Letters To The Editor

OH, LISTEN TO THE MUSIC

Mozart program a genuine delight

Having just returned from the second evening of “Mostly Mozart On a Summer’s Eve” at Duncan Gardens, I want to express deepest appreciation to the musicians and sponsors, Connoisseur Concerts, Davis and Hosch Music and the Carl M. Hansen Foundation, for making this homegrown feast for the senses possible. I was thrilled by the delight of everyone, the audience, the Wind Ensemble, the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus and soloists Tamara Schupman and Susan Windham in the music of Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and Brahms - all in the natural acoustics of the gardens.

How rare it is today to hear music in its natural state without the distortion of “sound reinforcement” systems which make concert attendance like listening to an oversized radio. The natural sound seemed to draw the crowds of some 400 people each night together in an organic experience of art and environment, the art of Mozart, etc., and the best of our wonderful and beautiful city.

Evenings such as this, without the artificiality of electronics, and where performers and audience can see one another, touch the core of our humanity, from which all true works of art originate - testament to the goodness of our culture.

Thanks also to horn player Roger Logan for his colorful and sensitive transcription of the Brahms “Variations on a Theme by Haydn,” and to Dr. Jonathan Holloway, whose generosity helped to underwrite this labor of love. Spokane is blessed to have such great dedication to fine music. May we hear more and more. James E. Barrett, director of music The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes

Organ music recorded in ‘60s

The “Organ donors” article (July 21) by Isamu Jordan was appreciated by those involved in the Riverfront Park Carrousel celebration of the new U.S. Postal Service horse stamps. But I feel it necessary to correct the part about the recording of the Ruth band organ.

It was first taken into a local shop by the owner of Natatorium Park back in the 1960s. Frank Ulijohn spent several months restoring the organ and the rolls of music. At that time it was recorded in full stereo for the first time on high-fidelity equipment.

When Mr. Oliver sold and set up the Carrousel in the park, newer or new rolls were obtained, the organ again was running almost perfectly and Irene Carter, Bobb Zatt and myself from South Recording Co. recorded, under studio conditions in the building where it is today, the complete 5-hour collection of its own music.

These tapes are so accurately recorded that CDs may be released next year. We have been using high quality tapes from the masters for a number of years at the Carrousel. The main difference between live and recorded is that the volume has been reduced dramatically on the sound system.

Cassette tapes have sold quite well over the years at the gift shop and around the country.

Granted, the real thing is truly exciting and wonderful. The recordings have been used only because, until now, not enough interest has been raised. I hope your readers will help us restore this great Carrousel pipe organ so generations to come will hear its happy sounds. Paul Quam Spokane

PUBLIC SAFETY

Personal watercraft, public nuisance

I used to enjoy a nice day of boating on Liberty Lake. But lately, I’m greeted by a hoarde of Jet Ski and Wave Runner riders at the boat launch.

After waiting my turn, I launched the boat and idled past the “No Wake Zone” buoy. While throttling up to speed (5mph to 10 mph) a Wave Runner ripped past, within 20 feet of my boat! He was apparantly trying to launch some air off my boat wake.

Concerned about the safety of all passengers in my boat, I abruptly turned around and tried to approach this daredevil stunt rider from behind. I raised my hand as a gesture to stop.

There was no intention to stop and instead, he quickly did a jet turn right in front of me and dowsed us all with water. After a short, futile attempt to follow him, I turned around and went to the other end of the lake to enjoy the rest of the day.

Is there anything that we, the safe boaters of America, can do to stop this inconsiderate behavior on our public waterways? This is not an isolated incident.

After discussions with other boaters, it became clear there’s a general disregard for state and federal boating laws by Jet Ski riders. Not all of them are at fault. I have a few friends who ride personal watercraft, and I know they try to follow all the rules.

Learn how to boat safely and share our waterways while showing respect for others. You can and should still be able to have fun. Russell J. Kinney Liberty Lake

SPOKANE MATTERS

Don’t dump issue on voters now

Today at 5 p.m., Spokane County’s commissioners will consider a proposal to place the Conservation Futures Program on the ballot in September for a citizen’s advisory vote.

It is proper that citizens be given a chance to vote on taxes, but the timing of this vote is extremely poor. The program is in its second year, properties have been selected and prioritized through a series of citizen participation meetings. Two properties have been purchased and funding arrangements are in progress for the top two properties: 400 acres on Lake Spokane, with 1,340 feet of lake front; and the Big Rock Area.

