editorial opined that the third time was apparently the charm, because voters tired of believing Bass’ good intentions would amount to anything voted her out.

The phrase “third time is the charm” refers to repeated attempts to do something that failed previously. Bass was voted in by the voters two times. Are the writers implying that somebody, or some group, has wanted her out for the last two terms and has been trying to get rid of her?

Why the rude tone and the lack of any recognition of the hard work, care and accessibility that has been the hallmark of Bass?

Bass worked hard; she voted on her beliefs rather than the party line. She was often unsuccessful because other directors merely voted to support the administration, rather than on the merits of the issue, as Bass did. She was one of the first and only directors to keep community office hours until the public demanded that others do the same.

Please show some respect to a generous and smart person who has dedicated her time to the children of this district.

— Gordon Macdougall, Seattle