Letters to the editor for Jan. 4

An alternative to an RFA

I worked for 20 years with the Olympia Fire Department. For the first 10 years after I started in 1960, the department was underfunded, paid low wages, and had antiquated equipment, union unrest, and a high turnover rate.

Then a change in department leadership occurred. The city hired Otto Jensen, a proven leader, as fire chief. Most of the issues were resolved. New diesel-powered apparatus were brought in, better wages were set up, and the Medic One program was started.

Now again it appears poor, ineffective leadership in the department and three years of underfunding by the Olympia City Council, in my opinion, have returned the department to the woes of the 1960s.

But are these issues so unresolvable that the fire department of the State Capital will give away leadership and its identity to become part of a Regional Fire Authority?

I’m sure the Olympia City Council would be willing to give away this responsibility, as they have already given away the stewardship of once-beautiful Capitol Lake.

I firmly believe these issues within the Olympia Fire Department could be resolved by simply passing a levy, taking the funding of the department from the City Council.

I believe the citizens of Olympia would support this type of levy.

Just like with Capitol Lake, once the Olympia Fire Department loses its identity to become part of a Regional Fire Authority, it will be too late to regret not taking action to prevent it.

Larry Glenn, Lacey

Homelessness in Olympia: With compassion comes responsibility

The ongoing struggle of our city leaders to address the worsening conditions of homeless individuals should not surprise anyone. Moreover, our leaders continue to ignore the notion that a subset of those individuals cannot function due to substance abuse and mental health issues, or a combination of both.

Can our local and state authorities address this socially and economically pressing issue with responsibility in mind? Leaders can serve the homeless population while ensuring those we try to help abide by rules of engagement.

It is important to note that while many homeless individuals seek to rebuild their lives, some continue to live in the streets and use our streets and roads as grounds for littering, bathroom-using, theft, and other socially unpalatable behaviors.

To oversimplify the issue of homelessness in our region as a one-sided issue is insulting to both our residents and businesses who fight for a better quality of life, and the homeless individuals genuinely seeking, not abusing, supportive services.

Our local authorities, for once and for all, need to rethink their ways of addressing this chronic social issue as long as input from community and business stakeholders takes place.

Erick Dietrich, Olympia

Olympia School Board deserves criticism

The Olympia School Board deserves the criticism they are receiving for appointing Talauna Reed to the board.

Although it is laudable and appropriate to diversify, she is an extremely poor choice for leadership. Ms. Reed has a well documented history of divisive speech and inciting violence in our community. Equally alarming, she has an extensive criminal record.

The board justifies their mistake by claiming her “life experiences” add value. While it is true she could bring a different perspective, her divisiveness and criminality far outweigh any valuable experience.

The Olympia School Board should acknowledge their mistake and seek a new person of color to serve — someone who has a history of bringing our community together, not seeking to tear it apart. The students in Olympia deserve better leaders.

Reed West, Olympia