Since I live outside the city limits, I hope that everyone will understand that my comments are nothing more than an observation of what I'm watching develop on the Olympia Mayor race between Meta Hogan and Doug Mah.

I happen to know Mah, but not intimately. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Hogan, but have paid attention to her posts on olyblog. I have no personal favorites and, as I said, I don't vote for this race anyway.

To my point. I'm monitoring the posts on The Olympian comments threads and it seems some of Mah's "supporters" are already throwing dirt. Right from the start, I want to make mention that what is being said doesn't sound like Mah would endorse it, but at the same time, these folks are trying to represent him in media.

Because of Hogan's honest stand on the issue of homelessness, the commenters are trying to play the "fear" card by saying her election to office would make Olympia "overun" with homeless, as if the homeless have an ear to the ground on such political matters such as a mayor's race in a certain city. Rational minds know that "Olympia's homeless" are not so much transient, as they are locals that have fallen on bad times. A recent report demonstrated that many people have been able to find permanent housing, thus something must be working. Additionally, it's been proven over and over that the majority of homeless are suffering from medical challenges, thus they probably aren't as worried about who is mayor as they are about their next meal, a place to sleep and help with their medical issues.

Although I don't live in the city limits, I do live in the community and don't want to see this race turn into a divisive issue, as opposed to a chance for both candidates to tell the voters their plan for Olympia and let the votes be cast.

Hopefully, Olympia can rise above petty accusational politics.