Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Things library should consider

When the city library bond issue was on the ballot several years ago, we voted for it. If we move into the county, we will pay $40 per person to borrow from the city library. We’ve paid city property taxes for several years and are proud to have helped with the new library.

Another example of unfairness concerns the tremendous amount of work accomplished in the genealogy department of the city library by members of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution, Grand Army of the Republic, Colonial Dames, Daughters of 1812 and other patriotic societies, the Masonic Order, the Huguenot Society, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other church groups, certified genealogists, teachers, authors and people from various walks of life.

They donate historic and family history items, money and they take turns staffing the genealogy department. The library does not hire anyone for this job, yet the public is served well by knowledgeable people.

Not all of these people live inside the city. I’ve known several who come from as far north as Colville and Deer Park, from as far west as Coulee City and from as far east as Coeur d’Alene. They donate time and materials to our public library’s genealogy department without expecting any favors.

Every item and hour that are donated mean less for the city to spend. Let’s hope that this interest by so many living outside the city doesn’t go unappreciated for a $40 fee.

Spokane County, please initiate a bond issue for a computer that’s compatible with ours. Lillian Oletree Forster Spokane

Library should be there for all

I read with great dismay and anger about the library board’s recent decision to charge county residents up to a $100 user fee for the use of the public library.

As a teacher for 20 years in Spokane public schools, I have utilized the public library to bring additional literature to my first-graders in hopes of encouraging a love of literature and learning, plus pushing the use of the library.

Several schools that are part of Spokane School District 81 are located in the county. Those students - many of whom may come from low socioeconomic homes - would be deprived of yet another means of enhancing their education due to this decision.

Summer reading opportunities for the youths of Spokane will be greatly diminished.

How can a library discriminate against people who aren’t on the city payroll or don’t happen to live within the city limits?

If costs must be cut, I can understand not mailing out reserve books or charging more for overdue books. But we can’t turn the public library into a “book club” for only those with money. Diane M. Cadagan Spokane

Here are science center facts

As one who has worked on the Pacific Science Center project for over two years, I am amazed by the amount of misinformation that persists about this project.

The following facts should answer some of the questions raised:

1. The carrousel and gondola will be totally unaffected by the science center in the pavilion, except that their operations will be enhanced by greater numbers of families using the park.

2. The IMAX Theatre and skating rink will remain available for use by persons who do not wish to use the science center. The skating rink will retain its current configuration and will be open for hockey and other activities as it is now.

These facilities will certainly be upgraded and improved during the Pacific Science Center construction process.

3. The rides have been an important feature in the park for a number of years. The park board has decided that a community study will be made to determine what should become of them. Many people have indicated they like the rides.

This is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested to let the board know whether they want rides in the park and, if so, where the rides should be located.

We all need to work together to bring about an even better Riverfront Park that offers not only amusement rides in the summer but also a science center in the pavilion on a year-round basis. Donald A. Ericson Spokane

Bring imagination to the park

Though I have not seen the daily ticket and usage rates for the Riverfront Park pavilion-sited children’s rides, certainly, kinetic motion rides are pleasing for both children and onlookers. It is in this sense that I make the following suggestions:

1. Park rides help draw families to the downtown area. Nothing like a little leisure in a natural riverine setting after shopping.

2. Perhaps we should imagine the science center as a set of spheres, balanced around the lower outside of the present cable-silhouette pavilion. The second or third floors could be topped within the cable mesh, utilizing another geosphere roof.

3. Ask various groups to present proposals for combination educational/scientific/fun rides. Some of these types of rides could be of the mobile, lockdown type which would allow dual or even triple use of space. Different floor usages might include educational inline skating games that score points using electronic cuffs or anklets, for example, or action-reaction air car gliders with vectoring air blasters on an ultra-smooth floor mat.

4. Move path of some rides so they pass through transparent time and science demo tunnels in the science center.

5. Would a greenhouse-aquarium tube be interesting?

I wonder what beautiful ideas and skills our community possesses. Gary Leigh Miller Spokane

Honk at late-light runners

The word is “abhorrent!”

