Contributors

09

Dec

3 Comments

City of Olympia, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Sweeps Week in Olympia

It started Wednesday, and when all is said and done, more than 100 people will be living in new places by the end of the day, December 16. Where those places might be is both a short-term and a long-term question. Before daylight on Wednesday morning, the first of over 30 dumpsters began to arrive. They would be filled with thousands of pounds of tents, tarps, and other belongings during the city's sweep. The camp had been nestled along a half-mile-long strip of Deschutes Parkway, along Capitol Lake, for over two years. As the sun rose over the capital dome…

08

Dec

By Mindy Chambers

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Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

The Ho-Ho-Hobos are Back!

Ho-Ho-Hobos has a stand at the gazebo at Percival Landing Undaunted by storage and supply chain issues (wreath frames, of all things), a vehicle breakdown, and at one point threatened with a trespassing order by the city of Olympia, the Hobos’ seventh year in business is off to a booming start. Founded on the principles of creating jobs and connections for the street community, the Hobos put the artistry of its makers front and center. New this year: More pay for wreath-makers, and brightly painted holiday ornaments. The ornament-making “ties in with the potential for being transformative. Same with the…

Elections. Virtue signaling. Identity politics. Do issues even matter anymore?

25

Oct

By Russ Lehman

19 Comments

Contributors, Russ Lehman

Elections. Virtue signaling. Identity politics. Do issues even matter anymore?

In this election, in Olympia, there are several candidates challenging incumbents apparently because…well, we don’t really know why other than the challengers believe things ought to be different. There is a “slate” of candidates for the city council (Gauny, Weigand, Mercer, and maybe Kesler) who have spent ridiculous amounts of money (for local races) on vacuous mailings, videos, and radio commercials (as well as the advice of Doug Mah) and still, we have yet to hear, see or read what they would do differently than the incumbents. One such challenger (Weigand), a realtor who apparently has sold much of Olympia…

Port Bucks: Olympia Port Candidates Will Top $200k in Fundraising

23

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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2021 Elections, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Port Bucks: Olympia Port Candidates Will Top $200k in Fundraising

While fundraising by the four candidates seeking election to the Port of Olympia Commission pales in comparison to that of Olympia City Council candidates, it’s by no means insignificant. The four first-time candidates vying for the two Port Commission seats in the Nov. 2 general election have raised nearly $169,664. Add to the total the $13,450-plus spent by a candidate who did not make it through the primary, and the total is $183,117. Here’s a position-by-position look, based on state Public Disclosure Commission records The Olympia Tribune reviewed on October 18. The links take you to contributions and expenditures the…

23

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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2021 Elections, City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Olympia City Council Position 4

WATCH: League of Women Voters candidate forum. Editor's Note: Campaign contributions and expenditures are the amounts reported to the state Public Disclosure Commission as of October 20. Clark Gilman Raised: $14,098. Spent: $3,910 Full list of contributions and expenditures. Campaign information: Website, Facebook In your last conversation with a homeless person, what did you talk about? What did you learn? How will that influence your actions on issues that come before the City Council? In my last conversation with an unhoused person we talked with a resident about the potential relocation of the Mitigation Site. I learned that hot water in the community kitchen…

23

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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2021 Elections, City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

The Tribune’s Olympia Election Guide

On November 2nd, Olympia residents will elect five people to their City Council. In the successful candidates’ future: debate and discussion over issues the city has been wrestling with for years (that the COVID-19 pandemic has made even more acute): affordable housing, homelessness, racism, income inequality, struggling small businesses, communications, public perception of the city’s downtown, lack of mental health services, public safety and policing – the list goes on and on and on. The 10 people running for the five seats up for election on Nov. 2 likely are the most diverse in the city’s history: Four of them…

23

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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2021 Elections, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Port of Olympia District 2

WATCH: League of Women Voters candidate forum. Bob Iyall Raised: $43,936 Spent: $38,413.20 Campaign information: Website, Facebook Full list of contributions and expenditures. What does the Port of Olympia do that directly benefits Thurston County residents who pay more than $6 million annually for its operations? What should it be doing that it is not doing already, or not doing in order to save money? The Port does provide jobs to residents in Thurston County through direct and indirect methods. The Port hosts/sponsors recreational events in the county and provides security patrols on Budd Inlet. The Purpose of the Port is to create…

23

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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2021 Elections, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Port of Olympia District 3

League of Women Voters candidate forum. Amy Evans Amy Evans Raised: $47,764 Spent: $23,604 Campaign information: Website, Facebook Full list of contributions and expenditures. What does the Port of Olympia do that directly benefits Thurston County residents who pay more than $6 million annually for its operations? What should it be doing that it is not doing already, or not doing in order to save money? The Port’s mission is economic development. The Port’s marine terminal connects Thurston County via sea providing commerce opportunities and creates solid, family wage jobs for Longshoreman. The Port brings tourism to the area with Swantown marina and fuel dock, supporting restaurants,…

23

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

0 Comments

2021 Elections, City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Olympia City Council Position 6

Position 6 WATCH: League of Women Voters candidate forum Corey Gauny Corey Gauny Raised: $36,216 Spent: $23,032 Full list of contributors. Campaign information: Website, Facebook The candidate did not provide an explanation about why he did not respond to The Tribune’s questionnaire. Dontae Payne Raised: $29,146 Spent: $19,475 Full list of contributors. Campaign information: Website, Facebook In your last conversation with a homeless person, what did you talk about? What did you learn? How will that influence your actions on issues that come before the City Council? During my last conversation with a homeless person, we discussed the need for affordable housing and their emphasis on…

21

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

1 Comment

2021 Elections, City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers

Olympia City Council Position 5

Position 5 WATCH: League of Women Voters candidate forum. Lisa Parshley Lisa Parshley Raised: $39,307 Spent: $28,864 Campaign information: Website, Facebook Full list of contributions and expenditures. In your last conversation with a homeless person, what did you talk about? What did you learn? How will that influence your actions on issues that come before the City Council? We discussed the care of his cat who had been hit by a car. He has been living in his car and couch surfing at his brother’s house when possible. His cat was severely injured and required a hind limb amputation and he had no…