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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Letters To The Editor

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Williams trustworthy, reasonable

I’m deeply impressed with Dan Williams’ reasonable politics and his capacity to listen.

Neither I nor anyone else agrees with Williams 100 percent of the time, but he, unlike Rep. Helen Chenoweth, has proven he can communicate and work with Republicans, Democrats and independents. I believe he can work with developers, environmentalists, loggers, farmers and all of us who come from various walks of life.

At best, our congressional district is polarized, with only the Chenoweth like-minded having access to an office that should be open to all. With ethics and elections commission investigations under way, I fear Chenoweth will be spending more time dealing with her legal and ethical problems than with the work we elected her to do. I certainly don’t trust her to be responsible for the federal budget when she is clearly irresponsible with her own.

I’m a working mother and a full-time student. I want someone who will work as hard as I must. I demand, as a voter, that our congressman provide leadership and representation to everyone in this district. I want to put trust in someone who will help ensure my children’s education and future.

I trust Williams. Brenda Abraham Plummer

Just look at what S-R endorsed

I write to discuss your editorial endorsement of Rep. Helen Chenoweth and what you’ve really endorsed.

You endorsed Chenoweth’s $40,000 bank loan to her campaign, the one illegally represented by her campaign as a personal loan.

You’ve endorsed the $27,000 in consulting fees Chenoweth paid herself out of campaign funds - funneling money into her own pocket via her “consulting firm” after the firm had been disbanded for eight weeks. Did you endorse the Federal Elections Commission investigation currently under way?

You’ve endorsed the fact that she used her congressional office for campaign fund raising and her further failure to report a $50,000 loan from a former client. Did you endorse the House Ethics Committee investigation currently under way?

You’ve endorsed her inexcusable amendments to FEC reports (15) and her refusal to explain many of those amendments. She had, by the way, three different excuses about the aforementioned $50,000 loan, the last two of which put blame on someone else. Which excuse did you endorse?

You’ve endorsed her role as the militia poster child. Tell that to the families of men, women, children and unborn babies who died in the Oklahoma City bombing.

You based your endorsement on her voting record and the fact it matched the voting records of Sens. Craig and Kempthorne, and 1st District Rep. Mike Crapo. Former 2nd District Rep. George Hansen also reflected the voting records of his conservative colleagues - right up to the day they handcuffed him and hauled him off to federal prison.

Does Chenoweth really deserve your endorsement?

No. Eileen Riddle Hayden Lake

Williams’ dichotomy too much

I can’t imagine anything more embarrassing to Idaho citizens than having to watch Dan Williams juggle his talk of Idaho limited government values, in Idaho, with his votes for Clinton’s big government in Washington, D.C.

I’m going to avoid embarrassment and vote for Rep. Helen Chenoweth for U.S. Congress. Lon Woodbury Bonners Ferry

Idaho values? Chenoweth? Nonsense

If there is one Idaho retiree who would swap the American Medicare system for the health system of Chile, as advocated by Rep. Helen Chenoweth, then staff writer D.F. Oliveria may have some basis for saying she is “in line with Idaho values.”

Fortunately the voters of Idaho are smarter than Oliveria gives them credit for being and can recognize what a mistake and a disaster the election of Helen Chenoweth was for our state.

Oliveria again is reflecting his own personal view and not the view of the people he is reporting about. Voters soon will replace Chenoweth with Dan Williams, who will properly represent true Idaho values. John Tait Lewiston

Democrats seem to have litmus test

I’ve always voted for the person who I thought would be most effective whether Republican or Democrat. But last election cycle, my thinking changed. Please do not make the same mistake I made two years ago on election night. This was the first time that I participated in any Republican or Democratic gathering. I spent the early part of election night 1994 at a Republican gathering at a downtown Coeur d’Alene restaurant. As the night progressed I decided to visit the Democratic gathering across the street since I did vote for some Democrats. When I entered the Democratic gathering, I mixed into the large gathering until the President of the Democratic Party asked me to leave, stating that I was not invited. He said that I supported Proposition 1 (Idaho State policies regarding homosexuality), it would have banned same sex marriages. At the time I did not understand why the Democratic gathering was so hostile to the point that I was threatened with physical harm.

I have since learned that the Democratic party is not one of acceptance and tolerance as it has proclaimed but one that is bigoted and partly heterophobic.

State Sen. Mary Lou Reed voted against H0658, the law that banned same sex marriages in Idaho. Sen. Reed is the Assistant Minority Leader and is in favor of samesex marriages. Democrat Dan Williams received $2,500 in June of 1996 from the Human Rights Campaign Fund which is a National Homosexual political action committee buying support for the gay agenda. With time comes wisdom. I have a much better understanding of the Democratic party now. Election night 1996 will be less eventful for me, I’ll only visit the Republican gathering and I will not vote for any Democrats. Matthew Roetter Coeur d’Alene

Craig right about gun law

As a recently retired law enforcement officer, I strongly endorse Sen. Larry Craig’s position on gun control.

