Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

We’re talking major power grab

At first glance, the trouble might seem simply that the mayor is firing the police chief. But this is much more complicated. It’s a struggle between business owners and Spirit Lake residents.

Some merchants have done mighty well with the common people for customers. Greed is all-consuming and the promise of more rewards that more annexation and more people would bring is the crux of this matter.

Last month this group was stymied and surprised when their attempt to annex deep into Bonner County was stopped by citizen petitions.

Pushed by the influential people, two near-strangers were elected to city government. The mayor had an assignment - to find a way to annex that same property the people had refused.

Police Chief Jeff Alexander is the same authority who caused the previous mayor and some of his people to come under state investigation. The chief had to go as this new mayor cannot stand up under scrutiny.

We must learn from this grim lesson how dear our freedom is. We cannot afford to be apathetic or complacent.

The rumor is that the last police chief, Steve Durkin, and his henchmen are to be brought in. The citizens call on the sheriff and the state to protect us from a dictator mayor and his gang of thugs. Robert Root Spirit Lake

Group home support appreciated

Trinity Group Homes was selected recently as the community service project for the Calvary Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church of the Masters youth groups.

The young people from these two groups are the kind of future citizens every community needs. In addition to purchasing and replacing the bedding for all of the beds of our three group homes, they were very interested in knowing more about people with mental illness and what they might do to help alleviate the challenges these people face. It was very rewarding to the staff and residents to see such concern.

Without the support of this community, United Way, and numerous civic and religious groups, Trinity Group Homes would not be in a position to provide community-based housing for people in our community with mental illness. We particularly appreciate the support of such a good group of young concerned citizens. Gail Griffiths-Vorse, director, Trinity Group Homes Coeur d’Alene

For Kellogg people, my thanks

I have many people to thank for all of their help over the past 14 years.

First, I want to thank all of the many council members I have had the honor of serving with. Thanks, also, to former mayors Hoback and Vergobbi for their guidance.

I thank the citizens of Kellogg for their support, suggestions and concerns during my time in office. Special thanks to all who worked so hard since 1981 to make our community a far better place to live. Thanks also to the critics and those who have not agreed with the direction the city has gone or the way I have handled things, because they are also a part of the process that makes our system work.

The City of Kellogg has been blessed with many volunteers. These volunteers serve on the many committees and boards, as well as aiding our city street department with cleanup, snow removal and work in the city park. We have many volunteer firefighters who assist the fire department.

Last, I want to thank the supervisors and employees who we have had over the last 14 years. They are not paid enough for the service they provide but they still give their best. Mayor Mervin Hill Kellogg

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Barbieris should make a choice

A few weeks ago, The Spokesman-Review had an article containing the results of a $59,500 economic study of the Spokane area. The PACE Group did this study with costs picked up by the Spokane-area Economic Development Council (EDC).

This report stated that for Spokane not to become a third tier community in the future, it would have to draw companies with high-paying jobs and also keep betterpaying jobs here. Spokane households, it said, have $6,000 less to spend than households in other cities of the same size.

The open letter to the citizens of the Inland Northwest in The Spokesman-Review on Dec. 3 concerning this report really disgusted us.

Under trustees for EDC was the name Tom Barbieri of Goodale and Barbieri. These are the same Barbieris that run Broadview Dairy, whose workers are currently out on strike. They’re striking because the Barbieris want the workers to agree to a $6,500 compensation cut.

Come on, Barbieris, which side of your mouth are you talking out of? For the integrity of EDC, you ought to resign or practice what you preach. Shame! John and Julie Olson Otis Orchards

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Mielke has done nothing wrong

The clucking and finger-wagging of liberals upon the resignation of Republican legislator Todd Mielke has been comical, if predictable.

A few years ago a Democratic Congress passed legislation that allows its own members to convert campaign contributions into gigantic retirement bonuses, many of six or seven figures. It was a limited-time, blue-light special for congressman to legally get rich.

One gets the picture of Congress, having bankrupted the Social Security trust fund, providing its own members a retirement worthy of Julius Caesar.

