Nastiness unnecessary

By the time this letter is posted, the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission will have made its decision about expansion on Mt. Spokane. I hope they made a wise decision that will benefit all of us.

I attended the hearing before the decision and was disheartened by the selfishness of some of those advocating for the Red Chair. As a pediatric nurse, I am sympathetic to the safety concerns of the ski patrol.

However, why the nastiness? Why call those who want to save the old growth selfish? Why lie about the existence of the old growth? Why not respond to the suggestions for improvements to other parts of the ski area? Why not put in a quad on the front side? Why not improve the parking and the lodge before expanding further to the backside?

Other improvements would likely bring in more revenue than the Red Chair with far less cost to the taxpayers. The park does not belong to the skiers or the Cowles family. It belongs to all of us. An improvement for the skiers is a detriment to so many other interests: Native Americans, hikers, animals, plants, waterways and birders. We can all share the mountain if we compromise.

Tara Lee

Spokane