I realize salmon represent an important part of the natural history of this state and I am not knowledgeable of all the issues that resulted in the money allocation. But are salmon more important than our children and citizenry? I just read the “great” news of the $5.5 million grant, part of a larger distribution of $42.8 million for salmon habitat. (Dec. 22 article.)
Do people realize we have children and families all over Everett and our county who have no homes, no families? I serve on the Mental Health Advisory Board and we are trying to squeeze every single penny we can to provide mental health services to those who desperately need it. One of the few places children can get mental health services recently closed. The crimes being committed by the mentally ill who have not been receiving services increase every day. I can almost tell you before I hear the entire tragedy that another ill person unable to get help is involved.
You see, I am the widow of Bryan Hetherwick, who five years ago first shot and killed our adopted 5-year-old grandson and then himself at the Monroe Police Station because we couldn’t find appropriate mental health care for our grandson or him after we moved here from Texas. So just where are our priorities?
I care deeply for those with special needs as I have spent my 40-year career as an educator for these wonderful people. Now I grieve. I get involved. I vote. Let’s be realistic and have some leaders brave enough to distribute funds and grants to humans in need of life-saving services. Washington ranks near the bottom of all 50 states in mental health care. How shameful! If one had suffered the loss I did after 40 years of marriage, as well as our precious baby, they would think twice before funding the salmon. I’m not negating the need for help with our economy and resources, but can’t we share the dollars just a bit more fairly and humanely before we have a population too ill to enjoy the food? To those who allocate the dollars, please care enough to help our children and those unable to help themselves.
Carolyn Hetherwick Goza
Everett
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