Editorials | The Daily Chronicle

Don Brunell Commentary: Milling Thinned Trees Can Foot Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risks

Thinning public woodlands to remove millions of dead trees is a way to generate much needed cash to reduce wildfire risks, improve forest health, and protect rural homeowners and farms. It is money … more

By Don C. Brunell | 5/10/22

Highlighting Lewis County: Railroad Telegrapher Recounts Life in Centralia

Editor’s Note: This is the second installation of a two-part series. Read part one here: … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/9/22

Paul McCartney performs at Climate Pledge Arena on May 2, 2022. The second stop on his “Got Back” tour ran nearly three hours, with songs from the Beatles, Wings and McCartney’s solo career.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Music, Memories and Magic With Sir Paul McCartney

When I told friends I was going to see Paul McCartney play in Seattle, I joked that it was a rare opportunity to see the Beatles perform in person. Turns out, there was actually a little truth to … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/6/22

Slade Gorton smiles during a visit to The Chronicle’s office in this 1980 archival photograph.

Our Views: Slade Gorton Was a Powerhouse for Our State, Community

Former attorney general and state and national lawmaker Slade Gorton passed away almost two years ago, but like many families who lost loved ones during the time of COVID-19, the Gorton family had to … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 5/6/22

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey Commentary: Keep the Adult Material Out of the Classroom; Liberal Ideology Destroying Us

My wife and I just had the good fortune to spend a few days in some sunshine without cellphones or news. There was nothing about the border crisis, nothing about drag queens performing in some school … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/4/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Bit Late, But What Isn’t Late These Days?

To begin my weekly confession, I recently did one of the most stupid things any old man can do. Before shopping for my groceries, to save time at check out, I made out a check to pay for them … more

5/4/22

State Rep. J.T. Wilcox, author of this commentary, talks during an interview inside his office at the state Capitol in 2019.

Commentary: 2022 Legislative Session Marred by Missed Opportunities

As someone who represents a largely rural district and leads a caucus of members who represent most of rural Washington, I have grown increasingly concerned about the Legislature’s inability to … more

By Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, House Republican Leader | 5/3/22

Robert McInnis stands on his porch in the Edison District next to a sign reading “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.”

Highlighting Lewis County: Centralia Marine Veteran Shares Early Recollections

A Centralia nonagenarian recently shared with me a thin book his childhood friend published last year about his Army years during the Korean War, “The Lost Two Years: an autobiography” by … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/2/22

Andrea Culletto speaks at the Twin Transit Mellen e-Transit Station grand opening.

Commentary: Saying ‘Goodbye for Now’ to Andrea Culletto, a Friend to Our Community

When those in leadership leave an organization or their community, there is often a feeling of uncertainty as to what lies ahead. But when strong leaders leave an organization, they leave behind a … more

By Twin Transit staff | 5/2/22

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

Richard Stride Commentary: Amid Stressful Times, Try Watching Cartoons

What cartoons do you remember? What Disney or animated movie did you watch over and over and over again? Are you thinking about it? I know I am. Of course, by the 100th time, you could recite every … more

5/2/22

Mariya Frost is the director of the Coles Center for Transportation at the Washington Policy Center.

Commentary: Washington Attorney General Fires Ukrainian Paralegal Over Vaccine Mandate

Washington’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson, like Secretary Millar at the Washington State Department of Transportation, claims to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that values and … more

By Mariya Frost / Washington Police Center | 4/29/22

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

Guest Commentary: Survey Shows Inflation Tops a Long List of Employer Challenges

The soaring inflation rate has turned trips to the gas station, grocery store, shopping mall and restaurants into nerve-wracking experiences. Not to mention buying a used car or a sheet of plywood. … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 4/29/22

Brian Mittge and Chris brewer unload bark chips on a trail during the Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area Earth Day Work Party in Centralia.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Amid Spring Rain, a Day of Sunshine and History

Last Saturday was one of those days that makes you celebrate life in our small towns and communities. The mercurial spring weather was perfect (more or less). Appropriately, a number of Earth … more

4/29/22

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson talks with The Chronicle's Editorial Board in March 2015.

Other Views: Stop the Name Games With Washington's Capital-Gains Income Tax

Washington's experiment in creating a capital-gains tax ought to be weighed on its true merits. Unfortunately, the tax's advocates cannot seem to resist putting a pinkie on the scale. Rhetorical … more

Commentary by The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 4/28/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Am I Getting Out of Step?

I don’t know if this is in my regular category of “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” or “Stupidity — once learned — is hard to forget.” In any … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 4/27/22

Commentary: Seattle World’s Fair Highlighted Electric Transportation Network

The Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 was awe-inspiring. It previewed developments that would improve our daily lives in the next millennium. While “Century 21” memories have faded, … more

By Don Brunell | 4/27/22

The Capital Building is seen Monday, January 8, 2018 in Olympia.

Commentary: Washington State Stubbornly Refuses to Cut Taxes for Families

Most politicians could only dream of a scenario in which a flood of extra tax revenues suddenly lets them cut taxes in an election year. But clearly Washington state leaders think … more

By Chris Cargill | 4/25/22

Robert Foxcurran shows a photo of Simon Plamondon Jr.’s family during a recent presentation in Toledo.

Highlighting Lewis County: Pioneer Edward Warbass Jumped Toledo Claim of Simon Plamondon Jr.

Although I’ve always known Native Americans lost much of their land to white settlers, I was appalled to discover recently that Edward Warbass, who established a townsite in 1850 south of … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/25/22

Commentary: Look North to Alaska and Canada to Increase Gas Supplies

The news that President Joe Biden plans to resume leasing of federal land for oil exploration may be good five years from now, but that action alone won’t bring down record gas prices at the … more

By Don Brunell | 4/22/22

FILE PHOTOS — Attendees flood into Orin C. Smith Elementary during the grand opening in 2019.

Brian Mittge Commentary: The Thrill of V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, the Agony of D-E-F-E-A-T

This week I had the pleasure of watching from the sidelines as a dramatic competition unfolded before me, a battle of will and skill, where endless practice culminated in a succession of … more

4/22/22