Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Signature gatherers misinform

I am employed by the Pacific Science Center to manage the local fund-raising campaign. As signatures were being collected on initiative petitions by the group Spokane CARES, I thought it might be interesting to see what their volunteers were telling people about the project.

The Spokane CARES people I spoke with didn’t know me. When they asked me to sign their petition, I asked why they were collecting signatures. They told me Pacific Science Center would take over the park, close the IMAX and ice rink, park buses on Howard Street Bridge, might take over the carrousel and generally would change the serenity of Riverfront Park. They said PSC was financially unstable and had to run bond and levy measures in Seattle just to remain open.

These statements are false. Under the current plan, the IMAX and Ice Palace will continue in their current configuration with the same operating hours; school buses won’t drive through the park but will utilize the existing service road over Howard Street Bridge, drop off children at the Pavilion and then park near the new arena.

Pacific Science Center, a non-profit foundation, has had a balanced budget for the past 19 years.

While many people probably signed the initiative petitions in good faith, I’m sure many others signed based on misinformation, or believed they were signing a petition in favor of the science center.

Anyone who would like to have accurate information concerning the proposed project is encouraged to write: Pacific Science Center-Spokane, 539 W. Sharp, Spokane, WA 99203; call 326-7414; or fax 326-7416. Nancy L. Goodspeed Spokane

Golf course signs necessary

I believe (Staff writer) Anne Windishar should give both sides and the reasons for the no trespassing signs on the county golf courses (Opinion, Jan. 2).

How many times has the county been sued and at what cost to the taxpayer? When the courses are open, we pay to play, under supervision. I don’t believe that’s true when people ski, walk or play there when the course is closed.

I remember when they allowed cross-country trails at Liberty Lake Golf Course and signs were posted to keep people off the playing surfaces. A few seemed to think they had the right of public property to go where they pleased and cross those greens. They cut large holes in the fence to get through and spun out snowmobiles on the course, causing more damage.

I don’t think she knows what she’s talking about when knocking a risk manager’s job that didn’t exist 20 years ago but should have existed 20 years prior to then. He must take all of these practices into consideration when he puts out bids to cover our risks. We now have risk managers in most counties and cities because they save us money.

I wish your staff writers would look into this more. You influence a lot of people. Views such as this have caused counties and cities to contract out or sell to private golf course companies, and the costs for those who play go up. Only the privileged then will be able to play those golf courses, or ski and play on them. Jack Grier Spokane

Stars supply in no danger

In response to the “Star wars” item in the Jan. 2 Public Periscope: The taxpayers needn’t worry about a run on stars when I re-accessorize my dress uniform because three stars is the prescribed standard for the state of Washington for all chiefs and all sheriffs, regardless of the size of their agency.

I thought that was a cute article about Larry’s five stars. We gave him plenty of a bad time about it. Police Chief Terry Mangan Spokane

Community generosity appreciated

Spokane is a community that cares! To me, nowhere was this more evident than at Lutheran Social Services, a United Way agency that provides counseling, prevention, education and treatment for sexually abused adults and children, therapeutic foster care, adoption, family counseling and senior services. This Christmas, thanks to Spokane’s generosity, many children experienced the magic of the holiday season.

At Lutheran Social Services, more than 150 physically, emotionally and sexually abused children received Tinker Toys, teddy bears, trucks, food and gifts. Their Christmas was made brighter this year due to the efforts of The Guardian Life Insurance Co., Key Tronic Corp., Kmart, the downtown Pay Less Drug Store, The Spokesman-Review’s display advertising department and because of Hope, Holy Trinity, St. Mark’s and Christ Lutheran churches.

“We see so much sadness,” said Tamra Hively, psychiatric child care aide manager, “that for one day out of the year, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. That is what keeps us going.”

As stated in the old New York Sun (newspaper’s) editorial, “He (Santa) exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.” Julie Moyer Scheele, community relations Lutheran Social Services of Washington and Idaho

LAW AND JUSTICE

Too-lenient judges imperil society

We often wonder what has happened to society - why we have so many problems with our youths, why we are plagued with all this senseless violence.

