Letters To The Editor

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Apology too little, for wrong reason

George Marlton, your apology is not accepted for the following reasons:

1. I quote, “I think I owe everyone an apology.” Are you sure?

2. A man of your intelligence and background shouldn’t be giving the impression to county managers that this type of behavior is appropriate.

3. Had a reporter not been in the room, would you have awakened that night and realized that this was inappropriate behavior? I believe that you’re apologizing for getting caught, not for the behavior.

4. Finally, “I was tired .” Sounds like the “Packwood excuse.” There are no excuses!

Mr. Champion of women’s rights, I believe now that you only pursue our issues because it’s politically advantageous for you, not because you really believe it.

I won’t vote for someone who exhibits blatantly inappropriate behavior that is degrading to women. Debra Wannamaker Nine Mile Falls

Discovered: Good use for gold badge

Listening to the radio Wednesday morning, I heard County Commissioner George Marlton say that the offensive remarks he made were timed really bad.

Mr. Marlton, what is a good time to make this type of comment?

What concerns me almost as much as the comments themselves is the lack of intelligence it takes for a public official to talk like this, especially considering the news coverage in recent months regarding Gov. Mike Lowry and Sen. Bob Packwood and their unacceptable behavior. Do we really need this person representing the people of Spokane County?

I suggest Mr. Marlton use his new gold badge to pin his mouth shut until someone else is elected. Marilyn Huntley Fairfield

Dirty minds needn’t apply

It’s good that County Commissioner George Marlton showed his true colors before the primary. Now, decent people with moral values will know how to vote.

For too long we have tolerated public officials, movie stars (who made them stars?), and others in the public eye who have no conscience or boundaries.

Our TV networks tell us they’re just reflecting society when they allow filth on the air. Then, is George Marlton reflecting Spokane County’s moral standards? No, George Marlton’s actions reflect the quagmire of his own muddy inner self.

We don’t need dirty-minded politicians; we need statesmen with values and principles. Step aside, George. You’re no leader. Luella Dow Cheney

Low comedy not amusing

Well, nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. First we had Curley (County Commissioner Steve Hasson), then we had Larry (Commissioner Phil Harris) and now we have Mo (Commissioner George Marlton). Who needs old comedy shows when we have a trio like this?

Curley has proven time and again he never emerged from adolescence. Larry runs off to the East Coast to visit his brother at taxpayer expense and buys badges so he can get some respect. (He can’t find any on his own, I guess.) And now, Mo makes us wonder if he went on his own private tour of the Spokane County sex shops.

C’mon, Spokane County voters, can’t we find three more professional and mature representatives than these three stooges? Bruce DeFrates Spokane

Double standard for misbehavior

I’m a conservative. I believe in personal responsibility for one’s deeds and statements. I believe similar offenses should evoke similar penalties.

The accused must be spared any anonymous allegations, and claimants must abide by the statute of limitations. Claimants must be forbidden the use of any source of self-incrimination, such as diaries.

Sen. Bob Packwood’s opponents accomplished through innuendo, the media, a personal diary and outdated claims what they couldn’t do at the polls. They put him out of the Senate. Although I strongly disapprove of the methods, it was undoubtedly the right conclusion. Still, in our society, the end can’t justify the means.

Gov. Mike Lowry paid nearly $100,000 to help sexual harassment charges go away. Sen. Ted Kennedy participated with his nephew in a situation in Florida that resulted in rape charges being made. Earlier, without his wife, he sponsored the Chappaquiddick fiasco, after which, history states, he missed a bridge he’d been driving over all his adult life. This resulted in a young woman drowning. History also states Kennedy could have saved the woman’s life.

The president hasn’t just kissed and fondled women, he’s admitted he’s had intimate relationships with several women other than his wife, as recently as 1992, yet the courts decreed that as a sitting president, he couldn’t be held accountable.

When can I expect to see the resignations of Lowry, Kennedy and Clinton? Are only Republicans ousted from office on morals charges? Tom Cubbage Deer Park

CANDIDATES AND ISSUES

Put my experience to work for you

As a young person and lifelong resident of Spokane, I’ve watched our quiet city discover big-city problems. Drugs, gang violence and street crime are issues we’ve had to come to grips with. The Spokane Police Department regularly tracks 80 gangs with over 400 members.

These are issues that require leadership and policy direction from our city council. Several years ago, my attention was focused on this issue when our city leaders insisted we didn’t have a gang problem and pandered to special interest groups instead of finding real solutions. The council needs leaders in touch with the whole community to effectively deal with these problems.

