Letters to the editor for July 23
Council should act on tone-deaf Kunkel
Lacey City Council member Ed Kunkel portrays an individual who believes in the Second Amendment but doesn’t understand the First.
For him to glorify vigilante-style gun brandishing and call protesters degenerates shows he is more than just “tone deaf” to the current issues facing our communities and country.
Former Lacey Mayor Mark Brown called his social media posts “contrary to what we stand for.” Shocked and outraged to read of the posts, we believe they are contrary to values for which all America stands.
On the city website, the council’s role includes providing public leadership, representing constituents, promoting representative governance, and analyzing problems and issues including mediating conflicting interests while building consensus. Councilman Kunkel has exhibited he is unable to represent a diverse constituency or even understand the need for unbiased representation.
Recently, several high-profile people whose statements were less offensive than Mr. Kunkel’s have had the decency to resign. Mr. Kunkel should recognize that his heart does not allow him to lead or represent his constituency, nor does he have the ability to govern on their behalf. The only decent response is for Mr. Kunkel to resign.
Thelma Jackson stated in a Sunday Olympian op-ed piece: “The silence and complicity of most white people has been deafening.” To the council as a whole, we would say, we speak with the actions we take as well as the ones we don’t take. Others who are incensed by the Councilman’s behavior should speak out.
John and Margaret Green, Lacey
On Aug. 4, vote for Beth
We have an Aug. 4 primary vote for Congress. I wholehearted and strongly support Beth Doglio for the 10th Congressional District seat being vacated by Denny Heck this year.
I have known Beth for over 20 years. I became acquainted with Beth when she worked tirelessly for Audubon Washington as their community organizer and fundraiser. Beth has a personal passion for wildlife, habitat and the environment. And she has worked on climate issues as a state Legislator for the 22nd District. As a Legislator, she has consistently used her experience as a community organizer to successfully pass legislation that has made our buildings more energy efficient, created a Women’s Commission to push for more women on corporate boards, increased money for the Housing Trust Fund to help homeless families, and kept her constituents informed about policy changes that would impact their lives.
Beth’s energy and experience will serve us very well in the Other Washington. Beth will be there for us when we need a strong advocate for the environment, working families and our local economy. I urge my fellow citizens to vote on Aug. 4 for Beth Doglio.
Tom Rainey, Olympia
Maynard for 10th Congressional District
I have known Jackson Maynard in several capacities over the years. He is a champion for affordable housing, willing to stand up against frivolous government regulations that increase the cost of housing. He is an advocate for all home seekers throughout the state — renters, owners and investors.
His perspective includes views from all angles — after all, increases in property taxes affect everyone. Rent goes up when the fees to own a property increase. Jackson works to find that balance that helps everyone remain in their homes.
Join me in supporting Jackson Maynard for the 10th Congressional District. Good luck my friend.
Al Audette, Olympia
Bud Blake wrong for Thurston County
When a Missouri company, NorthPoint, asked Thurston County to rezone 745 acres so it could build a massive industrial center threatening Millersylvania State Park and a nearby hunting area and nature reserve, there was a huge outcry from thousands of county residents. Bud Blake acted as the “consultant” (his term) for NorthPoint, and spent a year trying to convince the County Commissioners to rezone.
Commissioner Hutchings was intrigued by the project, but open-minded. When Blake and NorthPoint claimed the project would be a huge boon to the county, Hutch did the research and found it would create few new family-wage jobs. He listened to the owners of nearby small businesses whose livelihoods would be ruined by thousands of diesel trucks in the area, learned about the damage those trucks would do to county roads, factored in the potential lost revenue from one of our most popular parks, and the loss of a much-loved rural area.
Hutch paid attention to the citizens and city councils of Tenino and Tumwater (those closest to the proposed site) when the councils passed resolutions against a huge warehouse center. And he paid attention to the thousands of other county residents who put up signs, signed petitions, and wrote and called to say they opposed Blake’s and NorthPoint’s plan. Then he voted as the citizens asked: to protect our county.
Blake serves a multimillion dollar out-of-state corporation. Hutchings is an independent thinker serving his constituents.
Kelsey Hartsell, Lacey
Doglio for Congress
I’m voting for Beth Doglio for Congress because she’s committed to families and fighting climate change. We’ve worked together on two major issues – accessible and affordable childcare and keeping construction cost low for our YMCA in Shelton.
Beth was instrumental in creating a pilot program that allows the construction of our newest YMCA to meet Green Building Standards without unnecessary cost or regulation – saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. With the success of the program, taxpayers will save millions of dollars on future capital development and infrastructure projects by using a similar approach. A critical part of Beth’s approach with this project is she didn’t care that the project wasn’t in her district – rather she knew it was the right thing to do to help her neighbors! She’ll bring a similar approach to Washington, D.C.
Lastly, Beth will fight for families across our state. Washington nonprofits are struggling and Beth can pull the right levers that will lead to increased funding so families don’t fall through the cracks.
Join me in voting for Beth Doglio for the 10th Congressional District! Ballots are out and are due on Aug. 4.
Kyle Cronk, Olympia, South Sound YMCA CEO