Opinion | Thurston Chronicle

Letters to the editor can be submitted to news@thurstonchronicle.com.

Letter to the Editor: Before We Close McKenny, Let’s Look at What’s Working

Olympia School District has a capacity problem. Enrollment has declined, and the district projects that trend will continue. I understand that difficult financial decisions must be made, and the … more

9/18/26

Crews implement firing operations to remove unburned vegetation between the fire’s edge and containment lines. on the Three Queens Fire, Washington, 2026.

Commentary: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington show key strategies for effective wildfire funding

Wildfire is no longer a seasonal surprise across the Mountain West. It is a recurring fiscal challenge that threatens communities, public lands, infrastructure, air quality, and state budgets. … more

Emily Strasburg / Idaho Capital Sun | 9/18/26

Rob Richards is a Navy veteran and former congressional staffer who has been an active community member in Thurston County for over two decades.

Rob Richards Commentary: Democrats, the right doesn’t need to beat us; we’re doing it ourselves

Kate Bouchard, writing in the Maneater (Missouri’s student paper), laid out a simple case: the left keeps losing ground because it’s too busy fighting itself. While moderate and progressive … more

By Rob Richards | 9/17/26

Wayne Fournier: Raise for Rowyn the best example of Tenino’s top exports — strength, resilience and grit

People usually think of a community’s exports as the things it produces, like timber, agriculture and manufacturing. Maybe some product or industry that puts a place on the map. I’ve always … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 9/16/26

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 Commentary: Let’s get better at planning what comes next

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the TransAlta facility in Centralia. For most people, it’s simply another power plant. For me, it is something more. Before it was TransAlta, it was WIDCO. … more

By Wayne Fournier | 9/9/26

Lawmakers, friends and families celebrate the final gavel on the last day of the legislative session on the House floor on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia. Democrat lawmakers pushed through a state income tax during the session.

Opinion: The real victims of Washington's income tax

Like me, about half of all workers in Washington are employed by small and medium businesses, either their own or someone else’s. That simple truth is exactly why the new 9.9% tax on income over a … more

By Mike Sotelo / Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition | 9/4/26

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, greets an attendee during the Lewis County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Chehalis on Saturday, April 11.

Opinion: I worked with John Braun — the attack ads don’t tell the truth

I served in the Washington state Senate with John Braun for years. I was a Democrat, John was a Republican, and we didn’t agree on everything. But I worked closely enough with him to know … more

Commentary by Tim Sheldon | 9/4/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier waves to attendees during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino on Saturday, July 25.

Wayne Fournier: The power of saying “no” in leadership positions

Yes and no might be the two most important words in the English language. They're certainly two of the most powerful. Yes creates movement. It starts projects, approves agreements, makes … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 8/31/26

Victor Garcia, a hunter, fisherman and retired teacher who was appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in April 2025, has died . (Photo courtesy of Department of Fish and Wildlife)

A dying Fish and Wildlife commissioner’s parting letter to Washington governor

Editor’s note: Victor Garcia, who was appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in April 2025, died over the weekend . Before he passed, the hunter, fisherman and retired educator … more

By Victor Garcia | 8/25/26

This Lewis County Historical Museum photo shows early Oakville, circa 1890s, at the corner of Pine and State streets. The Hotel Glover in the foreground was operated by Thomas G. Glover (1852-1935) and his wife Elizabeth M. (Swain) Glover (1855-1939) who came to Oakville about 1889. At left is Oakville State Bank. Across the street is the building previously known as Miller’s Store. The building on the left was the old post office. In the back is the Oakville Grange Hall.

Julie McDonald: Oakville bank robberies and stories of lore

When I read a tidbit about a robbery at Oakville State Bank in 1938 with bandits escaping on horseback, I thought I’d dig into the story to find out more. But the more I searched, the less I … more

8/24/26

Powerlines above the Columbia River move electricity from the Bonneville Dam to customers across the region in Hood River County, Oregon, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Opinion: The future of the PNW power grid is at risk — where is the leadership?

The Pacific Northwest is drifting toward an energy crisis of its own making. The newly appointed leader of the Bonneville Power Administration, Travis Kavulla, with support from Secretary of Energy … more

By Jim Luce | 8/21/26

Commentary: Celebrating Jill Severn

When Jill Severn joined the Family Education & Support Services (FESS) Board in 2024, we knew we were gaining someone with an impressive resume. What we came to appreciate even more was the heart … more

By Lynsi Polanco of Family Education & Special Support Services | 8/17/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier makes a proclamation regarding the fair during a Thurston County Board of County Commissioners meeting at The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, July 21.

Wayne Fournier: The part Schoolhouse Rock never taught us

As a kid, I loved Schoolhouse Rock. Like many people my age, I can still hear "I'm Just a Bill" playing in my head. A bill sits on Capitol Hill, gets debated, gets voted on and (if it's lucky) … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 8/12/26

Opinion: Wage growth and purchasing power — which states lead the way?

Newly released data shows that two out of the top three states for average hourly wage growth in the nation are in our region. This is good news for consumers when considering regional purchasing … more

By Sam Cardwell / Mountain States Policy Center | 8/12/26

Opinion: Washington state needs a plan to grow the economy

Warning lights continue to flash red for Washington’s economy. Employers are becoming more pessimistic about the state economy and increasingly looking outside Washington to expand. At this … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 8/10/26

Let’s Go Washington supporters hold a sign with the total number of signatures received for a petition, 511,408, outside the Washington Secretary of State’s office building in Tumwater on Thursday, July 2.

Opinion: Government propaganda or transparency? Lawsuit filed against income tax repeal ballot language

When considering ballot measures, voters need access to accurate details about the possible fiscal impacts of a proposal. This is why, like for legislation debated by lawmakers, a fiscal impact … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 8/5/26

Wayne Fournier is a firefighter, Thurston County commissioner and former mayor who has spent more than three decades working in public safety. His column appears in The Chronicle twice each month.

Wayne Fournier: Fire readiness is earned by the entire community

If I asked you what determines the cost of your homeowner's insurance, you'd probably mention the value of your home, where you live, or maybe even your claims history. All of those … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 8/3/26

Rob Richards Commentary: It’s the Kitchen Table, Stupid

A new CNN poll came out this week. The approval numbers are bad for Trump, tied for the worst of his career. Most people say he isn’t paying attention to the country’s real problems. Most people … more

By Rob Richards | 7/30/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier holds a sheep as he waits to have his photo taken at The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, July 21.

Wayne Fournier: The future of agriculture is in the barns at the Thurston County Fair

Every summer, thousands of people pass through the gates of the Thurston County Fair. Some come for the rides; some come for the food; some come for the concerts. Some come because it's simply … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 7/27/26

Amalie O'Connor is an Olympia resident, former educator and federal budget analyst and founder of Evergreen Growing, a community advocacy organization supporting Evergreen State College.

Commentary: You can't get blood from a turnip

My dad had a saying for moments like this: you can't get blood from a turnip. No amount of squeezing gets you something that isn't there. I think about that every day now, because most of us can feel … more

By Amalie O'Connor | 7/24/26