Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Don’t want Wal-Mart in our midst

We live in Camelot, one of the housing developments north of the Northpointe shopping center. We are against the proposed Wal-Mart development, which would intrude on our development and two others that adjoin.

Ours are residential neighborhoods. Wal-Mart and the stores proposed to go with it would be a 40-acre, 24-hour commercial development that would negatively impact our lives, quality of life and the value of our properties.

Traffic numbers out our way have increased dramatically in the past few years as there has been a lot of commercial development beyond the proposed Wal-Mart site. Driving here during rush hour is a challenge. Also, we already have enough shopping centers in surrounding areas. A new Fred Meyer is nearing completion, plus there are all the stores at Northpointe and the North Division Y. How small are we going to cut the slices of this shopping pie?

Has a thorough environmental impact study been completed by Wal-Mart? We’re not talking about a small development here; it will be huge.

It’s ridiculous to think individual citizens have the wherewithal to challenge a major corporation, with all the financial backing and attorneys it has at its disposal. What if Wal-Mart were intruding into your back yard?

Our sons, ages 10 and 15, are still impressionable and idealistic. To them, the thought of this proposed development seems so ridiculous they cannot imagine it. Nor can we explain fully to them why our neighborhoods might lose and the proposed Wal-Mart request would be approved. Richard E. and Julie D. Jones Spokane

Send commercial interests a message

Today, the Spokane County Planning Commission has the opportunity to make a choice: to declare existing zoning laws inadequate and turn over zoning decisions to commercial entities like Wal-Mart or to abide by those laws and protect the quality of life homeowners enjoy in North Spokane.

The facts of increased traffic, congestion and ultimate gridlock speak for themselves, if the proposed Wal-Mart is allowed to be built north of the Division Y near Northpointe. However, commercial interests have sought to change existing zoning laws in spite of what will happen.

A few have said this is progress. Progress can be achieved without destroying the very things that draw people to this area, such as workable traffic patterns, clean, safe residential areas and steady property values.

The time is now for the Planning Commission to stick with existing zoning and send a message to commercial interests, and ultimately to the county commissioners, that Spokane County will proceed into the next century in a planned, orderly manner that works best for all concerned. Thomas W. Reser Spokane

Maybe now it’s your turn

I read with some (little) compassion, as homeowners in the area of the proposed Wal-Mart keep whining about its proposed construction in “their” little area of the world. They’re complaining about such things as quality of life, leaving it the way it has been for years, too much traffic, air pollution and noise, etc. Why doesn’t the government step in and do something to protect our rights?

Gee, and the Indians thought they had it bad way back when. I guess you have the same right as they did - move, whether you like it or not. Dary Liepelt Colbert

Extra day of service a dumb idea

The county commissioners just don’t get it, do they?

Hey, taxpayers, remember the article where Commissioner Kate McCaslin thanked President Clinton for costing you money by declaring Dec. 26 a one-time-only legal holiday? Well, instead of closing the county courthouse, the commissioners decided to leave it open to the public, paying mostly the highest-paid employees (supervisors and management) double time and a half for the day. How many of you taxpayers ran right down to the county courthouse the day after Christmas to do business? It makes no sense to me. Opal V. Steuart Spokane

Intersection change an improvement

For the past several weeks, there have been many letters of complaint about updated changes made at the intersections of Assembly, Driscoll and Francis.

If drivers would obey the speed limit and quit daydreaming while at the wheel, there might not be any problem at all.

Prior to changing the intersection, traffic on Assembly heading toward Nine Mile Road would be backed up for quite some time during rush hour. Now, it moves much more smoothly.

The only other solution I can think of is to change it back to the way it was and then install all the traffic lights and signs necessary to stop traffic on Francis so that traffic backup on Assembly and Driscoll could be alleviated. Then, the people who think the intersection is now a maze will really be amazed. Frank Schefano Spokane

Rodgers plenty qualified

Council members Jeff Colliton and Roberta Greene questioned the ability of Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers to preside over a council meeting.

Rodgers has raised a family, so she will no doubt be able to deal with the petty bickering of some council members.

In addition to maintaining order, the role of a presiding officer is to not make excessive remarks or personal comments. Rodgers, unlike some council members, is mature enough for a pro-tem position. Kathy R. Reid Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

At last, ski resort is back on top

The curse has finally been lifted from Mount Spokane.

For more than 40 years, that ski facility has been cursed with poor, mediocre and lately, simply awful management.

But now we have a wonderful mountain with equally wonderful people who welcome you to come and enjoy yourself. The slopes are groomed to industry standards and the folks aren’t just friendly with name tags so you can talk to them by name, but they are even dressed and groomed appropriately in snappy new outfits.

It’s a first-class operation that the patrons and the community can be proud to call their own. Only Mother Nature can improve on the operation at our Mount Spokane. Bart Haggin Spokane

Big companies are big exploiters, too

Many businesses use child labor, businesses that we might never expect. In Paul Newman’s salsa, he uses peppers picked by children on a New Mexican farm.

Costco has bought cherries from growers found to have used child labor in their orchards.

Most ironically, F.A.O. Shwarz, one of the nation’s leading toy stores, had some of its toys made by children in Vietnam.

What does this tell us? Companies that we never would have imagined would use child labor, do. Other companies include Campbell’s Soup, H.J. Heinz and Nike.

We don’t always think that such well-off companies would do such things. Maybe we are wrong. Jarrott D. Moonitz Spokane

What companies do is their business

People all across the world have been fighting Nike and many other companies that use cheap labor and sometimes child labor in other countries.

Many of these companies should not be blamed for this. They do not control every step of the process to produce their final product, but contract and subcontract to hundreds of smaller factories and businesses. They should be checking up on each factory, but they cannot control what the workers are paid who do not work directly with the major company, such as Nike or Guess.

