Letters to the editor for June 26

Is Rollins a deadbeat or hero?

I wrote personally to Olympia City Council member Renata Rollins on this issue but got no response.

She has proudly announced she is not paying her monthly rent. She is choosing to do this in solidarity with those who cannot afford their rents due to the effects of COVID-19 on the economy. I respectfully disagree with this act.

Unlike those who can’t pay their rent, her action was not due to such a situation. She has stated she has the money, so it’s hard to understand the statement she intends to make. She has the resources to pay, she owes the amount and the owner/landlord has obligations to meet as well. Her action becomes a statement about escaping one’s obligations more than one that advances a more worthy cause.

I would feel somewhat more mollified if she chose to take the rent money and donate it to the food bank or to an agency that provides rental assistance to those truly in need. If she had done that, then I believe her statement shows more than just an attempt to temporarily save some personal money while publicizing an issue, which is all that it is now. And in my humble opinion, as it stands now, her act harms the issue more than aiding it.

Fred Yancey, Olympia

Science can save us

Kinda feel sorry for Charles Darwin — he’s about to be overwhelmed with winners. We’ve got a few of the same candidates here too, but it looks like Florida, Texas and Alabama are leading the way in refusing to take COVID-19 precautions. Apparently none of them appreciate the power of the ultimate decider, good old Mother Nature (she’s just your basic chemistry, biology and physics after all). Maybe they were in science denier class that day.

Tom Stilz, Olympia

Safety of cyclists traveling near Priest Point Park

I would like to point out a safety hazard caused by cars parked on East Bay Drive near the entrance to Priest Point Park.

In addition to contributing to overcrowding of the trails there (when the parks reopened a few weeks ago, we were specifically asked to not park outside the lots as that is a good way to limit crowding on trails for safety during COVID-19) but when you park on East Bay you are parking in a bike lane. This forces cyclists to merge into the auto lane to avoid your parked car.

Please think of the safety of cyclists as well as folks on the trails in the park. If the lot is full, be courteous and come back another time.

Lee Ann Gekas, Olympia