To interrupt this program midstream will destroy all the work that has been done. A more fiscally responsible approach would be to allow the program to run until its scheduled completion next year. At that time, citizens will know the pros and cons of the program and thus can make an informed decision.

Citizens deserve the right to make an educated vote, rather than have an issue this important added to the ballot at this late date. Robbi Castleberry Spokane

Food Share deserves support

Thank you, Staff writer Kelly McBride, for your article, “Leftover support” (July 27). I have always wondered what restaurants do with all the leftover food that has never left the kitchen.

The Spokane Food Share program, which encourages restaurants to donate leftovers to the food bank, sounds like a wonderful organization.

As to the skeptical owners and managers who worry the program will be too much of a burden on their employees, have you asked them if they would mind taking a few extra minutes to help feed the hungry? I am an employee at a local restaurant and I would be more than willing to help the Spokane Food Share program.

The Onion, the Mustard Seed and Wendy’s are doing our community a great service by supporting this program. I hope all the restaurants in Spokane will follow their examples. Alison Casey Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Smith abandoned all decency

C.M. Baldwin (“Smith abandoned to her demons,” Letters, July 25) seems to be trying to paint a picture of a woman at the end of her rope, who had no choice but to destroy her two babies to save her own sanity. This, in my estimation, is a very distorted picture.

Those babies were innocent victims, not criminals to be sentenced to death.

No one deserted her; she had her husband by her side the whole time she was trying to pull the wool over the public’s eyes. The whole country was there for her, praying for the safe return of those beautiful children who she knew were already dead.

Was she there for them while they were strapped in their seats, as she callously rolled the car into the lake? Was she there for them as they suffered the terrible death by drowning?

What was going through her mind? Certainly not a single caring thought for those babies! She only had dollar signs on her mind and in her eyes.

The villagers were there. She just didn’t care enough to turn to them to ask for their help.

I didn’t want to see her given the death penalty. I prefer the life sentence so she has plenty of time to think about the terrible thing she’s done. She doesn’t deserve the easy way out. Betty Randall Moses Lake

Smith should’ve been drowned

You ask where were Susan Smith’s parents, aunts, uncles and friends? If Susan wanted advice from anyone, she could have gotten it herself.

She chose her lover over her children because he didn’t want kids. Any advice wouldn’t have helped; she’d already made her decision.

Susan Smith deserves to be strapped in the same car her kids were in, to be taken to the lake, pushed in and left to die, as her children were - slowly and unable to get out. Wanda Johnson Post Falls

Penalties insult common sense

I recently read about the latest prison releases and I must admit that I am profoundly disturbed by what I learned.

It seems second-degree murderers are being released after serving only three to nine years in prison, while second-degree rapists and pot dealers are serving 10 to 17 years in prison.

Is it just me, or is something grotesquely wrong with our legal system? Gary Cooper Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

We must override Lowry vetoes

I’ve been listening to the concerns of average, hardworking citizens. Taxes are one of the major topics.

In Oak Harbor, people complained about the property tax system, how it’s forcing senior citizens to move and sell homes they can’t afford because of higher taxes on higher assessed values.

In Tacoma, small businesses are concerned about the governor’s veto of business and occupation (B&O) tax reductions. The governor agreed to give the Frank Russell Co. a major tax break, but refused to pass it on to small businesses whose B & O taxes have increased over 67 percent.

In Spokane, questions focused on the tax burden on developers of moderate income housing. In Vancouver, I heard about living next to a state with no sales tax. Unfortunately, tax freedom didn’t come until the end of May this year. Five months of working week after week, and it all goes to pay taxes.

The Republican majority has voted to cut unrestrained growth in government spending and cut taxes by $500 million.

Gov. Mike Lowry still hasn’t gotten the message. His veto is bad economic policy and bad government. It’ll hurt families, reduce the number of good-paying jobs and make it harder for Washington people to compete in the free-trade, world economy.

The first action Republicans will take in 1996 will be to override Gov. Lowry’s vetoes of our tax cuts. If the Senate wants to do something positive and constructive for this state, it should join us in overriding Gov. Lowry’s illadvised vetoes. Then we’ll see Washington’s economy grow and more individuals succeed and prosper. Dale Foreman, state House majority leader Wenatchee

Unsubsidized chicken cheap enough

The Spokesman-Review covered farm subsidies quite well on July 23. An assertion by one of the recipients was interesting. He stated that his receiving a subsidy resulted in cheap food for the consumer.

