Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Uncurbed pets make mess of park

I went to a friend’s house for Christmas breakfast and watched as the people there opened their gifts. Their much-loved dogs gleefully jumped around, tearing up the wrappings, which then were cleaned up by the dogs’ owners.

When I got home, I decided to take a walk in the park to work off some of the breakfast. To my dismay, I had to walk around the park because there was so much dog poop in the park. Kids were playing in the park, too, and I wondered what a great Christmas surprise their parents would have when they showed up for dinner with dog poop on their shoes and clothing - or worse.

Now that we have an additional excise tax, are we going to have to pay more for that poop to be cleaned up? As taxpayers, can’t we be proud of what we spend our tax dollars for, rather than having to pay for a large bathroom for a few animals?

I realize there are many responsible owners who pick up after their dogs. But couldn’t a few signs be posted in our parks to ask or tell animal owners to be responsible for their pets and considerate of children and the adults who pay for our parks?

Maybe we also could impose fines on those who get caught, or at least we could provide pooper-scoopers and animal bathrooms on every corner.

I hope taxpayers and dog owners will become alert and aware of this unfair and disgusting problem. Maybe by next Christmas, I won’t have to feel nauseous after taking a walk in the park. Carol Capra Spokane

Shop where library doesn’t charge

We live just south of the Spokane city limits. We spend almost 100 percent of our budget each month in the city, thus paying city taxes. We also are in Spokane School District 81, so our taxes support city schools. We never have had children in school in Spokane, but we do not object to supporting school levies and education.

I do think, however, that all households in Spokane school districts should be able to use the libraries for free. Are they supposed to take city students into the county to use a library? Maybe they should just do their shopping while they are out in the county. Molly Saty Spokane

Companies downsize more than staff

Spokane just lost a good friend and will be losing more over the course of this year as US West employees are being transferred out of this community as a result of corporate downsizing.

Zelda lived in Spokane for 16 years. She was an active downtown shopper; she volunteered countless hours for non-profit arts organizations. Most importantly, she was a great friend.

As I watched her leave today, crying, to go to Minneapolis, I couldn’t help but think our community is becoming a suburb for larger cities and devoid of local corporate accountability, which is the underpinning of community infrastructure.

So, when I call US West for help, I will be talking to people in Seattle, Portland or Boise. I don’t have the confidence they will understand our situation here. And when they tell me it will take two weeks to repair my phone, then I wonder how downsizing is going to improve service.

It is too late for US West, but sometime down the line, our community will need to take a stand when the next major player leaves and removes the people who make significant social and financial contributions to our community.

Goodbye, Zelda - we love you. Penn Fix Spokane

Radon harmless? We offer facts

In his Dec. 27 letter to Roundtable, Paul Silinger expresses his belief that radon is not dangerous to one’s health.

We gladly will mail to anyone, at no charge, a particularly clear and concise radon information brochure published by the American Medical Association. Just call us at 926-6217 or (800) 323-3853. Robin Martin, Cavalier Corp. Spokane

Coliseum treats are expensive

We went with our grandchildren to see “Aladdin” at the “Barn.” We loved it and thought it was a good value.

Except, I must be getting old. The five grandchildren wanted snow cones and cotton candy. I asked the vendor the price: $6 for snow cones with plastic “Aladdin” holder (no exceptions) and $5 for cotton candy in a plastic pail (no exceptions). Popcorn is $3. Needless to say, I wasn’t about to spend $55 for snow cones and cotton candy.

Is this a case of once you’re in, you’re hooked? Chester Arndt Spokane

Savings go for government growth

Another example of government growth fueled by cutting public services is Orville Barnes’ recommendation for discontinuing city fall leaf pickups to save money. This is possibly to pay the $62,000 salary of the adviser recently hired to observe and coordinate tree control here.

City Councilman Barnes, no longer a conservative advocate, has been corrupted by city coffers that are awash in tax dollars being gobbled up, department by department, at an annual rate observed by again another publicly funded accounting group to inform anyone who cares where this money goes. Perhaps they could detail discrepancies or redundant purchasing where spending policies could improve, making Roger Crum the people’s hero where Councilman Barnes has surrendered. Jim Fromviller Spokane

STA would do well to try small firms

Regarding the concern that Spokane Transit Authority officials have in dealing with a small company: What is wrong with being a small company? Is this some sin?