This is the simplest way to describe the driving habits and behaviors of many of the esteemed citizens of Spokane.

Without going into excruciating detail as to the many near misses, erratic lane changes (without signaling) and avoiding rear-end crashes, as well as the sign language and semi-verbal conflicts that I have witnessed, I’ll concentrate on just one: The “traffic light is still yellow” optical denial syndrome.

At almost any busy intersection, one can witness several violations during a single traffic light cycle.

Personally, I have no qualms about motorists attempting to turn left when the light turns red. On the contrary, I sympathize. However, motorists often accelerate through red lights, causing often dangerous situations.

Next time you see someone breaking the law (it still is, you know) while waiting first in line for your light to turn green (which it has) and you notice some maniac running the light, give the person a blast of your horn. It probably won’t stop them dead in their tracks, but maybe the person will think next time, before blasting through a red light and into your new car.

Or just try out this piece of advice:

When in doubt, stop. David C. James Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Flat tax would be the final straw

Pat Truly (Spokesman-Review, Dec. 31) cited dividing us into working vs. leisure classes as a glitch in the flat tax plan. This is a fatal flaw if one were concerned about our nation’s future.

Plutarch cited an imbalance between rich and poor as the oldest, most fatal ailment of republics.

The Council of Economic Advisors cited the widening gap between rich and poor as “a threat to the social fabric.”

In the two or three decades following World War II, most Americans could purchase a home, send their children to college and live respectably on one salary. Most families today cannot enjoy that type of life on two or even three salaries. And 20 percent of children today live in poverty.

A major factor is the shift of the federal tax burden onto middle America. Due to inflation and tax bracket creep, the effective federal rate applied to a median family grew from approximately 10 percent in the 1950s to over 24 percent in 1990, while the top 1 percent saw their effective rate fall from about 85.5 percent to just over 26 percent.

The top 1 percent had the political clout to get tax loopholes and, during the Reagan administration, the reduction of the top marginal rate to 28 percent. Corporate America won reduction of its share of federal income from 31 to less than 10 percent.

A flat rate tax in place of what is left of the progressive income tax would continue the destruction of middle America and ultimately of our nation as we know it. Stan Robinson Cheney

Liberals back here now

Where have all the ousted liberals gone? To Gov. Mike Lowry’s office, everyone.

It is time for payback, Mike, they are singing. The conservative element now in Washington is going to downsize the federal government.

As you know, Mike, they are going to place more responsibility on state governments. Appoint us losers to the most influential commissions and boards (the paying ones, of course) and we will see this Washington becomes more like the one we just left. We promise to carry on the same tax-and-spend liberal policies you have here.

Heck Mike, they are the same ones you had when you were there. The voters will never notice. Remember, it took them 40 years to figure it out last time. Ken Garceau Spokane

Conservatives hold monopoly on virtue

There has been quite an amount of rhetoric recently in all the news media concerning liberals and conservatives. It is time that these terms be defined. My interpretation of these terms follows.

A liberal is one who must have a crutch to make it through life. One who wants to have an ace in the hole at all times; one who depends on the government to provide for him whenever his luck runs out. One who could care less about whose money is used to provide him with the comforts that he wants.

A conservative, on the other hand, is one who wants to do it on his own; one who will sink or swim based on his efforts, thus doesn’t rely on a crutch or an unwelcome helping hand unless it is a dire emergency. The conservative wants to earn and keep the money that he is paid. His major objections are taxes, government intrusion in his life and big government in general. He cares and will happily share with those who are truly in need but will walk right on by a professional beggar.

To the liberal , the Constitution is just a piece of paper. But to the conservative, it is a way of life and the governmental authority for the freedom that he desires. Earl G. Fox Spokane

We showed those city slickers

We who regularly see the “McNeill-Lehrer Report” on public television were thrilled and proud to see their feature on Spokane Tuesday night.

I started voting against Tom Foley when he stopped representing Eastern Washington - a long time ago.

