Letters to the editor for July 30

Celebrating Juneteenth

It has been proposed that Juneteenth be made into a national holiday. (June 19 would be the day celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.) I think it’s a great idea if we do something like Australia has done for acknowledging their severe mistreatment of the aboriginal peoples.

Australia has a Sorry day, which is a yearly official apology for governmental actions regarding this mistreatment. They also have published a report each year called “Closing the gap” on what actions have been taken in the past year to improve the lives of the aboriginal people in Australia.

We cannot expect solutions to racial inequality to be firmly implemented in this country unless we acknowledge the past wrongs that we have done and make concrete steps to make yearly amends. Otherwise history just repeats itself over and over.

Chris Chapman, Olympia

Marilyn Strickland will move us forward

We have all heard the rhetoric, “Make America Great Again.” Well, look where that’s gotten us. Pandemic. Economic recession. Each headline more dire than the next. Most of us just wish for a return to “normalcy.”

But what if we didn’t return to business as usual or the world we all accepted before COVID-19? What if we moved forward, learned lessons from this mess and became even better for it?

As Tacoma’s mayor, Marilyn Strickland didn’t just bring Tacoma back from the brink during the Great Recession; she left the city better than she found it — not just no longer in recession, but thriving as a cultural and economic hub in the South Sound.

Marilyn didn’t just see what Tacoma was, she saw what it could be. That’s why she made community-wide investment in public schools a civic priority. The high school graduation rates in Tacoma, a majority-minority school district, rose over 30 percent during her time in office. She cultivated relationships throughout the region and the world to bring investment home to the South Sound. And she also did so while standing up for civil rights like pushing for funding for community policing and justice reform.

It’s time for someone who not only knows how to get things done today, but has the vision and experience to have a vision for what we can be in the future. Send Marilyn Strickland to Congress and help our region be better than ever.

Paul Berendt, Les Purce and Terry Bergeson, Olympia

Peter Abbarno is right choice for the 20th District

As mayor of the city of Centralia, it is my honor to support and endorse Peter Abbarno for State House of Representatives in the 20th Legislative District. Peter has the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running in Olympia and successfully advocate for the working families and businesses in our district.

It is no surprise that I am one of six mayors and 30 elected officials in the 20th District supporting Peter Abbarno for state representative. Peter has been involved in many local organizations and projects, including the Centralia College Foundation, Hub City Mission, and United Way of Lewis County. Personally, Peter’s work with Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and mentorship in local schools, such as Edison Elementary in Centralia, Morton High School, and WF West in Chehalis, is what really elevates Peter.

An an observer of the Centralia City Council and now mayor pro-tem, Peter has shown tremendous leadership on complex issues, including budget and economic development. Peter led the fight against property and utility tax increases on working families; advocated for an increase in our city’s budget reserve floor; and successfully passed code changes to help create commercial and residential growth. His energy and passion for our community is unmatched.

Please join me in supporting Peter Abbarno for State Representative in the 20th Legislative District. Learn more at www.ElectPeterAbbarno.com

Sue Luond, Centralia

Vote for Beth Doglio

In the expansive field of candidates for 10th Congressional District representative, there is one clear choice: Beth Doglio.

Beth is the only candidate who has experience representing 10th Congressional District voters, and only 10th CD voters, in the state legislature. Other prominent candidates don’t even live in the district. But Beth doesn’t just live in the 10th — she has built her family, her career, her life here over the past 20 years. Beth is inextricably invested in our community, which is what we need in a representative.

Beth’s direct involvement in our community shows in her voting record. She has supported legislation to expand paid family leave, increase funding for education and the Housing Trust Fund, and fix Washington’s deadly use of force laws, all of which are urgent issues within our district.

But while she can effectively address immediate concerns, she also is able to legislate for a brighter future, with long-term clean energy policies and extensive infrastructure projects. As a member of Congress, her vision and pragmatism will continue to provide for the present and future needs of our community.

Beth isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of candidate. She is specifically tailored to our community from decades of advocating for our rights and values, both through non-profit work as well as her work in the legislature. Join me in supporting Beth Doglio, and make sure to vote by Aug. 4!

Hollen Foster-Grahler, Olympia

Sprouffske is the only choice for Superior Court Judge

Jonathan Sprouffske is running for Thurston County Superior Court Judge, Position No. 8.

I have known Jonathan since he was in elementary school. I have had many opportunities to work with him in several venues: as a volunteer firefighter/EMT, strong supporter of the Relay for Life, and a Fire Commissioner. In all areas he displayed a sincere commitment to the people of our community.

Jonathan is knowledgeable about all aspects of the law, has the respect of the community and brings a diverse set of experiences to the court.

Please vote for Jonathan in the primary on Aug. 4.

Rita Hutcheson, Rainier

Why I support Beth Doglio for Congress

I want to urge a vote for Beth Doglio for Congress in the primary election. She would be an outstanding member of Congress, both in being a champion for the needs of the South Sound and in being effective in passing progressive legislation.

I have known Beth for many years. She is humane, thoughtful and an amazingly hard worker. Beth has strong progressive values while also being down-to-earth and pragmatic. She knows how to aim high, while doing what it takes to make change happen.

I saw that in action when she ran successful campaigns against fossil fuel export plants that would have poisoned our air, land and water and added to climate change. I saw it again in the Legislature when she helped lead efforts to pass the ambitious climate change legislation that became law and in ensuring passage of Washington’s Paid Family Leave Act. She also has successfully advocated for infrastructure funding and housing assistance to help our community.

I hope you will join me in voting for Beth Doglio for Congress. I know that if she is elected, she will be a strong and effective voice for us in Washington, D.C.

Steve Hodes, Olympia

Garcia for Governor

I urge everyone to join me in voting for Dr. Raul Garcia for governor in the primary election. He is the right person at the right time for this job.

Dr. Garcia is an emergency room doctor who has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic. As the owner of a small medical practice, he has seen the economic consequences of this devastating situation. He has a unique understanding of what it takes to balance the health of Washingtonians with the health of our state’s economy.

Dr. Garcia is a Latino immigrant. He is a naturalized citizen who passionately and personally understands the American Dream.

He is a leader in a profession that is at the fulcrum of the economic and cultural tipping point America faces.

He is determined to bring back the civility, bipartisanship and collaborative approach we all want.

Please join former Gov. Dan Evans, Ralph Munro, former chief justice Gerry Alexander, the Mainstream Republicans of Washington and many, many others in voting for Dr. Raul Garcia for governor.

Sam Reed, Olympia