Editor,
JW Foster’s letter to the editor has details that should not go unchallenged.
He wrote, “big promises by the current mayor like getting a pool, finishing the bypass and building a new river bridge never came to fruition.”
Yet, on Oct. 7, 2025, your newspaper reported, “The Yelm Loop project, also known as the Yelm Bypass, ... is expected to go out for bid in November, with construction set to occur in spring of 2026.”
“Mayor Joe DePinto gave the Nisqually Valley News an update on the Yelm Loop’s timeline during an interview on Monday, Oct. 6, and highlighted some of the work that’s gone in to get the project to this point.”
DePinto has been involved with seeing this project through since he was inaugurated as mayor and deserves kudos.
Foster again incorrectly asserted to, “keep a part-time mayor who works as a lobbyist for other cities or put me back to work for you as your full-time, dedicated public servant.”
Mr. Foster needs to familiarize himself with the Yelm Municipal Code (YMC), which directs the mayor as a part-time position to serve as the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, paid $30,000 annually, reflective of the part-time status.
Mr. Foster’s mayoral candidacy should not be based on innuendo and deception, again indicative of his similar actions as mayor.
Steve Klein
Yelm