The idea of people wanting to get paid for something they delivered - shame on them! I suppose these officials say the same thing to the grocer: “I’ll pay you after I’ve decided if I liked your steak.”

If they were concerned about this, why wasn’t this looked into before they ordered the trolleys? But then, what more could you expect from a truly big company such as STA? Aren’t those the same guys who can’t keep control of the bus Plaza project they are building? They have cost us 10 times more just in cost overruns on that project than the total cost of all three trolleys.

I guess I would rather deal with a small company that wants its money when the goods are delivered than with a big company such as STA that allows architects and builders to walk off with millions because of all of their mismanagement. Jack Meredith Spokane

THE MEDIA

On the left, it’s the middle

Doug Nadvornick (“Golden Pen,” Dec. 12) expressed offense at being stereotypically lumped into a leftleaning, liberal media. He expresses some muddled fragments that fail to distinguish conservatism from liberalism, then resorts to a relativist posture, suggesting there is little agreement as to “where the center is.”

No one envisions himself or herself extreme, and few liberals see themselves as anything but moderate (much like Nadvornick). In fact, many of the well-known like to refer to themselves as “new” something or other. Very mainstream.

Were the 10 blind men who variously described the elephant by how its components felt to each to describe the American political bird based on news reports, it undoubtedly would be a strange bird indeed. This bird would appear not the majestic eagle but as some deformed turkey, scrabbling in the dirt. The picture would include an indistinguishable nub on the left, a large centrist body and a right wing somewhat scrawny toward the body but large and bloated toward its extreme right tip. No “left wing” here!

After 30-some years of largely arrogant, monopolistic media control, the liberal establishment is having difficulty adjusting to a more balanced debate. Suddenly, following a lopsided conservative electoral victory, many on the left are finally ready for the “hard work of discussing our differences and learning to live with each other.” Pleasant change.

Speaking of change, it’s encouraging to have a journalist acknowledge the existence of a “low blow.” Maybe feeling some of that heat will serve as a reminder of the responsibility entrusted to the fourth estate. Kirby Myers Washougal, Wash.

Truth is essential

I wish to comment on the very appropriate article by John Leo. Everyone depends on the news media for most of his or her opinions related to politics and public affairs, but few in the media adhere to any standard of unbiased writing.

Politics is politics, as they say, but truth is essential to the healthy survival of a democracy. A democracy depends on citizens’ ability to make free choices based on the free flow of information. In the coming age of information, truth is the survival element. Without it, our democracy will perish.

The public should recognize that the various media have at least as much political power as any branch of government. By virtue of the First Amendment, the media are essentially unaccountable to anyone. This is a remarkable trust and one that too often is abused. L.D. Standard Walla Walla

Don’t add to divisions

I can see that, although newspapers are supposed to be one of the many pillars that hold a community up as well as be completely neutral in all senses, The SpokesmanReview qualifies in only one of these categories.

Unfortunately, it is not politically neutral. I read the article citing the as-of-yet-not-inaugurated Republican Congress for proposing to cut certain government influences in certain programs. I grew both angry and sad that this once-great paper would stoop to political discrimination and support it in such a way.

Don’t get me wrong - I am equally angry and sad over those who write strongly unfavorable columns about Democrats. All sides should be represented equally, avoiding the mudslinging and telling honestly and exactly where they come from and what they plan to do. That way, people can judge for themselves, which is one of the rights guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence.

Please, no more political discrimination. I do not want to see separate drinking fountains for Democrats and Republicans or wooden donkeys and elephants being burned on front lawns. Please let the frightening images of the black people’s struggle for equality and the whites’ response sink into your minds as the anger between Democrats and Republicans nears this stage. Benjamin N. Thurber Veradale

Pedophile, gay not same thing

To quote detective Howard Burke’s ignorant statement implying that sexual contact with minors means Dr. Nail is homosexual (Spokesman-Review, Dec. 30), then going even further and making that statement a highlighted call-out in the middle of the article, is extremely irresponsible.

Sexual predation of minors, in this case a 12- to 15-yearold boy, is appropriately labeled pedophilia. The gender of the child victim is not considered when classifying an adult as a pedophile. Regardless of whether Dr. Nail is guilty or not, his statement that “it is absurd to imply that (he’s) gay” is the truth. Being a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered individual has nothing to do with being gratified by sexual contact with children.

