Letters to the editor for Oct. 27

Supporting Steven Drew for Assessor

Steve Drew has been an excellent Thurston County Assessor ever since he first assumed office in 2010, and he deserves your vote.

He has the experience and aptitude we need in this very important office. His achievements, among many others, include the development and support of a highly professional union-based staff and the elimination of a massive backlog of tax appeals. He has represented our county well as chairman of the legislative committee of county assessors and he has worked effectively to protect the rights of citizens young and old.

I have complete confidence in this great man and I’m proud to call him my friend.

Steve Robinson, Olympia

Crime is not the issue

Some political candidates have raised crime as a critical issue in the upcoming election. But their statements ignore four basic facts about crime in America today.

First, violent crime as measured by the FBI is historically low. Throughout the 1990s, the violent crime rate in the U.S. ranged from 523 to 758 violent crimes per 100,000 people. At the end of last year, the violent crime rate in the U.S. was 395 violent crimes per 100,000. The violent crime rate in Washington state was 293 per 100,000.

Second, neither Congress or the Washington legislature can reduce levels of crime in our neighborhoods by getting tough on criminals. The most effective measures are prevention-based strategies. We can control crime by addressing neighborhood conditions that foster criminal behavior.

Third, police are a reactive force, responding to crimes after they occur by apprehending suspects. Virtually every study examining the impact of police on levels of crime show increasing the number of police does little to reduce crime. Its impact only reduces fear of crime.

Finally, since the 1980s our nation’s leaders have launched at least three wars on crime. All promoted get-tough policies that didn’t reduce crime in our cities, states or nation. Their only impact was filling our prisons.

Declaring crime a problem doesn’t make it one. “Getting tough” will get it wrong.

George S. Bridges, Belfair

Thinking about my precious vote

I am a lifelong Democrat, have only once voted for a GOP candidate, and I occasionally will choose an Independent candidate over the D candidate. Mostly I have never trusted the GOP to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Issues related to Social Security, a woman’s right to choose, and LGBTQ+ rights are just a few issues that I trust the Democrats to fairly consider.

This year it is critically important that I use my vote to elect people who will protect our democracy and enhance voter access to the ballot. That person should have have hands on experience to do the job. That is why I have decided to vote for independent candidate Julie Anderson for Secretary of State.

I know Julie from my days as a Pierce County employee and she is a hard working, sincere public servant. Take a look at Julie’s endorsements and track record on her website; I think you will agree that she deserves your consideration. And by all means let’s get out there and VOTE. Make your voice heard.

Kathryn Kravit-Smith, Olympia

Endorsement in the 35th LD

I am disappointed in The Olympian’s endorsement in the 35th Legislative Senate race. The editorial board failed to accurately portray Julianne Gale.

Julianne has a long list of endorsements, but I would like to highlight a few: The Squaxin Island Tribe jointly endorsed both Julianne and her opponent; Washington State Labor Council; American Federation of Teachers of WA; SEIU Healthcare 1199NW; Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28; Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 66; and the WA Machinists Council and Machinists District 751.

Right now, millworkers are on strike for better pay. Wood product industry workers need an ally in the Senate. Julianne is endorsed by so many unions and groups of workers partly because of her work history as a public school teacher and union construction worker. She is NOT a politician. She is a worker; a community member who has knocked on thousands of doors to connect with her neighbors in the 35th LD, making her uniquely qualified to carry our rural voices to the Legislature.

Julianne Gale is focused on representing people and the planet with concrete solutions to our growing climate crisis. I have lived in the 35th LD since 2012 and for the first time I have a candidate for Senate, Julianne Gale, that I trust will ensure my voice is heard in the halls of government.

Marisa Kaneshiro, 35th Legislative District