The front page article of Jan. 4 tells the story of another senseless killing, all for $43. Written between the lines is the reason and the cause of this incident: “records clerks and prosecutors know his criminal history by heart” and, if he’d been convicted, “he probably would have been behind bars.”

Instead, we have softhearted judges who don’t seem to be able to look at a criminal history and see the writing on the wall. These judges don’t seem to care that each and every time they turn one of these convicted offenders loose, they are declaring open season on each and every one in society. These judges need to get it through their heads that people such as the Boots need to be isolated and locked up in order to protect society.

Fortunately, Felicia Reese had her life in order and has gone on to a better place. But that fact does nothing for her family and fiancee, who must live through the loss. I hope Judge Marcus Kelly remembers Miss Reese next time one of these young felons walks into the courtroom. Scott Wallace Newman Lake

Technicalities help only the bad

When is our judicial system going to wake up and realize that technicalities benefit no one in society except the criminal?

How sad that a young girl died possibly because one of her killers should have been in jail, as stated by Juvenile Prosecutor Mary Ann Brady.

It seems as if the judicial system is thriving not on what is morally right but because of what is technically correct. This certainly doesn’t solve our crime problem - and it is time for the system to be corrected. Unfortunately, it won’t be if the correcting is left up to the system that created it.

Innocent people must stand up and let judges and attorneys know how they feel. Let the guilty be punished for their crimes, regardless of microscopic technicalities. Moral ethics should be stressed more in the law schools, instead of how to search out loopholes in the law. The only question should be, “Is it morally wrong?” Not “Is it technically correct?” James A. Nelson Spokane

Federal courts subvert system

It seems to me that democracy in this country is headed toward a dead end. A prime example is proposition 187 in California and measure 16 in Oregon.

Citizens of these two states voted on these issues and what did the citizens who don’t agree do? They went to the federal court and got an injunction. This is telling the people of these states that their wishes are totally irrelevant.

Why have a vote? If the majority is supposed to rule this country and the majority of the people speak on an issue but yet you can run to the federal government every time you don’t agree and get the decision overturned, we might as well not even have democracy.

I suggest to the people of any state in this country that if an issue comes up for a vote and you don’t like the outcome, you have the freedom to get off your butts and move to another state.

That’s why the government has its nose in our business now, because of all these people running to the federal government with all their problems. This is a state issue.

Proposition 187 and measure 16 passed, the majority ruled and that’s the way it should be. The federal government has no business sticking its nose into it. Those who don’t like the outcome ought to move. William Hall Spokane

Courts shouldn’t overrule voters

What do Oregon measure 16 and California proposition 187 have in common? They have both been stopped from being implemented by a federal judge.

I believe this is wrong. Why? Because the will of the voters is being thwarted.

I am not commenting as to the constitutionality of these measures. But, if voters pass them, I believe opponents should have to remove them the same way they were put on the ballot - by the signature-andelection process.

When we elect someone to office, it takes 50 percent plus one vote for them win. It then takes another election to remove them from office, if the people are not happy with them. I believe the same rules should apply to ballot measures. Ed Weilep Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Self-fund retirement? Ha

On Dec. 26, a commentary by Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe enlightened your readers on saving Social Security from disaster. All of his numbers contributed to a rather long story about Americans needing to basically set up their own retirement savings programs. The idea is honorable but simply laughable.

Jacoby should understand that working Americans are strangled with taxes and, as a result, too many have too little to live on. This elitist has probably never thought of pointing out that our government must change its wasteful and worthless spending obsession. If the government would do so, working Americans might be able to do what he’s instructing them to do.

In addition, he thinks working Americans should be expected to work until they are 70 years old before they could qualify for Social Security benefits. Equate this with the great segment of the population made up of people who can’t work or won’t work but are assured of various benefits. Liberal government has been eagerly providing money to these people who are nowhere near retirement.

If the march toward socialism is not decisively and quickly reversed, working Americans will discover they are are sacrificing more things than saving for retirement. Gordon Landberg Spokane

Bullies we don’t want or need

Supporters of our new Stevens County Commissioner, J.D. Anderson, do not wear a thin veil like those constitutionalists described by Ken Rouw of Benewah County, Idaho (“Officials balk at gun requirement,” Dec. 31). It looks more like a hood.