To me, The Spokesman-Review’s choice to allude to, or encourage any fostering of, a connection between pedophilia and homosexuality is the equivalent of how absurd it would be to promote the belief that these child victims somehow deserve their abuse.

Come on, Spokesman-Review, be a leader in dispelling myths of bigotry. Don’t foster them! Cindi A.M. Abbott Spokane

Telling accusations is wrong

In response to your Dec. 30 front page article on Dr. Gregory Nail:

To print allegations against Dr. Nail does nothing but fill the unknowing public with ideas about a person the public knows very little about.

With the allegations, you’ve taken a man who has the respect of the community, who unselfishly has given his time and his money to help others less fortunate than himself, and cast a shadow of doubt in the public eye.

I’ve know Greg for more than 15 years. I’ve sky-dived with him. I’ve worked with him on numerous charitable events. He is my personal and family physician.

Both my sons look up to him as a friend and role model.

I will support Greg through all of this, as will all of his friends and colleagues.

For you to print such trash in your paper disgusts me. Duane Justus Spokane

IN IDAHO

Trespassers killed a dream

We purchased property in Idaho five years ago with the dream of someday seeing a wild mountain lion. This majestic cat signifies power, grace, beauty, independence and part of the wilderness spirit. We picked Idaho to live in because it was one of the few states where mountain lions still roam. We even named our property Simba Springs. “Simba” means “lion” in Swahili. Our license plates say “Simba.”

We knew the chances of seeing a lion were remote. We can’t describe the joy and elation we felt when we saw mountain lion tracks on our road recently. It was wonderful just knowing one was close by and safe on our private property.

On Dec. 19 when we returned home, we found a trail of blood that led to a tree surrounded by the tracks of dogs and men and a silhouette in the snow where a mountain lion had been laid. Visualizing someone shooting this lion in our tree while it was surrounded by barking dogs is almost more than we can endure. This tree was at least a quarter mile inside our fence line that clearly is posted “No hunting.”

We can’t begin to describe the grief, shock, disbelief and devastation we feel as a result of this intrusion. Our dream is shattered. This is the saddest Christmas we have ever experienced.

The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice. Anyone interested in banning the use of dogs for cougar and bear hunting, please contact us at HC 67, Box 680, Clayton, Idaho 83227. Kathy Richmond Clayton, Idaho

Planning commission messes up

I read with amazement the Dec. 28 article (Idaho edition) about 445 “affordable” housing units going in or proposed for Thomas and 15th in Coeur d’Alene.

Amazement because Thomas Lane is the dividing line between city and county and Beauty Park is outside the city boundary. The article makes no mention of that or about the proposed hearing on Jan. 10 to annex that section.

Amazement because while the article says the city’s planning commission promised earlier this month to discourage large developments that thrust more kids into overcrowded schools, an earlier article mentioned secret meetings the city of Coeur d’Alene was holding with the developer to get that section annexed.

Amazement because our city fathers would consider for a moment that zoning laws set in 1910 still hold to current 1994-95 standards and they feel “this may be a wash.”

Recently, in one of our local newspapers, there was an article about the hodgepodge planning of our city. This latest move by planning commissioners seems to me another poorly planned, poorly thought-out pack-‘em-in move by Coeur d’Alene. Jannelle Travis Coeur d’Alene

OTHER TOPICS

Letter writer missed point

For God’s sake, Laurene Wells (letters, Dec. 28), please get your story straight! Sherry Grove’s complaint about Christmas decorations was not aimed at a power company. It was about using a federal structure for the display of a religious symbol.

Surely anyone who lives in the Northwest must know that the Bonneville Power Administration is a branch of the federal government. And surely anyone who is a U.S. citizen must know Article 1 of the Bill of Rights prohibits Congress from authorizing any “establishment of religion.” Therefore, you must agree that the star was erroneously supported by all taxpayers, including nonChristians.

You should be grateful to Sherry Grove for bringing attention to this injustice. Richard Reed Spokane

Gingrich employs a ploy

Come on, folks. Does anyone think House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s noble rejection of the $4.5 million book advance is anything more than a publicity stunt with two objectives? One is to engender interest in buying the book. The second is to make Gingrich appear to be an ethical person ready to practice what he preaches. Nancy Parker Walla Walla