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The recent debates hosted by The Chronicle and the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce were excellent examples of how our community can discuss difficult topics respectfully and productively.
The ability to listen to differing views while trusting that everyone is working toward the common good is essential to finding real solutions. I want to thank both organizations for helping voters make informed decisions about the candidates who will shape local policies addressing our shared challenges.
One important topic raised was the connection between transparency, leadership and financial stewardship in our publicly held, for-profit entities — such as our industrially-zoned ports. These special-purpose governments play a vital role in our economy. Though only about 3% of household taxes support port districts, they generate over $1 billion in local economic output, create thousands of jobs and their tenants contribute more than 20% of the local tax base.
Without that contribution, household taxes would rise by 20%. The port is not just an economic driver — it’s a community investment whose success benefits everyone.
Homelessness was another major issue discussed. Our society continues to struggle with balancing compassion and accountability. We express concern for the vulnerable homeless, yet often neglect the most vulnerable unborn. We invest billions addressing both extremes — the needs of those unable or unwilling to care for themselves, and the systems that end the lives of those who never had the chance.
Every person — from the homeless to the unborn, from the immigrant to the citizen — holds intrinsic value. But have we lost sight of how to weigh that value in our social priorities? How can our laws and policies truly help law enforcement “protect and serve” when leadership has blurred who they are meant to protect first?
Historically, communities cared for the poor through local, faith-based and civic institutions — emphasizing prevention and personal responsibility. Modern approaches, while well-intentioned, can sometimes foster dependence rather than renewal. When compassion turns into permissiveness, society suffers. Are we willing to sacrifice our children’s safety, education and future to sustain systems that fail to encourage significant change?
Too often, our priorities have shifted toward understanding and excusing criminal behavior rather than deterring it. Have we become a society more concerned with the circumstances of criminals than the suffering of victims? Where should our compassions be placed? This imbalance erodes public trust and weakens the moral foundation that supports both freedom and prosperity.
When community leaders advance policies that allow criminal behavior to flourish, the first signs of decay are seen in local businesses closing or leaving. Our businesses — the engine of our economy — fund the very rights and protections that make civic compassion possible. A strong economy sustains both government and charity. Voters should look carefully at which candidates are pro-family and pro-business.
Scripture reminds us to act justly and judge rightly: “Do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow … but judge the cause of the poor and needy” (Jeremiah 22).
Compassion and accountability are not opposites — they are partners. The prodigal son was not restored until he chose to return home; his transformation began with personal responsibility.
We must focus on prevention: helping neighbors before they fall into addiction, crime or homelessness.
Real compassion means pursuing long-term solutions that strengthen people rather than perpetuate broken systems. That requires clear laws, consistent enforcement and social expectations that reward responsibility, not victimhood.
Judges and elected officials must uphold laws equally, deterring crime instead of excusing it. At the same time, we need stronger mental health systems to allow law enforcement to focus on safety rather than acting as de facto social workers. State-level policies — especially those advanced under one-party control — have blurred these responsibilities, placing even greater pressure on local leaders to interpret and apply the law while still providing relief to our community. We must pay close attention to who these decision-makers are when we cast our votes.
If we truly wish to be a community rooted in justice and compassion, we must restore balance — valuing all life from its first spark to its last ember, supporting business as the foundation of opportunity and renewing personal responsibility as the pathway to dignity. Only then can compassion and accountability work hand in hand to build a stronger, safer and more hopeful community.
As we approach the elections for city councils, school boards, mayors and port commissioners, I encourage every voter to look deeper and think long term. Will your candidate uphold these principles and the values you treasure? On Nov. 4, your vote will shape our future. Choose wisely — and take responsibility for that choice, for your family first and your community second.
Choose ye this day …
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Greg Rohr is the elected executive chair of the Lewis County Republican Party. He can be reached at lcrparty@gmail.com. To learn more about the party, visit https://www.lcrpwa.org.
