Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

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

Letter to the editor: Law should require pastors and clergy to report abuse of children

First of all, a big thank you to the law enforcement officers, public school teachers, counselors and other helpers in the community who work together to keep our children safe. We love that you all … more

4/18/25

Letter to the editor: We no longer live in the land of the free and home of the brave

Trump probably wants to change the national anthem himself — because he despises freedom and those brave enough to stand up to him. And honestly, maybe we should — because we no longer … more

4/18/25

Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.

John Braun: ‘Make the wealthy pay,’ Democrats say — while they come for your money

For weeks, the Legislature’s majority Democrats have been keeping the people of Washington in the dark about the new state operating budget. That’s unacceptable, but it would be even … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/18/25

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus chair.

Peter Abbarno: Why transparency matters when everything is on the line in Olympia

Washington families are facing real and growing challenges. The cost of living in Washington is among the highest in the nation. We pay more for groceries, ranking fourth in the country. Fuel prices … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 4/18/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: The soul behind the words and wisdom that spans generations

As spring becomes more well established in 2025 and gives way to summer, my mind begins to think about two things: worry and wisdom. I think about why we worry and the shared wisdom of the past … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 4/18/25

Letter to the editor: What does it mean to be a Republican?

Greetings, all. In these difficult times, I thought we all might need a reason to have hope. The Democratic Party and their allies in America are motivated to destroy our history and democratic … more

4/18/25

Letter to the editor: Mossyrock levy passage ensures survival of valuable programs

I am writing to express my strong support for the upcoming Mossyrock School District maintenance and operations levy. This levy is essential to ensuring that our students continue to have … more

4/18/25

Letter to the editor: Onalaska students deserve the education levy passage would help provide

I do not live in the Onalaska School District, but I enjoy substitute teaching there. I vote for school levies in Chehalis, where I live, and am writing to encourage Onalaska voters to say … more

4/18/25

Letter to the editor: A vote for Mossyrock school levy benefits entire community

I am writing to you to encourage support for the upcoming maintenance and operations levy for the Mossyrock School District. The maintenance and condition of our schools, the quality of staff, … more

4/18/25

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

John McCroskey: Taxing everything in sight must come to an end

As I have aged — less than gracefully — and retired, I have become acutely aware of a couple things; first, how much it costs me to live in a house I have owned for years, and, second, … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 4/16/25

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: Growing up on a farm with agricultural aspirations of my own

Life throws us some interesting twists sometimes. I grew up outside, working in the barns with my dad, brothers and hired men. Along with that, I was taught my place, my role as a female. I … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 4/16/25

Letter to the editor: Sheriff should retire

These comments are in response to recent public statements by the county's law enforcement background investigator and shared by other connected individuals who are perhaps attempting to begin … more

4/16/25

Had enough Trump? Poll of WA finds we're once again obsessed

Seattle pollster Stuart Elway kept hearing that people had grown weary of it all. After the third election in a row with Donald Trump, the story was that folks had begun tuning out the political … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/16/25

Pastor Mark McHugh of Harrison Square Presbyterian Church is pictured at a bingo fundraiser for Shalom Village at The Juice Box in Centralia.

Julie McDonald: Thoughts churn over senseless deaths, anger and higher taxes

We watched her grow up, a little bit at a time, during our annual treks to Bellingham for the Fourth of July, although we hadn’t seen her for many years. And now we’ll never see her … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/14/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Sean Swope: When the state pushes parents aside, we all lose

This weekend, I made a mistake. I reposted information about a bill that had just passed out of the Washington state Senate without first verifying whether it was accurate. The post included several … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 4/14/25

Letter to the editor: The importance of National Vietnam Veterans Day

On Memorial Day, the 31st day of May, many Americans say prayers for those who have died, regardless of color, creed or where they were born. The National Vietnam Veterans Day is also a time … more

4/14/25

Letter to the editor: U.S. is sliding into a dictatorship

The United States is rapidly heading toward a dictatorship. The massive abuses of power of the Trump/Musk oligarchic regime mount daily. I will list a few examples: • Immigrants … more

4/14/25

Letter to the editor: Washington Dems’ budget gimmick shortchanges state retirees

On Thursday, April 3, hours after the S&P 500 plummeted 5 percent, the Washington state House Appropriations Committee voted to raise the expected investment returns of public employee pension … more

4/14/25

Letter to the editor: I’ve lived here my entire 76 years — I’m done

Helen Nowlin’s letter concerning the economic problems of this state requires a response. It is the thinking of people like her that has created the situation this state faces right now. … more

4/14/25

Letter to the editor: Is this what you voted for, MAGA voters?

Did the MAGA voters of Lewis County vote in favor of stabbing a knife in the back of Canada, our closest neighbor and friend? That is how Canadians view King Donald and his bellicose demand for … more

4/14/25