Unfortunately, even little shavers want to use fear and intimidation to govern our area and call it protecting the Tenth Amendment. Napalm, baseball bats and automatic weapons are their tools of government and they have said so publicly.

Fortunately, many here are smart enough to see through the blood-soaked flag of patriotism. Let’s defeat posse power. James G. Perkins, Upper Columbia Human Rights Coalition Colville, Wash.

IN THE PAPER

Suspect’s picture offends

My husband and I have subscribed to your paper for years. At this point, I’m wondering why.

I was appalled and sickened to see the smiling face of Kevin Boot on the front page this morning (Jan. 4). The fact that your editors chose to place this picture in the paper at all was not only in poor taste but added insult to injury for Felicia Reese’s family. Barb Neal St. Maries

Criminal element feeds on publicity

Once again, I am appalled at the blatant lack of sensitivity and good judgment from this newspaper. Your asinine choice of cover story on Jan. 4 was not only hard to believe but sickening. How can anyone want to see the smiling face of Kevin Boot, who may be a coldblooded, heartless killer, first thing in the morning?

You continue to glorify these acts of violence by running their pictures on the front page of our only local newspaper while Felicia Reese’s friends, family and students, as well as those who never even knew her, are still mourning her loss. Even her memorial celebration took a back seat to your glorifying (the people charged with her murder).

When killers and gang members no longer gain attention and notoriety from the heinous crimes they commit, perhaps the random acts of violence will no longer be so dignifying and eagerly sought.

Aside from their actions, let’s take more pride in our city and refuse to credit them.

Also, jeers to Superior Court Judge Marcus Kelly for allowing this animal back on the streets. Kathy Withey Spokane

Priggee’s beating this to death

Again, I address your newspaper’s use of what is supposed to be the art of political cartoons. Milt Priggee’s latest assault of pro-life killers (Dec. 31) offends me profusely.

Think about it: pro-life and killers. Putting those terms together makes the mother of all oxymorons, does it not? (The pun and the cliche were intended.)

Must we continually suffer through Mr. Priggee’s apparently favorite depictions - those of mad and violent characters? A picture is worth a thousand words? Well, he speaks volumes of anger, hatred and violence, often showing glee and delight in death. Enough already!

The thousands of people who oppose the taking of human life at any and every age are not killers. And the individuals who harm and kill abortionists are themselves as deluded as those who harm and kill the pre-born. Killing is what abortion is all about.

Please spare us more of Milt Priggee’s characterization of pro-lifers as killers. Perhaps if more people were to celebrate life and honor the lifegiver, abortion mills would themselves finally die, along with the selfishness, greed and fear that feeds them.

Where does The Spokesman-Review stand? What spirit are you feeding? Mary Denise Taylor Coeur d’Alene

Beside Spokane, San Antonio shines

In Graham Vink’s article regarding the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 26, he takes a good opportunity to provide a humorous look at the game between Baylor and Washington State and turns it into a bash session against the state of Texas and the city of San Antonio.

It is another example of an ignorant fool who thinks anything different from Spokane is wrong, not just simply different. Vink points out San Antonio is in the middle of nowhere. Obviously, Vink hasn’t looked at a Washington map lately. The closest cities of any significance near Spokane are Seattle and Portland, both which are 300 or so miles away.

Vink says San Antonio is too hot but Spokane is as cold as hell. You decide which is worse. He also says San Antonio has a high crime rate. Spokane is no Utopia. The crime here worsens by the day. Not to mention that Spokane is one of the dirtiest cities I’ve lived in.

The WSU football team should feel fortunate to have received a free trip to a fun, vibrant city where the weather is warm.

Why must The Spokesman-Review consistently put down other cities (especially Seattle) in order to make a conservative, stifling and insignificant city look better? Maybe Spokane is the city with the problem. Then again, maybe it just has an inferiority complex. Chris Gatewood Spokane

Have writer take on Magnavox

That was a very concise and informative piece by Shankar Vedantam (of the Philadelphia Inquirer) about the Hubble space telescope (IN Life, Jan. 3). I understand more now than I ever did.

Perhaps he could be persuaded to write other articles concerning the great mysteries of our time - like how to program the VCR for those of us who are in no danger of ever finding our way to a Mensa meeting. Sondra Curtis Spokane