Letter writers weigh in on Port Commission races, and describe the disrepair of downtown loo

Vote Bill McGregor for Port Commission

If you believe in smart decisions at the Port, vote for Bill McGregor. To bring Bill onto the Port Commission means to have continuity of decision-making. Without Bill, remarkably, the longest serving Port Commissioner would be two years.

Little league fields? Weyerhaeuser contract? Balanced approach to removal of Capital Lake Dam? Airport history and realistic airport improvements? Real estate investments? How to maximize marine traffic at the Marine Terminal? How to create partnerships in development with Tumwater? How to be the best steward of the land we share with the Squaxin and Nisqually tribes? What to do about the KGY building? All of these questions require a decision maker to have extensive knowledge of Port history to serve the public well in their capacity as Port Commissioner.

While we did not always agree, Bill approaches the job with thoughtfulness, fairness and equity. In addition, as a testament to Bill’s ability to work with the community, he is endorsed by the mayors of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino, and Yelm. Vote Bill McGregor for the Port in November.

Joe Downing, outgoing Port Commissioner

Port Commissioner votes are critical

If you think it’s time for a change at the Port of Olympia, the time to make that change has come. The upcoming election offers three new Port Commission candidates who will buck business as usual. The candidates are Jasmine Vasavada (District 1), Maggie Sanders (District 4) and Sarah Tonge (District 5). These individuals will steer the Port away from its current money-losing, tax-wasting status to a future of true benefit for Thurston County residents.

Look, the Port of Olympia hasn’t made a net dime in decades. All land-owning Thurston County taxpayers subsidize the Port with a seven-digit dollar amount annually. Sure, maybe that’s only $75 or so to the average taxpayer, but I haven’t met many people who want to give even a penny in taxes if the money will clearly be wasted.

And that’s the thing. Not only is our county tax subsidy wasted on current Port policies, but a different approach to land-use might generate a positive income without the need for property taxes. In this regard, closing the deep water port and keeping only minor dockage for barges (no dredging needed) would eliminate the biggest money loser. Plus turning the adjacent storage land into public open space with commercial zoning around the edges could create a true economic engine.

We need new Port Commissioners who understand reality, want development that is profitable, and respect environmental concerns. We need Port Commissioners who look to the future, not the past. We need Jasmine Vasavada, Maggie Sanders and Sarah Tonge.

Steve Shanewise, Olympia

Trapped in the Portland Loo

Something very scary happened to me Oct. 28. I used the Portland Loo downtown between Jefferson and Adams on Fourth Avenue. The loo was reasonably clean. When I tried to exit, I discovered to my alarm that I couldn’t. Something was wrong with the handle, so I was effectively locked in. I banged on the door for 10 minutes until a passerby kindly let me out.

I had to figure out how to let someone know about this dangerous problem. The City Hall offices were closed, but I did leave a voicemail explaining the situation. Nobody called me the next day, and I discovered the Loo was still unlocked. I posted a sign on the loo saying “Don’t Use! You Will Not Be Able To Get Out!”

The loo is the only public restroom in that part of downtown. I discovered that it had finally been locked, but that leaves no public facility available.

Also, on another note, I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the disappearance of the T.J. Potter mural. I witnessed it being painted over. The mural told the important story of the ferry taking firefighters from Victoria, B.C., to Seattle to fight the Great Fire of 1889. It was an Olympian treasure and now it is gone. Fortunately the names of the designer and artists remain so they will be remembered. The Native replacement mural is brilliant, but I will still miss the T.J. Potter mural deeply.

James Cooper Browne, Olympia