Re: “Sumner council increases support for new Y” (TNT, 4-27).

As a member of the Mel Korum YMCA in Puyallup for many years, I have seen that there is a very high demand for this specific recreation center throughout East Pierce County. Many of the Puyallup YMCA’s members commute from other towns such as Orting, Buckley, Bonney Lake, Auburn and Sumner. It would be a convenience to those from the aforementioned towns if another location opened closer to them in Sumner.

A Sumner YMCA would also offer a break from the constant overcrowding that plagues the Puyallup Y. The …

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Re: “Rapist to get out for cancer treatment” (TNT, 3-14).

Former Buckley City Councilman Randy Reed, 55, convicted of raping a 7-year-old child and molesting two teenage girls, is sentenced to only one year in the county jail. Now he is being released six months early so he can receive cancer treatment.

For once, I am almost at a loss for words. What is this society coming to? We as responsible citizens can’t stand up and demand justice and protection for our children from child predators? Have we become so complacent for the concerns of someone that we don’t …

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Re: “Foothills Trail designated a national recreation trail” (TNT, 5-31).

This is great recognition for a dream that began in the heart of one of the last house-call physicians in East Pierce County, Dr. Douglas A. Tait of Buckley. He envisioned people being able to walk between his hometown and South Prairie, Wilkeson, Carbonado, Orting and Puyallup along the same route formerly traveled by the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Much has been accomplished, but much more work needs to occur to bring his dream to fruition.

On Saturday, National Trails Day will be celebrated on the Foothills Trail when the …

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Re: “Governor’s pen strokes launch $1 billion in public works projects” (TNT, 4-24).

Gov. Chris Gregoire made the right decision by including the Rainier School (a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities) in the recent capital budget.

Rainier School was opened in 1939 as the only such facility in Western Washington and has since expanded to a population of 370 adults. Without the contributed money, the Rainier School would likely close. As Mother Teresa, once said, caring for others should be a top priority because loving others is the best way to make a difference in the world.

Re: “EPA deadline drives state to boost air rules” (TNT, 2021).

The air pollution regulators are at it again relative to restricting wood-stove burning in our area.

They just don’t understand that enforcing burn bans based on artificial political boundaries doesn’t work. For example, under a King County burn OK and a Pierce County burn bank, a home on the Enumclaw side of White River could burn away legally, while a home a few feet across the river in Buckley would be banned from burning and subject to heavy penalties and fines.

The regulators should be smart enough to …

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