Letters to the Editor for Oct. 30

• Published October 30, 2009

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Ref. 71 offers practical benefits to all

This letter is addressed to those Washingtonians who, like me, are committed to living out their faith and support the rights of the nearly 12,000 registered domestic partners in our state. These are people who seek fair treatment and simply want the same legal protections so many others already enjoy.

The Bible teaches us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and the Talmud states, “What is hateful to you, do not do to (others).”

Jesus said: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

And so I ask my fellow believers:

What would you have done to you? By voting to approve Referendum 71 you are ensuring that all families have the same responsibilities and protections under the law. The stability provided under this law helps partners care for a sick loved one, offer a secure home to a child, and have financial stability in the case of sickness or time of crisis.

Treating others as one would like to be treated means keeping those common-sense legal benefits that help families stay together and support each other. Voting “Approve” on Referendum 71 is about justice. I urge people of faith to think about this and to pray about this. And to treat other people as you would want to be treated by voting “Approve” on Referendum 71.

REV. MARK DOWDY, Senior Pastor, The United Churches of Olympia, Presbyterian (USA) and United Church of Christ

Hyer solves problems creatively

This November I will be voting to re-elect Joe Hyer to the Olympia City Council, and I urge everyone reading this to do the same.

I have known Hyer for more than 10 years and worked with him on a daily basis for most of that time. He has always impressed me with his intelligence, his work ethic, and his capacity for creative problem solving.

In his five years as a council member, Hyer has always done his homework, becoming the go-to expert on the city’s budget and acquiring funding for important projects. Hyer has an obvious passion for making Olympia all it can be and the skills, experience, and leadership ability to get things done.

He’s worked hard for this city, and gained loads of experience while in office. Let’s vote to give him another go at it.

JASON MAHR, Olympia

Peeler has a broad vision for the port

Keith Bausch, in his recent letter, pits the longshoremen against the Carnegie Group. Many Carnegie Group members have been union members as well, and we understand the need for living-wage jobs.

The Carnegie Group is an affiliation of people concerned about our community. We study and discuss topics related to the costs and challenges of growth and economic development.

We believe growth should pay for growth. Policies and decisions regarding growth should not burden the taxpayer, but rather expect developers and businesses to contribute to the expense of expanded services that are needed to support their ventures.

This model will ensure that the community, in addition to vested interests, will guide and share in the benefits from development.

The Carnegie Group is a well-informed and active association that works for the betterment of our community.

As a nonprofit organization, the Carnegie Group does not endorse candidates nor make financial contributions to campaigns. Individuals within the organization contribute and speak on issues on their own behalf.

As a former port commissioner candidate, I care about, and have studied, business plans and conflicts of interest. With Washington’s major ports struggling for profitability, it’s unlikely that Olympia will flourish. Carrying the banner of “union jobs” is misleading and irresponsible. Much of planned port peninsula development depends on low-income, nonunionized service workers.

Dave Peeler has a much broader, and fact-based vision of the port’s potential. He’s willing to address financial issues that have pillaged our pockets for too long. He has my strong support.

SUZANNE NOTT, Olympia

Rogers supports business, environment

Olympians need to know that Karen Rogers is here to help us. Her long history of community activity shows this.

I support Rogers because she is the first highly trained environmentalist whom I have ever spoken with that is business friendly. Most seem to want nothing to do with business.

When Karen Rogers knocked on my door in her primary campaign, I was impressed with her.

DAVE JENSEN, Olympia

Kingsbury is clear on his positions

The decision whether to maintain Capitol Lake or allow it to return to an estuary is one of the most important facing the City of Olympia.

Yes, the decision is ultimately up to the state but our city officials should have an opinion.

City Council candidate Stephen Buxbaum doesn’t have one.

Or if he does, he refuses to express it.

The Olympian calls Buxbaum “a disappointment.”

Council member Jeff Kingsbury doesn’t hesitate to make a decision. He supports the lake.

You might not always support Jeff Kingsbury’s decisions, but you will always know where he stands.

As The Olympian wrote in its recent endorsement of Kingsbury, he has provided “four years of hard work and strong leadership on the council.” Re-elect Jeff Kingsbury.

MARTIN FLYNN, Olympia