Author: Kim Kalliber

Survey finds NRA Members United

91% of NRA Members Support Laws to Stop Mentally Ill from Acquiring Firearms

Press Release, NRA Public Affairs

FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action conducted a national scientific poll of its members and found near unanimity among NRA members on a wide range of issues involving mental health reform and firearm rights.

Gun control advocates including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as various media outlets, have released data claiming to represent the views of NRA members, despite the fact that none of those surveys had access to the NRA’s membership list. The NRA survey of 1,000 randomly-selected NRA members across the country is the only legitimate survey of NRA members in existence.

The data from this survey indicates that NRA members are united in their desire for Washington to focus on keeping firearms from the mentally ill and to reject unconstitutional gun control measures that infringe on Second Amendment rights.

“Mayor Bloomberg’s claims that gun owners are divided are totally false. It is nothing more than an attempt by anti-gun activists to further their long-standing political agenda,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox. “American gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are ready for Washington to put politics aside and come together to fix our broken mental health system.”

Key Findings:

  • 91% of NRA members support laws keeping firearms away from the mentally ill.
  • 92% of NRA members oppose gun confiscation via mandatory buy-back laws.
  • 89% oppose banning semi-automatic firearms, often mistakenly called “assault rifles”.
  • 93% oppose a law requiring gun owners to register with the federal government.
  • 92% oppose a new federal law banning the sale of firearms between private citizens.

Methodology – The national survey was conducted by OnMessage Inc.  Telephone interviews were conducted January 13-14, 2013.  This survey consists of 1,000 NRA members and was stratified by state to reflect voter distribution in the 2012 presidential election. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.09%.

Full results available here.

-NRA-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation and on Twitter @NRA.

 

Notice of Public Meetings for Superintendent Search Process

The Marysville School District will hold two meetings for district parents, Marysville and Tulalip community members and district partners learn about, and provide input, for the new superintendent search process. After serving Marysville schools for nine years, Dr. Larry Nyland has announced his retirement. The search process for a new superintendent begins now and follows a timeline through the search, recruitment, and the hiring process.

The Board of Directors and consultants, Dr. John Fotheringham and Dr. Wayne Robertson, of Northwest Leadership Associates, are committed to providing an open and transparent process in the search for a new superintendent. Your participation and input is important and will assist the board in selecting a new educational leader that will continue to take Marysville to the next levels of success.

Meetings will be held at the Marysville School District Service Center Board Room, located at 4220 80th Street NE, Marysville, 98270, on Tuesday, 1/29/13 at 7:00 PM and Thursday, 1/31/13 at 6:00 PM. Both meetings are open to the public.

An electronic survey is available on the district website at www.msvl.k12.wa.us.
For more information on the search process, contact Jodi Runyon at jodi_runyon@msvl.k12.wa.us or (360) 653-0800.

HuffPost Social Reading Feist, Broken Social Scene, Blue Rodeo Show Support For Idle No More Movement

Canadian singer Feist performs at the Oya music festival in Oslo, on August 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / SCANPIX NORWAY / Stian Lysberg Solum ***NORWAY OUT*** (Photo credit should read Solum, Stian Lysberg/AFP/GettyImages)
Canadian singer Feist performs at the Oya music festival in Oslo, on August 8, 2012. Photo credit: Solum, Stian Lysberg/AFP/GettyImages

Huffington Post Music, Canada, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

A number of Canadian musicians have joined forces to show their support for Idle No More, the movement of First Nations people for “healthy, just, equitable and sustainable communities.”

According to the CBC, Feist, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, Blue Rodeo, former Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page and The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie have signed a petition backing the movement. The petition was started by Weakerthans’ singer John K. Samson just before Christmas (Dec. 21) and originally sent it through various contacts.

“The response was immediate and huge, from artists of all disciplines, genres and mediums,” Samson said, adding he got the idea after a conversation with his friend and writer Leanne Simpson, a member of the Alderville First Nation. “It’s fundamental to how we think of ourselves and our identity and what a fair and just society should be. Artists have to be right at the forefront of that, it didn’t surprise me that so many replied with enthusiastic support.”

The statement, dubbed Canadian Artists Statement of Solidarity with Idle No More, reads:

“We recognize that our identity as Canadian artists is coloured by the shameful and continued history of injustice and colonialism, and support the Idle No More movement’s demands that Canadians honour and fulfill Indigenous sovereignty, repair violations against land and water, and live the intent and spirit of our Treaty relationship.”

Samson has also contributed the song “www.ipetitions.com/petition/rivertonrifle'” from his 2012 Provincial album to a benefit compilation being organized by Holly McNarland, a strong supporter of the movement who has taken to Twitter to get the message out. And argue with those opposed to the movement.

“I bit the bait and got into it about #idlenomore,” she tweeted on Jan. 6 “A racist mind is like a chastity belt but not worth it, throw the F’N key away.”

Other musicians who have signed the petition include Ian Blurton, Christine Fellows, The Sadies, Sarah Harmer and Bif Naked.

Pollutants in smoke from winter fires can pose health risk

Washington State Department of Health

Smoke from wood fires—like the ones that keep your home warm and cozy in the winter—can be a health hazard for some people. Wood smoke and other air pollutants can be trapped near the ground when winter weather patterns cause stagnant air. Smoke contains fine particles and toxic gases that can be breathed deep into the lungs where they can cause immediate and long-term health problems. The level of air pollution that causes health problems is different for each person. Some people are at greater risk than others, and can have symptoms sooner, including: people with heart and lung disease, older adults who may have unrecognized health conditions, and children, whose developing lungs are more easily damaged. Often the pollution can’t be seen or smelled, so it can be helpful to check air quality before doing things outside, especially if you’re in a high-risk group. Real-time information on air quality conditions and statistics on air pollution for most counties is available online. You can check the Department of Health’s website for information on how air quality can affect your health.

