Letters to the editor — May 8

Your views

• Published May 08, 2008

Three local fire chiefs were also quoted in this article and not one mentioned residential fire sprinkler systems as an alternative type of protection in homes served by wells and/or long response times from the fire station. Haven’t they read “America Burning?”

Of all people, fire chiefs should know that if the occupants of a home on fire are not out within 4 minutes, chances are they won’t get out. It’s a proven fact, “houses burning don’t kill people, it’s the contents burning that do!” What are these people hoping for in the event of a fire, divine intervention?

Residential fire sprinklers can be affordably supplied from wells and can be nothing more than an extension of the home plumbing system with concealed, heat-activated faucets in the ceiling.

Folks, they aren’t called “instant firefighters, affordable life savers” for nothing.

Larry Glenn, retired fire chief, Olympia

Save money and send kids to church

I was under the impression that there was a separation of religion from the public school system and that the public schools were needed more money.

It is incomprehensible to me, therefore, why the public school system would spend money on gasoline in order for students to learn about compassion from the Buddhist faith. In fact, they could have coordinated with our Methodist Church one recent Sunday for students to attend our children’s sermon which incidentally was about compassion. The money for gasoline, instead, could have raised each teacher’s salary $10 a month for the school year.

Dolores Todd, Olympia

Waterfront housing key to local economy

A spate of recent letters to the editor cite opposition to lifting the waterfront height restrictions at the risk of blocking public views. I believe this viewpoint is short-sighted, and detrimental to the economic growth of Olympia and Thurston County.

Port developments and improvements, including the Farmers Market, Market Centre, Rants buildings, Batdorf & Bronson, Anthony’s Homeport and Hearthfire, and like additions have been a boon to Olympia.