Letters To The Editor

HEALTH AND SAFETY

No drive-bys for Group Health

It’s difficult to reconcile the image of HMOs portrayed in the press with my own experience of Group Health Northwest, a local HMO my family and I have belonged to for 12 years.

I feel compelled to speak up in light of the recent flap over so-called drive-by mastectomies. On the surface, this seems an alarming trend. After 10 minutes of research, I find no local insurance company, HMO or otherwise, has a policy of refusing overnight stays for mastectomy patients.

I can say from personal experience, having had a fairly recent mastectomy and extensive chemotherapy, that Group Health went out of its way to ensure not only the highest level of physical care, but emotional support for me and my family. GH covered the cost of several visits from a home health nurse to assist with pain control and caring for the surgery. It sent someone to help with laundry, ironing and all manner of household chores during my recovery.

As my husband and I struggled with my self-esteem issues and emotional turmoil, GH covered numerous visits to a therapist who specializes in counseling for cancer patients and their families. The latest in reconstructive surgery, some of it extensive and, I’m sure, expensive, is also covered.

At no point did I feel this HMO tried to cut costs by denying care and treatment, basic or otherwise. Toni Robideaux Spokane

Support anti-AIDS efforts

The American Red Cross, Planned Parenthood, People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN), Spokane AIDS Network (SAN) and the Spokane Regional Health District have pulled together to organize this year’s observance of World AIDS Day. The international event was created to heighten awareness of HIV-AIDS and mobilize a worldwide response to the pandemic.

You can pick up a red ribbon at several participating businesses this week and show your commitment to the fight against AIDS. The only way we can win this battle is by pulling together and defeating the virus through community awareness and education. Craig Peterson Spokane

Club for the safety-minded

I take joy in announcing the formation of the Way Backs, a nationwide organization of drivers dedicated to prudent driving.

Our association is totally voluntary and our mission to promote safe vehicular travel by staying way back from the car or truck up ahead. It is only fitting that this group be founded in Spokane, a city renowned for it’s aggressive driving habits, as evidenced by a recent billboard campaign urging us to stop at red lights. There will be no dues or meetings. A simple nod or wave with the index finger will identify members to each other (along with what might be perceived by some as an excessive distance between ourselves and the car in front).

I encourage all drivers to join. But, if a member should ever rear end another vehicle, they are out of the club! So, go as fast or as slow as reasonable, prudent or legal, but join us and stay waaaaay back.’ Joe Beaulieu Newman Lake

ICE STORM ‘96

Preventive measures needed

After all these years, Washington Water Power Co. could wise up and send out people up and down our streets and alleys and check which trees have branches that will fall and cause a power outage. To me, it would be cheaper in the long run and save us consumers money on lost food, etc.

WWP and property owners should be held responsible to see that every precaution is taken to safeguard the rest of us who don’t have trees to damage power lines. It is time for the city manager, mayor and City Council to take action to ensure us citizens that this power outage will not happen again with trees. Harry M. Davidson Spokane

Buried lines would be a bargain

I am in complete agreement with the article in today’s paper (Nov. 28) regarding the need to bury power lines.

How much more evidence and/or experience do you need? Isn’t it obvious the outside plant is extremely vulnerable and fragile to weather conditions? Isn’t it obvious how long it has, and is, taking crews to repair the tremendous damage?

Washington Water Power Co. officials claim the cost to do such a thing is excessive. How much did WWP pay crews for the repair work? How much did insurance companies pay out for damage to property? What is the value of the three lives lost as a direct result of the storm?

What is the cost/value of the mental anguish thousands of residents went through and are still going through? Don’t tell me mental anguish has no value. We all have heard of many legal proceedings where many dollars were awarded for metal anguish.

The same article quoted a WWP official as saying many areas with buried lines still experience power outages, so buried facilities didn’t help. That couldn’t be because the feeder lines to those areas were not buried, could it? W.J. Hiatt Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Single parents must set priorities

Re: “Single parent resents stats,” Opinion, Nov. 23.

I congratulate Peggie Boothe on her success as a single mother. I agree single mothers have taken unfair criticism for their parenting skills.

However, many single parents do lack the strong support systems with parents, brothers, sisters and other relatives to draw upon. Yes, friends are important.

I, too, believe raising children should be the single parent’s primary concern. But this isn’t always be possible without sacrifices. The job, living conditions, recreational time and relationships must be evaluated and priorities set. In reality, many single parents spend more time with their children than do families with two working parents.

As a single father for nine years, I suggest you not forget that we identify as single parents, although there may be fewer of us raising children by ourselves. Don A. Barlow Spokane

Take care giving up animals

This ice storm has been terrible for everyone, including the animals. We tend to forget that the dog we leave outside or the cat that roams needs special care - warm shelter, fresh water and food.

On a 23-degree day, a dog that appears to be either a cross between a toy poodle and a hairless breed or a stressed tiny dog that has lost all its hair, was dumped at the Humane Society - with no sweater and no information. Luckily, the dog was found before he froze to death and was later adopted.

Remember, if you must leave an animal at the shelter, there’s a strong possibility that the information you leave - or don’t leave - may be all that stands between that animal and a humane death.

Keep in mind that an animal that is uprooted from what it thought was its home, and is thrown into what, for many, is a terrifying situation, will react accordingly. If the animal is normally very loving, let someone know. If the animal uses a particular bed or blanket, leave it with the animal. Leave whatever information will help that animal find a new home. If you can’t leave something written, call 467-5236 and leave the information.