WIC serves more than 315,000 women and children each year

Lots of people who are eligible for the WIC nutrition program haven’t applied

Washington State Department of Health

More than 65,000 children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers qualify for—but aren’t enrolled in—the state’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. WIC provides nutrition counseling, free healthy foods, and breastfeeding support and health screenings for babies. African American, Pacific Islander, and Native American women have particularly low participation in the program during pregnancy, yet have some of the highest rates of premature and low birth weight babies. WIC wants to provide more women with services that boost their health, improve birth outcomes, and contribute to healthier babies. Many eligible women don’t know about the program or don’t know that they—and their children younger than five—qualify. Cathy Franklin of the WIC program says that a woman may assume her family makes too much money if she’s working. But that’s often not the case. A household of four can make $3,554 a month and still be eligible. A family with two qualifying people, like a breastfeeding mother and her baby, would receive checks for up to $100 of healthy food a month (along with other services). WIC currently serves more than 315,000 women and children each year in its 205 clinics across Washington. Find more information about WIC and how to apply at the Department of Health’s WIC website or by calling the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.

Spring Planting is Near: Join the Arbor Day Foundation in February and Receive 10 Free Redbud Trees

Press Release, Arbor Day Foundation, http://www.arborday.org

Joining the Arbor Day Foundation is an ideal way to get in the mood for spring planting. Anyone from Washington who joins the Foundation in February 2013 will receive 10 free Eastern redbud trees to plant when the weather turns warm.

The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign

“Redbuds will help beautify Washington for many years to come,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “They will also add to the proud heritage of Washington’s existing Tree City USA communities.”

The Tree City USA program has supported community forestry throughout the country for more than 35 years.

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge.

Members also receive a subscription to the Foundation’s colorful bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which contains information about planting and care.

To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE EASTERN REDBUD TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by February 28, 2013, or visit arborday.org/february.

 

Police searching for Marysville man missing since November

marysvilleM-MissingPerson.Jan22.CourtesyThe Arlington Times,  http://www.arlingtontimes.com

MARYSVILLE — Marysville Police are asking for the public’s help in locating David Boyle, a longtime and well-respected resident of Marysville.

Evidence suggests Boyle left his residence of his own volition around 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2012.

Earlier the previous evening, Boyle had contact with law enforcement for a driving offense, and it’s believed he was distraught at the time he left home.

Boyle has not been seen or heard from since.

Boyle left his residence in his red 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, with the Washington license plate 169WNT, which also has not been seen.

Foul play is not suspected in Boyle’s disappearance, but because of his involvement in and commitment to local youth sports, there is community-wide concern.

Boyle is an assistant girls basketball coach at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, and has been active in the football and baseball programs at both the high school and middle school levels.

Boyle is a white male standing 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes.

If you have any information about David Boyle or his disappearance, please contact Marysville Police Detective Craig Bartl at 360-363-8392 or cbartl@marysvillewa.gov.

 

Arlington Police arrest suspect who led agencies on high-speed pursuit

The Arlington Times, http://www.arlingtontimes.com

ARLINGTON — A high-speed pursuit through north Snohomish County, Arlington and Marysville on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 22, resulted in the arrest of a 23-year-old Monroe man on multiple charges. The pursuit started at approximately 11:10 a.m. when Arlington Police officers located a stolen vehicle that, moments before, had been observed by a Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputy in Arlington.

Arlington Police officers initiated a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle at the intersection of Fourth Street and State Route 9. The driver of the stolen vehicle did not stop, and instead drove off northbound on State Route 9 at a high rate of speed. Five officers from the Arlington and Marysville police departments, as well as the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, pursued the vehicle for more than 20 minutes through north Snohomish County, Arlington, Lakewood and Marysville, at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, before the vehicle was abandoned on the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 5 at State Route 531 (172nd Street NE). The driver was apprehended near the on-ramp and taken into custody by officers from the Arlington Police Department. Assisting in the apprehension were officers from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and the Stillaguamish Tribal Police.

During the pursuit, the driver of the stolen vehicle rammed two police vehicles multiple times, rendering one of them inoperable. An Arlington Police vehicle received substantial damage in the ramming incident, while the condition of the Marysville Police vehicle that was struck by the fleeing vehicle has yet to be assessed. Two officers involved in the ramming were later evaluated by medical personnel and released with minor injuries.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was transported to Cascade Valley Hospital by the Arlington Fire Department and will be subsequently transported to Snohomish County Jail. Multiple charges are anticipated against the 23-year-old suspect, including being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony eluding of a police vehicle, and vehicular assault.

 

Premiere of ‘Back to the River’

Back to the River Premier

Salmon Defense, http://salmondefense.org

Back to the River tells the story of the treaty rights struggle from the pre-Boldt era to tribal and state co-management. The movie includes the voices and personal accounts of tribal fishers, leaders, and others active in the treaty fishing rights struggle.

The premiere will take place at 7pm on February 1, 2013 at The Seattle Aquarium (1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA 98101)

Seating is limited to 250 people.

Please RSVP to Peggen Frank
pfrank@salmondefense.org
360.528.4308

Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Salmon Defense is very thankful to the BACK TO THE RIVER SPONSORS who made this project possible.

  • Nisqually Indian Tribe
  • Lummi Nation
  • Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
  • Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
  • Squaxin Island Tribe
  • Tulalip Tribes
  • Quinault Indian Nation
  • Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
  • Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe
  • Skokomish Tribal Nation
  • Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission