Published 9:00 am Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Donation to Collins not tied to winery Bulletin readers should know I was misjudged by Connie Brieese in a recent letter to the editor. She implied I donated to Jamie Collins’s county commissioner campaign because I wanted him to oppose Lava Terrace Cellars’ efforts to site a winery in my neighborhood. Nothing could be further from the truth. My husband and I have never discussed the winery’s application with Collins. We pledged $20,000 to his campaign because he is a climate scientist. We’re concerned about climate change. Further, we routinely donate to many political campaigns. Good government matters. On the other hand, Tony DeBone appears to have close relationships with “developers” who turn farmland into high-end neighborhoods with unlimited water rights. And yes, do describe myself as an “environmental junkyard dog.” I care a lot about what we’re leaving for future generations. It’s a “morals” thing. Kids (and animals) matter.…