Features

Tenant Protections, Camp Sweeps in Olympia

15

Oct

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City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Tracey Carlos

Tenant Protections, Camp Sweeps in Olympia

Eviction Moratorium Extended until July The biggest issue at the October 6 Olympia City Council meeting spilled over into the October 13 meeting. Hence, I decided to hold off and write about both at once. That issue was the passing of an emergency ordinance regarding tenant protections related to COVID-19. Several people n attendance spoke on this issue. There was concern that the ordinance extended the protections too far out, making it more difficult for people to get out from under the debt they accrue. After much discussion, it was determined that the ordinance would protect tenants from through July…

Should We Have a Non-Partisan Secretary of State?

09

Oct

By Russ Lehman

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Contributors, Features, Russ Lehman

Should We Have a Non-Partisan Secretary of State?

The freedom to vote and the sanctity, security, and fairness of the franchise is the foundation of a healthy Democracy. As we are experiencing this year, we clearly can’t take that very basic right for granted. In the midst of a pandemic, we are also constantly being spewed upon by the President, and his enablers, with false and completely politically motivated allegations about our electoral system. The same electoral system was a source of great pride by Americans. Not anymore, thanks to the constant ranting’s, erroneous as they may be, by Donald Trump. The management of elections, even those for…

09

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That

City parks and COVID

A huge gathering of sports teams and fans at Yauger Park certainly piqued observers’ concerns. One poster to Facebook wrote this warning: “Olympia area friends be careful today if you walk through Yauger Park or bring your kids to play. There's a baseball tournament starting up, and the majority of folks watching and wandering around in close proximity are not wearing masks …” (photo from City of Olympia website) This came in a week in which 121 new COVID cases were reported – the most new cases in one week since Thurston County health officials began tracking the virus on…

06

Oct

By Tracey Carlos

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Contributors, Features, Tracey Carlos

LGBTQ+ Representation Matters

We think of Washington as a very progressive state when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. But when it comes to electing people to represent our community we are falling way behind. That is why this year’s state and congressional elections are so exciting to me. We have the opportunity for some significant firsts. Beth Doglio If elected, Beth Doglio would be the first openly LGBTQ+ Member of Congress from the State of Washington. Even if Beth Doglio were not a member of the community, she would still be a fantastic candidate to support. She is fighting climate change and…

Ballots drop on Friday – get your recycle bin ready!

06

Oct

By Mindy Chambers

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City of Olympia, Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That, Uncategorized

Ballots drop on Friday – get your recycle bin ready!

Ballots for the Nov. 3 general election will go in the mail on Oct. 8, followed shortly by dozens and dozens of expensive, colorful, glossy mailers, made of dead trees, extolling candidates’ virtues. The deluge, in fact, already has begun. A fund-raising letter from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Chris Reykdal hit local mailboxes on September 28. A big postcard touting her record on education from 10th Congressional District candidate Marilyn Strickland was in the mailbox on Monday – lots of cute kids here, to be sure. Personal fave so far – a “photograph,” letter, and return postcard/envelope from Democratic…

03

Oct

By Rob Richards

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City of Olympia, Features, Rob Richards

Trump Troops Traipse Through Town

Editor's Note: The following reports were compiled from multiple eye-witness accounts submitted by community members. For the safety of the eyewitnesses, all reports are anonymous. https://youtu.be/fN1GFZjogSg Trump-supporter caravan traveling through Olympia. Contains foul language. "I am getting reports all around Downtown [Olympia] of a caravan of dozens of trucks decked out with Trump and Culp signs and flags driving up and down the streets as of 3:30 pm today. Earlier they were also driving up I-5 and harassing other drivers according to three separate reports. One report mentioned a car being boxed in and pelted with eggs. This event was…

The Olympia Tribune Winter Donation Drive

30

Sep

By Rob Richards

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Contributors, Features, Rob Richards

The Olympia Tribune Winter Donation Drive

Summer Is Over Yesterday on my early morning walk, there was an unmistakable crispness in the air. As I sit here at my kitchen window, I look out at the neighborhood and see trees already starting to glow orange. The forecast for the coming week shows low temperatures dipping into the 40s. The switch has officially flipped to the autumn setting. When temperatures dip, it creates dangerous conditions for our neighbors who are stuck outside—even temperatures in the 40s can be rough. If you don't believe me, I challenge you to get up at 6 AM, put on shorts and…

A Simple Donation Can Save A Life This Winter

29

Sep

By Mindy Chambers

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Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That

A Simple Donation Can Save A Life This Winter

Socks! Tarps! Tents! Sleeping bags! Hygiene and First Aid supplies! The rainy season is upon us, and those living outside will face our cold, windy winter weather with fewer than ever options to get out of the elements. Local officials say fewer than half of last year’s 400 overnight shelter beds will be regularly available this winter. With the closure of the Community Care Center, people have few options for places to dry off and get warm during the day. You can help. Do you have a tent, tarp, sleeping bags, blankets, or other camping and survival supplies that…

28

Sep

By Mindy Chambers

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Columns, Contributors, Features, Mindy Chambers, This and That

DemoBurger Demolition Derby

Demise of the Demoburger? In a lengthy “discussion” on Facebook, now removed, debate raged among Thurston County Democrats earlier this month about the fate of the Demoburger Booth … you know, that purveyor of grease-laden, onion-covered gut bombs the Dems served at festivals and fairs … pre-pandemic. Turns out the old chuckwagon needs a massive and expensive overhaul in order to meet state safety regulations, including a new range hood (who could have guessed that?). The fight centered on why the information was posted on Facebook, what the Dems had voted to do (pull the plug on the booth or…

Be the Teacher Who Inspires the Next Generation

24

Sep

By Mel Wilde

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Contributors, Features, Mel Wilde

Be the Teacher Who Inspires the Next Generation

Social justice work asks us to rethink who we are, and the amount of space we take up. To hold ourselves accountable in ways that are deeply uncomfortable yet necessary. Part of why white supremacy is so successful is because it uses excellent teaching methods. It reaches out and comforts white people, tells them it’s ok to have hurt feelings, that they are good and right. The white supremacy leverages how social justice educates to radicalize people by telling them that anyone who is challenging them to be better is just a snowflake. Part of what we need to recognize…