I went to Safeway and found a 24-ounce package of Wonder Bread for $1.59. Whether or not this is cheap I leave to others; it seems quite substantial to me. But let us look at food that is not subsidized, such as poultry. Fresh Thrifty Pack fryers are on sale for 57 cents a pound. That is cheap food! And there is no subsidy.

Those subsidy recipients who maintain that their subsidy results in cheap food should provide the evidence. The marketplace doesn’t seem to back them up. Might I suggest that instead of supposedly benefiting the consumer by giving farmers a subsidy, that we eliminate all subsidies and really help out the consumer by reducing taxes. Walter A. Becker Pullman

Farms: Paper left out statistics

What is the point of your paper’s slant against farmers in current months? I keep waiting for articles to come out and include all the facts, not just the selected statistics that can be slanted whichever direction you choose.

Why didn’t your list of subsidy recipients include items off their tax returns such as the cost of fertilizer, fuel, repairs, seed, labor, depreciation, taxes, etc.? Why is it not reported that farmers pay a higher share of taxes than the general population? They are taxpayers and the farm subsidies are taxed.

When you compare government programs, how about comparing net of tax benefits? Farmers not running at a loss pay back a large share of these program payments in the form of various taxes. Many other government programs are not taxable to the recipients and therefore cannot be compared dollar for dollar the way your paper continues to do.

Why is it that the wheat price can stagnate for years and years but everyone else’s pay is supposed to increase to keep up with the cost of living? How about reporting the price of wheat, fuel, fertilizer, equipment and labor in 1975 as compared to today?

Why don’t your statistics report what the average Lincoln County wheat farm lost during the various political grain embargoes of recent history? Did employees or owners of The Spokesman-Review take a cut in pay, as the farmers did, every time grain was used as a weapon? Kitty Lesser Marlin, Wash.

Revenues: Let’s divvy the take

We now pay 52 percent of our income in taxes. Perhaps these are some of the reasons:

According to U.S. News and World Report, Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, R-Nev., wants $21 million for housing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo., wants the Army to spend $20 million on barracks at Fort Carson; Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., wants the Navy to spend $10.4 million on a Puget Sound Naval Shipyard physical fitness center; Rep. Kika de la Garza, D-Texas, wants the Navy to spend $2.6 million to build a small pier at Ingleside Naval Station; and Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Texas, wants $2.7 million to buy land at Kingsville Naval Air Station.

Most of these projects were not supposed to be funded next year.

A simple way to do away with “pork barrel” projects would be to take $3 trillion - half of what is collected - divide it among the 50 states, pro-rating as to population, and let each state decide where it is most needed.

Too simple, no doubt. Bernece Bippes Tekoa, Wash.

Anti-terrorist bill anti-democratic

Sen. Patty Murray admitted that S735, the Senate version of the terrorist prevention act of 1995, would impose on individual liberty, yet she voted for it anyway.

Murray said, “It is disturbing to me when the Congress is faced with a decision to increase protection for the people by chipping away at the edges of freedom. But in this case, the imperative is clear … we have no idea what kind of mistakes will be made, or whose rights will be infringed, when this bill is implemented.”

Both the Senate and House versions of this bill hasten the centralization of unconstitutional police powers in the hands of the federal government.

If we hope to avoid future tragedies like Waco or Ruby Ridge we must keep law enforcement accountable to the citizens of cities and counties, independent of federal control and interference.

We need to let Sens. Murray and Slade Gorton, and Reps. George Nethercutt and Doc Hastings know that there have already been enough mistakes made and rights infringed upon, and that they need to vote against the final version of this bill. Steve Dunham Spokane

It’s all relative, except the debt

Jack Jennings (Letters, July 18) seems to think that raising the minimum wage to at least $8.50 or more would solve this country’s problems.

I grew up when there was no minimum wage and many of the other government regulations that we have today. I went through the 1930s Depression, and so did many others, with no apparent harm.

It seems everything is relevant. At that time, 40 cents per hour was good pay - if you had a job. But you had 1 cent postage on cards and 2-cent first class postage stamps; candy bars and ice cream cones were 5 cents; and gasoline was 21 cents a gallon. A new Chevrolet Deluxe two-door in 1937 listed at $775. Everything was relevant to the wages of the times and still is.

The main difference was we didn’t have all these government laws, millions of people on welfare and unemployment, a $5 trillion national debt and still going into debt more all the time. So where will it stop? Elmer Tonn St. Maries, Idaho