As MC of the Legislators’ Town Hall on July 5th, I want to thank Sen. Jeff Wilson and Rep. Joel McEntire for spending an evening answering questions from Pacific County residents. The evening was entertaining, informative, and positive for the 60-70 attendees.

Many voiced concerns about weakening parental rights. Peninsula Patriots collected 55 signatures each on two petitions to restore and/or preserve parental rights: Referendum 101 and Initiative 2081.

Last week’s Observer readers might be confused as to why a Pacific County resident would ask Wilson and McEntire about Michigan legislation. Allow me to provide context. The lady was asking a follow-up question regarding HB1333. She wanted to know if Washington, like Michigan, is working on criminalizing the use of pronouns. HB1333 would have criminalized speech more broadly than just pronouns. McEntire called the bill Washington’s version of the “Ministry of Truth.” It would have created a Soviet-style commission to determine what is “wrong speak” and how to punish those who expressed ideas contrary to the government’s wishes. Although the bill failed, this topic is still pertinent because it was written by Attorney General Bob Ferguson and promoted by Gov. Jay Inslee. With Ferguson running for governor, such anti-Bill of Rights legislation will surely be a topic during his election campaign.

I also want to thank Sheriff Daniel Garcia for his attendance and cogent remarks. And thank you to Undersheriff Mike Ray, GOP County Chair Brett Malin, John Birch Society Area Coordinator Polly Stickney and Raymond/South Bend JBS Chapter Leader Pattie Gray for attending. Thank you to the Long Beach Grange for renting us the venue.

This was the first time I met these two legislators and Sheriff Garcia. I was very impressed with all three because they are Constitutionalists. The town hall’s sponsor was Peninsula Patriots, a chapter of the John Birch Society. JBS scores state and federal legislators vis a vis their adherence to the constitution. McEntire and Rep. Jim Walsh scored 100% and Wilson scored 83%.

I want to thank the Chinook Observer for sending a reporter, and Ric Gerig, Peninsula Patriots Chapter Leader, for all his hard work.

DIANE L. GRUBER

Oysterville