Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: Higher total taxes make Washington unaffordable

Too often, elected officials overlook the cumulative costs of regulations, taxes, and fees on taxpayers. However, those added costs come back to bite them hard when people pack up and move, … more

By Don Brunell | 5/21/25

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

Letter to the editor: A Republican call to action

The current and ongoing destruction of Washington state families, businesses our constitutional rights and the moral fabric of our state and country led by the Democratic Party is destroying our way … more

5/21/25

Letter to the editor: Trump’s cabinet flunks basic intelligence tests

I hold to the old fashioned notion that someone who serves at a cabinet level position in the executive branch of the federal government of the United States should be pretty smart. No, they … more

5/21/25

Letter to the editor: Don’t miss Centralia College production of “Company”

Did you miss seeing Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” at Centralia College’s Corbet Theater last weekend? Well, there’s good news. You can still catch this … more

5/21/25

Julie McDonald: Mourning the loss of a dedicated volunteer — Jan Sylvester-Jamerson

I read with sadness late last week about the passing of Jan Sylvester-Jamerson, a 70-year-old Lewis County native and a longtime volunteer for the Lewis County Historical Museum who died of cancer on … more

5/19/25

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

John McCroskey: Lock criminals up and stop making excuses for them

This week, in continuing with my theme of delusions, I ran across a story published by Axios Seattle from April 23 on new gun control legislation, House Bill 1163. In the article, state … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/19/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: When the government takes more, remember this: Democrats see paying taxes as a ‘privilege’

The people of Washington are about to watch their new governor make what would seem to be the most important and revealing choice of his short time in office. No later than Tuesday, Gov. Bob … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/16/25

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 yellow bicycle revolution — when public art meets politics

In politics, there are formal campaigns, and then there are revolutions made with spray paint, garage-sale bicycles and a little inspiration from the likes of Banksy and Sun Tzu. Before I was a … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 5/16/25

Letter to the editor: Investigation into railroad trestle fire has been inadequate

I am a Mineral Creek neighbor of the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR) and logging museum. I am a forester with years of experience walking and working in the woods along the railroad right-of-way … more

5/14/25

Letter to the editor: Second guessing the president

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United … more

5/14/25

Letter to the editor: It’s time to give our TransAlta Centralia coal plant new life

It’s being reported that Three Mile Island nuclear plants will be restarted soon. The project will be renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center. The driving force behind its restart is the … more

5/14/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno hands his son, Antonio Abbarno, the torch during the Lewis County Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Peter Abbarno: Honoring the duty and sacrifice of Washington’s law enforcement officers

As we recognize National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), we pause not only to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across our country, but also to reflect on the vital role … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/13/25

Last week at the St. Helens Club in Chehalis, President Nancy Leventon gave an hour-long lecture on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as part of the year’s theme on Scientific Discoveries Through the Ages.

Julie McDonald: AI is here to stay, but debates ensue over ethics of using it

It’s everywhere — artificial intelligence. On the phone. In the car. On the television. Call it Siri. Alexa. ChatGPT. Or Roomba. But it’s here to stay. The question is, what … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: Early May reminds us that triumph and tragedy go hand in hand with living

May 5. For many, it's a day of joy — Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of resilience and victory, marking the triumph of Mexican forces over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Across … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 5/12/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: Want to live in the country? Don’t complain about country living

“Good morning, ma’am. I am here to investigate a complaint filed against you by your neighbor.” That’s not what you want to hear out of the mouth of someone standing at … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

John McCroskey: It’s not hateful to not go along with someone’s delusions

I recently happened upon a story in the Oregon news which, in my view, perfectly illustrates what we as a society are facing: the failure to use the word “no.” First though, as … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

Letter to the editor: Republican Party obstructing efforts to promote fairness, equity and due process

In recent times, the Republican Party, traditionally known for its emphasis on limited government and individual freedoms, appears to have abdicated its responsibility to safeguard the democratic … more

5/12/25

Letter to the editor: Don’t abandon public education — force it to evolve

I am not against education. I am against what it has become. In Centralia, we are feeding a system that no longer promotes individuals, growth or real preparation for life. We keep approving … more

5/12/25

Commentary: We’re feeding our communities. Why are we being punished?

As the owners of an independent grocery store serving rural Skamania County, we’ve seen a lot – supply chain disruptions, rising fuel costs, labor shortages. Through it all, we’ve … more

By Andra and John Mobley | 5/12/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Commentary: Safe parking shouldn't come at cost of neighborhood safety or real solutions

A few nights ago, I attended a public meeting held at St. Timothy Episcopal Church to discuss the newly proposed safe parking program in Chehalis. I came into the meeting with an open mind and a … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 5/9/25