Letters to the Editor

A special tree

Editor, the Journal,

Every time I pass by on McEwan Prairie, I pause to look at the lovely decorated wild Christmas tree. It looked so nice; I added a Christmas ornament to it. I noticed also that other people added a Santa, and a snowman.

Whoever thought of this idea should be credited for showing the Christmas spirit for a lucky little Christmas tree!

Bill Dagle, Shelton

Appalling

Editor, the Journal,

The Jan. 2 Journal reported Mason County Sheriff’s Office Deputy McCullough found a car and two people inside parked at Lake Isabella State Park after hours. There was no driver but two passengers who claimed not to speak English and no ID.

Deputy McCullough saw clothing in the center console of the car that he identified as Mexican gang related. The driver returned, was patted down for weapons, and told to get back in the car. Deputy McCullough checked the license plate registration on the subject’s car and saw the driver enter and exit the back of his car numerous times and then walk off into the woods.

Deputy McCullough approached the subject Benito Obed Calmo Ahilon and tried to pat him down. The subject resisted and dove into the back seat of the car where there was a backpack that the deputy feared may contain a weapon. There was a struggle with Benito trying to get Deputy McCullough’s gun. Luckily other officers showed up to assist or the Journal could be reporting on the deputy being seriously injured or worse yet killed with his own gun.

Benito was arrested on several charges and booked.

Benito appeared before Judge Goodell for a bail hearing and was released on his own personal recognizance. No bail, no conditions, nothing. What a travesty of justice and lack of support for our police officers.

Incidents like this show why we have such a hard time getting people to go into law enforcement careers with no support especially at the judicial level. If you want a recommendation of who to support for judges ask a law enforcement officer. They deal with the courts.

Thank you to all our MCSO deputies who do their jobs every day to support and keep the citizens of Mason County safe without regards for their own safety.

E.L. Gordon, Belfair