Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Sweetser turnabout is foul play

How terribly disturbing and discouraging it is to see Spokane County Prosecutor Jim Sweetser’s callous firing of two of his most experienced, dedicated and competent deputy prosecutors. Such a lamentable squandering of resources and personnel should certainly create apprehension in the minds of crime victims throughout the county.

As a former deputy prosecutor, I can personally vouch for the lost talent these terminations have cost the taxpayers.

Voters should recall that one of Jim Sweetser’s oftrepeated campaign goals was to require “just cause” prior to termination. Ad nauseam, Jim Sweetser criticized his predecessor for creating an office atmosphere rife with fear regarding job security in that Don Brockett would not embrace Jim Sweetser’s “just cause” philosophy.

Is it not then particularly ironic that, in his first day in office, Jim Sweetser fired more people than Don Brockett did in 30 years? If Don Brockett created an atmosphere of fear, such an atmosphere must be nearly palpable today.

Jim Sweetser goes on and on about his “vision” and “team players” but with apparently little understanding of either concept.

So, to the remaining good people of the prosecuting attorney’s office (and there are so many), keep your heads down, your opinions silent and your resumes current, lest you run afoul of your capricious new boss and his shortsighted vision. Apparently, the Orwellian pigs are standing on their hind legs. Paul B. Mack Spokane

STA deals with firms of all types

I would like to correct some misconceptions in Jack Meredith’s Jan. 4 letter, “STA would do well to try small firms.”

Mr. Meredith is mistaken that Spokane Transit Authority seemingly does not want to deal with small firms. On the contrary, STA has established and maintained excellent working relationships with numerous “small” firms, many of them in the Spokane area. STA’s records show effective procurement from businesses of all sizes and conditions.

The referenced problem, though, is the delayed construction and delivery of three trolley replica vehicles. The manufacturer recently indicated surprise upon being reminded that the executed contract states that payment would be made upon delivery of all three vehicles. Based upon STA’s intention to obtain all three vehicles at the same time, payment provisions were clearly disclosed in both the specifications and the contract which the manufacturer competed for, won and signed.

Following the manufacturer’s surprise, there was a request to STA for some reconsideration. That request and recommendation was approved in concept by the STA board of directors, provided that the board would act on final acceptance of any negotiations, and that staff also would review other alternatives as well.

In attempting to secure all of the vehicles that were contracted for, and to consider the vendor’s financial and production capability as well, STA’s board and staff are doing what is reasonable, prudent and fair.

Keep in mind, too, that larger businesses are not immune to similar financial and contract performance problems. Robert Allen Schweim, executive director Spokane Transit Authority

Surprise end to fire protection

Last Friday night, I watched Jeff Blackwell’s house burn to the ground because no fire department would respond.

Prior to this tragedy, the Nine Mile Fire Department has always responded to emergencies in our area, both for fire calls and medical emergencies. Just two weeks ago, a fire truck responded to a call in the “no fire district” zone when a vehicle rolled down an embankment off the Seven Mile Road.

In the 60-some years that my family has lived at Seven Mile, the Nine Mile Fire Department has never failed to heed a call for help from our area. If their policy changed in the two weeks since the vehicle accident, why were residents not notified?

In 1990, my husband and I built a home in the same area as the Blackwells. The agent who arranged our homeowner’s insurance investigated our fire protection situation and assured us that the Nine Mile Fire Department would respond to us if they were not already busy with an emergency in their area. Until last Friday, this is what they have done.

Last summer, when an arsonist terrorized our area, trucks and personnel from Nine Mile, Spokane and the Department of Natural Resources, along with firefighters from across the state of Washington, responded without hesitation when needed.

It grieves me to think that because of an arbitrary unpublicized policy change on the part of fire officials, Jeff Blackwell’s home is now ashes. Sue McLellan Riggs Nine Mile Falls

Medical care, caring were superb

With much of the region’s attention focused on the baby Ryan story, we feel compelled to write in support of the Spokane medical community.

We have met many of the doctors and medical staff people involved in the acute care of newborn infants in Eastern Washington. In June, our daughter, Kaitlyn, was airlifted to Spokane in critical condition after suffering from asphyxia during birth. As her vital signs deteriorated, the doctors tried valiantly to save her life. They consulted with other experts and specialists.

