Letters to the editor for July 31
Please wear your face mask
I am 72 years old and my husband is 79. This alone puts us in a higher risk group for the coronavirus. Yet when we venture out to the stores infrequently, we are met with a myriad of younger people who are not wearing masks.
I think non mask wearers are being inconsiderate and some of them are rude. I had one man give a big theatrical sneeze right behind me. Those who cough on someone or sneeze on someone should be charged with assault.
I don’t understand why putting on a mask is such an onerous deed for some. Masks aren’t expensive. They aren’t difficult to use. As far as I know, they aren’t against any religion. And truthfully, a lot of people look better with one on.
Why a person representing the law and sworn to uphold it would make statements to encourage the public to ignore doing something which is definitely shown to decrease the number of cases of the virus is far beyond my comprehension. Every scientist and medical doctor, as well as nurses and all health professionals, plead with us to wear masks.
When you decide to not wear a mask, you are placing me and others at higher risk. Please be considerate and wear a mask for my sake and the sake of all those over 65.
Charlotte J Barber, Olympia
Electing Strickland would be real progress
The root of the word progressive is progress. What has become undeniably clear in the era of Trump, the time of COVID, and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder with both hands cuffed behind his back in police custody is that there is far too little reflection on what progress truly means.
2019 was the 400th year of the first enslaved Africans, and vestiges of that inhuman treatment remain today all over this country. Washington state has never elected a Black candidate to Congress. Where is the “progress” in “progressive”?
Some candidates for Washington’s 10th Congressional District are talking about Medicare for All being a cure-all to our health care crisis. Yet, they aren’t discussing, much less living, the structural inequities in our society — like the fact that Black people are dying at three times the rate of whites from COVID.
Marilyn Strickland isn’t just talking about structural inequities. As the daughter of a Black veteran and a Korean immigrant, she’s lived them. And as Mayor of Tacoma, Marilyn walked the walk. She endorsed I-940 and helped build trust between police and communities of color through Project PEACE. She’s worked towards a goal of ending environmental racism by improving public transit, expanding community gardens, investing in clean water infrastructure, equitably increasing the tree canopy — addressing the parts of environmentalism that others brush aside.
We have to make progress, and that starts with who we elect. Cast your vote for Marilyn Strickland by Aug. 4.
Nat and Thelma Jackson, co-founders of the Black Alliance of Thurston County
Dr. Garcia, the new face of Washington leadership
Washington is really two states — one west and one east of the Cascades. One side is more densely populated and high tech, the other is mostly rural and agricultural. This variability broadens our economy and makes Washington one of the really great places to live and work.
But, there is always a but. No one reading this article has ever witnessed the election of a governor from east of the mountains. Now may be the right time for that to change.
Dr. Raul Garcia, a medical doctor from Yakima, has decided to buck the odds and run for governor. He’s a first-generation Cuban immigrant running as a moderate Republican. At age 49, he’s amassed an impressive resume of personal and professional achievements, including top executive for emergency medicine in Pasco and owner of a successful private medical business in Yakima. He believes now is the time to give something back to his beloved adopted state and country.
With the fresh eyes of an immigrant, Dr. Garcia understands and appreciates the uniqueness of American freedoms and the opportunities they offer us all. A Garcia Administration will reflect our growing diversity and renew the pride and gratitude we citizens have for living in one of the best places on earth. Dr. Garcia is ready and he needs your vote to make history.
Terry Oxley, Tumwater
Glenda Breiler for 22nd Legislative District
In these extraordinary times, we need state representatives who think outside the boxes we’ve been told we must accept for our future. Leaders who don’t just propose different solutions, but who ask different questions. Leaders who understand that there is only one way forward: together.
I’m voting for Glenda Breiler because she will bring her unique lens to work for all of us in the 22nd District. As a water protector from a long line of resilient indigenous leaders, as a mother with a professional background in public health, social work, education, and substance use recovery, Glenda is devoted to the well-being of our families, our environment, and future generations.
Our region faces many challenges: rising housing costs and homelessness, climate change and an ailing Puget Sound, human trafficking and an opioid epidemic, a widening wealth gap and the COVID-19 global pandemic. Glenda Breiler is a bold yet humble leader working for time-honored solutions. She inspires me and many others with her wisdom and vision for deep change so no one is left behind. I trust her to guide our policy toward a secure, sustainable, and shared future, a place where everyone belongs. That’s why I’m voting for Glenda Breiler to be the 22nd’s next state representative.
Renata Rollins, Olympia
Vote Beth Doglio. She lives here!
As pointed out in The Olympian’s July 19 article, “3 Democratic women top 10th District fundraisers,” Doglio is the only one of the three who actually lives in the 10th Congressional District.
Unless she has sold her home in Tacoma, Strickland stating she has purchased a home and is in the process of moving into the district is not living in the district, especially if her primary residence remains outside the district.
And for Reeves who lives in Federal Way (the 6th District) and is endorsed by Smith (6th District), I wonder about her motivations and true interests in 10th District issues. To me, Strickland and Reeves appear to be opportunists who see the 10th District as a resume builder that promotes their political careers rather than the interests of the district’s citizens.
Because something is legal does not make it right. The law only requires candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives to live in the state where the district is located. Although it is legal to live outside the district one represents, is it ethical? I for one think not and want my candidate’s primary residence in my district, I want my candidate to have a history of voting in the district, of paying taxes in the district and if they have children, having their children attend schools in the district. Only then do you understand the district’s citizens and needs.
Being a representative is about the district’s interests, not one’s career. Vote for Beth Doglio.
Dave Slotwinski, Olympia
Jessica Bateman is the best choice for challenging times
We are living in unprecedented times with health, environmental, equity and political challenges like nothing before in our lifetimes. There are a multitude of lessons to be learned but we believe one thing is clear: Competent leadership and the character of our lawmakers are key to finding our way to a healthy and safe future for all.
Jessica Bateman has our enthusiastic support to be the 22nd District Position 2 representative in the Washington State Legislature.
Jessica is smart, engaged and tireless in every activity and job she has taken on. In her first year on Olympia City Council, she wrote Olympia’s Sanctuary City Resolution, which passed in December 2016. Her leadership was key to the successful passage of the Home Fund that will house our most vulnerable homeless neighbors. Jessica has deep experience in community health, having worked at Thurston County, United Way and the Washington Association for Community Health. She also served as legislative aide to state Rep. Chris Reykdal.
As an Olympia City Council member, she is well versed in the complexity of our most intractable issues. Jessica’s leadership has already made a difference in our region. She is passionate about increasing access to affordable housing and health care and meeting our state and Thurston region sustainable environment goals.
We will miss Jessica’s talents as a city council member, but we are excited about her taking her energy and leadership skills to the state Legislature. We have no doubt she will be a force for the positive change so desperately needed now.
Kathy and Mike McCormick, Olympia