Vote for Chinn
I am writing this letter in support of Steve Chinn, who is running for Fire Commissioner.
I have known Mr. Chinn since 1993 when he joined Clallam County Fire District 3. He is well qualified — a member of good standing during his 21 years as firefighter/EMT, earning the rank of station captain, voted Firefighter of the Year several times by his fellow firefighters.
Mr. Chinn was hired part-time as a district volunteer coordinator from 2009-2014 until the FEMA grant ran out. In July 2016, Mr. Chinn was asked to fill the remainder year of commissioner (Richard) Houts’ six-year term.
He knows what the job entails and in my opinion deserves to be elected as your next fire district commissioner.
Stephen S. Vogel
Sequim
Editor’s note: Vogel is former Fire Chief of Clallam County Fire District 3.
Show spirit with tree donation
The holiday season is fast approaching.
I remember a lot of comments last year about Sequim’s downtown Christmas tree, some of them quite negative.
Well, now is your big chance, folks! Step right up and donate the magnificent tree for display in beautiful downtown Sequim!
If you donate the tree, I know it’ll be the best ever, and the city will even acknowledge your generosity, just as they do those kind people who sponsor the flower baskets every summer.
The volunteers are actively seeking the perfect tree even now, and time grows short. I urge you to step up, especially if you thought last year’s tree could be improved upon.
Thanks in advance! Don’t let us down! And thanks to the volunteer decorators! You rock!
LindaBeth Griffing
Sequim
Editor’s note: The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce is seeking a donation of a 25- to 30-foot Christmas tree for its downtown display. Chamber officials would prefer a Douglas fir or Noble fir donated by Nov. 15. The tree can be dropped off or volunteers will pick it up. For more information, call Emily Westcott at 360-670-6294 of the chamber at 360-683-6197.
Sequim youths are setting an example
I am new to the Sequim area and as a way to get to know the community am blessed to be able to work a shift at the local food bank.
Working with the staff and volunteers show there are many people who have good hearts, are gracious and humble and willing to share their time and energy to dispense food to the unemployed, under-employed and those struggling with disabilities and perhaps just dealing with the struggles of life in general.
This past Monday while working a shift, a concerned citizen stopped by to advise there were suspicious persons loading food into the back of a truck. His perception was that they were “probably trying to get away with something.”
Not knowing exactly what the situation was, I tried to assure him that anyone who receives help from the food bank registers and follows certain guidelines.
Later in the afternoon, a truck fitting this gentleman’s description rolled into the parking lot. Several young people jumped out and proceeded to unload bags of food. During the afternoon there were other vehicles that stopped by, and young people dropped off bags.
These were community youth who had been out gathering food donations as part of the local high school food drive.
The lesson here is two-fold. First, perception of a situation may be tainted by preconceived notions that are false and for many may be easier to assume a negative than a positive. Secondly, these young people are not only spending their time and energy performing actions that benefit others, but are setting an example for all of us.
My message to this concerned citizen is, please take the time to look into your heart, your pocketbook and pantry and perhaps contribute to an effort to help improve life for our friends and neighbors. If you would like to learn more about this particular community effort, stop by and speak to a staff member. You may be amazed at how many are served and what the need is.
These youth of our community are the leaders of tomorrow and they give hope of a better world for all. Let’s open our hearts and minds and follow their example. Support and encourage their efforts, better yet — give of yourself in whatever way you can.
Elinor Tennyson
Sequim
Performance more than a welcome distraction
Sometimes we are reminded of the essential and meaningful aspects of our lives at a time when we are otherwise troubled by the media pounding events of the day reporting lies, crimes and other misdemeanors of our government and its reality TV leader.
Yesterday afternoon at a matinee performance of “The Bridges of Madison County” musical in Seattle at ACT was such a time. Based on a story by Robert Waller adapted by Marsha Norman set to the music of Jason Robert Brown, the performance of the Showtunes Theatre Company was overwhelmingly beautiful and poignant.
Their staging with minimal props on the Allen Stage, a theatre in the round, with actors scripts in hand was proof you don’t need an elaborate set to convey this powerfully simple and elegant story of love of family and passionate love.
Sometimes we need these moments of reality (not TV) living before us, if only for a couple of hours, to appreciate our common humanity and the really important things in life.
You have another weekend to catch this great show at ACT. Don’t miss it!
Roger Briggs
Sequim
Keep political ideology out of view of Constitution
With reference to “Constitutional dynamics hardly simple” (Letters to the editor, Sequim Gazette, Oct. 25, page A-9):
Sir, I have a modicum of empathy for the writer because it must be depressing to view every action and aspect of our wonderful country through eyes clouded by ideological cataracts.
The writer must realize that the purpose of our written Constitution is to limit the scope and power of government; therefore, there must be a body of that government whose sole purpose is to assure the Constitution is upheld. That is the charter of the Supreme Court of the United States and the reason it is an equal branch of our government.
The so called “dynamics” of the Constitution are simple and easily understood if one does not introduce political ideology into its words.
Common sense does not “morph with time.” Thank God!
Finally, a question: How have past presidential cabinets staffed (stuffed) with knowledgeable, experienced, professionals helped our country? If the job is not getting done, it is best to find people who will do it regardless of political training.
Ethan Harris
Sequim
