Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

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

Letter to the editor: Trump, gaslighting and not believing your own eyes

In a letter to The Chronicle on Jan. 11, letter writer Bruce Peterson asserts that I am confused. There may be some truth to that. I admit it is confusing to witness otherwise fairly rational … more

2/2/24

Trump backers want to destroy country

I was amused by Thomas Higdon’s letter saying I am offended by Republicans. That is not at all what I said, and I am not surprised Mr. Higdon didn’t even try to understand what I wrote. I … more

1/31/24

Lewis County law enforcement is outstanding

In response to Jesse Ohlson’s recent letter concerning the police departments in Lewis County: Obviously, he was discussing Lewis County, New York. However, even if he were talking about … more

1/31/24

Washington bag charge is deceptive

It’s only 8 cents … today. I thought the 8 cents I am charged for a paper or plastic bag at retailers is a state government effort to curb climate change (once called global warming). … more

1/31/24

A mockup of the Billy Frank Jr. statue was on display at the Washington State Capitol Building on Jan. 10.

Commentary: Statue of Billy Frank Jr. reminds us to tell our story

Family, friends, and tribal and state leaders recently witnessed the unveiling of a model of the Billy Frank Jr. statue in a ceremony at the state Capitol. The 4-foot-tall model — … more

1/31/24

Commentary: Uncovering nuggets of buried history

I love to read; I especially enjoy reading history. A while back, I wrote about who is the real Lone Ranger. You can find it somewhere on the Chronicle’s website if you are interested. In that … more

By Richard Stride | 1/31/24

Lewis County law enforcement mired in problems

You have a policing problem throughout Lewis County. Here are some examples from recent memory and the news: An entire shift of Centralia’s police department decided to have their … more

1/29/24

Levies play important part in funding local schools

We are writing to give our strong support for our region’s upcoming school levy elections, including Boistfort, Centralia, Chehalis, Morton, Oakville, Rainer, Rochester, Tenino and Toledo. As … more

1/29/24

Getting Chehalis’ fiscal house in order: a call to freeze new spending

In these challenging times of rampant inflation, it’s imperative the Chehalis City Council take a hard look at our city’s finances. The responsible management of taxpayer dollars has … more

By Kevin Carns and Daryl Lund | 1/29/24

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks during an interview with Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on world conflicts and hopelessness at home

Editor’s Note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. That series, and the first two parts of her … more

Julie McDonald | 1/29/24

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, talks about his focuses in the upcoming legislative session during a visit to The Chronicle in Centralia on Thursday, Dec 14.

Property-tax push is more proof Democrats can’t ‘read the room’

Many Washington families statewide continue to struggle with the high prices of fuel, food, utilities, housing and more. No one reading the “room” that is our state would say property … more

By Sen. John Braun | 1/26/24

Bob Russell, standing atop the levee south of the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in August 2023, points to the area where Coal Creek empties into Salzer Creek after running through property owned by the city of Chehalis.

Giving much-deserved love to long-neglected Coal Creek

If you know of Coal Creek at all, you probably think of its namesake road running up a beautiful narrow valley east of Chehalis. The creek itself is a silent partner, little known as it slips shyly … more

By Brian Mittge | 1/26/24

Radioactivity cannot be escaped

The monster movie “On The Beach,” released in 1959 with an HBO TV remake released in 2000, featured the most fearsome “non planet-sized asteroid” monster ever fantasized by … more

1/24/24

A sign reads, “Vote Yes! For Napavine Schools,” at a Napavine residence in 2023.

Editorial: Lawmakers should make it easier for school levies to pass

Year after year, school districts go to voters to request funding for capital improvements, and year after year, many are rejected. It’s difficult to persuade 60% of voters to increase their … more

By The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/24/24

Those pesky initiatives are back

After a brief hiatus, those pesky citizen initiatives are back, much to the chagrin of three-term Gov. Jay Inslee and Democrats who have an ironclad grip on our state Legislature. Lawmakers, … more

By Don C. Brunell | 1/24/24

Highlighting Lewis County: Criticism Hits Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from right and left

Editor’s Note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. That series, and the first part of her … more

By Julie McDonald | 1/22/24

Dean Darnell welcomes visitors to the Blueberry Blues Fest Car Show in Mossyrock in 2022 with signage.

Brian Mittge: Join the rockin’ good work in Mossyrock or your town

I’m going to share a dream with you. It’s so outrageously hopeful and idealistic that I’ve generally kept it under my hat, but at this point I don’t know if I can hide it any … more

By Brian Mittge | 1/19/24

Other Views: Bill requiring fentanyl education in Washington schools deserves bipartisan support

Lawmakers may be in an abbreviated legislative session, but there's still enough time for them to pass important legislation that will ultimately save lives. House Bill 1956, and its companion bill, … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board (TNS) | 1/18/24

Letter to the editor: With Legislature in session, a look at leadership pay

As the Washington state Legislature currently is in session in Olympia, the following information may be of interest. Like 48 of the other 49 states, Washington has a bicameral legislature. It … more

1/15/24

Julie McDonald: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez says Congress needs down-to-earth members

Editor’s note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. The series can be found at … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 1/15/24