Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

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

Letter to the Editor: Kent Isn’t Familiar With Issues That Matter in 3rd District

I am writing to you because I am a 58-year-old lifelong resident of the lower Columbia River — a continental river drainage that happens to be in a temperate rainforest — and concerned … more

9/14/22

Letter to the Editor: Sheriff’s Motives at Fire Questioned

I grew up in Fawnskin, California, population 380. It’s a small mountain community similar to Packwood. Fire threats and looming evacuations were a common signal of the end of summer. I … more

9/14/22

Letter to the Editor: Kent Just Another Radical Extremist in Republican Party

Highly classified documents were found at Donald Trump's home in Florida. Despite Trump's multitude of rationalizations, it was illegal for them to be there. Trump has not stated, and at this … more

9/14/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: It’s the Berries — OK, and the Pies

This newspaper carried an article a while ago that originated in The Bellingham Herald concerning blackberries grown in the wild. That may be a redundant description because I don’t know of a … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 9/14/22

This drawing of the Oregon Trail is from The New York Public Library and is in the public domain.

Julie McDonald Commentary: A Child’s View of the Northwest Trek Across the Oregon Trail

Mary Jane Mills was a child of 8 when her parents, Elkanah and Laurinda Vianna Mills, left Holt County, Missouri, on May 12, 1847, for a new life in Oregon Territory. The family of six started with a … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/12/22

Bob Mohrbacher Commentary: Real Solution to Student Debt Is Making College Affordable

Student debt has been in the news a lot lately. We’ve all heard and read the horror stories of students who took out federal or private loans and are now unable to get out from under the weight … more

By Bob Mohrbacher / Centralia College president | 9/12/22

Commentary: Many Who Claim Climate Spending Is Good Can’t Really Explain Why

Simple question: how should we measure the success of climate policy? Answer: By maximizing CO2 reduction for every dollar spent. This smart approach is standard practice for many private … more

9/9/22

Gov. Jay Inslee delivers an address from his office during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This photo was provided by the governor’s office.

Brian Mittge Commentary: It’s Time for State Worker Vaccine Mandate to End

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that Washington’s nearly three-year state of emergency would end on the last day of October. What will not end is his rule that state workers be … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/9/22 | 1 comment

Letter to the Editor: Veterans Should Join Meeting in Toledo

“Which branch of the military were you in? Where were you stationed? What was your job?” “I was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam crisis.” “Isn’t that … more

9/7/22

Letter to the Editor: Tracy Murphy Would Bring Accountability and Responsibility Back to Sheriff’s Office

I worked for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office for 26 years. I served under four sheriffs: Bill Logan, John McCroskey, Steve Mansfield and Rob Snaza. I served in a variety of positions … more

9/7/22

Letter to the Editor: Land Trust Thankful for Successful Gala

The Chehalis River Basin Land Trust hosted a gala fundraising event on Aug. 27, and we want to thank our many friends and donors who came out to the Discovery Trail. Special thanks go to … more

9/7/22

Letter to the Editor: Fears Over Power Grid and Proposed Hydrogen Facility

It's been a while since news of a proposed hydrogen plant at the TransAlta site was reported in The Chronicle. The hoops and joys of economic advancement were the tone of the day. However, a … more

9/7/22

The Pearl Street Pool is pictured from above in this photograph taken in Centralia.

Bill Moeller Commentary: Hey, Centralia City Council — What Are You Thinking?

I don’t remember when I’ve been more upset about the Centralia City Council’s attitude than when a recent article in this newspaper revealed the thinking about the future — if … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 9/7/22

Highlighting Lewis County: Oregon Trail Pioneers of 1847 Left Mark on Northwest

My favorite Oregon Trail pioneer, Matilda (Glover) Koontz Jackson, crossed the Oregon Trail in 1847 with her four sons and watched her husband, Nicholas, drown in the Snake River at Three Island … more

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

Letter to the Editor: We Need Forward-Thinking Leadership for Lewis County

I loved Aaron Van Tuyl's article on the power rankings of committees. It was a breath of fresh air. It explains a lot about why nothing of substance seems to get done. Our area is growing in … more

9/2/22

Letter to the Editor: More Accessibility Would Be Useful at Chehalis Library

I read a great deal, but I don't go to the Vernetta Smith Timberland Chehalis Library much any more. As I've gotten older, it has become more and more difficult to climb all those stairs to get … more

9/2/22

A trailer reads “Bathroom” written in spray paint at a homeless encampment at the end of Eckerson Road in Centralia on Thursday.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Tour of Homeless Camp Offers More Proof Washington Is Failing Residents

The past few weeks have been filled with a lot of local information about substance abuse, illegal drug trafficking and the impact drugs have on families, crime and homelessness. We are … more

9/2/22

An eagle flies past boaters on Offut Lake last week near Tenino.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Summer Thoughts on Fire, Water and Love

My wife and I were on our way home from Tenino, celebrating our wedding anniversary with a kayak trip to Offut Lake, when we noticed a plume of smoke on the horizon. Billowing smoke in late … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/2/22

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

Kris Johnson Commentary: Washington Employers on Edge as Uncertainty Swirls

Is the U.S. economy headed into a recession? Has inflation peaked? When will the labor market ease? While economists debate questions like these, it’s helpful to hear from employers on the … more

By Kris Johnson | 8/31/22

Paperback books sit in boxes inside the Lewis County Mall in this file photo.

Bill Moeller Commentary: Is it Literature or Trash?

Mark Twain said, “A classic is something everybody wants to read and doesn’t want to read.” That’s a good response to one of the most famous books in American literature: … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/31/22