Letters to the editor for Oct. 16

Tye Menser for County Commissioner

I’ve followed criminal justice programs in Thurston County for the past eight years and have been consistently impressed with Tye Menser’s progressive and proactive positions. Tye has been actively engaged in the Thurston County Law and Justice Council and the county’s Innovative Justice forum.

Here’s one example. Criminal justice spending is the biggest part of the county’s discretionary budget. However, until recently, the County Commissioners had no way to evaluate whether criminal justice programs were working to make us safer, to rehabilitate felons, or to control spending.

When he was elected, Tye saw the need to take a big-picture look at all the county’s criminal justice programs. He worked with the other Commissioners to add funding for a Law and Justice Coordinator in the current County budget. The Coordinator has now been hired and is working with the agencies to measure how their programs are working. This will eventually improve targeting of criminal justice budgets to achieve intended results, avoid undesirable results, and save money. This wouldn’t be happening without Tye’s leadership.

Steve Tilley, Lacey

Beyond ‘Don’t Text and Drive’

My friend’s daughter was recently in a tragic accident. She is 30 years old, married, new baby, and a new job. She was driving to work early in the morning when she ran over and killed a 63-year-old woman — someone’s mom, someone’s wife. She wasn’t drinking; she wasn’t texting. Her attention waned for less than 5 seconds, and she killed someone. This could happen to any of us.

We used to brag about our ability to multitask, but today it is MINDFULNESS. Do one thing at a time and do it with your full attention.

For my children and their generation: Drive with the same focus and vigilance that you play video games with. Around every corner could be a trap: maybe a deer, maybe a cop, maybe a pedestrian or a bicyclist.

As we enter the dark and rainy season, I implore all drivers to drive with their full attention. Think of the ripple effect this tragic accident has had on both families and when you drive, do only that: drive.

Jennifer Williams, Olympia

Indigenous Peoples Day at Squaxin Park

It was a wonderful day. Several hundred people, children and adults of many ages, Native and non-native peoples celebrating Indigenous Persons Day in the shore-side forest of Squaxin Park. An opening drum song and prayer filled the grassy clearing as morning sunlight cleared the treetops and brightened the green forest floor.

The Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia cooperation was self-evident and warranted that all speakers remarked about it. Invited to speak first was Charlene Krise, Director of the Museum, Library and Research Center, who graciously opened with a dear friend, both women sharing about all of our connections with earth.

Squaxin Island Tribal Council members spoke of what was meaningful to each of them, everyone sharing their personal and unique perspective on this day. And each revealing their connectedness to the wider web of life, and their pride as a Tribal leader.

Representatives from the City of Olympia expressed gratitude in their comments about the meaning of the day to them and to the city, then shared a Proclamation specific to this day and place “Squaxin Park.”

The Squaxin Island Tribe hosted a meal following the ceremonies with time to catch up with one another over clam chowder, stew, fry bread, and the company of a broader community.

Everybody breathed in the good weather and voices of the forest seemed to lift everyone’s spirit.

This second Monday in October is taking on a different and deeper meaning.

Douglas Mackey, Olympia