Letters to the Editor: That flagpole, and readers’ election picks
That ginormous flagpole
To the editor:
Do we really need another ginormous flag pole in Pierce County? Tacoma Screw Products has applied for a waiver to erect a 150- foot flagpole to sport another oversized United States flag, measuring 60 x 30 feet.
This garish commercial abuse of an iconic symbol of our nation mirrors another flag by the same company a few miles away. These flags are self-serving, simply to draw attention to their enterprise. The flagpole and flag in question will be seen for 15 miles.
Of concern, they have been granted one waiver already to break the local height restriction by a few feet to erect their distribution center and now they want to do so by three times that building’s height. With this precedent, how will the Pierce County Council address the next request for a height restriction waiver? Further, this proposal demeans the many folks in the community who proudly fly a standard American flag at their homes. And how do we know that they will not next be flying their own logo at the top of this monstrous pole?
The matter is now in the hands of the Hearings Examiner. One ginormous pole is enough.
Thomas Long, MD
Gig Harbor
I support Carrie Hesch
To the editor:
When a person sees where society has failed, she has the chance to envision how our system can be mended. Carrie Hesch will put our health before corporate profits, not letting small businesses and our local economy suffer.
Having worked with Carrie at the WA Corrections Center for Women, I have seen Carrie persevere during times of trouble, standing up bravely—not combatively—for what is right. I have witnessed her conscientiousness and drive to embark on projects that inspire, encourage, support, and provide opportunities for inmates.
Carrie spearheads campaigns to increase health among staff and inmates, and teaches them how to be better stewards of the environment and their lives.
On the personal level, she has seen the daily struggles that families face. Rich or poor, we all have family members who may have disability or disease, and we all have seen ups and downs. Carrie Hesch is someone who fights to ensure that all are supported when the unpredictable and unfortunate circumstances crop up.
Carrie Hesch has the experience and heart to fight for working families and deliver real results to our community. I will vote for Carrie Hesch in November, and I hope that you will join me!
Alexis Valdes
Gig Harbor
Jesse Young denies women
To the editor:
Representative Jesse Young, my current representative in the 26th Legislative District, has a long history of co-sponsoring bills that deny women’s rights.
Some examples include the 2019 House Bill 2154 and 2016 House Bill 2294, co-sponsored with other representatives, including Matt Shea, the representative whose wife was granted a divorce after complaining that he treated her “as a possession,” and was physically and emotionally abusive.”
House Bill 2154 would ban all abortions in the State of Washington and even make it a felony crime — with no exceptions for victims of rape and incest, who become pregnant with their attacker’s child.
In November, we will have a choice. Do we re-elect Representative Young who will continue to push anti-abortion bills in the House, or do we elect Carrie Hesch, who will champion women’s rights and the right to choose in Olympia. For me the choice is clear — I will be voting for Carrie Hesch.
Kara Aley
Gig Harbor
Stanford solves problems
To the editor:
I want to share a story about my friend Joy Stanford, who’s running for the House in LD26. While many work to divide us, Stanford is using her voice and expertise to solve real problems. In a remarkable act of bipartisanship, she testified before the Housing & Community Development Committee last session in support of HB2639, a bill sponsored by her Republican opponent, Michelle Caldier, that provides financial support to non-profits operating home sharing programs.
Combating homelessness is a passion for Stanford. She benefited from a shared housing program 31 years ago, and has been a strong advocate for people in need ever since. Housing and homelessness were pillars of her 2018 campaign and continue to be so in 2020.
Meanwhile, Caldier has never championed these issues until now. In fact, she voted against eleven bills on homelessness and affordable housing this past session. Her most recent pivot should come as no surprise to anyone who watched her appropriate Joy’s popular positions during the 2018 contest.
Stanford is to be commended for not letting party politics eclipse our community’s concerns. The people of the 26th deserve a real housing champion in Olympia. I urge you to vote for Joy Stanford.
Allison Sutcliffe
Gig Harbor
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 5:30 AM.