Letters To The Editor

IN THE PAPER

Swack’s hammered by reporter

Sunday’s front page article, “Leaving Swack’s hammered,” has personally insulted me by the irresponsible journalism of Bonnie Harris.

I spoke at length with her regarding a story she was doing on drinking and driving, and what bars and restaurants do to curb DWIs. I find her tactic of misquoting what we have said to suit her article appalling, unless, of course, you are now a supermarket tabloid.

The statement, “regardless of this though, we are doing a good job. The DWI arrest numbers may be there, but we’ve never been shut down, cited or fined for overserving anybody” is not mine. She told me she had gone through records and found out we had not been shut down, cited or fined and asked if this was true. I only said yes.

I fully realize the duties and responsibilities of alcohol service and I take very seriously the impact a drunk driver will have upon the community. Swackhammer’s will always continue to improve on our alcohol intervention techniques and will continue to lower the number of DWIs attributed to us.

I hope that Bonnie Harris and The Spokesman-Review take their responsibility to report accurately just as seriously. Tom Lynch Spokane

Story was a low, unfair blow

Not only was “Leaving Swack’s hammered” (Feb. 26) callous and insensitive, it was an affront to all the employees who have earned the right to work in the lounge at Swackhammer’s Restaurant.

Prior to employment in the lounge, each employee is given a comprehensive interview. Having successfully completed that, they are tested on material pertinent to lounge policies and procedures. Swackhammer’s manuals on lounge policies and procedures and associated material are extensive. In addition, each server is certified, having attended a specified number of classroom hours and passing a certification exam. The certification program is regarded as one of the best in the country.

Meetings are held weekly to inform and educate each employee. They are tested frequently regarding this information. The Washington State Liquor Board and the police are aware of our efforts to train and equip each server with the best possible information. Management and staff have worked closely with both the police and liquor board to enhance their ability to create a safe, wholesome environment and ensure that no one leaves Swackhammer’s intoxicated.

Swackhammer’s is a high-profile restaurant/lounge. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that the authorities are going to single us out. Nonetheless, management has exercised initiative and solicited the participation and assistance of the police and liquor board.

Swackhammer’s policy is and always has been to ensure that no one is overserved, thereby reducing the DWI rate. However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the patron. Frank B. De Lis Spokane

Not even a silent scream

I enjoyed the article in Sunday’s IN Life on yoga. However, there were a couple of points made by Graham Vink in his humorous piece “Quite a stretch” which I feel the need to clarify.

His reference to my stomping on his thighs to stretch them, causing him to scream, definitely got my attention. This is not, in fact, what happened! It would be difficult to describe the stretch in a letter, but needless to say it was a gentle assist in which I applied firm pressure to his thighs - and he didn’t scream. Yoga is nonviolent and the instructor is always careful to respect the student.

Second, judging a student for having chubby wrists, or anything else for that matter, simply isn’t appropriate, especially in a yoga class. We, as teachers, take special care not to judge others and we aim to create an environment of trust and self-acceptance. Alison Rubin Spokane

SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL

Anderson comment offensive

Although I may disagree with many elected officials’ opinions, seldom am I so moved that I choose to respond.

I find Councilman Chris Anderson’s public statement of Feb. 27, “Anyone contributing money expects some positive return back,” to be offensive and without merit. If this is his personal practice, thank God it is not shared by thousands of local community-minded citizens, organizations and businesses. Jim Ray Spokane

Anderson comes off as a spoiler

Following the recent Spokane City Council retreat there was a public announcement that council members had unanimously agreed to several communications strategies. Those were to respect individuals, work toward common goals and benefit the citizens of Spokane.

However, Councilman Chris Anderson’s commitment to those ideals appears to be short-lived, based on his performance at the Feb. 20 City Council meeting.

Councilman Anderson said in The SpokesmanReview following the retreat that he would respect his peers and their individual ways of communicating, and that the retreat process had been worthwhile. However, his out-of-the-blue attack on (Park Board President) Dennis Hession showed Mr. Anderson has no respect for the processes which currently exist within our city’s government.