Spokane’s youth have great potential. Ninety-five percent are upstanding citizens and a credit to our community. Spokane needs a person on city council who, through persuasion and leadership, can create and highlight opportunities for our youth.

I’ve successfully taken advantage of the opportunities this community has to offer. I’m a product of our fine School District 81 and Eastern Washington University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in government.

My experience working with Sen. Jim West in the legislative process also gives me a good understanding of how to get things done for the people of Spokane.

It’s time leaders from my generation owned up to their civic responsibilities. I ask for your vote on Tuesday to put my experience and leadership to work for you. David Holter Spokane

Kolva? No, vote McArthur

In response to Betty Hennessey’s (Aug. 30) letter endorsing Jim Kolva for city council, I agree that Mr. Kolva is a gentleman. I do not know, however, if he is an artist, an officer, a diplomat or if his wife is beautiful, as Mrs. Hennessey claims.

I do know, however, that Mr. Kolva and Mrs. Hennessey served together on the City Planning Commission. I know the commission must take a lot of responsibility for the mess this city is in.

I wonder where Kolva and Hennessey were as the Indian Trail neighborhood was being devastated by development? Where were they when California developers were invading the Thorpe-Westwood neighborhood? Where were they when growth was being planned throughout the city with no thought given to infrastructure problems?

If city residents are happy with our streets and traffic, and approve of the developments occurring in and around their neighborhoods, then Mr. Kolva should be their choice for City Council position 1.

If not, please consider my friend and former neighbor, Ron McArthur. Ron is taking on the formidable task of running a campaign with only neighborhood support and no special interest money.

Ron McArthur will bring common sense and accountability to the council. He will be a voice of the people in all matters that come before the council. And his wife of 40 years is a very nice and caring person. Pete Powell Spokane

Elect Schindler fire commissioner

As owner of a small business, I realize the importance of sound budgeting and fiscal responsibility. As a 30-year resident of the Spokane Valley, I’m very concerned about the need for excellent leadership in our elected officials.

Keeping this in mind, I’m pleased Lynn Schindler is running for fire commissioner, district 1. I have know Lynn for years; she has the experience, leadership skills and sound judgment necessary to ensure our fire department is running in an efficient and effective manner. We can count on Lynn to watch how our money is spent, scrutinize the levy process and communicate openly about district operations. Today, when money is tight, we need someone who knows how to make our tax dollars stretch as far as possible. Lynn is that person. Kate McCaslin Spokane

Elect Querna to District 81 board

The topic of reform and change in education is often in the news. If the change is to take place, it will result from policy decisions by the school board. Christie Querna is a candidate for the District 81 board of directors.

Christie Querna is highly qualified for this position. I retired last year after teaching for 33 years. I knew Ms. Querna as a parent and volunteer in the school. She is knowledgeable, experienced and has the personality traits needed on the school board.

I urge the citizens of Spokane to support her for the District 81 board. Floyd Lee Spokane

Holter well-qualified to lead

As a mother of four small children and member of this community, I think it’s time for citizens to elect a city council member who can and will actually represent them.

David Holter is an intelligent, energetic, thoughtful and highly motivated candidate for city council position No. 1.

I’ve seen him in action as a youth leader and administrator. He gives willingly of his time and resources whenever and wherever he sees a need. He has the ability and integrity to listen carefully to a problem or concern, research and analyze possible solutions, then aggressively pursue the best solution for all concerned.

He consistently demonstrates exceptional organizational skills, and his ability to plan with an eye for the big picture is second to none.

He has clear, definite ideas about how city policy should be made and carried out, with a strong sense of responsibility and accountability.

These are characteristics of a strong leader. Theresa Wagnon Spokane

Holter skilled, dollar-wise manager

Spokane’s in desperate need of new leadership and vision. We need leaders who will respond to Spokane’s problems with thoughtful foresight and integrity. I believe David Holter is this kind of leader.

David believes that leadership is the “conviction to do what is right.” He’s a man of tremendous concern, energy and integrity who can influence the direction of our community.

As a lifelong resident of Spokane, he’s been a consumer of its services such as schools, parks and libraries. He has a vested interest in maintaining the exceptional quality of life here.

David Holter believes Spokane is a great place to live and wants to use his planning, leadership and organizational skills to make it even better.

He’s fiscally conservative, committed to cost containment, savings and the kind of financial accountability we should be able to expect from our city management.

