Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

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

Letter to the editor: Let's make sure Winlock's government listens to all of us

Good local government means being responsible with our town's business and being open with the people you serve. While a leader must sometimes make tough decisions quickly, especially in an … more

9/5/25

Letter to the editor: Don’t forget Green Hill; don’t let the cycle continue

Aug. 31, 2025, marked two years since the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) raided Green Hill School in Chehalis. Green Hill isn’t just another juvenile facility — it is our … more

9/5/25

Letter to the editor: Commissioner’s thoughts on national politics are not relevant

Sean Swope, you’re at it again. Let me remind you that you are a county commissioner in a small, rural county, one of the 3,223 counties in the U.S. That's about as low on the national … more

9/5/25

Letter to the Editor: We are going to accomplish great things in the coming year, superintendent says

As we welcome students back for a new school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism about the journey ahead. Each new year offers a fresh opportunity to build on our successes and to reaffirm … more

9/3/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: The comprehensive plan is how we shape our future, together

At first glance, the phrase “Comprehensive Plan update” may sound like bureaucratic jargon, something suited for city planners, policy analysts or land use attorneys. But here’s the … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 9/3/25

Sean Swope: The neo-Confederate drift of blue states

America fought a war to stop this once. Now, it’s happening again. Across the country, blue states such as California, New York, Washington and Illinois are openly defying federal law — … more

Commen tary by Sean Swope / For The Chronicle | 9/3/25

Penn, left, is pictured with Ellie at Wolf Haven near Tenino.

Julie McDonald: Wolf Haven offers better life for captive wolves

For the first 10 years of his life, a 3-foot chain kept poor Penn hooked to a post, his world confined to a small circle, his life monotonous and so, so sad. But then in November rescuers gave … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/1/25

Letter to the editor: Questions for county commissioner after courthouse protest

Sean Swope, I was really hoping to get your attention by showing up on Aug. 25. Even though I’m pretty sure you weren’t there, I was pleased to see you responded to one of my statements … more

8/29/25

Zac Eckstein is chair of the Lewis County Democratic Party.

Zac Eckstein: Setting the record straight on mail-in voting in Washington state

When it comes to election integrity, facts matter more than feelings. Trump and the GOP have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to convince us that mail-in voting is fraudulent or that somehow … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 8/29/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno represents the 20th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives and is the House Republican Caucus Chair.

Peter Abbarno: Washington state’s pricey Labor Day

On this Labor Day, we honor the hard work, talent and dedication of Washington’s workforce. CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2025 ranked Washington No. 5 for workforce … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno | 8/29/25

Sen. John Braun poses for a photo outside The Chronicle in Centralia on Thursday, July 17.

John Braun: Let’s have more action on water quality concerns tied to game farm

Two recent public meetings about the water contamination situation stemming from the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia bring to mind the warning not to confuse motion with action. There’s been no … more

By state Sen. John Braun | 8/29/25

Cub reporter Brian Mittge, complete with press pass in his hat, c. 2001, at his desk in then Chronicle "world headquarters" at 321 N. Pearl Street. The iMac used to write stories was then cutting-edge technology.

Brian Mittge: Farewell to the old newsroom — and long live the news

Today marks a major milestone for Lewis County’s hometown newspaper: a big move down the block to a new building for The Chronicle. CT Publishing, which bought The Chronicle’s business … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/29/25

State Rep. Jim Walsh speaks during a “Let’s Go Washington” rally at the Capitol in Olympia on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Jim Walsh: 'Sanctuary' policies put state at risk; picking petulant fights with feds not the answer

The “sanctuary state” policies promoted by current Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson and state Attorney General Nick Brown undermine federal immigration law, put the state at significant … more

Commentary by Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen | 8/27/25

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

John McCroskey: If crimes go unreported, does that mean the crime rate is down?

I’m not sure about you, but the addition of on-ramp meters here on Interstate 5 is a welcome and exciting addition to the congestion we already have. Now, like the big cities we love … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 8/27/25

Letter to the editor: Tyranny and overreach are not acceptable behaviors, now or ever

The latest round of overreach by the Trump regime includes threatening cities with military deployment. Do you know who does that? Dictators do. Also notice that the cities he is threatening are … more

8/27/25

Letter to the editor: Dems have been whining since Hillary Clinton’s loss

Letter writer Dennis Shain of Centralia must have mixed up the political parties. He stated that the Republicans are big whiners. Obviously, he’s confused. It wasn’t the Republicans … more

8/27/25

Julie McDonald: Riffe native, now prolific author, to teach at September writers conference

In the 1960s, Ralph Inmon logged all day in a company he owned with Herman Steele, returned home to his 100-acre farm at Riffe about 3 p.m., and swapped his calk boots for barn boots. He worked in … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/25/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: There is something humbling about August farewells

August always carries a certain weight to it. The days remain long and warm, yet something shifts. The evenings cool a little earlier, the air holds a faint trace of autumn, and the sunsets … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 8/25/25

Letter to the editor: All mail-in voting has been forced upon Washington state voters for decades

Regarding the article on Washington state all mail voting, reprinted from The Olympian. Assumptions are made in this article, such as the opening paragraph referring to it as a “statewide … more

8/25/25

Letter to the editor: Hocus POTUS — response to a recent inspiring letter

When it comes to “whining,” the GOP is the all time champion. Counter their drivel with information and logic, and all you get back is vile name calling and threats. I’ve … more

8/25/25