I got into Olympia a bit early to get over the the Brotherhood.  I wandered around downtown sick as a dog.  I'd be ok if I could just find a place to rest.  So I wandered down 4th Ave from the Safeway.  I did manage to find one bench across the street from Orcas books.  I pressed on.  I did finally find another bench near Radiance.  So, not including Sylvester Park, we have a total of two benches in downtown Olympia.  I did manage to find a few bus shelter benches, all fully occupied. This is not good for Olympia or the people that frequent or visit downtown.  Public seating is a must for a downtown area.  We have the sidewalk space, that isn't a problem.  There are many fine locations to locate benches.  Each location has its own particular charm and interest.  Even in a progressive town like Olympia, I find the public realm to be very lacking.  It is the public and street realm that makes a town great.  So why don't we have more benches in downtown Olympia.  I know they cost money, but it can't be that.  While I have a couple of bucks I don't think it is right for me to be forced to be a customer to find a place to sit down or use the facilities.  And this is not really about me not spending money or making a choice to patronize a business.  This is about civilization, this is about welcoming public spaces.  If we want people to use downtown it has to be welcoming.  And, by the way, I don't want to hear any cracks about downtown being more welcoming if the homeless and young and bums weren't there.  They are members of our society as well.  Each has a butt and sometimes they have to rest.  You don't have to be rich in order to have the need to rest.  You don't even need to be tired or sick.  You just need to have the place, which for a short time can become your own and yet belongs to everyone.