Body autonomy

On the front page of your January 24 issue (“Marchers stand up for reproductive rights”) there is a photograph of a man carrying a sign professing his belief that, as a man, he has no right to tell a woman what to do with her body. While the sentiment is both true and laudable, it doesn’t go far enough. Irrespective of gender, no adult person has the right to tell any other adult person what to do with their body. There are plenty of female abortion opponents who are all too willing to tell other women what they can or must do with their bodies. It’s true that much blame properly accrues to men — but not all.

Russ Howell

Port Townsend

Par for the course

Hello Port Townsend community. I am writing you from Lopez Island, where I have resided since September 1, slowly but surely re-migrating home

shortly to Port Townsend, which I affectionately refer to as The Mothership, as a 30-year PT resident.

Referencing Mark Welch’s recent letter re: our community golf course, I just want to applaud his willingness to take a stand, summing up well the history and importance of this Port Townsend gem. Much of old Port Townsend has disappeared, at times literally taken away, like the city seal. I myself have spent many years playing the occasional game on the course with fire department brothers and other close local friends, including another former mayor, John Clise.

This course is an essential part of the community, and believe it or not one of the reasons I’m returning. Buying a home two blocks from the course, I have fond visions of walking two blocks with my bag of used clubs (bought for me years back by former Asst. Fire Chief Tom Aumock), pitching over the pond, and working my way to the pro-shop to pay my meager fees as I work my way homeward. It’s a place where many ‘old timers’ meet and greet, play a round, tip a beverage, and maintain the all important community that Port Townsend is on so many levels.

This may well be the last vestige for many long time Port Townsend residents, male and female alike — and an important one. Historically I’ve encountered the PT high school golf team, my mail carrier, and others. No fancy polo shirts and golf shoes, just community members out for a nice jaunt chasing a little white ball through the grass.

Please support keeping this the way it is — a key component of Port Townsends wonderful lifestyle.

Jordan Pollack

Lopez Island

Intentional cohousing

In the wake of the Jan. 24 Leader article about the upcoming workshop led by cohousing architect and author, Charles Durrett, I would like to add a few thoughts and details.

First off, there are two fledgling cohousing groups forming in Port Townsend currently. Each is hoping to grow in numbers and welcoming all interested. They are Song Sparrow Cohousing and Newt Crossing. It’s through the joint efforts of these groups that Durrett is coming. There’s still time for a limited number to sign up for this workshop. To register contact katenichols@yahoo.com.

I came onto the local cohousing scene last October after my interest was sparked by attending an introductory presentation by Durrett at the Quimper Grange. Since then I’ve been looking into both the Song Sparrow and Newt Crossing groups. In so many ways it seems to me that working with others to create a supportive housing community conceived and designed to reflect the values and preferences of its members is an idea whose time has come.

Core values and lifestyle choices commonly expressed by cohousing participants are cooperation, affordable options, diversity among members, and creating a more sustainable footprint. While acknowledging one’s privacy needs, cohousing usually includes generous common facilities and options to share meals regularly.

I find the three cohousing communities already established in town — Rosewind, the EcoVillage, and Quimper Village — interesting and inspiring. As someone who is considering cohousing I applaud their pioneering spirits. Each uniquely embodies that group’s vision of a cooperative and nurturing intentional community.

I’m looking forward to taking the next step with others by attending this workshop. Durrett, with his proven track record of designing and facilitating the development of over 55 communities, is a creative problem-solver with an infectious can-do attitude.

Jason Gunby

Port Townsend