Letters to the editor for Nov. 4
Support local funds for housing
The Thurston County Commissioners are considering establishing a county-wide funding source to support affordable housing. This could create a Home Fund much like the city of Olympia did in 2018. The funds raised would provide an ongoing, locally controlled fund that can be used to meet a variety of housing and mental health needs. It would add 1/10th of 1% sales tax, which would cost the average household about $16 per year.
This very flexible revenue source will help acquire land or existing buildings and/or construct affordable housing and provide housing-related services for people whose income is 60% or less of the county median income. These funds will directly support meeting existing affordable and homeless housing plans enacted by Thurston County and its cities.
This small step will help us meet our local homelessness and housing affordability challenges. Please reach out to the County Commissioners and let them know that you support their moving forward quickly on this important step.
Mike McCormick, Olympia
Insurance premiums and credit scores
The renewal letter I just received from my homeowners insurer attempts to blame the substantial premium increase on the fact that they are now prohibited by law from using the credit score of a policyholder as a rate-setting tool. They fail to mention that any “discount” I may have been enjoying is at the expense of people with a low credit score, and that low credit scores are disproportionately assigned to low income people and communities of color.
Credit scores say nothing about payment history or driving records. A few minutes of internet research will reveal studies that show that someone with a DUI conviction and a high credit score will pay less for car insurance than someone with a perfect driving record but a low credit score. Credit scores have many inherently race and income discrimination features. Using them to determine rates and cancellation decisions compounds the injustice.
The credit scoring and insurance industries argue that they have no improper intent and never ask about race. Pure motives don’t eliminate the evil effect. Low credit scores very frequently result from events beyond the individual’s control such as an illness, job loss, or COVID-related disaster.
Premiums and renewal decisions should be based on factors that people can control. Fortunately, in Washington, we’re closer to that, thanks to the elimination of the use of credit scores.
David Cheal, Olympia
Preventing toxic algae blooms in Thurston County lakes
My wife and I lived on the north basin of Pattison Lake from 2004 to 2019. The first blue-green algae bloom we witnessed was in 2013. I notified the Thurston County Department of Health. It determined the bloom exceeded recreational standards and was toxic. It issued public notice warning people not to use the lake until toxin levels fell below state standards.
The Health Department provided me a publication, ”The Pipeline,” dated Summer 2013. It addresses phosphorus and septic systems. It concludes: “Phosphorus is usually the limiting nutrient when it comes to eutrophication of freshwater systems.” Similarly, “The Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 2017 Water Year” declares: “In Black Lake, as with most freshwater lakes, algae production is limited by the amount of available phosphorus.”
Historically, agriculture has been the major source of phosphorus. However, as Thurston County grows, this is declining. The contribution of septic systems is increasing.
Shoreline lakes include lakes over 20 acres. These include Pattison, Long, and Deep lakes. They are shallow, groundwater lakes. This year, all have been temporarily closed to recreational use because of algae.
Please support septic system regulations that require lake owners to regularly inspect and maintain their septic systems to eliminate their contribution to the phosphorus loading on shoreline lakes. Submit your comments to: smp@co.thurston.wa.us or mail them to the Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development Department, Attn: Andrew Deffobis, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98502.
Robert Jensen, Lacey