Letters to the editor for July 27

Lacey should have a centerpiece park

I am a Lacey resident for 17 years. Lacey needs a first-class park as implied by the article about expanding Wanschers Park on Hicks Lake.

Think in terms of Lake Padden in Bellingham. It’s a beautiful, walk-around lake about the same size as Hicks Lake. Bellingham’s Lake Padden is the pride of their community, as well as a powerful statement of respect for the natural world. Let’s have something similar here in Lacey.

Calvin Dawson, Lacey

Steve Hobbs is right for Secretary of State

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has unique expertise in election protection and combating misinformation.

Hobbs was appointed as Secretary of State in part because of his strong background in cybersecurity, which is now at the heart of ensuring verifiable and secure elections. He studied and analyzed cyberattacks and information warfare at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) and the Command and General Staff College.

Having won bipartisan legislative support, Hobbs is currently enacting plans to increase the cybersecurity readiness of our state and 39 counties, combat malicious disinformation, and concentrate voter education programs to reach young voters, voters with disabilities, non-English-speaking voters, new state residents, and voters in tribal and underserved communities.

Hobbs has the background and leadership skills to keep Washington’s voting safe and strong. That’s why he has my vote.

Lisa Ornstein, Olympia

Cleaning up our neighborhoods

Let’s face it, there is a small percentage of people who do not care about what they do when out and about. In this case I’m talking about those who toss litter onto our streets, yards, parking lots, sidewalks and highways. Everything from cigarette butts, wrappers, bottles and even their dog’s filled poop bags.

You will never change their behavior and, in fact, if a free disposal service was available, they wouldn’t use it, probably not even if you paid them.

So why not organize different pairs of people in each neighborhood to once weekly pick up litter? While wearing gloves, one can use a a grabber or poker to pick up the litter while the other holds the bag. Also, contact a nearby business, church or apartment complex manager and ask if you can place the bag in their dumpster once a week.

This also would be a great way to get in some exercise and meet your neighbors, followed up with a once-a-year get- together to talk about your experiences and the unusual finds.

With enough pairs of volunteers, these litter patrols would only a involve a two-hour commitment just once a month. And with enough commitment, the patrols could expand into adjoining neighborhoods, where others could be recruited.

Remember, the people who trash our neighborhoods will never correct their behavior and will never stop. It’s up to us.

Bob Hill, Olympia

We’re burning up

Record heat waves in America and Europe endanger millions, as wildfires rage, in a brutal manifestation of man-induced global warming.

Each of us can reduce our contribution by cutting back on consumption of animal foods, which account for a whopping portion of “greenhouse gases.” Carbon dioxide is released by burning forests to create animal pastures. Methane and nitrous oxide are released from digestive tracts of cows and sheep and from animal waste pits.

In an environmentally sustainable world, vegetables, fruits, and grains must replace animal food products in our diet, just as wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources replace fossil fuels. The next trip to our favorite supermarket provides a great opportunity to explore the delicious, healthful, eco-friendly plant-based meat and ice cream products in the frozen food section.

Dan Pryce, Olympia