Letter writers recall Columbus Day storm, support diverse library choices, endorse Gundersen
Hurricane article omits 1962 Columbus Day Storm
Shaun Goodwin’s Aug. 21 article, “Why doesn’t Washington state get hit by hurricanes?” provides an informative explanation about the climate conditions that prevent hurricanes in our region. It failed, however, to mention the Columbus Day Storm of 1962 — perhaps the most momentous storm to strike the state since the 19th century.
The “Big Blow,” as it was also called, began as a typhoon named Freda over the western Pacific, where it had been downgraded to a tropical storm prior to a rapid turn east. It regained speed and power, slamming into Washington and Vancouver Island on October 12, 1962.
By that time, though technically an extratropical cyclone rather than a full-fledged typhoon, the storm set the standing record for the lowest recorded pressure in Oregon (958 hPa), the equivalent of a category 3 hurricane. Wind gusts of 116 mph were recorded in Portland, while Naselle in southwest Washington experienced a gust of 160 mph, and several coastal communities saw gusts in excess of 130 mph.
It was one of the most intense storms in recorded history. At least 46 people died and damage exceeded $1.5 billion in today’s dollars. Goodwin’s solid article would be a bit more complete had he addressed this event, still remembered by many who experienced it.
John McLain, Olympia
Support library policies
The board of the Friends of the Olympia Library staunchly supports the Timberland Regional Library and the diverse resources it provides for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people in our region.
Our community includes people and families of many different cultures and perspectives. Timberland Regional Library recognizes this through the wide range of materials in its collection.
Importantly, Timberland Regional Library supports library patrons in making choices about the materials appropriate to the ages and views of their families by placing books in well-marked, age-appropriate areas. We hope the Timberland Board continues to support the current policies and procedures of the organization.
Jann Hoppler, President, Friends of the Olympia Library
Support Gundersen for Port Commissioner
Rose Gundersen’s workforce training emphasis is vital to economic development.
As a career and technical educator, I am keenly aware of employers’ need for technical and job readiness skills and the importance of providing worksite learning opportunities for our youth and job seekers. That is why I support Rose Chiu Gundersen for Port of Olympia Commissioner. I am excited about her emphasis on supporting workforce training as a vital avenue for economic and social development.
Gundersen has been a collaborator on workforce training and development for youth and second-chance job seekers in her past role as the small business liaison at the state Department of Labor & Industries, and she is leading the Retail Workforce Initiative in her current role as the Washington Retail Association’s VP of Operations and Retail Services.
In the past three years, Rose has advanced job-readiness skills for our students by securing federal funding for students to access three business and marketing certifications, passing a retail workforce promotion bill into law, providing her staff time to partner with educators and other businesses in our region, and seeking feedback from the education community about seeking grant funding to help build a bridge between education and employment.
Employers are struggling to find qualified employees and many boomers with skills will retire in the next few years. The workforce training priority demonstrates Gundersen’s insightfulness and the ability to identify gaps relevant to both the business and education spheres.
When Gundersen casts a vision, she delivers by being strategic and collaborative.
Teresa Melone, Yelm