These were the same doctors who treated Ryan Nguyen. They never quit and they never once asked about our ability to pay. They treated us with dignity and respect. When it became apparent that Kaitlyn was dying, all of the doctors offered us kindness and compassion and helped in our decision to donate our daughter’s heart.

We know that sometimes what we hope for can’t come true. The message you receive from your doctor is frequently not the one you want to hear. During sadness and grief it can be tough to communicate effectively.

While experiencing every parent’s worst nightmare come true, we also know that Kaitlyn was fortunate to be cared for by some of the most remarkable and caring people we have ever met. We also know that many more babies will be saved because of their skill and dedication. We pray for Ryan’s continued improvement. Martin and Julee Erkela Omak, Wash.

THE MEDIA

Must you impart celebrity status?

“Pulp Fiction” writer Quentin Tarantino said, “The media make our killers into celebs.”

And so Felicia Ann Reese’s smiling “wrong place at wrong time” (accused) killer gets front page status.

“Good Paper” makes good decision? Jerry Malone Spokane

Using suspect’s picture big mistake

The picture on your Jan. 3 front page of accused murderer Kevin Boot is the most flagrant act of stupidity that I have seen in 40 years of reading papers from around the world. By making this animal look like a movie star, you have advertised to all wannabe gang members that the path to success and glory is to kill an innocent victim in Spokane.

The next time an act of senseless violence occurs in Spokane, you will be partially responsible because you chose to glorify this despicable act of cowardliness. If you felt it necessary to show a picture of this person, it should have been less like a studio PR shot and the caption should have said something like, “18 convictions in four years.”

Unfortunately, the damage is already done. No amount of rationalization on your part can change that. This terrible lack of judgment should not be overlooked. The person responsible for allowing this picture to appear on your front page should resign in disgrace. Richard H. Hagelin III Spokane

Boot piece ‘irresponsible’

It is hard to believe that evil is so pervasively glamorized these days - and on the front page of a major regional newspaper, no less. Has something gone over your head?

Evil is wrong. There can be no situationally relative circumstances that would make murder for $43 even remotely forgiveable or justifiable.

Did you look into the eyes of Kevin Boot on the front page of your Jan. 4 issue and see the same lack of remorse that your readers did? Did you consider the implications of your caption, “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that’s all”?

Both items only seemed to condone his actions. That’s sick and socially irresponsible.

Please, make an effort to promote moral integrity and social responsibility instead of denigrating them. Eric Doering Colfax, Wash.

All-around degrading episode

Why would a network ever air such a derogatory and inflammatory remark as that spoken about Hillary Clinton by the mother of House Speaker Newt Gingrich? What possible good could ever result from a remark such as this and the reporting of same?

We are degrading our presidential office, our news reporters, our news services, and we are degrading ourselves as human beings.

Come on now. Let’s get a life and grow up. Can anyone tell me what the Golden Rule is? Dick McInerney Spokane

Newspapers need code, too

I congratulate The Spokesman-Review on the neat point-counterpoint of Jan. 6. I want to make a point to Chris Peck about his point that talk radio needs a code of ethics.

I think that newspapers need as much of a code of ethics, and if the newspaper institutes one nationally I would be in favor of one for talk radio. The need for it has become evident in light of the reporting during the elections.

Chris Peck also cites the need for talk radio to invite the voices of dissent on. During the elections, on my program I continually asked for Tom Foley supporters to come on my program, as I was against Foley. In that time I had Sally Jackson on to support Tom Foley, a local photographer and someone who had produced a documentary against talk radio. I’ve had Donna Shalala on my program to support Tom Foley. I am an anti-gun control person and I’ve had numerous pro-gun control advocates on to support their point of view.

I would like to invite Chris Peck on my program to support his idea that talk radio needs a code of ethics. Todd Herman, host of Back Talk KSBN Radio, Spokane

Dual standard at work here

(Managing editor) Chris Peck is sure quick to condemn talk radio when it doesn’t agree with his point of view. But when it comes to preaching his subliminal, liberal agenda in the newspaper, with its buzzwords and innuendoes, he doesn’t want anyone infringing on that. Ronald P. Grunwald Valleyford, Wash.

