Letters to the editor for May 28

Checklist for the best 22nd District legislator

A preeminent need is for our leaders to have the stamina for ongoing long-term challenges. We need one who will not be stymied by the COVID-19 crisis, which will blow holes in budgets and plans.

Jessica Bateman has emotional intelligence and experience to rescope strategies to address the district’s needs. Jessica has served as Mayor Pro Tem, a community impact director and legislative aide. This experience will make her effective in pulling together collective resources to create housing, environmental and economic solutions that factor in human dignity and needs.

She is determined to work toward clean energy solutions. What a gift we have that at our threshold are life-giving streams and inlets. The legislative seat would allow her to weigh in even more so on protecting Puget Sound and our vital waters. Our district needs her demonstrated knowledge and commitment to climate and environmental policy.

Jessica welcomes a wide array of voices at the table and she knows trust comes from follow through and integrity. The 22nd district expects legislative leadership as we have had with Rep. Beth Doglio, Rep. Chris Reykdal and Sen. Karen Fraser. The bar has been set. Jessica Bateman meets that standard. Vote Bateman!

Kathy Baros Friedt, Olympia

Must you go to church?

To those folks who feel their rights are being usurped by not being able to attend church: Are you so insecure in your faith that you need a building in which to practice your faith? Do you feel you have the right to gather en masse and then go out amongst your fellow men and women and possibly spread a fatal disease?

That is no religion of which I would want to be a part.

Andrea Parsons, Olympia

Thank you for help when husband went into cardiac arrest

My husband and I owe a great debt to the many people who, on April 9 on the Chehalis-Western Trail, rushed to help when he went into cardiac arrest.

We are particularly grateful for the gentleman who immediately began compressions and, likewise, for the young man who relieved him before the EMTs arrived. Thank you also to the woman who called 911 and the dispatcher who counted cadence for those long minutes.

I also want to express our gratitude to the firemen and EMTs, consummate professionals, but also compassionate. Special thanks to the team in the ER and the ICU and the medical staff on the 10th floor of Providence St. Peter Hospital.

Because of all of you, my husband walked half a mile today with a cogent mind. Thanks to each and every one of you!

Chris Dahl, Olympia