Letters to the editor
Published on Wed, Dec 30, 2009Read More Letters
New year, new vision
The Dec. 16 Gazette highlights retirement of City Councilors Paul McHugh and Walt Schubert, who reminded us that under their leadership Sequim's aim was "to become the retail center of the county." I'm told our mission, as stated in the Growth Management Plan some years ago, faced this even more squarely; Sequim was slated to be "the premier shopping destination for the upper Olympic Peninsula." Wow!
Same issue, page A-6: Walmart announces plans for a "Supercenter" more than twice as large as their stores in Sequim or Port Angeles. Lucky us.
Walmart's 2006 advent in Sequim has indeed increased the intake of buyers and sellers but also has attracted many more big stores, pulling Sequim westward over the meadows but also shuttering many small businesses while hollowing out Sequim's east end. "Premier" status, anybody?
Recently my wife and I attended an afternoon reading, in the rebuilt Olympic Theatre Arts Center, of a modern version of Dickens' "Christmas Carol." Driving home past the school and the library reminded us that there is more to life than shopping.
As we turn over a leaf into the new decade, how about lifting our sights a little? Maybe a new slogan, alongside our elk:
"Sequim, the friendly city between mountains and sea, where life beckons to be lived well and people care."
Or something along those lines ... reflecting our strategic location for celebrating life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness ... for all of us but especially for those who need help realizing the American dream.
Jim Huntley
Dungeness
Keeping us real
I don't usually write very many letters to the editor, in part because I'm more than visible enough running your police department or enjoying my hobby as a volunteer DJ on KSQM 91.5 FM.
But today I merely want to say goodbye to Tim Quinn. As police chief, I knew Tim for his lampoons that often brought a smile to my face. I have a couple of Tim's cartoons hanging in the police department. He was a good barometer of how perceptions, interpretations and current issues can be mixed together on a cartoon canvas and produce a message that many words of news copy can sometimes miss.
The police department showed up more than once on Tim's canvas; sometimes in praise, sometimes with a question mark and a few times we were challenged. I thanked Tim for highlighting our department because none of us should take ourselves too seriously and certainly in policing we need to be sensitive to our customers - yep, that's right, you.
Tim helped keep us all real.
I'll miss Tim, flaws and all. I'll miss his unique insight, common sense and multiple talents. He's a guy who added some color to our little town.
But, dare I say Tim probably has set up shop already on a passing cloud and is working on a new Sequim cartoon for the Big Guy right now.
Robert L. Spinks
Sequim
Boosting
the band
I would like thank the Sequim community for its generous and enthusiastic support of the Sequim High School band. In this fiscally challenging time, schools are forced to make heart-wrenching budget decisions (not an enviable task) compelling school programs, teams and clubs to raise funds independently to help bridge funding gaps. The Sequim High School band is no exception.
Well-organized, determined and fun-loving, the SHS Band Boosters (volunteer parents) work tirelessly to raise funds for band equipment, travel expenses and to lessen the financial burden of all band members. The Band Boosters provide support to the band and band director Vern Fosket (taking care of the "small stuff") freeing him to teach, mentor and provide a meaningful music experience for our kids.
Vern Fosket leads a high school music program second to none. His passion and commitment are rewarded by the talented and spirited kids he inspires and the quality music they produce. He is truly making a difference in our community and in our youth. This formidable group could not have achieved its many successes without community support.
So, "Thank you, Sequim!" for your kindhearted and generous support of the high school band. Come to a concert, watch a parade, look for future band activities in the paper - your support has truly made a difference.
Bruce Moore,
band parent
Sequim
The Dec. 16 Gazette highlights retirement of City Councilors Paul McHugh and Walt Schubert, who reminded us that under their leadership Sequim's aim was "to become the retail center of the county." I'm told our mission, as stated in the Growth Management Plan some years ago, faced this even more squarely; Sequim was slated to be "the premier shopping destination for the upper Olympic Peninsula." Wow!
Same issue, page A-6: Walmart announces plans for a "Supercenter" more than twice as large as their stores in Sequim or Port Angeles. Lucky us.
Walmart's 2006 advent in Sequim has indeed increased the intake of buyers and sellers but also has attracted many more big stores, pulling Sequim westward over the meadows but also shuttering many small businesses while hollowing out Sequim's east end. "Premier" status, anybody?
Recently my wife and I attended an afternoon reading, in the rebuilt Olympic Theatre Arts Center, of a modern version of Dickens' "Christmas Carol." Driving home past the school and the library reminded us that there is more to life than shopping.
As we turn over a leaf into the new decade, how about lifting our sights a little? Maybe a new slogan, alongside our elk:
"Sequim, the friendly city between mountains and sea, where life beckons to be lived well and people care."
Or something along those lines ... reflecting our strategic location for celebrating life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness ... for all of us but especially for those who need help realizing the American dream.
Jim Huntley
Dungeness
Keeping us real
I don't usually write very many letters to the editor, in part because I'm more than visible enough running your police department or enjoying my hobby as a volunteer DJ on KSQM 91.5 FM.
But today I merely want to say goodbye to Tim Quinn. As police chief, I knew Tim for his lampoons that often brought a smile to my face. I have a couple of Tim's cartoons hanging in the police department. He was a good barometer of how perceptions, interpretations and current issues can be mixed together on a cartoon canvas and produce a message that many words of news copy can sometimes miss.
The police department showed up more than once on Tim's canvas; sometimes in praise, sometimes with a question mark and a few times we were challenged. I thanked Tim for highlighting our department because none of us should take ourselves too seriously and certainly in policing we need to be sensitive to our customers - yep, that's right, you.
Tim helped keep us all real.
I'll miss Tim, flaws and all. I'll miss his unique insight, common sense and multiple talents. He's a guy who added some color to our little town.
But, dare I say Tim probably has set up shop already on a passing cloud and is working on a new Sequim cartoon for the Big Guy right now.
Robert L. Spinks
Sequim
Boosting
the band
I would like thank the Sequim community for its generous and enthusiastic support of the Sequim High School band. In this fiscally challenging time, schools are forced to make heart-wrenching budget decisions (not an enviable task) compelling school programs, teams and clubs to raise funds independently to help bridge funding gaps. The Sequim High School band is no exception.
Well-organized, determined and fun-loving, the SHS Band Boosters (volunteer parents) work tirelessly to raise funds for band equipment, travel expenses and to lessen the financial burden of all band members. The Band Boosters provide support to the band and band director Vern Fosket (taking care of the "small stuff") freeing him to teach, mentor and provide a meaningful music experience for our kids.
Vern Fosket leads a high school music program second to none. His passion and commitment are rewarded by the talented and spirited kids he inspires and the quality music they produce. He is truly making a difference in our community and in our youth. This formidable group could not have achieved its many successes without community support.
So, "Thank you, Sequim!" for your kindhearted and generous support of the high school band. Come to a concert, watch a parade, look for future band activities in the paper - your support has truly made a difference.
Bruce Moore,
band parent
Sequim
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• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words may be shortened. We strive to publish all letters.
• Letters are subject to editing for spelling and grammar; we contact the writer when substantial changes are required, sending the letter back to the writer for revisions. Personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are not printed.
• All letters must have a valid signature, with a printed name, address and phone number for verification. Only the name and town/community are printed.
• Deadline for letters to appear in the next publication is noon Friday. Because of the volume of letters, not all letters are published the week they are submitted. Time-sensitive letters have a priority.
• Letters are published subject to legal limitations relating to defamation and factual representation.
• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
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