Vink, front and center

Our Metro columnist, David Anthony Richelieu, has alerted all members of the (San Antonio, Texas) ExpressNews staff and most of our nearly 1 million readers that (Food editor) Graham Vink has maligned San Antonio, the great state of Texas and, horrors, the Alamo.

We don’t get excited when misinformation or abuse is hurled at us by Yankees, since they don’t know any better.

However, when abuse comes from our friends in the Northwest, it catches our attention, especially when the critic has never been to San Antonio and Texas.

The only solution is a shootout (showdown) between Graham Vink and our chosen defender, David Anthony Richelieu, in front of the Alamo at your earliest convenience. Mr. Vink can choose weapons, between a plate of jalapenos or two-dozen tacos.

We have no doubt our Metro columnist will defend our honor in the most heroic manner and convince Mr. Vink San Antonio is the greatest city in the world.

If you dare accept this challenge, Mr. Vink, set a date, get on a plane in Spokane (at your expense, of course) and prepare to eat your words. W. James Moss, executive editor San Antonio Express-News, Texas

Postage increase reasonable

Once again, I missed the point Milt Priggee is trying to make in his Jan. 5 cartoon with the oversized mailbox. I don’t think it has to do with the rate increase because the 3 cent hike, at 10.3 percent, was a full 2 percent below inflation. In fact, at the time of the last rate increase in 1991, your newspaper cost 35 cents, having just been increased the year before from 25 cents. Since then it has gone up to 50 cents, which is an increase of almost 43 percent and a 100 percent increase in less than five years.

I think you should deal with problems around your own house before you start throwing rocks at ours. Jeff Danner Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Judge Kelly did as the law requires

In the Jan. 4 Spokesman-Review, Judge Marcus Kelly is accused of throwing out evidence because of a “technicality.”

Roundtable letters complain about soft judges, loopholes and microscopic technicalities. Clearly, people concluded that something frivolous was relied on to prevent the evidence from being used.

The “technicality” here is the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and a similar provision in the Washington state Constitution.

Prior to any evidence of an assault, two sheriff’s deputies entered a private residence without a warrant. Federal and Washington law require that police not enter private residences without a warrant. An invitation to enter or “exigent” circumstances are exceptions.

I represented Kevin Boot. A motion to suppress evidence was made. At a hearing, both officers testified that no consent was obtained to enter the dwelling. Both conceded they could have applied for a warrant.

Judge Kelly found that the officers entered the private dwelling without a warrant and there was no exception to the requirement present. The judge followed appellate court decisions. He was bound by the law.

It was evident that Judge Kelly was not happy about what he had to do. Had he not followed the law, he would be subject to reversal by the Court of Appeals.

Our forefathers provided basic protections to all citizens. No one should consider a basic constitutional protection such as freedom from unreasonable police intrusion into private lives a mere technicality.

Articles such as this feed the anger and ignorance of people who have no idea what a constitutional guarantee is. John Hunt Whaley Assistant public defender

Maybe if judges are victimized …

I, like many others, am sick to death of the easy route that juvenile and adult criminals have in the so-called judicial system.

The fastest way to get some reform in this Mickey Mouse system is to hope and pray that some of the weakkneed judges and lawyers become victims themselves in the near future. Then, you’d see some real changes.

I’d like to see judges make restitution to victims out of their own pockets when the criminals don’t follow the law. Bill Bean Veradale

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Giant sucking sound? Listen up

When Ross Perot predicted, prior to its confirmation by Congress, that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would create a “giant sucking sound,” his view was derided by many in the media, including your newspaper.

Now I’m reading that the United States “has agreed to pay half of an $18 billion international loan package to help Mexico stabilize the peso and recover from its economic crisis,” according to a wire report from Mexico City.

The report continues, “If Mexico uses the money to stabilize the peso …” What’s this “if?” Did the United States give Mexico billions without earmarking the money for the use to which it was to be put?

Nobody needs ears like Perot’s to hear a “giant sucking sound,” or to locate a sucker, either. Harry E. Missildine Moscow, Idaho