Concern is for all neighbors

As the interim pastor currently serving Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, I am proud of the caring hearts of the members of the congregation: so caring that they are considering the construction of a shelter for families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

I would like to correct one observation made by a church neighbor who said the church doesn’t plan to address neighbors’ concerns (“Sequim church is exploring shelter options for homeless,” Sequim Gazette, July 19, page A-1).

We are called by Jesus to address the concerns of all our neighbors: those with lovely homes, those struggling to find an affordable home and those temporarily experiencing homelessness. The project we are considering is still in the earliest of planning stages.

Importantly, we are still seeking a partner who will provide case management, supervision and oversight.

Before this partner is chosen, we will be sure to make clear to them that our concern is for all our neighbors.

Rev. Beth Orling

Interim Pastor, Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church

Sequim

Accidents waiting to happen?

Living in the Agnew area, I/we are of many affected by the McDonald Creek bridge closing. Like most people we have now limited our various “runs” to Sequim for our post office mail and grocery items to fewer times during the week.

Everyone is feeling the pinch of having to go up North Barr Road (or Shore Road) to US Highway 101, then head west, only to do a U-turn and head back east, to Sequim, for our errands. I so hope it doesn’t take the full nine months, as noted in the Gazette.

I want to voice my thoughts on the unique U-turn guidelines along US Highway 101. These are hazardous to people not accustomed to using them. I also find that using North Barr Road is now a speedway for impatient drivers not liking the detour. These side roads are not made for speed nor large vehicles — trucks and buses. I’m sure the residents living on these side roads are suddenly very unhappy with the front yard traffic.

People seem to be ignorant in how to use the U-turn configurations on Highway 101. Many drivers will not cross completely over the oncoming traffic lanes to use the off road pullouts. They instead make a left turn, staying on the highway, and causing the oncoming traffic to slow down in confusion when seeing the turning vehicle in the slow lane — not going fast enough to meld into flowing traffic.

I’ve seen many close calls on the highway already and it’s only been a week. I’m thinking these people are not used to using the highway but have used Old Olympic Highway instead.

Can the Department of Transportation create better signage to get these drivers to cross completely over both lanes and use the pull out before pulling out in front of oncoming traffic? It seems like accidents waiting to happen.

Linda Adams

Port Angeles

Retain Chinn as fire commissioner

In my 40 years as a resident in the Sequim area I have met a number of wonderful people, none more so than Steve Chinn. I have known Steve well for nearly all of those 40 years and can say without doubt that he is one of the most genuine, thoughtful and responsible individuals I have ever encountered.

Steve is a man of integrity and common sense. He is a good listener and creative problem solver. He cares about his community and is willing to do his part to make Clallam County a great place to live. He possesses the background and personality traits to make an excellent commissioner.

Please join me in supporting Steve Chinn for Clallam County Fire District 3 Commissioner.

Larry H. Hill

Sequim

‘No minorities in foxholes – only soldiers’

Once again we have been feted with a diatribe from an octogenarian longing for the days of yesteryear. (“A changed nation,” Sequim Gazette, July 19, page A9). This time it is a misogynistic, homophobic rant about women and LGBTQ in the military.

Objecting to women and other minorities in the military is a reminder of those who strenuously objected to blacks integrating the military.

Recall the ostracized members of the lauded 442nd Regiment of Japanese Americans in World War II while their folks back home were stripped of their homes, businesses, belongings and dignity and relocated to “internment camps.” The Navajo “code talkers” saved many a Marine with their “minority” language.

Of historical significance, during the American Revolution, Baron von Steuben, a former Prussian officer and reputed homosexual, joined the ranks of the Continental Army. He is credited with disciplinary drill instruction, tactics, sanitation practices as well as the use of the bayonet for other than cooking.

Reminder: There are no “minorities” in foxholes. Only soldiers.

Roger B. Huntman

Sequim

Social progress in military is ‘madness’

William Shakespeare wrote, “Let’s kill all the lawyers” — I’m going forward another step: Shoot all the social engineers! I’m sure they are all modern liberals. Winston Churchill said, “The utter devotion of the liberals to sentiment apart from reality.” Hear, Hear!

Now our Navy is putting a couple of women in the SEALs. If that move is to enhance the operational capability of the SEALs, I’m all for it, but we all know that it isn’t — it is kowtowing to a feminist demand.

In my opinion, God in his wisdom gave women the short end of the stick because they have the onus of bearing and caring for the young, while all the men have to do is keep the women safe. That’s the way it is and always has been. Why can’t the liberals accept nature’s design and live with it?

Keep the women out of combat situations!

It’s past time for our new Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis, to put a stop to this madness.

Ethan Harris

Sequim