Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

‘Competing project’ a student exercise

Regarding John Stone’s paid advertisement/letter to publisher Stacy Cowles:

This letter refers to the East Market Plan as an alternative to the River Park Square project. He refers to it as a competing project. This is utter nonsense.

In 1993, a Washington State University architecture class and a class from Eastern Washington University’s urban planning department, with some minor assistance from Eastern’s masters program in public administration, did a student project in the 12 square blocks south of the Opera House-Convention Center. The students prepared five development scenarios for that area, presented the results at an open house and prepared a slide show for the City Planning Commission. It was a successful educational experience, but it is not a competing project with River Park Square.

The students did very creative work, but there were five scenarios presented and none were recommended. There was scant contact with the property owners in the area. There was little economic analysis of the costs and benefits of any of the five proposals.

The Planning Commission appreciated the input, but took no further steps.

Referring to this student project as a competing proposal is a wild exaggeration. To date, the River Park Square proposal is the only downtown project worthy of public interest and the only one of substance. Terry L. Novak, Ph.D professor of public administration, Eastern Washington University

STA should favor service imperative

Is Spokane Transit Authority’s fundamental purpose to be a business, with efficiency and increased profits the goal? Or is its real purpose to provide the most accessible and usable service for residents who, by necessity or choice, don’t drive?

For many years it seems to have been the latter. Financial solvency has been a bonus that reflects good management.

The STA board is just doing its job in exploring system alternatives. My hope is that no bus routes will be deleted. Marie Toledo Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Dedicated doctor just wouldn’t defraud

I have worked with Dr. Leo Obermiller extensively in over six years of intensive care nursing. When I have a critically ill patient that I know needs expert care, I ask for him.

This is from a nurse who does not have a high opinion of many physicians.

Every time I call, he answers promptly. Sometimes, this is several times during an eight-hour shift. Often, when my patient is critically ill, he will stop by to make sure everything is all right. Not once has he not been needed.

I cannot believe there is only a $57 difference between one visit and numerous visits. From my experience, it should be more. Many times have I been busy and not charted that I called the doctor or that they called or visited. Renal doctors put in some of the most horrendous hours of any physician I know. You cannot put off dialysis if someone urgently needs it, no matter what time it is. The hours upon hours of work that are involved to keep a patient from dialysis should also be considered.

Over the years, I have seen these physicians come in and, with their expertise, save a patient from a lifetime of dialysis. They have often been the patients’ advocate. When the other physicians abandon ship, these are the physicians who become a lifeline for both the patient and the nurse.

I cannot believe that this physician, who I have trusted and respected for years, was actively involved with a fraudulent scheme. It just doesn’t wash. Janine M. Bork, R.N., CCRN Spokane

Williams situation smells of ‘payola’

Re: The Oct. 23 story, “Incinerator study compromised” expose of Phil Williams’ blatant disregard of his fiduciary duty to the public’s trust and its welfare for which allegedly works.

I am so negatively impressed with what appears to me as stupid, self-indulgent “rutting” at taxpayers expense (crass elitism of the worst kind) that all I am able to state, civilly, at this time is continuing to keep Spokane Engineering Director Phil Williams (formerly Spokane trash incinerator’s solid waste management director) on the payroll will smell of nothing more than criminal payola. Mrs. T.M. Larson Greenacres

Cupid in charge at City Hall?

The apparent amorous adventures of city Engineering Director Phil Williams seems to have clearly cast a cloud over a study of Spokane’s incinerator.

His affair with the author of a state-mandated study of the plant compromises the integrity of the research. City Manager Bill Pupo was told about the affair a year ago and did nothing to correct the situation.

It makes people wonder who, if anyone, is running things at City Hall. I wonder if there are any other city officials trying to hustle contracts for their girlfriends. Michele I. Vywiak Spokane

Why pay suspended employees?

Another public official, Spokane Engineering Director Phil Williams, has been suspended for an investigation of his position, to see if he has had a conflict of interest in the scope of his job. I’m not commenting on his innocence or guilt, but the fact that officials and public employees that are being investigated continue to receive their paychecks during the investigation.