Throughout 23 years of service, I was witness to countless tragedies, crimes, and instances of victim abuse that might have been averted had the victim been armed. During this same time frame, I encountered and arrested hundreds of armed criminals. These folks were never hampered by lengthy waiting periods prior to the purchase of a handgun.

Craig’s reasonable approach to instant background checks for the law abiding citizen who wants to purchase a handgun simply makes sense. Patrick O’Halloran Bonner County

LEGISLATIVE RACES

What Riggs doesn’t know can hurt us

As both a physician and Republican Senate candidate, Jack Riggs must be held accountable for his biased and indefensible comments regarding the health risks of lead pollution in our area (“Veteran lawmaker faces challenge,” Oct. 25). His statements strike me as medical malpractice.

Riggs said, “It seems like there is so much discussion about a nonexistent problem. I haven’t seen a case of lead poisoning. I don’t think it’s a problem.”

To Silver Valley residents, many of whom have suffered for years with disease linked to exposure to lead, these statements are incredibly insulting.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare continues to monitor Silver Valley children for lead poisoning. Every year, dozens are found with levels of lead in their blood high enough to classify as lead poisoning. Constant vigilance and education are needed to prevent children from reaching these high levels in the first place.

We’ve been fighting the head-in-the-sand mentality for too long to let a lightweight like Riggs get away with dismissing our concerns and writing off our children’s health. Riggs may be a doctor, but he’d be a menace as a senator.

Sen. Mary Lou Reed has a proven track record as a hard-working legislator who cares. It is more important than ever that we re-elect Reed. Jeanie Smith Pinehurst

Attitude on water shows Reed’s best

November elections are drawing near and among many other items, environmental issues, all across the country, have a higher profile than in recent years. We, in the Coeur d’Alene Basin should be especially concerned about our water supply.

On several occasions, many areas have received notices to “boil drinking water,” because the wells are contaminated with coliform bacteria. The source of this pollution is not named. Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River share free exchange with the Rathdrum aquifer, which supplies the wells. For this reason, our prime concern should be the careful monitoring of our lake.

Sen. Mary Lou Reed has always been an advocate of clean water and has worked diligently toward this end for many years. She is an experienced legislator. In reading her resume in the Oct. 25 Spokesman-Review, we could not help but contrast it to that of her opponent, Dr. Jack Riggs, who has no experience in dealing with water quality.

Riggs does not believe any problem with heavy metals exists in the Silver Valley. He believes “Mother Nature will take care of it in time.” This is a very blase’ attitude to take with such a critical issue, one that could affect Lake Coeur d’Alene in the future.

Water is vital to us all. We definitely need an experienced legislator such as Reed, who will continue to fight for clean water as she has done in the past. Elva Jeffries Beeks Coeur d’Alene

Doctor prescribes lame logic

Jack Riggs, running to unseat Sen. Mary Lou Reed, argues that Reed should not be re-elected because she’s an incumbent. On that basis, Riggs would have us voting against Sen. Larry Craig, Reps. Helen Chenoweth and Mike Crapo, and state Sen. Gordon Crow, to name a few.

What impresses me about Reed is that throughout her service in the Legislature, she has maintained a constituents’ office and has an 800 telephone number so she can listen to, learn from and serve the citizens of her district.

Reed supports workers receiving at least a fair minimum wage - something her opponent opposes. She has fought for jobs in her district while fighting to promote reasonable practices by industry. Sen. Reed also sponsored legislation to improve the lives of the deaf community, the elderly and human rights for all citizens.

I urge you to vote to re-elect Sen. Reed. Louise Porter Coeur d’Alene

All-Republican solution? Forget that

We are astounded that staff writer D.F. Oliveria would suggest that there should be no Democratic opposition in our Idaho Senate. We assume he thinks we should turn over all of our legislation to the Republicans.

We need another voice, namely, Sen. Mary Lou Reed and others, to speak for the rest of us. Reed has been a most dedicated and knowledgeable senator. She is sensitive to the needs of education, health, the environment and the many things so important to so many of us. Roger & Donna Young Coeur d’Alene

Watson knows Idaho’s needs

It takes a very special candidate for me to write and make an endorsement. I take pleasure in telling why I will vote for Larry Watson on Tuesday.

I first got to know Watson when he began working as deputy assessor in Shoshone County. He was always fair and listened to all he made contact with.

Watson is moderate. He understands and embraces balance, not radical ideas or philosophies. But most of all, Watson is from Idaho. He knows Idaho’s needs and will fight for District 4. Josef Suveg Coeur d’Alene

Watson well-qualified for House

Voters, please give serious thought to supporting Larry Watson, Democratic candidate for District 4 state representative, in the upcoming election.

Watson is a lifelong resident of Shoshone County and has more than enough qualifications for the position. He is experienced in many lines of work and will be the best man to direct us with the 1 Percent Initiative if it passes, and the various problems that will come about if it fails. Watson can lead us toward property tax relief in some other fashion.

