Columnists | The Daily Chronicle

Recipients of the 2023 George and Mary Jane Washington Scholarship Liliane Sidibe and Lakeda Sullivan pose for a photo on Founders Day at George Washington Park on Saturday, Aug. 12 in Centralia.

Brian Mittge commentary: American opportunity, George Washington style

A few weeks ago, I was honored to be part of Centralia’s first Founders’ Day celebration, a party in George Washington Park in celebration of its namesake donor and his partner in … more

9/9/23

Commentary: Service to America to help students avoid going into debt

With students returning to college campuses, it is time to consider other ways for them to pay for tuition, books and living expenses. Too often, they resort to borrowing. Now, student … more

By Don Brunell | 9/8/23

Bill Moeller smiles for a portrait outside The Chronicle in Centralia on Jan. 24, 2023.

Bill Moeller commentary: A homage to another relic from the long-forgotten past

Editor’s note: Longtime Chronicle columnist Bill Moeller occasionally submits columns from his archives. This commentary was first published in 2014. I was just thinking how important … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 9/6/23

Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald, second from left, looks toward her daughter, Nora, and new son-in-law Chase Conaway during their wedding ceremony in August.

Julie McDonald commentary: Summer wedding proved an answer to prayer

It’s amazing how much time, energy and thought goes into planning all the details for one remarkable day in the lives of our children — yes, the all-important wedding day. Thirty-two … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/4/23

Rep. J.T. Wilcox smiles in this courtesy photo.

J.T. Wilcox commentary: Reflections on a fellow lawmaker from former House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox

This newspaper recently allowed me to share my reflections as a former House Republican leader on two lawmakers who represent the 20th Legislative District, Sen. John Braun and Rep. Peter Abbarno. In … more

By state Rep. J.T. Wilcox / R-Yelm | 9/1/23

Bill Moeller commentary: Memories of long gone Lewis County establishments and sights

Editor’s note : Longtime Chronicle columnist Bill Moeller occasionally submits columns from his archives. This commentary was first published in 2009. I was just thinking that we … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 9/1/23

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: In times like these, employers crave stability and predictability

Inflation is cooling but gas prices are spiking. Mortgage rates rose above 7% in August for the first time in 22 years, and they might not be done going up. Fears of an imminent recession have … more

By Kris Johnson | 9/1/23

Pat Anderson is pictured with some of her art during a recent event at Owl and Olive near Doty.

Julie McDonald commentary: Art showing at Owl & Olive a treat along the river

More than a month ago, when my friend Mary Garrison invited me to meet artist Pat Anderson at Owl & Olive on the way to Pe Ell, I agreed to go for two reasons — I’d never been to Owl … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/28/23

Mike Kreidler was elected Washington state Insurance Commissioner in 2000 and was re-elected to a sixth term in 2020. He currently vice-chairs the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Climate Risk and Resilience Executive Task Force, which coordinates the group’s discussion and engagement on climate risk issues.

Insurance commissioner commentary: Reducing wildfire risk keeps insurance market, and ourselves, healthy

Wildfires can take lives, dramatically change the landscape and destroy everything in their path — which, naturally, includes your personal property. What can make matters worse, … more

By Mike Kreidler, Washington state insurance commissioner | 8/25/23

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.

Richard Stride commentary: Thoughts on America’s pastime as Mariners gives us reasons to cheer

With the Seattle Mariners just one game out of first place in the American League west, my mind has turned to America’s pastime. Do you love baseball? Many Americans do. In fact, … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 8/25/23

A stack of newspapers is pictured in Centralia last year.

Commentary: Local news is critical to the mission of defending democracy, empowering voters

News of the police raid at the Marion County Record in Kansas on Aug. 11 ignited outrage across the nation. Similarly newsworthy was the announcement by the county’s top prosecutor days later … more

By Mary Coltrane and Dee Anne Finken / League of Women Voters of Washington | 8/25/23

Bill Moeller commentary: 1940 convention revisited through treasure trove of old magazines

This column came from the file cabinet and was printed on March 11, 2009. I think it's still good today, especially considering the upcoming political debates and 2024 elections. … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/23/23

Peter Abbarno commentary: Celebrating our state’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library origin story

“Working 9 to 5” is a Dolly Parton phrase not often uttered by volunteers, board members and employees of nonprofits in our community. That’s because, when you focus your efforts on … more

By Peter Abbarno | 8/23/23

Julie McDonald commentary: Learn to write fiction and nonfiction at writers’ conference

Do you want to write your memoirs? Are fictional characters running around in your head, begging for you to tell their story? Do you have a love story pining for release? Did you experience a chapter … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/21/23

Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge studies the swine at the Southwest Washington Fair.

Brian Mittge commentary: Have yourself a Fairly awesome week

It’s another great week at the Southwest Washington Fair. As always, the Midway is a prime spot to see old friends and people-watch. I was privileged to accompany my son … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/18/23

The Centralia College campus is pictured from above.

Bob Mohrbacher commentary: It’s not too late to join Centralia College this fall

Before I started working in college administration, I was an English teacher for a lot of years. There’s a special feeling that comes from the days getting shorter and school supplies filling … more

8/18/23

Bill Moeller commentary: The Evergreen Playhouse and the urge to return to stage

An article I found online recently was responsible for an increase in the heartbeat of this old duffer. It was a notice of the plays that will be appearing in The Evergreen Playhouse this … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/16/23

House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, talks about ongoing issues in his area of the state while answering questions from reporters Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

Commentary: Reflections from former House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox

Prior to stepping down earlier this year, I had the privilege of serving as House Republican leader in the Washington state House of Representatives for five years. In that role, I worked closely … more

By State Rep. J.T. Wilcox | 8/16/23

Commentary: Forest damage already done after opposition to Bush policy

Growing up in the 1960s, our parents blamed everything on “The Beatles.” According to them, they were “the punks” from Liverpool who caused all the teenagers to go … more

By Don Brunell | 8/16/23

Doris Bier, Lewis County’s last surviving Rosie the Riveter, signs items for girls at the first-ever Steel Toe Teens camp in this photo provided by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald commentary: Lewis County’s last Rosie inspires Seattle teens

More than 80 years ago, when the Japanese attacked U.S. battleships at Pearl Harbor, men throughout the nation rushed to enlist in the military to fight the nation’s enemies. But to win that … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/14/23