Letters to the editor -- July 16

• Published July 16, 2008

• Comments (0)

Bill Korf, Olympia

Sheriff Kimball should lead by example

I find it very interesting that Sheriff Dan Kimball was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Building Leadership from Within: Team Building Training conference.

A good leader doesn’t use the “Chicken Little” approach and proclaim that the sky is falling! A good leader doesn’t use scare tactics and tell the community that they won’t be protected because line staff will be cut and our streets no longer will be safe! A good leader doesn’t whine to his counterparts about how he’s being picked on!

Sheriff Kimball has the opportunity, with the current budget crunch in Thurston County, to really be a leader and set an example that all elected officials and department heads could follow. Acknowledge that the sheriff’s office currently consumes the majority of general fund monies and that, in all fairness the sheriff’s office should contribute substantially to offset the 5 percent shortfall.

He could make a statement to peers by declining salary increases by the management team so line staff won’t lose their jobs. He could really listen to people who suggest different ways of doing business because they are trying to help. It’s called a team approach.

I, for one, am really disappointed in the actions, behavior and tactics of Sheriff Kimball. He was elected by the citizens of this community to protect and serve. What we didn’t realize is that he meant only those people he’s surrounded himself with.

Cheryl Rischel, Olympia

Preserve and enhance the beauty of downtown

Three years ago, I came to Olympia to help friends decide whether this was the city they should relocate to. I found myself wishing I could live here as well. I felt at home walking downtown with its great shops and so enjoyed the Wooden Boat festival.

I looked out across Budd Inlet to the Olympic Mountains and knew I had to live in this wonderful city. I bought a home and moved here in time to enjoy Harbor Days. I couldn’t have asked for more, and I don’t!

I lived through redevelopment in San Jose in the ’60s and ’70s. The unique shops closed or moved out to malls. There was NO revitalization of downtown San Jose.

Redevelopment MADE IT WORSE. Please do not make the same mistakes many California cities have made. I don’t think mixed-use housing and retail will revitalize downtown Olympia. San Jose is STILL trying to revitalize its downtown, which is part of why I left!

I beg you to preserve and enhance the beauty of downtown Olympia. Buildings, which will block the views from the isthmus, are not in the best interest of Olympia’s residents or those who come here to visit. Instead let’s work to improve and increase the parks and areas around Budd Inlet.

We should enjoy and preserve the beauty of downtown Olympia, especially with the yearlong 150th birthday commemoration being planned.

Please do not allow Triway Enterprises or any builder to ruin the unique beauty of downtown Olympia.

Melanie Maruca, Olympia