Letters

Milt Neumann will be missed

This week we learned of the passing of one of our own, Milt Neumann, truly a giant in small business.

He was my friend, who never failed to introduce himself as “Milt Neumann, CEO of A to Z rentals.” He was much more than that. Milt was a friend of Spokane Valley and small business everywhere.

For many years Milt was very active with the Spokane Valley Business Association and served on its board. A strong advocate for issues important to Spokane Valley, Milt was a tireless supporter of incorporating the city of Spokane Valley.

Milt Neumann learned early on to work hard and pay attention to detail. He grew his small business in to a very large, successful enterprise. My earliest recollection is meeting Milt in his shop tinkering with his two-cycle equipment.

He very quietly did outstanding work supporting small business and many community charities. While keeping a low profile, he was always there when a hand up was needed. His leadership was instrumental in founding the rental association lobbying effort. He was tireless in this endeavor both in state and nationally.

The Spokane Valley has lost a giant; we have all lost a friend.

Terry Lynch

President, Spokane Valley Business Association

Statements in ad misleading

One of the great rights of our democracy is the right to free expression as occasioned by Dr. Rudy’s full page ad in the Nov. 25 issue of the Valley Voice. Unfortunately, free expression does not equal accurate expression. Dr. Rudy references the Clear Water Research in 2004, indicating the public surveyed favored City Hall in the U-City area.

The words “City Hall” were never included in the survey. The survey asked “How important was it to have a recognized area as a city center or downtown?” Sixty-one percent thought it was “somewhat or very important.” And, from that 61 percent, 52 percent picked the University City area, equaling 32 percent of the total survey group.

In addition, the survey asked if they were in favor of spending tax dollars to support promoting a city center. Never was the question asked about creating a city center, let alone a city hall.

Not until the public became aware of the scope of SARP and the City Hall envisioned within, did the public express itself in an election last November.

As an interesting note, the same survey determined only 31 percent supported converting Sprague to a two-way street. Yet, we now have “two-way all the way.” Interesting?

Kevin Anderson

Spokane Valley