Letters to the editor for June 5

Summerson for Thurston County Commissioner

Let me introduce your candidate for County Commissioner: Rory J. Summerson. I’d met him online, but recently got to meet him in person when he dropped off my very first political sign and a gallon of milk. Because he’s kind that way.

I liked him online but meeting him (masked, gloved and outside at a distance) was a revelation. He’s bright, nurturing, kind and has experienced more in his lifetime than most ever will. If he didn’t have an iron strength of character, he wouldn’t be here. Kind, but with a solid titanium spine — so necessary for a county commissioner.

Rory’s always been a leader. At SPSCC, he was treasurer, but really did it all. If there was a need, he filled it and in a way that made people feel cared for. It’s natural to him; it’s leadership by kindness, not bullying.

Rory will put the concerns of people and the earth as priorities, but as someone who has worked for a living, he understands that business also needs to be nurtured, but not at the cost of worker health, safety and prosperity. Rory has worked too long and hard not to understand that workers must have a voice, which means he is pro union. It’s possible to advocate for both sides and still care deeply about each.

Honestly, I haven’t been this excited about a candidate since Obama and Bernie. When it’s time to vote, please choose him.

Maya Spier, Olympia

Happy ending for ducklings

I recently was in west Olympia driving on Cooper Point Road when I noticed a mother Mallard duck with her newly hatched ducklings in the old Toys-R-Us parking area. They were heading toward Cooper Point, so I pulled into the parking lot to see if I could herd them back away from the street.

They moved back from the street and continued toward a lawn patch at Heritage Bank on the corner at Capital Mall Drive. They again headed toward the street, and I realized they must be trying to get over to the ponds at Yauger Park.

I realized that I could not coral them back any longer, so I began waving at the cars to stop as they headed into the street. It was frightening to see as some drivers kept going and nearly drove right over them!

I continued to wave my arms and point to the mother and her trail of ducklings as they headed diagonally toward Yauger. Fortunately, there were many kind and patient drivers who stopped in all lanes both directions until the mother and her ducklings made it across, up the curb and into the park.

I want to thank all of the kind drivers who paused long enough to let this mother and her ducklings cross the busy street to safety.

Donna Snow, Lacey