Spencer Zeman is a father, a businessman, a retired military veteran, an upstanding citizen of the great city of Lacey and, in my opinion, the absolute best candidate for city council. He is caring, compassionate, intelligent, well spoken, and one of the most honest, open and transparent people I have ever met in my life. I believe he will hold this position with the utmost regard to the citizens of Lacey. Spencer sees the issues that NEED to be addressed — education, healthcare, houselessness, the disparity between median income and the average cost of a home in Lacey — and it’s my belief he has solid, tangible plans to begin addressing these very real issues. Unlike his opponent who appears to think things are just fine and wants to keep the status quo, I believe Spencer will pay close attention to what the citizens of Lacey need and do everything in his power to make real changes. He’s not going to pander and placate only to ignore his promises once elected. He’s a man of immense integrity and I’ve never known him to go back on his word. We’re entering a time when the age old game of politics really doesn’t apply. Real change is necessary and I FIRMLY believe we will not get it with the status quo. It’s time that EVERYone has a voice, that EVERYone has representation, that we make an actual difference. Spencer Zeman…he’s the start to making that difference.
~ Danae Howell
It is time for a change in the Lacey City Council. Spencer Zeman, a local businessman who is also a disabled Army veteran with a combat tour in Afghanistan, is running against incumbent Lenny Greenstein. You might remember Lenny who, along with Lacey Councilman Ed Kunkel, was caught on video illegally removing a campaign sign for Thurston Board of County Commissioner candidate Emily Clouse; an embarrassment for Lacey that made the news throughout Washington.
Spencer would bring a sorely needed new chapter to the City of Lacey. Speaking as a resident of the Hawks Prairie area of Lacey, I have seen over the last 6+ years nothing but habitat loss with tree canopy removal only to be replaced with huge warehouses and 18-wheeler traffic. Meanwhile one of Spencer’s main platform issues is in support of environmentally thoughtful sustainable growth plans and management.
Lenny Greenstein is on the record as saying that homelessness is only caused by drug addiction and mental illness and that the lack of affordable housing is not a contributing factor. Spencer agrees that many of our homeless population have experienced significant medical, mental health, or substance abuse but he also understands that more affordable housing options must be part of the solution. Regional cooperation to solve these regional problems is a priority for Spencer while Greenstein dismisses that approach.
The time is right to add a fresh younger voice to the leadership of Lacey. My vote and I hope yours goes to Spencer Zeman for Lacey City Council.
~ Cindy Tufford, Lacey
I saw a reader opinion letter here on Tuesday in support of Lenny Greenstein to retain his seat in the Lacey City Council. I’d like to rebut that statement.
The homeless issue is a major concern for everyone in the tri-city area and Lenny likes to boast how he’s solved it with the Mobile Outreach Team. He insists the main cause of homelessness is mental health and substance abuse. According to Red Nose Day, transitional homelessness is the most common, especially with the demographic under age 24. Many of these are members of the LGBTQ+ community who are rejected by their families. Only 17% of the nation’s homeless are chronic, which usually involves substance abuse and mental health and an older demographic. Bicycle Health, an opioid treatment program, cites a 2018 survey that correlates substance abuse with low income. Those with financial problems and are unable to afford rent are at a higher risk for substance use disorder. Lenny’s assertions contradict this data.
He also has an “Us vs. Them” mentality when it comes to resolving the homelessness issue. He boasts about his city having no homeless encampments when, in actuality, he worked to move a major camp across the street into Olympia city limits and then claims Olympia isn’t handling their homeless problem. He has voted against working with a county-wide Regional Housing Council to create low-income housing because he denies economics play a role in the homeless epidemic.
He's also voted against the city waving the Pride Flag for unsubstantiated reasons.
Lacey needs someone new in their council who will consider actual data on the issues, as well as listen to all members of the community, not just the conservative voices. It needs someone who doesn’t rely on name recognition to stay in office. Vote for Spencer Zeman.
~ Jeff Gibson, Lacey
The opinions expressed above are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The JOLT's staff or board of directors. Got something to say about a topic of interest to Thurston County residents? Send it to us and we’ll most likely publish it. See the Contribute your news button at the top of every page.
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