David Holter can provide the kind of leadership we need now in Spokane.

Vote for him for city council position 1. Chuck and Kim Haas Spokane

Make a difference - fund libraries

On Tuesday, Spokane County voters will have the opportunity to make a difference in the future of our children.

Approval of the library bond proposal will add new or expanded facilities to several outlying communities. Computer access from middle/junior high and high school libraries will be made available. New materials will be purchased for all libraries.

One dollar per month for a $100,000 home seems like a bargain for what we will be getting in return.

Vote yes on Tuesday. Debi Kaufman Spokane

Paper dooms more candidates

We now know who isn’t going to be elected to county commissioner in the coming election - eco-twinkie John Roskelley and unknown Art Meikel. Both have received the kiss of death - an endorsement by The Spokesman-Review.

In the last election, nearly all those so endorsed went down to defeat. An exception was Sen. Slade Gorton, who survived a halfhearted S-R endorsement, but a lamppost in a bow tie could have beaten most of his opponents, much less such an able senator and politician as Gorton.

It’s too bad about Meikel. He sounds like a good guy. It’s not too late for him to publicly reject the endorsement. He should do so if he hopes to be a viable candidate.

It will also be interesting to see of the S-R’s lack of credibility extends to issues as well as candidates. The newspaper has endorsed the less responsive form of government proposed by the freeholders, and launched a scurrilous attack on the incumbent commissioners to convince voters they should reject the form of government that put them in office. If history is any guide, voters will reject the S-R’s effort to blacken the men’s reputation and the recommendation. Edwin G. Davis Spokane

IN WASHINGTON STATE

Referendum 48 misrepresented

Tom Rogers’ perspective that Referendum 48 is a “corporate grab” by the “big money boys” (Letters, Sept. 7) is extremely inaccurate and personally offensive.

I’m a small building contractor in Spokane and don’t believe my membership in the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) takes me out of the ordinary citizen category. I have friends who are members of the Farm Bureau, an organization of family farmers, and none of them are “big money boys.” Nor are my Realtor friends, whose annual income is usually less than that of many government employees.

So far, 51 organizations, including BIAW, have joined the coalition of Citizens for Property Rights, and I’m proud to stand up for the good citizenship of these colleagues.

BIAW supports Referendum 48 because it protects the rights of ordinary citizens. The Property Rights Protection Act of 1995 was passed by bipartisan vote in the 1994 Legislature, 79 to 20 in the House, 28 to 20 in the Senate.

Many government bureaucrats would have you believe this statute would prevent all normal zoning and bankrupt government. The truth is, this legislation simply requires government to analyze the cost of regulations that take private property for public use, choose the least costly alternatives and then compensate the property owner if there is no alternative. It was passed by the Legislature because it was necessary to restore balance to increasingly heavy-handed government regulation.

Let’s not be misled by scare tactics. Protect your private property rights by voting to approve Referendum 48. Steve Thosath Spokane

Referendum 48 windfall for lawyers

On Nov. 7 the people of Washington will vote on Referendum 48. Misnamed the Private Property Rights Referendum, this measure should be named the Lawyer’s Full Employment Act. The lawyers will feast on this one.

Referendum 48 is sponsored by big business with big plans for Washington state. Unrestricted development, development, development.

Gone will be our protections against unscrupulous developments that pollute or land and water. Small-scale private property owners and the public would be helpless against those who could degrade their neighbors’ property values through actions performed on their lands without regard to the public good.

The way Referendum 48 works is to make our public health, safety and environmental laws too expensive to enforce by requiring exhaustive cost-benefit analysis and opening virtually every law on the books to endless litigation. State and county governments throughout Washington are identifying services they could not continue under Referendum 48 - services supported by the state’s people to keep Washington the desirable place to live that it is.

One look at the sprawl and pollution along the I-5 corridor will give you an idea of where Referendum 48 is taking us. Vote no on Referendum 48. Robert Wilson Richland

Sterk on side of the angels

I’m concerned for my children’s safety, but when it comes to our lawmakers and lawyers, I feel I’m the only one who cares. There only seems to be a handful of representatives who are working to represent my view. That’s why I would like to send kudos to Rep. Mark Sterk, who is sponsoring a bill in Olympia to keep sex offenders in jail for the time between conviction and sentencing.

It sounds like common sense to me. Once proven guilty, these people should remain incarcerated. It took a tragedy to bring this to light, and it took our own state legislative representatives to bring it to the floor. Sam Cathcart Spokane