Sexual Assault of 4 Victims

Sexual Assault of 4 Victims

by | Feb 23, 2026 | Community, Local Interests, Longview City Council, Opinions, Politics

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter and will be sending it to the Longview School Board and the City Council of Longview, Washington. According to reporting from KOIN 6 News, two young men, aged 16 and 17 years of age, have been arrested and charged with sexual assault of 4 victims. Two victims are 14-years old, one victim is 16, and another victim is 17-years-old. These crimes happened several times at Mark Morris High School, in the locker room, during basket ball season, between November 2025 and January 2026.

It took a father calling the police because coaches and school professionals never did. There is evidence that the school knew about these crimes at least 2 weeks prior. Parents were concerned and had begun talking on social media sites. Students were overwhelmed and staged a protest because they felt unsafe and unheard. This is how the news was brought to daylight. Now that we are talking, it is evident that sexual assault is not new to Mark Morris, and maybe other schools. That last statement is not proven, however there is much room for investigation and hopefully people will come forward with any information that can help with any knowledge or proof that will help the right changes to be made.

If you have information to share with the Longview Police
please call them at 360-442-5800
Monday through Thursday between 8 am to 4 pm.

This school board, being populated by a previous Longview Police Captain, a former Mark Morris Principal, and a former teacher at both Mark Morris and R. A. Long High School, I would have expected that our student’s safety would be paramount, but I see that this is not that case as charges of 2nd degree rape, unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation, and indecent liberties with forcible compulsion have been brought against two young men that are students at Mark Morris High School.

I have read that this situation is not on the agenda for the meeting today. I can understand if, at this point, you cannot go into detail about this case. However, it would be appropriate to allot a moment to acknowledge that, at this time, you may be limited by what you can say, due to legal reasons. Nonetheless, taking a moment to express your obvious failure and plans to move forward towards growth and change that will include equity and safety for all students, is not a waste of time, but necessary for parents and students who do not feel safe or seen.

For the readers of my blog, because this letter is also posted at GoodTimesAlways.com, if you would like to contact the Longview School Board members here is their contact information:

Dr. Karen Cloninger – District Superintendent
360-575-7019

Don Wiitala – School Board President and Former Mark Morris Principal
dwiitala@longviewschools.org

Jennifer Leach – School Board Vice President & 20 year School Board Member
jleach@longviewschools.org

Deborah Pineda – School Resources Officer for Mark Morris High School & Former LPD Captain
dpineda@longviewschools.org

Barb Westrick – 23 year Longview School Board Member
360-425-2812

Susan Donahue – Former Mark Morris and R. A. Long High School Teacher for a combined 32 years
sdonahue@longviewschools.org

Regular meetings for the Longview School Board take place at 5:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month according to their website. There is a link above. They take place at:

2715 Lilac Street
Longview, WA 98632
360-575-7019

I am not a mother. But I have lived in Longview for most of my entire life and I went to Longview Schools. I graduated from R. A. Long High School. I have a degree from LCC. I want to live in a safe community. I believe that if children are not safe, they have a greater chance to grow up to be unsafe adults. Children go to school to learn how to be good people. At least that is what I think they should be able to do. If they are being traumatized at school, how are they supposed to be part of a thriving community? If we do not have the hard conversations, if we do not make the proper choices to change so that everyone is safe and know that they matter, we are asking for higher crime and reliance on society later on.

I can’t be at your meeting later today. But I want my voice heard.

Sincerely,

Summer D Clemenson

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No Permits for For Park Use

No Permits for For Park Use

by | Apr 24, 2025 | Community, Longview City Council, Politics

Dear City Council Member,

I just read that the Longview City Council is considering requiring all use of the park at the Civic Circle to require a permit. I am appalled. I have lived in Longview, Washington all my life and lived at The Monticello for a few years and enjoyed that park many times. I have enjoyed meeting friends there, with intention and by accident. I have also met homeless people there who just wanted a kind word and a prayer. I have never had a bad experience at any of our beautiful parks.

I believe that each person is valuable and entitled to respect. I know many families that can’t afford the cost and time it takes to get a park permit. But I do believe that the main reason that you are seeking to lock people out of this park is to curtail the homeless people that have no place to go because you have not provided one.

I understand that many of my neighbors do not want their tax dollars to pay for these people. They have judged them as unworthy and maybe a few of them are, but many of them are mentally ill and need help. They come to covered areas because they need to get away from the elements. As someone with volunteer experience with The Salvation Army, Love Overwhelming and Living Ministries I have had first hand experiences with the people I am referring to and the people that hate them. As someone that has become chronically ill, my family has been in a state of homelessness for the last 10 years, either living with friends, in motels or hotels because it is hard to get into stable housing when you make too much for help, but not enough to save for first and last months rent.

Please do not punish every taxpayer in Longview with a rule because a few loud speaking people don’t want to make room for some people that don’t have enough resources to find a home, or maybe can’t handle the idea of living indoors because of PTSD. In fact, please be inspired to offer a safe place for people to go with restrooms, lighting, minimal security, and parking so that these complaints don’t have to be heard as frequently because police have a safe place to bring people to.

If I could have come to the meeting tonight, I would, but I already had plans with family. Please consider what I have to say with an open heart, from a lifelong Longview citizen that wants to see all of our citizens cared for.

Sincerely,

Summer D Clemenson