Letters to the editor for Oct. 10

• Published October 10, 2008

City must work with state on isthmus issue

I recently asked the voters of my precinct whether a park should be on the isthmus instead of $800,000 to $1 million view-blocking high-rise condos. I was astounded at the response! More than 80 percent wanted to sign a petition for a park without further discussion. I have done a lot of doorbelling over the years. I have never before seen such a positive and eager response.

If the City Council permits high-rise buildings on the isthmus when voters feel so strongly in such great numbers, they will be causing their defeat when they stand for re-election.

There is an issue overriding the re-election chances of council persons. That issue is how the capital city of Olympia conducts its diplomacy with the state. The state of Washington has a vital interest in the isthmus.

The Olympian lists local business organizations supporting tall buildings across the isthmus. No organization representing the state interest was mentioned. I haven't seen any reaching out to the state. Six former governors heard about what was going on and signed a statement — all objecting to the view-blocking proposal.

Olympia is a capital city. Having lived in three other capital cities, I have learned that a capital city cannot afford taking unilateral actions that affect the entire state without careful and effective collaboration with the pertinent state entities. We literally can't afford not to do so.

Bring in all of the stakeholders, including the state. The mayor must get a consensus, which is his hallmark ability.

Ken Bragg, Olympia

Palin worse on the environment than McCain

Letter writer Judy Rogers-LaVigne suggests there is hatred of John McCain's VP candidate, Sarah Palin, because of her lifestyle and because she's a conservative woman. She likens her to Teddy Roosevelt at a comparable point in his career.

No, there's no hatred. There's just outrage that McCain cynically chose someone so unqualified. There's also dread that if the U.S. public isn't doing its homework, she could soon be a heartbeat from the Oval Office.