If, as he loudly claimed, Councilman Anderson knew information early in the afternoon that could significantly impact an issue coming before the City Council that evening, why didn’t he take legal accusations to the city attorney’s office - the first step in any legal matter coming before the city; bring the matter before the council members at their 5:30 p.m. briefing for a discussion of what the appropriate steps might be; and call Mr. Hession to clarify or get confirmation of the information he had received?

Councilman Anderson’s tactics do not inspire faith in his word, nor do they lead one to believe that he has the best interests at heart of all residents of this city. Jeff Colliton Spokane

Holmes should pay council seat fee

Two weeks ago, City Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes voted in favor of a $25,000 expenditure of public money for a study to find out why the composting facility operated by O.M. Scott stinks. She stated that the study would make her feel more comfortable.

Give any of us that $25,000 and we will find other ways to make her feel comfortable!

Fortunately, other council members rightly determined that if there were to be a study, it was O.M. Scott’s responsibility.

She also recently voted for a $7,000-plus expenditure for a feel-good council retreat.

I hate to shock anyone, but in light of a recent proceeding, the Waltons the council ain’t.

At the Feb. 27 council meeting, Councilwoman Holmes wanted to know who would pay the $285 fee for the use of public facilities for an upcoming citizens’ forum. The taxpayers have already paid for the facility and now they get to pay to use it. I think we should charge Ms. Holmes $25 to use the Council Chambers each week.

Boy, Ms. Holmes, you know how to fleece it out of the taxpayers! Step up to the trough. Bob Crouch Spokane

Citizen retreat foes just insecure

What are Phyllis Holmes, Joel Crosby and other City Council members so afraid of? Ms. Holmes’ whining about the $285 cost for a citizens’ retreat and copy costs for distribution of information to the public seem ironic.

Was it not Holmes’ brilliant idea to bring Dr. Mathis here to “cure” the council at a taxpayer price of $10,000? Was is not Mr. Crosby who Sunday evening brought an “old friend” here from Fresno, Calif., who happens to be a consultant, to lobby the city for $150,000 for a community plan?

The City Council set five priorities at its overpriced, failed retreat. The citizens’ retreat will merely be an opportunity for the regular citizen to voice what his or her priorities are and maybe go a step further and offer some solutions.

This retreat is not, contrary to what some of our more paranoid council members think, a political platform for potential candidates, but a forum in which people will be allowed to express their opinions without being chastised - a novel idea.

The fee is not the issue, though many groups have used these facilities in the past with all fees waived. It is once again the anti-citizen, don’t-bother-me-withinput attitude which is so prevalent on our council.

The sad commentary here is the fear shown by some on the City Council of hearing what the public has to say. They should be the first ones lined up at the door on March 11, with notebooks in hand. Darlene Becker Spokane

PUBLIC SAFETY

Let trains sound loud warnings

In response to a recent article in this newspaper, I am very concerned about the curtailing of whistleblowing by trains when they approach crossings.

We have established certain laws to protect human life. Not so many years ago, we would hear of train/ automobile accidents quite frequently. We don’t hear of as many because of safety features such as flashing lights and bells at crossings, warning arms that stop cars, and the whistle the train sounds as it nears the intersection. If we start eliminating the safeguards created to protect us, I’m afraid we are going to see an increase in needless deaths.

People who complain of having trouble sleeping due to the whistle of the trains should ask themselves if they will sleep any better if even one child is killed because the arms failed to lower and the driver did not see the train in time. Lisa Thulon Spokane

Don’t single out motorcyclists

I am responding to Elizabeth Campbell’s letter regarding motorcycle riders and their medical responsibility (“Pay to ride without skull bucket,” Roundtable, Feb. 22).

Ms. Campbell presented many facts and figures about the cost of motorcycle accidents to all of us. She cited a study done at Harborview Medical Center which has been proven inaccurate. But even if one accepts her numbers, some questions remain.

Ms. Campbell, would you please offer a similar analysis of the cost of automobile accidents to the public? You will find that, in comparison, the cost of motorcycle accidents is insignificant. Perhaps you could more logically demand that all operators of motor vehicles drive responsibly and carry adequate insurance and an organ donor card.