Many such investigations go on for long periods and the taxpayers are on the hook for their wages, plus someone has to be paid to take over their jobs while the investigation is going on. Why aren’t these people suspended without pay and, if found innocent given their back pay but if found guilty given nothing except discharge? Edwin O. Weilep Spokane

HIGHER EDUCATION

EWU move a definite Net gain

Cheers to the research group that pointed out many of the shortcomings in Eastern Washington University’s approach to getting bodies to attend the university (Spokesman-Review, Oct. 29).

Jeers to that same research group for buying into the stereotype that Internet users have no collective life. The Net of today is an extension of a vibrant and rich life, not a replacement for one.

By finally waking up to the same alarm that every other public university in the state has already heard, EWU only enhances its odds for getting quality students. Ryan C. Grant Cheney

What EWU is is right-on

I don’t understand what the Eastern Washington University identity crisis is all about.

Eastern is where minorities, women, handicapped, learning disabled, and nontraditional students can get an education while being treated with respect by professors who genuinely care about them, and don’t behave like foul-mouthed autocrats with a social agenda.

If EWU needs a slogan, I can give it one: Unbiased education at an affordable price. Judith M. Jones Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Airlines not consumers’ best friends

Thank you for highlighting some opinions about the airlines’ recent decision to reduce all commissions they pay to travel agents.

The airlines say this will save them millions of dollars a year, but the consumer should not expect either improved service or lower fares.

Airline employees are not encouraged to spend much time looking for the lowest-priced itinerary on their own airline, much less tell a consumer that another airline has a better price or schedule. And I doubt they are planning to put larger seats, more leg room or better food on their airplanes.

Yes, many travel agencies are starting to charge fees for services that used to be free when the airlines paid a reasonable commission. But the consumer will always be best served by a professional travel consultant who can guide them through a multitude of travel alternatives to find the best plan for their taste and budget.

The airlines are just angry because we consistently find the lowest prices on airline tickets by trying a little harder and looking at all the options. Prudence W. Hoffman, secretary Inland Northwest Travel Agencies Alliance, Cheney

THE ENVIRONMENT

Why wait for disaster to get serious?

Re: Editorial writer D.F. Oliveria’s, “Chicken Littles running scared,” Opinion, Oct. 24.

First, using a 1992 survey in regard to climate changes is about as statistically significant as a 1920 survey on microwave ovens. There’s probably been as much information discovered on the topic in the last five years as in the previous 30. A current survey would show that only a fringe minority of the scientific community doesn’t support the global warming theory.

The 1,500 scientists who signed the warning on global warming are probably many of the same 1,500 who warned of ozone depletion, a proven concern. Of course, we could have waited another decade until the ozone was gone to prove with 100 percent certainly that, yep, it’s really gone.

In a decade scientists may be able to prove with a 100 percent certainly that our climate is definitely changing. Meanwhile, many species might just as well kiss their butts goodbye.

I’ve never seen your 5 percent statistic in any scientific journal I’ve read and would like to know its origin. However, I have seen several graphs and charts showing significant increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Maybe other species are just breathing heavier.

Climatologists are probably more concerned that most of the temperature increase has occurred in the last 30 years (Spokesman-Review, Oct. 23). That graph, however, does point out a problem: How do you prove with 100 percent certainly that the Earth is warming when the Earth’s temperature is always fluctuating? Maybe when they do you can buy oceanfront property in Spokane. Robert G. McGregor Colville, Wash.

Time to be concerned is now

Gene K. Ealy’s letter (“Global warming is a fantasy,’ Oct. 28) is what one typically hears from people who are unable to cull the truth from misinformation fed them by conservatives with interests dependent on the status quo.

Global warming has been gaining scientific acceptance since well before Vice President Al Gore had serious aspirations for the presidency.

Recent media attention to global warming is more a reflection of increased scientific knowledge and global concern than a manifestation of political agendas.

Ealy attempts to diminish the importance of human contribution to global warming by dismissing the low percentage of mankind’s CO2 releases as inconsequential. Comparing the CO2 release percentages of mankind to those of nature misses the point.

