Letters to the editor for Sept. 18
Sandy Kaiser is the perfect candidate
To me Sandy Kaiser is the perfect candidate for the 35th Legislative District.
As a fourth generation Washingtonian descended from loggers and farmers, she “gets” our rural way of life because she lives it. As a conservationist with the Department of Natural Resources, she worked on mitigation strategies to combat wildfires and climate change because she cares about our earth. And as a U.S. diplomat overseas in Latin America, western Europe and the former Soviet Union, she promoted U.S. trade and human rights because she is passionate about our democracy.
Eleven years ago, when she retired, she and her family came home to Washington state. They are here to stay.
I will vote for Sandy Kaiser because I know she will: vigorously defend a woman’s fundamental right to choose; fully fund the budgets needed to maintain, equip and train local law enforcement officers; fight against the detrimental effects of climate change; work to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; and invest further in building affordable housing.
Please vote for Sandy Kaiser for state representative by Nov. 8. She will represent all of us from the 35th LD with the same commitment and understanding as she represented the USA overseas.
Marcia Hamilton, Hoodsport
Tye’s my man
I am writing in support of reelecting County Commissioner Tye Menser.
I am a retired civil engineer having lived in Thurston County for 18 years. Before that, for 25 years I consulted for a number of public agencies throughout the Northwest and elsewhere. Here in Thurston County I’ve served in volunteer capacities for the Port of Olympia, city of Lacey, Thurston Transportation Policy Board and Intercity Transit. I’ve seen what good government looks like; that’s what I base my voting decisions on.
I am personally acquainted with both Tye and his opponent, but definitely feel Tye is the person I will vote for. My decision is based on all that he has accomplished during his first term. He’s demonstrated a desire to represent all of us but also a strong belief that government should serve the underserved. I’ve witnessed that powerless segment often getting left out; seeing the long-term consequences of doing little made me believe government has to serve a strong role in rectifying this.
Tye’s life experiences have equipped him to appreciate the full breadth of our community needs. There’s certainly need for public input, but we must elect officials who have the judgment to do what’s best. Tye has demonstrated that judgment.
Don Melnick, Lacey
Stop destroying public lands
The Aug. 30 Olympian headline reads “$1.5 B for Urban Forestry will Revive Tree Canopy in Cities.” This is a great idea, however the Department of Natural Resources and our state government “can’t see the forest for the trees.”
While we are restoring and protecting urban trees, our forests are being clear-cut at unprecedented rates. We are destroying habitat for wildlife and people, as well as our carbon-sequestering forests. The state has mandated the elimination of gas-powered cars by 2035 while at the same time it continues to dismantle one of the greatest weapons we have to combat climate change.
Timber companies such as Weyerhaeuser are making record profits. Taxpayers subsidize the Port of Olympia and Weyerhaeuser gets sweetheart deals. Higher taxation on exporting of logs from private timber lands must be initiated. Our monies could be supporting infrastructure renewal instead of the clear-cutting of public lands. Instead of exporting habitat, we could be exporting sawed timber creating more jobs and additional tax revenue.
It is past time for the DNR and our legislature to address this issue by stopping mass destruction of public lands and start profiting from their intrinsic value instead.
John Green, Lacey