The point was made in that segment that many voters out here in the rural, unpopulated belly of America now wish to be represented. The recent fall election showed that. No more will the urban New York City, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco folks tell us what to believe and how to vote. Jean S. Hagie Cheney

THE MEDIA

Chung’s stock takes nose dive

In response to Connie Chung’s situation with Mrs. Gingrich, my statement is: Basically, I think Connie Chung is a journalistic prostitute. Thomas LaVigne Clayton

Christianity’s point missed

How is it that an intelligent American woman can be the author of a syndicated newspaper column and six books and yet have such a distorted view of Christianity?

Spokesman-Review columnist Jennifer James’ Christmas Day article used an eccentric account of the Christmas story as an ornament for her critique of violence in America.

I also decry today’s violence, but I am bothered by those who use certain elements of Christianity without coming to grips with what the Christian faith is all about.

To Jennifer James, “Christmas is about … a cultural revolution against the harsh and violent regime of Herod. Jesus Christ was offered as a new hero, a gentle, thoughtful prophet preaching love, compassion and grace … Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of a new generation.”

Such high-sounding words may appear authentic to the uninformed but they miss the two central ideas of Christmas.

The first is that the creator of the universe sent his son to live on earth. He was - to use Isaiah’s word - Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”

Secondly, this newborn baby was given a name which pointed to the purpose of his earthly mission. He was called Jesus (savior), for he was to save his people from their sins by later giving his life on the cross as a ransom for many.

Whether one believes the true story of Christmas is obviously a matter of personal choice, but substituting a human invention for the incarnate God is intellectually dishonest. Edwin A. Olson Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Railroad life harder than stated

I am responding to the Your Turn of last Saturday, “Railroad vocation is a lonely choice.”

As the wife of another railroad engineer, I can’t express how severely understated the disadvantages facing railworkers and their families are.

I married into railroad life, along with two children. Several years have passed and we are used to Dad being gone, usually every other day. This isn’t too bad in summer but there is no planning for holidays, birthdays or activities during the rest of the year. Dad can lay off work for a day or two if the railroad has enough men that day. It will cut into his paycheck, though.

The railroad works on a seniority basis. Fair enough; my husband will eventually be able to hold a decent job, where he might get weekends off, maybe even holidays without cutting his pay too much. He’s been working for the railroad for almost 19 years and can’t hold a good job yet.

True, he makes good pay according to national standards. Take into consideration the hazardous and stressful conditions in which he works and it doesn’t quite seem adequate. Because of his crazy schedule, I don’t work. If I did, I would rarely see him. Many railroad spouses have to work. I don’t see how they maintain a relationship.

Railroaders are drawn to their work through the nostalgia and mystique surrounding it. Once on the rails, they and their families face a big wake-up call - often at 2 a.m. J.M. Billings Nine Mile Falls

Group needs a new target

We must take exception to statements made recently and in the past in regard to taxpayer money being spent and wasted moving Idaho Fish and Game personnel.

Idaho Property Owners Association people should scrutinize their property tax assessments more closely. Nowhere do we see on ours a levy for Idaho Fish and Game. In fact, when they do look at the budget, they will see that Idaho Fish and Game makes, in lieu of taxes, payments to the county. They will also see that Idaho Fish and Game funds compensate property owners for degradation to crops by wildlife.

Idaho Fish and Game is funded by the sale of licenses and tags to hunters and fishermen, through excise taxes on equipment bought by hunters and fishermen and by private endowments and foundations. If the agency can save a few thousand dollars of our money by using trucks bought with our money to move its personnel, then it is all right with us.

It is also all right with us if the Idaho Property Owners Association sets its sights a little higher and directs its shots toward the waste of hundreds of thousands of dollars of actual taxpayer money.

We hope that all the people of Idaho appreciate as much as we do Idaho’s wildlife and the excellent job that Idaho Fish and Game does to conserve and protect that wildlife on such limited funds. Lee Carrick and Ron Frederickson Northern Idaho Tree Hound Association