Olympia council must OK ordinance [Editorial]
28 November 2006
The Olympian
http://www.theolympian.com/109/story/52959.html

The Olympia City Council must show some backbone tonight by moving the
pedestrian-interference ordinance toward final passage.

About 120 people converged on the council chambers a week ago, most of
them to testify against the ordinance aimed at clearing a 6-foot buffer
for pedestrians to move along downtown sidewalks without having to step
over extended legs or dodge aggressive panhandlers.

The ordinance is not - as characterized by opponents - an attack on the
poor or the homeless. It's about creating a downtown business district
where all rights are respected.

Council members were encouraged to be compassionate. By all means. Many
of those on downtown streets have mental health and drug/alcohol abuse
problems. Hanging out on street corners is no way to live. It's
demeaning - and risky. It's not compassionate to give them money and
enable their anti-social behavior. They need treatment, not a handout.
That's the compassionate and respectful approach.

Mayor Mark Foutch and council members Jeff Kingsbury, Doug Mah, Joe
Hyer, Karen Messmer, TJ Johnson and Laura Ware must not get squishy
feet. They must focus on the hundreds of e-mail messages they have
received from ordinary Olympians pleading for a better downtown
environment where the rights of all are respected and all are treated
with compassion and respect.