The life you save may be that of an animal that was once an important part of your family. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for that animal’s untimely death. Louise Long Spokane

One iffy citation deserves another

Re: “Just scrambling cable sex channels is not good enough,” Nov. 26.

Why does The Spokesman-Review feel compelled to subject its readers to every piece of inane drivel that leaks from the pen of Penny Lancaster? Is she an owner? A member of the editorial board?

Lancaster’s latest rant offers some sound reasoning for regulating cable, but also includes this gem. “Psychologists agree that early exposure to pornography can diminish a child’s natural development of compassion, sexual identity and respect for women.” What psychologists? Given Lancaster’s past willingness to use discredited references to further her agenda (Paul Cameron, a disbarred member of the APA comes to mind), I suppose her failure to cite her sources is understandable, but I would have expected better from the S-R.

Since a precedent has apparently been set, however, how about giving this one a try? Psychologists agree that the opinions of one Spokane busybody do not make interesting or relevant reading to the regional readership at large. Jonny Allen, WSU Information Technology Pullman

Councilman’s tactic diversion

Re: “Casino advocates say foes racially motivated,” News, Nov. 15.

Airway Heights City Councilman Dale Perry went beyond throwing sensitivity out the window in his irresponsible statements. Unless he can produce the names of these people and have them confirm his statements, they are only hearsay and could have dangerous consequences.

Perry played the race card to incite people and divert attention from the real reason for objections to the casino, which is the fact that the group that wants to build the casino is tax exempt. This leaves the burden on taxpaying property owners who live in Airway Heights.

The people will have to provide the casino with all the community services, such as police and fire protection, sewer, water, schools, street maintenance and whatever else free of charge. Ed Booher Airway Heights

Here’s a convenient way to give

Recently I happened upon a way to painlessly give to my favorite charity.

I’ve occasionally sent in those coupons that offer a check for sending in proof of purchase. There were several in my desk that I thought didn’t amount to enough to warrant using a stamp to get them. Then I noticed several envelopes requesting donations. I signed the checks and sent them to my favorite charity.

Just imagine how much money we can painlessly raise for just the cost of a stamp or two. Gordy Carlson Spokane

Correction:

The last paragraph of Wayne S. Rawley’s Nov. 27 letter should have read: I would rather lose money at blackjack than win on a slot machine, but I feel it’s my duty as a citizen to not patronize untaxed gambling.

GIVING THANKS

Gift of wood deeply appreciated

We live in Central Park Condominiums. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, we lost power at 2 p.m. Although we had enough wood to keep warm through the night, the next morning the news report said more than 100,000 customers were without power, and we were facing at least two more days in the dark. (Eventually, it stretched to seven days). Then my daughter and her four children joined us, because they had no fireplace.

While walking my dog, I met a stranger, Marc Renz, who had stopped by to check on his mother. While commiserating with him, I mentioned that there was no wood to be bought. He told me his family had enough wood to share with us. When my son drove out to pick up what turned out to be a large load of wood, he and his wife, Stacey, refused to accept payment.

How do you thank such generous people? We are grateful to our friends and neighbors for the many kindnesses and words of cheer, but our area is particularly blessed to have people like Marc and Stacy Renz, who do such deeds so casually. This is truly loving thy neighbor. Leone C. Ashar Spokane

Courtesy, puppy care were wonderful

I am one who lost power for a week and I’m very thankful to be warm again and extremely sympathetic for those who are not.

I thank those who were courteous at dead traffic lights and those who offered hot showers and lodging.

Above all, I am eternally grateful to Brenda at A Taste of Funk and Bob Gregory at Universal Dance Studio for taking care of my brand new puppy and loving her while I was working, so she could be warm and happy. Kimberly Dunham Spokane

Hospitality and help meant much

We extend special thanks to our brother and sister-inlaw, Ray and Pat Russell, who took us in while our power was off. Also, thanks to our nephew, Wayne Russell, who gave up his bed.

Many thanks to our neighbors, Don and Carlene Eneroth, who watched our house, did the snow removal of our driveway and the sidewalks. They kept us informed about the power when the repairmen came and told us when we could come home. Betty and Jack Frost Spokane

So many have been so kind

I am writing regarding the many kindnesses my 80-year-old husband and I, 75-, have experienced as help from our neighbors.

Kathryn and Hans Krauss who brought supper to our home and cheered us up, although they,too, are without power. They had a little cook stove to use.

Dave Orohood loaned us his generator periodically to warm our home and keep our deep freezer going.

To Dr. Art Leritz, who loaned us his generator for our continued use.

To all our neighbors who offered help with the fallen branches, cheered us, etc. And to our kids, who called from Seattle frequently.

We are surviving nicely. Longjohns were a wonderful invention and down comforters, portable television and radios make life as near normal as possible. Gloria and Lee Nelson Spokane

Parents opened their hearts, home

We’re back in our own home now, with all the comforts.

I thank my parents for opening their home to all their family members. They had no electricity the first two days, either. But they did have candles, flashlights and a fireplace.

They welcomed us all - my aunt and her puppy, my brother, his wife, two small children, his mother-in-law, myself and my 6-year-old, two parakeets and two very old dogs who behave like puppies on other people’s rugs!

We all live on the South Side and we’ve all pulled through. Their names are Bill and Yvonne Morin. Thank you! Cecile Morin Spokane