The demise of Tacoma’s paper mill is an opening for the Puyallup River — and salmon | Opinion

WestRock’s demise

WestRock’s Tacoma paper had its last day of operation today (Sept. 29). While the good-paying union jobs organized at the mill will be missed, the end of the facility located on the mouth of the Puyallup River provides a unique opportunity to right a historic wrong.

The decommissioning and remediation of the site will take years, and while Tacoma’s politicians and industry covet industrial land, the ailing health of the river demands serious action.

Industrialization and colonization took its toll on the delta, destroying the former habitat. Estuaries, where fresh and saltwater meet, are unique habitats that are often called the “nurseries of the sea” for good reason. They’re critical for juvenile salmon, and by sealing the tideflats in asphalt the industrial-capitalist class of Tacoma is smothering anadromous fish from the entire watershed.

Given the environmental reckoning we find ourselves in, the only moral and logical thing for the Port of Tacoma to do is a partial restoration, dismantling the WestRock property in its entirety and restoring a piece of the Puyallup River estuary.

The concrete muzzle on the mouth of this river must be lifted.

Free the Puyallup, or the water will rise anyway.

Sean Arent, Tacoma

Stop demonizing police

It is mind-numbing to continue to read stories in The News Tribune about crime and the perplexity articulated by the TNT regarding the reasons why.

The TNT and leaders in Tacoma — and around the U.S. — demonized police officers, supported “changes” defunding departments, passed laws to criminalize police activity and now wonder why crime has increased.

It’s not COVID. It’s not poverty. Just look in the mirror — you have contributed to the mess.

Until we as a community beg forgiveness of our police department and let them do their jobs, without fear of unfair prosecution and demonization, crime will continue to increase and affect the most vulnerable of our society.

James McDonald, Tacoma

Mail delivery

I thought it was the height of hypocrisy that The News Tribune ran an ad in the newspaper today praising and appreciating newspaper carriers — while they have put all their carriers out of work by changing to newspapers delivered in the mail (of all things).

Of course, we all know this will make our printed paper news even more out of date, dependent on non-dependable delivery by the postal service, and not arriving for our morning coffee and tea.

But the worst slight is to our carriers. We have the best carrier we have ever encountered, and she will be losing a huge chunk of her income due to this move.

She has toiled tirelessly for you for years and is being handed a really rotten deal.

Maybe you’ll reconsider?

K Horton, Gig Harbor

Priorities

The headline on page one of The News Tribune Thursday proclaimed “Safety as the top priority in the Pierce County budget.” The county’s proposed budget significantly reduces the number of police and correction officers positions funded in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Pierce County Council recently passed an ordinance creating a commission on diversity, equity and inclusion and is expected to vote soon on an ordinance related to pronouns.

With rampant crime continually increasing in Pierce County, recently reported by The News Tribune, how does it make any sense to spend time and resources on these ridiculous measures?

What is the priority? Is this really Pierce County?

Curt Anderson, Tacoma