Letters to the editor for April 22
No access to the great outdoors
The story “Call of the Wild: Great outdoors provide an escape in tough times” was nothing short of cruel to be printed our state. The article follows people having fun in the mountains in New England and Colorado and fly fishing in Montana.
Are you aware of the situation in our state? National Forests are closed, the state Department of Natural Resources has shut down trailheads, and the state Fish & Wildlife department has shut down recreational fishing.
We don’t have access to the “great outdoors” under the present state administration, and this is ridiculous. Like the fly-fishing guy said in the article: “We’re the sport that originated social distancing.” What fisherman wants to be casting within 6 feet of another fisherman? All you get is tangled lines.
I mountain bike in Capitol Forest. I rarely see more than a couple other bikers, and when we let each other pass, we are typically 3 to 6 feet apart and pass within a few seconds. The COVID virus isn’t some sort of super bug – able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, faster than a speeding bullet. Let’s get reasonable here.
If DNR is concerned about people hiking too close, use signage to explain social distance instead of signage that says No Parking. If they are concerned about people congregating at trailhead parking lots, patrol them and inform people about social distancing. All these DNR people doing nothing now while getting paid — at least put them to good use.
A grateful citizen
I’d like to recognize and thank the people who provide medical care, protect us, maintain vital services and make sure we have what we need to stay safe at home during this health crisis while potentially exposing themselves to the deadly virus. This includes doctors and nurses, first responders, grocery and pharmacy personnel, delivery persons including the U.S.Postal Service, commercial truck drivers, restaurant staffs, order fulfillment workers and many others.
With deep appreciation and gratitude for your hard work and sacrifice.
Increased density must be done right
Olympians for Smart Development and Livable Neighborhoods (OSD&LN), a grassroots group supporting responsible growth, takes issue with the recent editorial “Embrace increased housing density to address homelessness.” Density will likely increase over time. Public input and regulatory safeguards matter.
Dismissing concern about the city delegating planning power to developers is divisive. We are not NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard). We support increasing density in ways that provide everyone a voice and create sustainability. We support ensuring infrastructure meets increased demands. Neighborhood expansion is coming and must be carefully implemented. We call that “density done right.”
Our City Council is crafting a sweeping new ordinance that can’t be appealed. Now, residents, renters and owners alike, are not allowed to chart their own future.
While the notion that unfettered density could lead to lower housing costs is seductive, it’s really a stepping stone to rising costs and gentrification. Increased Seattle density has not lowered housing prices. Costs there are helping drive Olympia’s crunch as people leave high-density Seattle hoping to find affordability here.
Developers want to bring their failed Seattle model to Olympia. They insist we can build our way into affordable housing, but only if we do it now and without question. That’s a red flag for everyone concerned about affordability and sustainability.
OSD&LN says let’s slow down, ask questions, get citizen input, and make sure density is done right. Developers won’t like that approach, but our future as a city depends on it. We encourage readers to visit our website, densitydoneright.org, to learn more.