Letters to the editor — April 1

New forest set-asides benefit state residents

On March 11, an absolutely incredible gift was bestowed upon the people of Washington.

The Department of Natural Resources completed the Central Cascades Exchange that consolidated state assets into three enormous blocks of public lands. Two brand-new state forests have been formed and a third was significantly increased in size. In the Naneum, a 69,000-acre forest is created; in the Wenas, 27,000 acres form a new block; and, in the Ahtanum, that three-year-old forest increases from about 40,000 acres to over 67,000 acres. All of these are in the eastern foothills of the Cascades between Wenatchee and the Yakama Reservation. These consolidations ensure forest products, clean water, wildlife habitat and open spaces for all of us, forever, in these areas.

This outcome was anything but assured and it couldn’t have been easy. What is superbly unique here is Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland’s foresight and courage to recognize, and act upon, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

The exchange created landscapes where all threat of conversion to housing and other non-resource uses is hereby removed. The commissioner’s ability to work with people and engender public support on a broad basis turned potentially divisive issues into a series of gems. Precious resources are conserved on a grand scale because of vision and collaboration with people who could share that long range view.

Go see what vision, risk-taking and attention to business can beget us.

Kit Metlen, Olympia

Don’t wall off the waterfront

There are compelling reasons why the 35-foot building height within 200 feet of waterfront was established.

The Shorelines Management Act recognizes the value of developing waterfront areas in a way that is consistent with public use and enjoyment, as well as environmentally sound. The current height restrictions were made part of Olympia’s comprehensive plan after public outrage over the Capitol Center Building.

Preservation and protection of waterfront areas is in the best interest of the public who all enjoy the open space, views and unique beauty of our city, the state Capitol. Yes, downtown housing is desirable, and there are other properties available. Appropriate concessions from the city would make building 35-foot-tall buildings on the isthmus profitable and attractive to developers.

Walling off our waterfront with tall buildings is a bad idea. The ones who win are developers and the few people who can afford to buy a very expensive condo.

The proposal to radically change zoning regulations to allow 65-foot- to 90-foot-tall condo buildings on the isthmus between Capitol Lake and Puget Sound is an issue of importance not only to residents of the city of Olympia, but to everyone in Thurston County and the surrounding area, and in fact residents of the entire state.

Leslie Montecucco, Olympia

Improvements in downtown needed

I’m a third-generation Olympian, a grandmother, and live in a spacious suburban home. I look forward to retirement in a few years and plan on staying active in the community, spending quality time with my family, and traveling a little. I would like to be able to spend less time on home and yard maintenance, downsize my living space, and use my car less. I would love to live in downtown Olympia!

I remember when going downtown was a special event. There was a variety of small shops and department stores, ample parking, and enjoyable ambiance, and everyone in the community participated.

I have been following this ongoing debate about allowing extra height in sections of the downtown to promote high-end and market-rate housing. There has also been considerable talk about creating a sustainable future by using less land, more transit and walking, and revitalizing our city by building the Olympia Farmers Market, and a new Hands On Children’s Museum and City Hall. It is high time that we grow and improve our downtown to create a vital neighborhood, as it once was, that welcomes all people for many different reasons, and that supports the local merchants who give so much to this community.

It’s time that people like me have a housing choice that will keep them in this community, as we empty-nesters move into our most productive years. I absolutely support building beautiful condos on the picturesque isthmus. What a great place to live!

Janice Whitney Solie, Olympia

Blame the parties for election laws

Are you as frustrated as I about having lost our right to vote for whomever we want for president in the next primary?

We can blame the Democratic and Republican party leadership in our state for the lawsuit which allowed this to happen.

It doesn’t stop there. There is a high correlation between money spent on election campaigns and who wins. Look at all the money wasted on the presidential election campaign. If you can’t raise over $100 million, don’t bother running.

Candidates make false promises to win our votes. They don’t tell us it will take tax increases, or adding to the federal debt to pay for them. Ask congressional candidates how they will solve the Medicare problem, which loses billions every year and may face financial collapse in just a few years.

Money buys local elections. For example, in the recent race for port commissioner, the winner outspent the candidate who earned 48 percent of the vote by about 10 to 1. Now which one really represents the people?

It is time to vote all incumbents out of office, eliminate county partisan positions, and elect those who are honest statesmen and -women, who will tell it like it is. Pay attention to what the candidates are really saying. Study the issues. Don’t vote a straight party ticket. There are qualified candidates from both parties who truly represent the people.

Bill Pilkey, unsuccessful Port of Olympia Commission candidate

Don’t compromise quality of life

In a March 12 editorial, “Tumwater puts out ‘unwelcome mat,’ ” the Tumwater City Council was criticized over new warehouse regulations and previous opposition to Wal-Mart. The editorialist questioned the council’s wisdom based on the cost to future city budgets and the need to pay for new fire fighters.

True, local government budgets are under strain. Many see economic growth as the answer to adding new services such as a fire station.

In debating the warehouse regulations, the council did consider the economic value. Councilman Pete Kmet pointed out that Lacey’s Target warehouse generates only property tax, no sales or B&O tax and if the intent is more revenue for the city, the city should not use its limited industrial land for huge warehouses that have low employment rates and generate little tax revenue.

The council also received input from neighbors on the negative impacts of warehouses. It is disputed how much truck traffic they generate, but certainly a lot.

Nobody disputed the fact that resulting diesel emissions are hazardous to health within 500 feet to 1,000 feet. Developers were only partially successful in committing to needed street improvements to offset traffic safety concerns.

As is often the case, the issue is complex. Economic development is very important, but only one factor. I am grateful to the council for considering all the facts provided and ultimately choosing to protect the health and safety of residents.

There will be other opportunities that provide greater economic impact without compromising our quality of life.

George Spencer, Tumwater