It was the most obscene sellout to the influence peddlers in my memory, yet the liberal media grew suddenly silent, because most of the instant-millionaire congressmen were faithful, liberal Democrat warhorses.

In fact, I don’t recall The Spokesman-Review even clearing its editorial throat on the topic.

I wish Mielke well. He represented the people faithfully. His right to be a lobbyist and the right of others to employ him are guaranteed by the First Amendment. G.L. Nelson Colbert

Justice seeker’s hands aren’t clean

In response to James Marks letter on Dec. 1, “My family still wants justice,” someone needs to tell Jimmy Marks what a fool he makes of himself in the paper, running for office and at City Council meetings.

Just because there were irregularities in the 1986 raid, it doesn’t discount the stolen merchandise found there. He needs to have some respect for himself and go away. Gayle Johnson Spokane

Health and safety

Restaurant visit short; they can wait

I’m a nonsmoker and have allergies that are complicated by smoke. I don’t understand everyone’s concerns for the smokers. They can have a cigarette before they come into a restaurant and when they leave. What’s the problem?

It’s not that we have asked them to quit, just not to smoke around us. How long are they actually in the restaurant anyway, one hour, two at the most?

My mother smoked at home, in the car (with the windows up) and anywhere she possibly could. Imagine my surprise when the doctor said one of my lungs was, as he put it, “half black.” I was just a kid.

It’s been over 30 years and my lung is no longer black, but I have many respiratory problems. Could all this be because of all the secondhand smoke? Lynda Gudina Spokane

Smoking: Don’t back off

I was livid when I opened The Spokesman-Review to find that Dr. John Beare, the Spokane County Health Officer, was contemplating not going ahead with the proposal to ban smoking in public restaurants.

As a nonsmoker, I’m disgusted every time I dine at some of the area restaurants and am engulfed by the pungent smell of cigarette smoke. Even though there are distinct sections labeled smoking and nonsmoking, these divisions are pointless as smoke invades the entire restaurant and isn’t being contained in the designated area.

I truly sympathize however with a smoker’s constitutional rights. But, when their right to smoke infringes upon another’s right to a healthy existence, I see no merit in this. I want to know that I can sit down in a restaurant and not have to worry about the potential harm from secondhand smoke.

So, Dr. Beare, please enact the smoking ban and don’t force me to suffer from a damaging habit that I chose not to take part in. Gretchen Noe Spokane

Smoke-free work place is vital

In response to Marilyn L. Dugger’s Dec. 2 letter, we at Birkebeiner would like to invite her to our restaurant. Birkebeiner Brewing has a 160-seat restaurant that’s entirely smoke-free. The only thing that is smoky are our smoked dishes, like Smoked Chicken Quesadilla.

Smoking in the work place is unacceptable and we would never allow any of our employees to be in a dangerous work environment. There will be a time when there will be no smoking in any restaurant in the United States. It’s time for Spokane to lead the way.

Shame on County Commissioner Steven Hasson for suggesting that Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority Director Eric Skelton is too uncompromising. Kudos to the gang at SCAPCA for their leadership, foresight and courage to endeavor for all people’s health. James Gimurtu, president Birkebeiner Brewing Company

Smoke-free eateries plentiful enough

In response to Marilyn Dugger’s letter concerning smoking, there are 130 restaurants in Spokane County which are smoke-free. The remainder have smoking and nonsmoking areas.

If she wants to drink and dine without smelling smoke, that should be no problem. Give those of us who enjoy a cigarette with our coffee a break. We also have rights. Adrian M. Minor Spokane

PEACEKEEPING MISSION

Clinton is military chief, volunteer

Don’t you think it’s a little ridiculous to call the commander-in-chief of the armed forces a “draft dodger?” It sounds to me like a contradiction in terms, yet many people feel and readily accuse President Clinton of this.

What these people fail to realize is the difference of circumstances between volunteering your services, like the troops going to Bosnia, and a government or power conscripting your services, as was the case during the Vietnam War.

