Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor

Editor's note: Parry Construction Co.'s work trailer was hauled away from a construction site east of Carrie Blake Park in Sequim sometime between Nov. 13-15. Acting on a tip, Sequim Police and Clallam County Sheriff's deputies recovered many of the tools stored in the trailer and, later, the trailer itself.

They also arrested Chris R. Ahlstedt for the thefts. After escaping by kicking out a cruiser window, he was arrested in Oregon and awaits extradition (see report on page A-1).



So much for surfing

Frank Parry discovered our job trailer gone from our job site in the early morning of Nov. 15. His father, Nick, already had left to satisfy his passion of surfing on the weekend.

When Sally, his mother, answered the phone, she could hear disaster in Frank's voice. She hoped it had nothing to do with a loved one. Sally told him to call his father immediately before he got out of cell phone range.

Nick's response was to come home. Surfing would have to wait.

Matthew Nash of the Sequim Gazette interviewed us and wrote an accurate report of this robbery and of others. And many responded in wonderful and kind ways.

We had offers from fellow construction workers to lend us tools, offers to give us tools and even an offer of an interest-free loan. Friends called and e-mailed their condolences. We were touched greatly by these kind offers and gestures. Fortunately, we have not had to take people up on their offers except for the loan of a small box trailer from Steve Wilson, a former employee. Thank you all so much! Your hearts are in the right places.



Rage, fear, sadness



When this first happened, we were devastated and filled with rage, fear (for our future) and sadness. We wondered how we were going to finish the custom home we were currently building.

This is our livelihood and without our tools we are unable to do our work. Parry Construction is a small family-owned business. Our reputation for excellent workmanship is what keeps us working and we get all our jobs word-of-mouth. We have been grateful, especially lately, that we even have work.

Nick meets with customers, does the billing and much of the bidding. Sally is behind the scenes doing office work, payroll, taxes and accounting. Frank Parry is an amazing craftsman who does meticulous woodwork. He oversees the job as a foreman, working with employees and subcontractors. Mostly we do one job at a time. We take pride in our work.



Malice and greed

We have lived in the community since January 1969 and there were many years where such brazen thievery was extremely uncommon. Many people would go to bed at night with unlocked doors. Trust in our fellow man was more the rule then.

We have talked to several people who try to blame our economy but we refuse to believe that decent people would do indecent things regardless of the economy. We talked with a man who said he lived through the Great Depression and said people were kinder to each other during that difficult period.

What happened to us and to many others recently was a malicious crime. There is no justification for it. These people are crooks and are very greedy and lacking in conscience.

It was the good citizens of our community who did the right thing by giving the police information that led to our tools, our trailer and at least one arrest. We are especially thinking of one person in particular, an acquaintance whose tip led to search warrants and arrests. Thank you for your prayers and for doing the right thing!



A thankful Thanksgiving

We recovered most of our tools and our job trailer has been returned to us. We are truly grateful for the return of these items. We are still missing a few miscellaneous items.

When we first discovered that our trailer with most of our tools was gone, we thought we might never see any of those things again. Many others who have had the same misfortune did not have the same happy ending.

With the good tip, the police were able take action very quickly. We believe they did excellent work. On the night of Nov. 20, when the second batch of tools was recovered, we saw Grant Dennis, who had been on the case since 5 o'clock in the morning. It was after 9 o'clock in the evening then.

Sgt. (Donald) Reidel, Brian Knutson and Todd Yarnes also can be commended for their hard work and long hours.

We realize we are blessed, fortunate, lucky or whatever term you choose to use. Thanksgiving this year was very special as we had so much to be grateful for. Our hearts go out to those who haven't had such good grace.

Please, let's all look out for one another!



This just in:

On Friday, the police called to say they had a police report ready for us and that we also could pick up all our impounded tools! Great news! When Nick and Frank were there to haul all our tools away, they discovered our Stihl leaf blower/vac among the stuff and also our Hardi-shears (another expensive tool).

So, we are only missing a few things now. Certainly less than the $500 insurance deductible. I think we are finished with the whole thing. Time to move forward, fixing up our job shack and living life to the fullest.