Ealy fails to understand that any unnatural CO2 contribution by man can potentially upset the atmospheric balance of gases and that this imbalance is the danger. If global warming ever becomes devastating as a result of unnatural human activities, the relative percentage of CO2 releases resulting from these activities will still be low.

As with most who deny the dangers of human contribution to global warming, Ealy appears more concerned with the selfish, shortsighted desires of temporary freedom than with the future viability of our atmosphere that would ensure continued freedom for future generations. For the sake of future generations, the time to be concerned about global warming is now. Charles A. Mortensen Hope, Idaho

Climate treaty a grab for U.S. wealth

Of all the issues facing Americans, the United Nations Global Climate Treaty is the worst.

Everything I have read leads me to believe this treaty’s intent is to lower the quality of living for Americans. Jealous European nations want us to pay higher prices for gas, electricity and everything we buy.

Patrick McHeals, an environmental science professor at the University of Virginia, stated before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “I must ask this committee the real question of the day: How much money of the citizens of this nation are you willing to spend to stop this? How much to stop making the Earth greener, more productive and human life increasingly long, to the mass of the planet that still finds us the envy of history?”

The consequences of this treaty for the U.S. are incalculable. The Department of Energy states that 20-30 percent of the chemical industry would move to developing countries, with a job loss in this country as high as 200,000. U.S. steel shipments would fall 30 percent with an estimated job loss at 100,000.

Aluminum plants in the U.S. would close by the year 2010 due to increases in the price of electricity. Domestic paper and pulp producers would realize serious negative employment.

The only conclusion is that it will redistribute wealth from developed nations to undeveloped nations. Kirk Koefod Moscow

‘Preservation’ being made pointless

Under the guise of ecosystem management, the federal government is contemplating the implementation of what is called the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP).

The ICBEMP plan for our general area of Eastern Washington and North Idaho mandates the “obliteration” of 25-50 percent of the roads on public lands over the next 10 years. We can only presume that will be in the 49-50 percent range, and that after the 10-year period, yet more roads will be designated for “obliteration.”

Certainly, one can argue that some forest roads ought to be closed and others may need repair so they aren’t causing environmental problems. ICBEMP, however, goes far, far beyond that simple notion. Huge tracts of forests and grass lands will become inaccessible for us to experience, let alone enjoy.

We’ve been conditioned to hearing we are “preserving our forests (or whatever) for future generations.” Statistics show 75 percent of all recreation on public lands involved roaded natural settings. Day use and motor viewing account for 45 percent of recreation activity. Bottom line is that without roads, most of us, including our children, will be precluded from enjoying our forests. How will our children get to know their forests when they can’t get into them?

Perhaps someone ought to rethink this conundrum: ICBEMP is presented as the answer to preserving our forests for future generations, when in fact it will prevent that from happening by closing our forests to future generations. Go figure! Lewis R. Higgins Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Front page stories tabloid material

The Oct. 27 front page of The Spokesman-Review was an insult to the community and journalism, not to mention Dr. Mark Frazier, his family and baby Ryan.

Your decision to put these stories on the front page shows how close this newspaper has come to being a supermarket tabloid.

There were many stories of national and global interest that could have been used on your Monday front page: the Chinese visit, the stock market decline, the deadly storms in the Midwest. However, you chose soap opera reporting.

I think you need to evaluate what kind of news you report and where you place it. Please re-examine your journalistic priorities. Cherie J. Leimgruber Spokane

Oliveria’s comments too abrasive

Time and time again, I’ve winced while reading D.F. Oliveria’s strident columns about this area, our country or world politics. His last oratory about global warming was typical of his brusque style.

Instead of respecting opposite opinions, he began his editorial with “The Chicken Little crowd,” which is an inflammatory description at best. His style is constantly derisive. Do we need this? Why was this writer chosen for the editorial board?

There are many gifted writers who could have discussed this same issue without the stinging comments or insults, i.e. “Gore & Co.” Lynne L. Lewis Spokane