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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Orting Valley Fire and Rescue (Pierce County Fire District 18) is running a four-year maintenance and operations levy on the April 23 ballot. This levy is necessary due to the dramatic drops in assessed property value that has occurred since 2009. Annual revenue is down $826,000 (33 percent) since that year.

The levy authorizes the district to collect $825,000 each year from 2014 through 2017. It is important to note that this would bring the district back to its 2009 revenue level and allow the district to maintain its basic level of service. This is only possible because of budget …

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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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Someone stole 12 gallons of gas from our vehicle last night. The same thing happened to our neighbors last week. Both were newer cars, which I thought were impossible to siphon, but somehow our gas tanks were emptied during the night.

When reporting it to the police this morning, they tell me it happened to others in our area of Orting also. We live in Carbon River Landing and want people to be aware that car prowls, gas thefts and home break-ins are happening in our neighborhood.

Please report suspicious activity immediately. Together we can keep our property safe. Either …

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Re: “Long effort to build a lahar bridge in Orting makes progress” (TNT, 10-30).

I travel the road to Orting often. One thing that I think of every time is when will they replace the old narrow bridge that is such a safety hazard near McMillin. It is a well-traveled road that is beyond overdue for this replacement.

I then read of a proposed foot bridge that may never be needed and may cost $50 million. It seems a lahar foot bridge is a very good idea, but the $50 million cost will kill the project. If they really …

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Re: “Cascadia project has new owner, new hope” (TNT, 3-24).

For years Pierce County has allowed almost unlimited residential building in this area resulting in a lot of traffic congestion on state Route 162, especially at commuting hours.

Before there is more added congestion, the highway needs to be widened from two lanes to four. But being a state highway, only the state can take on this project.

What is Pierce County doing to get the state to take on this badly needed project? Stop adding more huge residential building projects like Cascadia until we get the highway problem solved. …

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