Watson is the candidate to again bring representation to Shoshone County. Mike Williams Kellogg

Dorr not there when needed

We live in Shoshone County and are somewhat perplexed about Rep. Tom Dorr, who is running for state representative, District 4.

He is not completely elusive, as we have seen him in this county during election campaigns. However, we have not seen him at other times, including the disastrous floods earlier this year. We desperately needed help then, and still do. Other politicians were here immediately. We called Dorr’s phone number requesting his help to expedite funding, left a message and our telephone number. There was no reply.

It seems that if we expect a politician to do his best by us, we ought to be responsible enough to elect one who cares about his constituents. Larry Watson has promised to do just that.

Whether it is flooding in Shoshone and Benewah counties or school building problems in Kootenai County, we believe he is the candidate who will work with us on our problems. We need a representative who is progressive, not our current regressive one. Ken & Jan Tilton Cataldo

Watson will be ‘refreshing presence’

On Tuesday, we have the opportunity to send a qualified legislative representative from District 4 to Boise by casting our votes for Larry Watson.

Watson has earned the respect of the citizens of Shoshone County by his strong work ethic in dealing with people. He will be a refreshing presence in the House of Representatives. Lois Porter Pinehurst

Kenck understands working people

As a single working mother, I am supporting Larry Kenck for state Senate, District 2.

I know Kenck; he will fight for working people in Idaho. As a working man himself and someone who represents working people, he understands how tough it is for families to make ends meet and raise and educate their children.

Incumbent Sen. Clyde Boatright voted against raising the minimum wage in Idaho. That was a vote against hard-working people like myself. We need a representative in the Legislature who understands the problems of working men and working women. Kenck is that man. Barbara Harris Coeur d’Alene

Kenck knows needs of working people

I urge you to vote for Larry Kenck, state Senate District 2. Like most North Idaho residents, he is a working man who works hard to represent working people. Unlike the pro-business Legislature, he understands there must be fairness and equality in jobs, education and taxes. He understands that without fair wages for jobs, our children will continue to leave this state and make their future elsewhere.

Kenck understands that small business needs help, too. He knows that pro-business in the Legislature means probig business.

Even the Republicans’ own Gov. Phil Batt has said there should be more balance in the Legislature. You can bring that balance by electing Kenck. Rebecca Lind Post Falls

Kenck will see to education needs

This election year, voters have a clear choice in the Idaho Senate District 2 race. Larry Kenck will give ordinary citizens of North Idaho representation in the Legislature that they have not had for some time.

He is a lifelong resident of Post Falls and understands the unique problems we face in North Idaho. He knows our frustration with the southern part of the state as we struggle to build schools and educate our children.

Kenck will work to take the burden of funding schools off the homeowner’s back and will work toward a solution that provides quality education for all Idaho children. Jean & Ed Ruhle Post Falls

OTHER RACES, ISSUES

Vote yes for Proposition 4

If we can elect citizen Congress people, we will have folks representing us who understand what it’s like to be taxed so that big government can spend our money.

Career politicians are caught up in that Washington fever. They love their good pay, their perks, their “importance,” and the longer they stay, the better their retirement benefits. Why would they ever want to limit their own terms and give up the benefits of an attractive career? Congress will never impose term limits.

To say just vote them out of office after a couple of terms is not realistic. Incumbency provides an incredible advantage against most challengers. Even a politician who is known to be corrupt can get re-elected without too much effort.

Bring Congress back to where it belongs - in the hands of the electorate. Let’s have a true representative type of government where our members of Congress are really members of our communities, not lifelong members of the Washington scene. Vote yes for Proposition 4. Mark Elsbree Hayden

Bring on a third party

I think the U.S. desperately needs a third party. Politics has come down to “me against thee.” With three parties in the race, what is good for the country and what is good for future generations may once again be important. Sylvia Randall Hayden

Judge Marano doing good job

The only problem I see in Judge Eugene Marano is that we don’t have more like him in the county, state and country. It’s been my privilege to work with the judge while he was presiding in the courtroom in Bonner County and I was a county employee.

I’ve seen this fine individual in action and it’s been absolutely fabulous. The only people who would not agree with me are those who have played and then had to pay. I’ve seen him handle everything from three-time DUI’s to traffic offenses and if you don’t want the opportunity of appearing in front of him, then behave yourself and walk the straight-and-narrow.

There is nothing wrong with the way this judge operates. He sees and tells it like it is and we need more like him who will put these creeps away and make believers out of them. Don Wallace Sandpoint

Gore didn’t hear me cheering

This is to thank your writers for the Oct. 29 story, “Gore woos young voters in Spokane”. The descriptions of the euphoria surrounding the visit of our vice president made it possible for me to understand the successes of clowns like Jim Jones, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin. If there is a more shallow, phony man in politics than Al Gore, I know not of him. Bud Kirchhoff Coeur d’Alene