Letters to the Editor for Oct. 29

• Published October 29, 2009

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Machlis has the right stuff for Olympia

Joan Machlis’ candidacy embodies my hope for a better Olympia.

We are making progress toward our full potential as a capital city guided by her competent leadership.

To counter a weak economy, Machlis advocates planning, investment and sustainable growth. Now is the time to increase efficiency and rejuvenate infrastructure, to prepare the foundation for better days ahead. Work is under way on West Bay Park, a new city hall, better roads and sidewalks, and finally, a comprehensive plan to address downtown’s parking ills. I look forward to reinvigorating our core asset, the water. Machlis’ ambitions are a new Percival Landing, improved artesian water access, and maintaining the reflecting pool that is Capitol Lake.

Machlis does her homework and is fluent in the issues that challenge this city. By including community groups, business, individual citizenry and government in the conversation she has assembled a diverse base that can complete envisioned goals. Machlis has managed our finances responsibly by matching cost with savings and increased revenue. Endorsed by the firefighters, police and Realtors, Machlis also has inspired a new group of proactive citizens looking to participate in building the road ahead.

In 14 years of growing Wind Up Here, downtown’s toy store, she came to know Olympians, and what is good for Olympia. Machlis’ vision and record is a more environmentally friendly capital with increased downtown density, a focus on alternative transportation, and targeting toxic soil and dilapidated spaces for cleanup.

TYLER FLEETWOOD, Olympia

Retain Joan Machlis

Keep campaign signs off public property

A few political candidates have littered the landscape with their yard signs, cluttering the public right of way.

The worst offenders are Joan Machlis and Tony Sermonti, candidates for Olympia City Council, plus Jefferson Davis, candidate for Port of Olympia.

Maybe these candidates cannot get real people to agree to put their signs in their yards. Or maybe they think the public roadways are really their own private property.

I think that littering should be a crime, and that political signs should only be allowed on private property with the permission of the resident of the property.

One way to express displeasure with littering is to vote for candidates who actually talk with people and get permission to put signs in their yards. The opponents of these three – Jeannine Roe, Joe Hyer, and Dave Peeler – seem to do that, and keep their signs out of the road right of way.

They are all good candidates, in addition to being respectful of public roadways.

JIM LAZAR, Olympia

Pratt would offer new perspective in Lacey

As a Lacey resident, I was interested to hear what Lacey City Council candidates had to say at the recent political forum hosted by The Olympian and the League of Women Voters. I was struck by Cynthia Pratt’s responses. Instead of platitudes, she offered substance and a compelling vision for controlling the sprawl that undermines Lacey’s sense of community and contributes to traffic problems.

Incumbent council member Ann Burgman is to be commended for her years of service, but it is time for a change. Pratt will bring intelligence, insight, enthusiasm for the community, and an instinct for involving the public in major decisions. Her experience as an environmental planner will enable her to judge whether proposed new developments would be an asset or a detriment to the community.

This is a critical time for Lacey. Growth pressures are threatening our resources and quality of life.

Pratt gets that, and I believe she will work in our best interests. I know who I’m voting for in the Council Position 4 race. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Cynthia Pratt.

CAROLYN COX, Lacey

Yes on Referendum 71 is a vote for equality

Our state Legislature enacted new rights to a group who hadn’t had those rights before. However, a referendum was sought by those who thought the legislature was not upholding the current social mores. The year was 1889. The Legislature granted women the right to vote. Sadly, this right wasn’t upheld in a voter’s referendum.

Women activists eventually gained the vote - twenty years later.

We now take that right for granted. It would seem silly and unfair to most of us now to exclude women solely based on their gender. Women participate in the creation of law and their lives are affected and protected by the law just as anyone else’s.

Our Legislature recently enacted some new rights to one particular group. However, a referendum is being sought by those who think the Legislature is not upholding the current social mores.

There will come a time when it will seem silly and unfair to exclude tax-paying citizens from the same rights under family law, solely based on the gender of the people in their family.

Gay and lesbian families participate in the creation of law, and their lives should be guided and protected by the law just as anyone else’s.

The voters have an opportunity, this time, to uphold what the Legislature has done.

Washingtonians can decide to further the cause for equality this time, instead of holding it back.

Please vote yes on Referendum 71.

TERESA DOMINIC, Olympia

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