Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | A response to George Young
I was raised to believe that if you do good work, treat people right, and stay true to your principles, you’ll be judged by your actions — not your enemies. I still believe that.
So, when I read George Young’s latest opinion piece about me, I wasn’t angry. I was disappointed. Not because he questioned my political donations, that’s fair game. But because he twisted the facts and ignored the bigger truth: that I’ve spent the last 7 years serving this community, not dividing it.
Gary Parker
Yes, I’ve made political donations. Like many citizens, I support candidates and causes that reflect my values. I’ve donated to individuals I believe in, including Jesse Young and Michelle Caldier. I’ve also donated to both major parties over the years. What George fails to mention is that I’ve supported Democrats, Republicans, independents, city councils, school levies, youth programs, food banks, veterans’ groups, our senior community and more.
My giving has always been rooted in one thing: people. Not ideology. Not partisanship. Just people doing good work, solving real problems, trying to make things better.
George tries to connect dots that don’t connect. He suggests I somehow control how party committees spend money. I don’t. No donor does. That’s not how campaign finance works, and he knows it. But innuendo makes for better drama than accuracy.
He also tries to paint me as “far-right.” That’s lazy and false. I’m a moderate conservative who believes in fiscal responsibility, local control, and civil liberties. I support law enforcement and also believe in criminal justice reform. I’m pro-business and pro-community. I support public education, I partner with civic leaders from both parties, and I believe deeply in service above politics.
Let me be clear: I’m proud of my run for the Charter Review Commission. I’ve loaned my campaign money because I believe in showing up fully for this moment. Our charter matters. Local governance matters. Voter trust matters. And I want to help shape a future that reflects our shared values, not just the loudest and meanest voices in the room.
As a previous op-ed pointed out, If George wants to keep trying to score points by attacking those who disagree with him, that’s his choice. But it’s not leadership. And it’s not what this community deserves.
We deserve solutions, not smear campaigns. Honest conversations, not character assassination. We can and must disagree without destroying one another. That’s how civil society works. That’s how strong communities thrive.
So, I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done: serving barbecue, showing up, rolling up my sleeves, and working with anyone who’s committed to making our community a better place.
Because that’s who I am.
And I trust our community to see through this noise.
Gary Parker
Gig Harbor