Letters To The Editor
HORSE RACING
Horse racing needs equality
The Washington State Horse Racing Commission has chosen to award the very best dates (spring and summer) to Emerald Racing Association, and dates to Playfair Race Course which are the absolute worst, September through November 1995. Obviously, horses cannot run on a frozen racetrack.
The horse-racing industry in this state has suffered greatly since the sale of Longacres and it has been difficult to keep owners and breeders interested. The commission, which is supposed to support the industry, has betrayed the horsemen from Eastern Washington by taking away opportunities to enjoy their horses.
Even though Emerald does not have its own racetrack, it has been awarded more racing dates as well as the added bonus of satellite wagering. Emerald represents Western Washington racing, so it probably should get more days - if it had a track where the population is greater. But the city in which it currently operates, Yakima, is hardly a high-population area!
Not only will horsemen suffer, but the Eastern Washington farming industry will be forced to endure hardship as well. More than 750 bales of straw, 16 tons of hay and 16 tons of grain are used daily at Playfair. The eventual elimination of racing in Spokane will impact many more people than the horsemen.
Three members of the commission were appointed by Gov. (Mike) Lowry - Barbara Shinpoch, Bob Plut and Jim Seabeck. Only Seabeck is from Eastern Washington. He has expressed frustration that he is always “outvoted” when it comes to enhancing racing at Playfair.
The governor appointed three commissioners to strengthen horse racing in the state, not one for Eastern Washington and two for Western Washington. I, as an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses, would appreciate the assistance of all three commissioners in either adding dual simulcasting or dividing racing dates fairly for all racetracks. Cindy Greenslitt Spokane
Local horse industry affected
As owners, breeders and trainers, we feel it is unfair to give Playfair dates in late fall. The weather in Spokane is not good then. This is hard on horses, jockeys and everyone involved.
At one time, Playfair started in July or August, ending the end of October, which was much better.
We feel that since Playfair has lights, it would be fair to have Yakima race in the day, Playfair at night.
Not only owners, trainers and jockeys will be affected, but also all the other employees of the track.
People on this side of the state feel we are not treated as equals of the West Side.
Hopefully you will reconsider your decision.
Any assistance you will give us in this matter will be appreciated. Don, Pat and Donna Hjort Otis Orchards
OTHER TOPICS
Cougs could be smelling roses
The (Washington State) Cougars’ big-time bowl hopes historically suffer the late-season blues. And they didn’t disappoint in ‘94. The reason: Lack of consistent offensive productivity.
However, the ‘93 recruiting class was one to be etched into the history books as the beginning of something very special at Washington State. A week before the signing period, the class had been tabbed No. 3 in the Pacific-10 Conference by the Long Beach Press-Telegram behind Stanford and California. The Cougars landed enough blue-chippers to make the ‘94 recruiting class one of the strongest in school history. Recruiting guru Phil Grosz claimed the Cougars “may have landed the best offensive lineman class at the prep level in the Pac-10.” With the recent Apple Cup win and Alamo Bowl thriller, look for the Cougars to attract another talented class with emphasis on defense.
Coach Mike Price and his staff have proven they can put together a quality offense and a dominant defense. Just look at the (Drew) Bledsoe-led ‘92 Cougs and the ‘94 Palouse Posse. Both ranked first in the conference. A team with this amount of talent would be ranked in the top 10 at least. The coaches have also guided the Cougars to two bowl games in the last three years with the majority of their most skilled players on one side of the ball. Who knows what they can do with explosive talent on both sides. Can you say future Rose Bowl contender? I sure can. Erik Olsen Pullman
Even fly fishers need teachers
Fenton Roskelley, I find your article of the last week in December backward thinking and hypocritical.
Mr. Roskelley, there’s a larger population base that needs a recreational outlet, be it tennis, bowling or fly fishing. Yes, there are more people on a few popular streams or lakes. Simply put, there will always be a growth in population. With more people learning and appreciating the outdoors, the potential of more conservation recruits will be available. When logging and mining interests want more profit, conservation may get new voices to oppose them.
Your writing of crowded streams and lakes is greatly exaggerated and misleading. You make it sound like every foot of stream and every surface acre are bumperto-bumper people. This is not true. A family can go to the St. Joe River on the Fourth of July and walk 100 yards away from a campground to find its place with nature.
Mr. Roskelley, should all who play Spokane’s public golf courses be banished and only country club members be allowed? And should only the chosen few be allowed to play tennis? That’s what you are saying in your fly fishing article.
You complain about fly fishing schools. Where are people to learn, through osmosis? When you criticize education, you also condemn all parents, grandparents, friends and teachers for teaching something new, something that will add to the quality of life. I have never met an educator who said stop learning.
Would you rather have people doing negative things or having a pleasant experience with a recreational activity? Sometime, someone taught you. As far as people making a living through recreation, would you rather have people unemployed? You have condemned more than just one kind of business. All the articles you have written have furthered the education of new fly fishers throughout the world. Think about it. Your educational skills have created the subject matter for this article. Jan Sadlo Spokane