Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

A rib plate from Izzy’s Bar-B-Que is pictured at the Southwest Washington Fair in this Chronicle file photo.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Summer Festival Food — Who Does it Best?

We’re hitting our stride in Lewis County with the annual summer parade and festival season. Our diverse agricultural heritage has given us a wonderful range of events that directly tie to … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/8/22

Other Views: Combat Organized Retail Theft in Washington With Coordinated, Sustained Effort

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson is creating a statewide Organized Retail Crime Theft Task Force. It remains to be seen whether it will make progress or become just one more committee … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 7/7/22

State Rep. Peter Abbarno talks to attendees of an ARPA and Infrastructure Initiatives Stakeholders meeting last May.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: We Must Make Home Ownership Affordable and Attainable

Growing up, many of us heard home ownership was an essential part of the “American Dream.” I still believe that to be true. It is part of a family’s retirement planning, security … more

By State Rep. Peter Abbarno | 7/6/22

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: Washington State Employers Deepen Trade Ties to the United Kingdom

When our friends in Great Britain open their eyes in the morning, many parts of their day look a lot like what we see here in Washington. The Association of Washington Business led a trade mission … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 7/6/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Ramblings in Early Summer and a Pitch for Summerfest Grand Marshal

One of these days our weather will settle down and behave itself the way it used to. Remember? For instance, the lady who used to own the mobile home I now inhabit had planted a good supply of … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 7/6/22

Carol Ponder is pictured near the former one-room Salzer Valley schoolhouse.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Interview Provides Glimpses of Early Salzer Valley

As the nation’s bicentennial celebration approached in 1976, members of the Salzer Valley Homemakers decided to reopen the historic one-room school so local fourth graders could see how their … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 7/6/22

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the Editor: Will Centralia Mow Its Own Lawns After Scolding Citizens?

I read with amusement the article in the June 30 edition of The Chronicle about Centralia City Attorney Shannon Murphy-Olson essentially scolding citizens for not mowing their lawns and citing the … more

7/1/22

Letter to the Editor: We Must Unite Behind Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

In one decision, the Supreme Court has taken away millions of Americans’ freedom of choice, aided and abetted by the Republicans who appointed them. The decision is tragic. But nothing is so … more

7/1/22

Letter to the Editor: ‘Elephant in the Room’ on Gun Violence Debate

It amazes me that the “powers-to-be" are citing video games, broken homes, mental illness and guns for the mass shootings that we’ve been experiencing for some years now and seemingly … more

7/1/22

Jack Kerr, a marine veteran who works with his wife Kathy Heimbigner to organize meetings with other local veterans, introduces speakers at the Tall Timber Restaurant Lounge in Randle. Kathy A. Heimbigner is the author of this commentary.

Commentary: Veterans Ask Only for What They Were Promised After Pledging Lives

Whether a volunteer or draftee, each and every veteran signed a document agreeing to sacrifice his or her life during service for the United States of America. That makes a veteran different … more

By Kathy A. Heimbigner | 7/1/22

Sam and Brian Mittge play doubles during the Jack State Tennis Tournament at W.F. West High School on Saturday.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Sunny or Cloudy, Summer Days Are Sweet, Indeed

“Summertime, and the living is easy...” — George and Ira Gershwin I’m a bit of a contrarian when it comes to summer. I’m happy with overcast and … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/1/22

Letter to the Editor: ‘Better Angels’ Are as Elusive as Ever

Hoping to bridge the deep divisions we are currently experiencing, many Americans are looking for what Abraham Lincoln, in his first inaugural address on March 4, 1861, called the “the better … more

6/29/22

Letter to the Editor: Kent Will Fight the Biden Agenda

The Biden administration has gone to war with fossil fuels by implementing a moratorium on all new oil and gas leases on federal land. America is no longer energy independent. We are dependent on … more

6/29/22

Letter to the Editor: Kent Is Campaigning as a Doormat for Donald Trump

It is said that people can be judged by the company they keep. If this is so, 3rd District congressional candidate Joe Kent is in deep trouble. Kent is campaigning to unseat fellow Republican … more

6/29/22

Letter to the Editor: Employers Should Not Hire Pro-Choice People

When Adolf Hitler came into power in 1933, his first goal was to dehumanize people of Jewish ancestry. He instituted a national program of propaganda to brainwash the public into having hostility and … more

6/29/22

Letter to the Editor: Vote for Marie Glusenkamp Perez to Prevent Far-Right Candidates From Spewing Lies in Congress

Earlier this week, Gov. Jay Inslee made a statement about the two far-right congressional candidates, Joe Kent and Vicki Kraft, running for Congress here in Southwest Washington. I commend him … more

6/29/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Is Summer Really Here? And Another Trip to the Emergency Room

You’ll probably be reading this at least a week or more after I’ve written it, so I can only assume that, just maybe, summer is finally here. We can only guess how long it will be … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 6/29/22

Letter to the Editor: I Will Vote for Change in 3rd Congressional District

I recently saw an advertisement for Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler where she claimed she was working to reduce gas prices for Washington families. In a telephone town hall, she also said that … more

6/27/22

Carol Ponder and her daughter Marilyn Gallagher pose with one of Ponder’s baskets.

Highlighting Lewis County: Ponder Family Has Deep Roots in Lewis County

While walking home from a Rainbow Girls meeting, Carol Matteson and her friends accepted a ride from a handsome young man, Richard “Dick” Ponder. “And next thing I knew, he … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/27/22

Letter to the Editor: Out With Murray, in With Smiley

It’s past time to replace Patty Murray as U.S. senator from Washington state. She first ran some 30 years ago as the “Tennis Shoe Mom” — identifying as someone who wanted to … more

6/24/22