We all share the road and a responsibility to each other. Singling out groups - to which you don’t belong, of course - only increases the problems for all of us. Bob Crabb Spokane

SPOKANE CITY/COUNTY

Charter vote should be on parts

The Board of Freeholders will soon present its charter to the Board of County Commissioners for presentation to voters in the general election. The freeholders plan to present the charter and its components as a package, to be accepted or rejected in its entirety by the voters.

The problem is, if the entire charter is rejected by the voters Spokane County citizens will lose their opportunity to be self-governing as far as issues of initiative, referendum, recall and some other items are concerned.

In light of the freeholders’ financial consultant’s report, as well as for other reasons, I suggest the charter be presented to the voters in two parts, be accepted or rejected independently.

The first part of the charter to be voted on would be the basic items of self-governance - initiative, referendum and recall; and such items which lead to more representative, effective government without increased cost. The second part is the item of consolidation, which deserves a discussion of its own.

A recent comment to the freeholders by their financial consultant, indicating it seems that there are other ways to obtain your objectives without this costly consolidation process, should not be lightly dismissed.

If you want to provide the Board of Freeholders your input, now is the time. If the charter is presented, as is presently intended by the board, voters will have to reject the whole charter in order to avoid the costly consolidation items, which will also mean voting no on more desirable items of self-governance. Betty Nunnery Board of Freeholders, Third District

OTHER TOPICS

Most of TV based on hidden charges

I don’t object to making a small contribution to the public broadcasting system through federal income tax. I resent contributions to the commercial television system through hidden charges.

I especially resent contributions to the ridiculous salaries of ballplayers, golfers, auto racers, tennis players, hockey players, entertainers, talk show hosts and all the others who are vastly overpaid by this socialistic system.

Instead of selling their products to consumers, the commercial television networks sell it to sponsors. The sponsors, in turn, add the cost onto the bill of the consuming public through inflated prices for their products.

If PBS should stand on its own, why not the same for commercial television? Allow me to pay for the television I watch. Stop forcing me to contribute to the cost of junk shows and events that I don’t watch each time I buy a sponsor’s product.

If commercial television networks had to sell their product to consumers, there might not be so much trash on television. If the money for these ridiculous salaries were coming only from people who were paying to view those events, the salaries might not be so ridiculous. If both were true, consumers could be paying lower prices for commercial products and services.

Too many consumers don’t realize they are contributing to commercial television through hidden charges because they have been told that television is free. It’s been said: Nothing costs so much as that which is free. John Smerer Spokane

Forest snags have role to play

In D.F. Oliveria’s Feb. 21 editorial supporting Sen. Larry Craig’s proposed “forest health” bill, the statement, “Most Americans don’t want to see diseased and dead trees wasted” is very misleading. Standing as well as downed dead trees are important elements of the complex forest ecosystem and are not “waste.”

Snags are standing dead trees which may last as long as 125 years and provide habitat for many cavity-nesting birds and mammals. Many bird species that require snags for habitat also prey upon insects that eat trees.

In their technical review for the U.S. Forest Service, “The Seen and Unseen World of the Fallen Tree,” Maser and Trappe outline the benefits of decaying trees:

Store water during drought that will be released slowly to benefit plants.

Discourage erosion and improve fish habitat in streams.

Serve as nurseries for new plant life.

Provide food for a succession of microbes, plants and animals that replenish soils.

Act as carbon “sinks” that reduces carbon dioxide in the air and slow global warming.

A 400-year-old tree will still be providing nutrients and shelter 400 years after its death. Someone who thinks dead trees are only useful if cut down and hauled away should not be providing primary editorial comment on forest issues. Jeff Hedge Spokane

Ticketmaster monopoly no good

I have been reading about Pearl Jam battling Ticketmaster about the company’s rates for tickets.

In my opinion, Ticketmaster is acting like a monopoly. Who else is going to sell tickets for the groups?

If Pearl Jam wishes to sell tickets for a certain price, then it should. It’s Pearl Jam’s shows and music, so why not let the group charge its own prices?

Many people would like to see a Pearl Jam concert, but what if they don’t know someone who belongs to a certain fan club, which is one of the only ways to see one of the group’s concerts?

Shouldn’t the group or the manager be the ones who decide the price, not Ticketmaster?

I totally agree with Pearl Jam. Erica Mauhar Post Falls