Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: School vouchers are a scam that provide rebate for the rich

I write the Seattle Schools Community Forum blog and read the recent op-ed by Sen. John Braun on parents using public education dollars to choose their child’s education. Plain and simple, … more

6/21/24

Letter to the editor: Trump conviction was a setup by a liberal district attorney in a liberal state

Letter writer Dennis Shain’s computer must have stuck. Guilty. Yes, President Trump was found guilty in a New York court by a district attorney who was elected on the platform of … more

6/21/24

Letter to the editor: By voting for Trump, will you set an example for your children of accountability to the rules?

I appreciated Brian Mittge’s June 14 column on the traditional virtues of fidelity and fatherhood. I can not say that I disagree with him or most of what he proposed. I can say that in … more

6/21/24

Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge smiles and sings a song about George Washington on Founders Day at George Washington Park on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Centralia.

Brian Mittge : Saluting the universal father

My daughter and I are traveling this week and I'm sending this column from the road. It's been so sweet to spend solo time with one of my children, especially knowing that my wife is home having a … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 6/21/24

Gov. Jay Inslee, left, and Se. John Braun, R-Centralia.

John Braun: Inslee will say anything to protect hidden gas tax

At about this time in 2022, Gov. Jay Inslee boldly claimed our state’s new cap-and-tax law would “have a minimal impact, if any…pennies” when it came to the cost of gasoline … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/21/24

Maureen Harkcom: Cinnamon rolls and chili? A lunch break at Mossyrock schools

After recently highlighting the Boistfort School lunch program , I recently made a second school visit, this time to the Mossyrock School District. I spent some time with Kim Chambers, their … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom | 6/19/24

Letter to the editor: Pastors and clergy should be mandatory reporters for sexual abuse

We all want the same thing; for our children to be safe, and to have a bright future. We know that providing shelter and ending poverty protects children. Also, crime decreases when our … more

6/19/24

Letter to the editor: Chronicle dropped the ball on Trump front page

The Chronicle didn’t catch what the rest of the world was doing with their front pages a couple of weeks back. I’m sure they’re embarrassed about missing it, and I hope they … more

6/19/24

This 1916 photo from the Detering farm shows, from left, Fred, Edna, Hazel, Howard, Georgia, Elma, Ralph, Nellie, Ruby and Herman.

Julie McDonald: Detering offspring among the Rayton descendants in Lewis County

John and Angeline Rayton raised a family of 11 children, and their descendants still populate Lewis County today. The Rayton family history has been preserved in a history book compiled by June … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/17/24

A dispatcher uses one of three mouses to control her computer screens at the 911 Dispatch Center in August 2019.

Sean Swope commentary: There should never be a time when a 911 call goes unanswered

In recent weeks, I have received alarming reports from two residents of Lewis County who, in moments of critical need, called 911 only to be routed to voicemail. Imagine facing a … more

By Sean Swope, Lewis County commissioner | 6/17/24

Brian Mittge: Thoughts on fatherhood, faithfulness and fidelity

As we celebrate fathers with cards and barbecue picnics this weekend, let’s take a moment to look at some of what we admire most in the great dads (and moms) out there: faithfulness and … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 6/14/24

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia

John Braun: Give Washington parents the right to choose how their children are educated

A dozen years ago, the state Supreme Court declared our state's approach to funding K-12 education had failed. Some legislators wanted to respond to the historic ruling in McCleary v. Washington … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/14/24

Letter to the editor: Expand Interstate 5 to three lanes through Twin Cities and stop pointless projects

This letter is in response to the article about the Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) putting in traffic-control stop lights in several on-ramps in the Chehalis-Centralia area. … more

6/12/24

Letter to the editor: Rather than point fingers, Lewis County Republican Party should look within

This letter is in reply to a letter by Greg Rohr, vice president of the Lewis County Republican Party, published June 5. Since Greg is so concerned with not being associated with Nazis, despite … more

6/12/24

Letter to the editor: Call for greater emphasis on restoring salmon habitat rings hollow amid gillnet harvesting

In his commentary on Washington salmon fisheries management, Ed Johnstone calls for greater emphasis on habitat protection and restoration, not harvest management alone, to help recover sustainable … more

6/12/24

FILE PHOTO — Students with the Boistfort School District walk along the Chehalis River Discovery Trail while identifying trees after working to plant saplings in Centralia.

Commentary: Life of a nonprofit land trust in the Chehalis River Basin

The Chehalis River Basin Land Trust was born from two ideas. One was the appreciation of the beauty of this wonderful area, and the second was the desire to preserve this splendid diversity for … more

By Kathy Tennyson / Chehalis Basin Land Trust | 6/12/24

Chad Taylor is owner and publisher of The Chronicle. He can be reached at chad@chronline.com.

Publisher's Note: Parents have a right to know about their kids in school

One would think parental access to their own children’s school records would be a non-controversial issue. Unfortunately, parents across Washington have expressed frustration that those … more

Commentary by Chad Taylor | 6/12/24

This turn-of-the-century photo of the Black house, barn and hopfields was provided by Susan Remund, who now resides on the property.

Julie McDonald: Rayton descendants share recollections of early years

Lois Keen. Jim Stafford. David White. Alice Forth. LeeRoy Wisner. Joanne Clark. Gene Crocker. Dorothy Mueller. Sharon Johnson. Edith Duncan. Jo Moon. Those are only a few of the many descendants … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/10/24

Sen. John Braun listens to Rep. Jim Walsh during a public hearing on income tax at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

John Braun: Initiative takes handcuffs off police, but more work is needed

The three initiatives passed this year by the Legislature took effect June 6. Initiative 2081 creates a parental bill of rights for K-12 education. It will be great for parents who want to be … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/7/24

Centralia College President Bob Mohrbacher talks about bachelor programs available for students while taking U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on a tour of the campus in January 2023.

Bob Mohrbacher: ‘FAFSA simplification’ turns out to be more complicated for everyone

Federal changes to the financial aid application are causing big delays for colleges and students. When the U.S. Department of Education announced it was revamping the Free Application for … more

Commentary by Bob Mohrbacher, Centralia College president | 6/7/24