Puyallup schools need major improvements. Backing this school bond will help them
Puyallup School District's bond will replace the current levy and will not raise taxes. The funds will replace and add to our sorely needed school infrastructure.
For example, the building that housed the library and science and art classes at PHS has been condemned and is unusable. At ERHS, four former teacher work rooms, which are much smaller than classrooms, are now being used as classrooms. Both schools, as well as RHS, are over capacity and growing. They all have many portables.
At the elementary level, both Spinning and Waller Road are in need of much work. Both were last modernized in 1985, which was 40 years ago.
Our district's population continues to grow and our community's building and modernization has not kept up with it. Our students need this bond to pass. Voting for it will replace the old levy and not increase taxes. Please vote yes on our PSD bond.
Beverly Showacy, Puyallup
Once again the legislature is trying to close Rainier School, and once again it's a horrible idea. Residents are receiving active treatment and training which doesn't exist anywhere but the three RHCs. The number of developmentally disabled adults in Washington State is increasing as the population increases and some portion of those developmentally disabled adults will need active treatment and training at one of the RHCs.
Closing Rainier School means 70 of our most vulnerable citizens will lose their homes at a time when there's a shortage of housing and the cost of housing is out of reach for tens of thousands of Washingtonians. Where will they go?
Some people have exaggerated situations that occurred in the past and sensationalized them for political and business reasons. The facts are that Rainier School is safer than many of the private, for-profit providers throughout the State. If something happens at Rainier School we will know about it, but if something happens at a community provider you are not going to hear about it.
Instead of closing Rainier School Rainier School should be open to more people who need care. Let's start with the people who are languishing in hospitals.
Robert Doyle, Sedro Woolley
On Feb. 16, a bronze plaque honoring Catherine Beatrice Hall Johnston, the first woman-of-color business owner in Tacoma, will be unveiled at 2553 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma.
Johnston was born on June 16, 1898, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Rachel Ann Norman and Frank Hall, granddaughter of Hannah Jones Norman and Elbert Norman, and the great-granddaughter of Caroline Jones.
In 1908 Catherine and her family relocated to Spokane, Washington. Gaining an interest in cosmetology she studied at the Poro Beauty College, where Madam C.J. Walker also attended. In 1943, Catherine completed her formal beauty school training, moved back to Tacoma and immediately opened her salon, named Catherine's Beauty Nook on 13th and K Streets. She owned and operated Catherine's Beauty Nook until she was stricken with an illness that caused her to close the business.
We wish to honor and bring to life the story of Johnston, a pioneer who added to the rich history of people in Tacoma. Johnston went to be with the Lord on March 14, 1999, in Tacoma.
Evelyn Robertson, Liberty Hill
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