Representation matters

The photographs you selected to represent the attendees of last Saturday’s No Kings protest gave the impression that attendees were all white people over 65 years of age. I was there, and I saw many young people, families with young children, and people of color, so I was saddened to see that none of this wonderful diversity was highlighted in the choices you made.

You mentioned the Melt Ice sign, for example. I saw this sign as well — it was held high and proudly by a younger person. And it was a Black gentleman who kindly and bravely engaged the armed white man, presumably a Trump supporter, in conversation before police arrived to escort him away. That is courage. Our non-white and younger community members deserve recognition for the many ways they enrich our community. One simple way to do this is by making sure they are reflected in the photographs of community events that are published in the Leader. According to U.S. Census data, 59% of the Port Townsend population is under 65, and 12% is non-white. Please consider aligning your editorial choices to reflect this reality.

Jacquie Beaubien

Port Townsend

Stop sale of parks

The Senate budget reconciliation bill currently under consideration in Washington DC —Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill — includes a provision calling for the sale of at least two million acres of American public land, with possibly a lot more up for grabs. Some 250 million federal acres around the west — excluding protected lands like National Parks or designated Wilderness — would be eligible for disposal to the highest bidder. The rationale for this unprecedented sales proposal is about helping to meet U.S. housing needs, though the bill includes no definition of housing or what land that’s sold in fact could or couldn’t be used for. And of course most of America’s public land is, almost by definition, removed from community infrastructure and ill-suited to addressing housing needs.

In truth, this would be a gift for wealthy buyers to acquire choice land adjacent to National Parks or other choice domain for second homes, backcountry getaways, resorts and the like, with money back to federal coffers helping make up for tax breaks for the rich. Whether or not privatized land could also be logged or mined or otherwise developed is unclear, but there would be no public review of sales decisions, no chance to even ask. Just no trespassing signs on what used to be our land, our heritage. National Monuments, lands under treaty rights, waterfront acreage, critical wildlife habitat, headwaters, Wilderness Study Areas, trail access points, and pristine viewsheds are all vulnerable.

Obviously this has implications for the Olympic Peninsula. If you have concerns about this proposed public lands sell off provision of the reconciliation bill, let our congressional delegation know. And please don’t delay as the bill is moving fast, its public lands provision just a small part of a massive, complex, and controversial legislative package.

Will Patric

Port Townsend

Lack of experience

I was angered and saddened by Nat Jacob’s column on June 18. His blanket condemnation of the older residents of our town smacks of ageism. I realize that in his and his wife’s careers, that they don’t come in contact with the majority of older residents here. Most of us are not wealthy nor do we feel entitled. Many of us have children and grandchildren and we worry about our own economic futures as well as our extended families’ economic futures.
  We also do what we are able as far as helping with housing, food and childcare. We are also thinking about being priced out of Port Townsend. The City pool design was overpriced and not practical as the overhanging roof looked to be aerodynamically designed to fly in a strong windstorm. Having a pool in the county makes more sense as that is where future growth will be.

Housing on Camas Prairie Park would only be affordable for wealthy buyers. Longer-time residents (families here for decades) and the long-time residents since the 1970s and 1980s have been concerned about affordability, history and services for older and younger residents. Our concern about the Council’s profligate spending of our taxes (federal/state grants are also our taxes) and the City’s reserves are justified.

Dylan Quarles might be a good choice after he has had more involved experience with the city. However, Fred Obee already has the deep knowledge and experience about the City Council. I trust Fred

Obee’s experience more than the other younger candidates. I would like to see the two younger candidates join different committees to get that experience for the next elections. I would also like to see them offer concrete opinions on the city’s current budget and what needs to be cut or reduced.

Cathy Beatty

Port Townsend

Parking mistake

We do have a lot of people who might want parking to change but what the hell, I didn’t. Now I might not be coming into town anymore. Keep the free four-hour parking some places, otherwise there is nowhere for a person coming in from Jefferson County to park.

Marti Hetrick 

Port Townsend