Clinton and many other good Americans intelligently protected themselves from being conscripted into the Vietnam War. The fact that the Vietnam War was a flawed and fruitless engagement has been evident since its time and even Robert S. McNamara, a major architect of that war during the Johnson administration, confessed to this last year.

Today, however, Clinton has readily volunteered his services to the military and the U.S., and will serve for at least four years, hopefully, longer. If the dichotomy of this arrangement can be understood and not lumped into some false comparison, then perhaps pride in and appreciation of our president and his personal, volunteered sacrifice to serve his nation can be recognized. Jason Wolther Spokane

President’s role questionable

Before coming to a conclusion on sending troops to Bosnia, I listened to and digested the president’s speech. I wasn’t convinced that the United States has a vital national interest. The mission is ill-defined, the objective isn’t attainable and departure is nebulous.

As a 20-year military careerist and Vietnam veteran, I ask the president and any senators or representatives who plan to vote for putting our servicemen and women in harm’s way to ask themselves two questions:

1. Would I honestly be willing to change places with the person on the front line?

2. Would I be willing to personally inform the mother, father, wife and/or children on Christmas day or at any other time that their loved one was dead as a result of my action?

When the body bags start to return, what responsibility does the president intend to take? Did his remarks infer that he will accept punitive action for his deed? I doubt it.

The coward of Vietnam continues his vicarious bravery in sending others into harm’s way. Oh, yes, we’re already up to $2 billion of our tax money - for what? Frank R. Schoonover Spokane

Keep ours a background role

Whoa! Opinion editor John Webster’s “U.S. shouldn’t abdicate its duties” (Our View, Dec. 1) is way off base. We have a $5 trillion debt, more part-time, low-paying jobs than people, and a future replete with question marks. And Webster wants us to run interference in a multibillion-dollar fiasco.

Contrary to his editorial, America can best lead in the Yugoslav nightmare by brokering peace, supporting European troops forcing the peace and by leaving our military people out of harm’s way. Bob Spaulding Coeur d’Alene

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Congress’ cuts too self-serving

I’ve been reading about the controversy over balancing the federal budget. As usual, Congress is planning to balance the budget with money stolen (borrowed) from Medicare and Social Security funds.

The money “borrowed” from these funds is designated as surplus. Each year, Congress borrows this so-called surplus for its own spending plans. There now is more than $430 billion owed to the Social Security fund by Congress.

If Medicare and Social Security are in the desperate straits claimed, why doesn’t Congress start paying back some of the $430 billion it already has borrowed?

The main difference in the Republican plan is that they plan to enlarge the surplus by cutting benefits paid from these funds. In other words, they plan to balance the budget on the back of working America.

Medicare and Social Security funds aren’t tax money. These funds consist of money deducted from each working person’s paycheck. If cuts are to be made to balance the budget, cut things paid for with tax dollars such as Congress’ fat salaries, oversized staffs, taxpayer-funded retirement and many other perks.

Much of presidential and congressional travel could be eliminated. Many agencies could be cut drastically or eliminated without reducing services. A.B. Kellogg Sandpoint

Teacher critic teaches, too

How dare Harry M. Burger criticize our ethically honest Speaker of the House (“Speaker could use some education” Letters, Dec. 4)? Burger is a little alarmed over some of the things Rep. Gingrich said about the educational system at a recent gathering of Republican governors.

Seems our beloved Gingrich whined about how our underpaid teachers are corrupting our children. He says that school teachers “allow children not to learn.” These poor children, Gingrich says, are “trapped” and “hopeless.”

We all know that if Gingrich says it, then it must be true. Our very own lovable, touchable speaker on the mantle of the House, would not, could not, lie to us. When Gingrich tells it like it is, he’s talking from in-depth experience. He’s taught our children for the past 17 years.

So, Burger, the next time my Gingrich causes you some democratic discomfort about your common sensibilities, remember, Gingrich’s not one of ‘em, see? Gingrich is a good teacher. And he’s also exempt from the onslaught of his own hypocritical rhetoric. D.E. Blaney Spokane