I agree that for what it costs the companies to make their products, they are inflating the prices enormously. But remember, the company, not people or government, should control the prices. Bryceson K. Tenold Spokane

THE MEDIA

FFA chapter wins ignored

I am extremely disappointed in the lack of news coverage for area students receiving national honors.

In November, the Ritzville Future Farmers of America Parliamentary Procedure team finished as national champions and the Ritzville FFA chapter received the Outstanding Three-Star Chapter award. This national award is given to only 24 chapters throughout the nation, out of 7,200 chapters. Ritzville has won the top Washington State Chapter award two years in a row, being the only Eastern Washington chapter to win this award in 25 years.

This is not the first time this situation has occurred. In the last six years, our local chapter sent four parliamentary procedure teams to national competition, finishing with two national championships, a second place, and a third place. Our soils judging teams have also received national recognition. In the last seven years, our chapter sent six teams to national competition, coming home with three first-place and two second-place trophies!

Also, no team member can compete in a national contest more than once. If a chapter wants to defend its national championship, it must do it with new team members. This has been accomplished from a high school of 130 students competing against many schools across the country - schools five to 10 times larger.

I hope the Spokane news media get the message. We have an educational program that is propelling our youths onto the national scene, yet there is no respectable news coverage. Do these kids have to do something negative to receive your attention? Robert R. Walli Ritzville, Wash.

Stories about helpful people are helpful

I commend you on the positive and inspirational stories on the front page of your Jan. 4 edition. What a wonderful way to start the new year, with stories about good people who have made a difference. People who have followed their hearts to touch others and make this community (choir director), region (chess player/POW) and world (peacemakers in Northern Ireland) a better place to live.

Not only that, but they offer hope to us all, who so often find ourselves depressed or discouraged by the state of affairs presented by the usual headlines of murders, rapes and bombings that make us feel so helpless and hopeless that we want to turn off and drop out, thinking there is nothing we can do.

Well, these people show us we can do something in activities we enjoy to change the lives of others and bring them happiness and joy.

I hope I can look forward to more of the same and see the despicable actions and unworthy people relegated to second or back pages, so I don’t have to take a break from news several days a week to reduce stress and find peace of mind, as recommended by a well-known medical therapist.

Again, thank you for the uplifting message of hope. Betty Anne McCoy Spokane

I’m gagging on Cougar mania

The media have done it again! One subject has been pushed down our throats for weeks. No matter what else is happening around us, this one item is the top story on television news and in this supposed newspaper.

I have heard people who normally care about football complain about the overdone subject of late. News should be just that, not one thing driven into the ground. Thank you to Northwest News for giving us a broader view. Alice L. Wolfinger Osburn, Idaho

OTHER TOPICS

Attacks on GU, Sladich, appalling

I read with no small amount of dismay the Dec. 23 commentary by John Blanchette (as well as subsequent letters to the editor) on the resignation of Dan Fitzgerald as athletic director of Gonzaga University.

I think that the criticisms made by Blanchette were ignorant, inappropriate, unfounded, irresponsible and grossly unfair.

Having been associated with Gonzaga for almost 20 years, I have an excellent sense of the values and character of the administration of Gonzaga University, and in particular, Harry Sladich, with whom I have had frequent contact. At no time during my tenure with the university have I ever seen Sladich act with anything other than respect and compassion. He would be unable to treat a fellow human being any other way.

At the same time, Sladich has always demanded the highest moral and ethical standards of his employees, in keeping with the Jesuit tradition that pervades the university.

Gonzaga University, as well as Sladich, should hold its head high for not compromising those standards. Richard E. Jones Spokane

Humane Society’s moving ahead

All of us at the Spokane Humane Society would like to thank the community for your support and encouragement during this holiday season. Our professional staff of adoption counselors continues to provide the highest quality of care to abandoned animals in need. There is no lack of warmth, care and compassion at our shelter.

Recently, a work team went over the facility and cleaned it from top to bottom. Many guests have found the difference to be remarkable. Built in 1974, our aging facility is also undergoing much-needed repairs and facelifts at this time.

Attendance at our shelter and adoptions of animals have remained steady throughout our transition. We are grateful to those who have faith in our efforts. As always, our mission remains the same: To relieve the suffering and abuse of all animals and foster an awareness of their importance in our lives through leadership in compassionate care and placement, public education and humane services.

We invite you to call or come and visit us so that we can tell you about our ongoing efforts to provide service to the Spokane community, as we have done for the past 100 years. Kim West, interim director Spokane Humane Society

Meat is good and good for you

Re: Kerry Masters’ letter of Jan. 3.

I hear the same cry from vegetarians all over the world: Eating meat is destructive, cruel, even “unnatural.” Pardon me, but I have to laugh.

When you plant a vegetable, you feed it and watch it grow. It’s a living thing, farmed for use as food. You tend it until it reaches maturity, then you yank it out of the ground, dump it in the nearest steamer and serve it for dinner.

How is that different than farming cattle and chickens? I can’t see that either is more intelligent than a vegetable, or of any other use than as food. They’re raised for the sole purpose of feeding humans. Try setting them free, and see how long they’d live without that care.

Try going on a strictly vegetarian diet, and see how your quality of health survives. There are just certain things the human body needs to be completely healthy, and I believe that meat is one of them. There are certain enzymes found only in red meat that your body needs, that cannot be replaced with a vegetarian diet.

We were made the dominant species on this Earth. All other species were placed here for our use. We are the only species capable of reasoning, although some of us don’t always use that gift.

You can stick with your vegetables, Masters, and I will stick with my meat and vegetables, and we will see who is healthier. Remember: Whether we’re eating meat or vegetables, something had to die to supply us with food. Sharon Gerlach Spokane