Letters to the Editor

A thank you

Editor, the Journal,

On behalf of the Pioneer School District, I want to thank all of those who contributed to our Stuff the Bus campaign at Walmart. Through your generous donations, our students will have the school supplies they need to be successful in their classrooms. A special thank you goes out to the Pioneer Kiwanis Club for donating its time at the site, providing financial donations, and for their ongoing support of the Pioneer School District. Thank you to Pam Harrell for organizing this event.

Jeff Davis, Superintendent, Pioneer School District

Homeless conundrum

Editor, the Journal,

The article in last week’s Journal about Shelton’s downtown made an admirable attempt to give a balanced viewpoint on a steadily growing problem in our society nationwide.

Our American brand of capitalism has always come up short on implementing practical solutions to assist those who fall short of achieving economic subsistence. Relying on competition between individuals to succeed and accumulate resources with feeble and inadequate societal efforts to promote even a minimal floor to those losing the race makes the hackneyed “just pull yourselves up by your bootstraps” simply irrelevant in these modern times.

Holding the poor and homeless “accountable for their actions” as one business owner put it, has a nice ring to it for many of us, but I wish the phrase he added about getting “a hand up” is where we could all put our focus. Paying taxes that redistribute resources to provide necessary assistance by agencies — including law enforcement — to improve the situation isn’t a “handout,” but are we and our government officials up to the task?

David Ellis, Union

Research and vote

Editor, the Journal,

As we move forward in this election cycle it is important that we all consider what is personally best for each of us and the country that we love.

I ask you to look closely at the issues. Look beyond the political parties. Examine the candidate’s position and the effect their plan has on you and the country.

Federal, state and county elections have an impact on you.

Keep in mind that if you don’t vote, you don’t count!

Paul L. Wilkins, Belfair

Stop censoring opinions

Editor, the Journal,

I wish to lend my opposition to your letter policy, with the exception of your restriction on length. As a letter writer, I am almost totally opposed to censorship. My wife and I are longtime subscribers. She loved Mary’s memories and I looked forward to seeing your letter writers battle it out on various subjects. Mary’s memories are now gone and the letters published under your current policy are so bland I don’t know why anyone would care to bother reading them.

In short, I agree with letter writers Anvik and J. Anderson. Also, some of the letters you are banning were very well written, which is a rarity in today’s world. Therefore, this is to inform you that unless I see a change in your letters to the editor policy, soon we will in the near future be canceling our subscription.

Stan Walster, Grapeview

More thanks

Editor, the Journal,

From the human being:

A continuation of gold and love (part 2) Romans 12:

Again, the following should receive a gold medal and a certificate of love:

1. Mottet Jewelry crew

2. Fred Meyer crew

3. C & J Restaurant crew

4. Alderbrook Golf Course crew

5. Little Creek Casino crew

6. Walmart crew

7. Post office crew

8. Cutter’s Edge Barber crew

9. Shelton-Mason County Journal crew

10. Hunter Family Farm crew

11. Shelton School District crew

12. McComb and Wagner Funeral Home crew

13. Central Mason Fire crew

14. My neighbors

15. Mason Transit Dial-A-Ride crew

Thank you. More later. Speaking again from experience.

Tom Aaron, Shelton

Homeless suggestion

Editor, the Journal,

Thank you for the article “Dividing downtown.”

My suggestion for solving the problem of people sleeping in business doorways is that the Shelton School District building next to Tozier Bros. be converted into a homeless center. There could be beds for day people who do not have a place to sleep. This also can be a place for providers to make contact going to where the people are. The school district can move to the old Mountain View building.

R. Lee Olson, Shelton