Letters to the editor for Dec. 15

What is happening in homeless camps is not kind

Apparently fire codes do not have to be enforced at the illegal vagrant camps. Cords of wood are being delivered to these camps. There also are many propane grills. Propane tanks around the camps pose a danger of exploding. Propane is also being supplied to these camps.

I spoke to a man at the downtown camp and he told me it gets so cold he uses candles to build fire inside his tent. The potential of a fire spreading to other tents, and with the rate of drug use, what would be the chance of the people in this environment surviving the fire? And that camp has some semblance of order. In the woods, in the cold, at night — their chances of survival are even less.

Who can decide to leave these people alone until a more suitable environment is found? What can we do? Can citizens sue Thurston County? The city of Olympia? Possibly we could sue the “faith communities” who have said they would help. There is no governing body that does not know the situation — they believe if they leave them alone, they will be fine. Supplying firewood, propane or wooden pallets is not helping, it is the opposite.

In our last exchange, Pastor Amy said that the public would be told when a plan was ready to move 17 of the people from under the bridge downtown. Really? I think we were ready some time ago. What is happening is not kind and is not liberal.

Read the paper and join the conversation

Far back in time and during my informative years, when newspapers were America’s primary source of news and information, I had two teachers who stressed the importance of reading the paper. One teacher required that all her sixth-grade students read the newspaper or magazines. At the end of each day, students were chosen at random and asked to relay what they had read back to the class. It was a great lesson in getting students to read the paper, be informed and learn to speak before others.

The other teacher once said, “I always read the editorial section first because I learn what the people in my community are concerned about, their complaints and frustrations.

I remember those teachers for their wisdom, and in turn, I would like to thank The Olympian newspaper for its work and also for publishing its readers letters and editorials. I also want to thank everyone who who writes in to express their feelings and observations about our community, our country and the world we live.

Based upon all the letters I read, I truly believe most readers are better informed, more fair and observant than the people who are charged with running our communities and country. Readers, keep up the good work and never be afraid to express yourself. Your feelings and opinions truly matter.