From The Olympian:

The Olympia City Council stunned this community last week when council members emerged from a closed-door session and voted unanimously to condemn land for water rights in the city of Tumwater at the defunct brewery. As stunning as the move was and as badly as it was handled, it was the right decision.

If Olympia had not made first claim on about 13 million gallons of water a day, someone else could have. The test will be whether Olympia is successful in condemnation court and, if so, whether city leaders live up to their promise to share water resources with neighboring Lacey and Tumwater.

Has Olympia significantly damaged its relationship with Tumwater?

Discord between officials in Olympia and Tumwater could forestall discussions about merging the two cities’ fire departments, a move officials thought could benefit residents of both towns.

Officials from both cities met earlier this month to discuss the issue, and agreed to pursue a study of the benefits and drawbacks of merging. But that was before Olympia officials announced Monday they were making a bid for water rights at the former brewery in Tumwater, leaving neighboring city officials feeling betrayed.