Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

I-164 unwise, unnecessary

It’s critical to Spokane’s quality of life that we get Initiative 164 on the ballot. If not, it will become law on July 23. The effect of I-164 would gut the laws that protect neighborhoods, in order to protect a small group of landowners. Our system of neighborhood plans, zoning laws and design standards is in place to protect the owners of homes, apartments and businesses alike. It’s the intent of these laws to protect neighborhood stability, quality and property values. The law protects private property rights.

Even lawyers can’t decide what I-164 says. As a result, taxpayers will have to take money out of our pockets to pay for court battles to find out what the law really does. Does it make sense to adopt law that gives us such uncertainty? There are better ways to reform government regulation of land use.

Reform of certain laws, which govern the development process, is needed. Various groups, within the state, including city and county officials, landowners, developers and environmentalists, are working with the governor and Legislature to reform our regulations in a careful and deliberative manner. Labeled as Regulatory Reform, this work is intended to simplify and streamline the development process, while still giving protection to our environment. This is the appropriate process to change our regulations.

Because of the significance of this law, citizens demand the right to be heard via the ballot box. Referendum 48 will put I-164 on the ballot in November so we can express our opinion on the need for reasonable land use regulation. Jim Kolva Spokane

Chain gangs Something’s affected their minds

The idea of starting a chain gang for offenders is as stupid as suggesting public officials should jump out of a windows and run down a back alley when they want to avoid the media.

I suggest the next county expenditure should be to hire a consultant to check air quality in the county office building. I’m increasingly concerned that radon or some equally toxic gas has seeped up from the basement and addled the few brains which appear to be floating around in the county commissioner’s offices. Lloyd Thorson Mead

Chain gang could be step up

This is regarding the story “County officials call for chain gangs” on July 12.

From an ex-con’s point of view (one who spent 24 months and a day in a Mexican prison), I am 100 percent for not coddling criminals.

There were no privileges in my foreign prison, including taken for granted items like a bed with blankets, hot water (sometimes, even water itself), three squares a day (usually cold beans and dry corn tortillas). They didn’t give you toilet paper, much less toiletries. In comparison with Mexico’s prison system, ours is like a walk in the park.

When I was first transferred to a county jail (its reputation being the dirtiest facility in our system), I felt as though I had died and gone to heaven. They allowed me my first hot shower in over two years. They clothed me, gave me a bed, blankets, even a pillow. They brought hot, nutritious meals to me on a tray, plus a doctor prescribed a nutritious snack between meals. There was a library, gym, card games, basketball and a color television.

My thoughts at the time were, “Who should want to leave all these luxuries?” And “If I must, please, please allow me to return.” This was quite the opposite of my thoughts when leaving the Mexican prison, which usually is summed up as being “one step from hell.”

I pray for those around the world who still must endure. I know in my heart, society is blessed with me in it. R.A. Roberts Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Officials right to bar project

Here’s a good reason to be proud of our mayor and our City Council. They voted to block construction permits for the controversial Mission Springs project and demonstrated to us they are thinking safety first.

The city woke up to the fact the it, meaning we, must solve a number of transportation problems before a community of 2,000-plus is planted in an area where emergency evacuation could be impossible.

The people spoke and the city listened. It may come down to a lawsuit, but I’m proud the city has told the developers we plan our communities with safety in mind - not just dollars. Carol A. Allen Spokane

Remember, safety first

Perhaps Mayor Jack Geraghty should take a lesson from Houston’s Mayor Bob Lanier (“Houston’s mayor gets things done,” July 8). What good does it do to remodel downtown if it isn’t safe to walk through it? Louise Long Spokane

Complain first to sign owners

Concerning recent stories about illegal signs, does anyone besides small business owners and lower class to middle class garage sale high hopefuls understand the importance of these signs?

With rising advertising costs and soaring tax rates taking their toll, these signs may well be the make it or break it way to build clientele for a small business. They also help the “little Joe” sell his old clothes to add enough income to buy a growing child new or used clothing, which is in no way a luxury.

Although I can agree with F. Carl Kirkham’s comments on how Realtors could be more considerate to vehicular and pedestrian traffic (July 12), I can’t understand how a respectfully placed sign can cause such an uproar.

In a time when consumers shop for cost-effectiveness as well as quality and service, I can only ask that you dial the number listed on the offending sign and request that it be removed. Try that before allowing more tax dollars to flow to the city. As Patrick Swayze said in “Roadhouse,” “Let’s all just be nice.” Sue Johnston Peggy Sue’s Pet Grooming and More, Spokane

Adult items not kept out of sight

Heading north on North Division, then crawling to a stop at approximately the 3800 block, you may happen to glance to your right. Chances are, you’ll be staring right into the novelty store, World Wide Video.

As you’re waiting for the light to turn green, you have enough time to recognize many adult novelty items and obscene pictures of women. This is all in plain view of drivers and passengers of thousands of vehicles that drive on Division any given day.

Many times I have seen vehicles stopped next to me at this spot that contained children who looked into that store. Their parents or grandparents were anxiously waiting for the light to turn green. I am saddened and angry the children peering into the store were learning and experiencing something that, by law, is only available to adults.

I’m sure the proper way to address the problem would be to make a complaint against the store, but I feel the approach of bad press for the store will help to even the score for adults who are sickened and furious to have been exposed to the material in the store, and for the children who have viewed the items of World Wide Video and may never understand the effects. Brian Gene Frasier Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Day care story not appreciated

Re: the July 3 story, “Inspections finds scary day care,” by Staff writer Jim Lynch. My 18-month old daughter is in a quality, licensed home child care. How do I know? Because she is happy and doesn’t want to leave.

I have open communication with the provider. The provider always greets my child with a smile in the morning and a warm “bye-bye” at the end of the day. My child gets her coat in the morning because she’s ready to go to day care. My daughter is learning the social skills that, if I were at home, I would teach her myself.

Unfortunately, I and many parents are in the same situation of having to work. Your skewed viewpoint of family child care did a great disservice to these parents. I would not be able to work if I felt at all uneasy about my child care choice. Despite Mr. Lynch’s article, there are many good, quality licensed home providers out there. Fortunately for me, I have one. Brenda Moore Spokane

Clark got it half right, anyway

The July 9 column by Doug Clark (“Poetry scheme proves Barnum was pessimistic,”) is full of half truths. If poets are “suckers born every minute” and full of greed to sell their poems, I wonder about columnists who resort to sensationalism to sell their articles.

First, I’m one who received a nomination. At no time was I required to pay “70 bucks for the anthology” as he stated. If you wish to purchase the book - and it’s your choice - the cost is $54.

The second misconception in his article is, “If their work is any good, someone will pay for it.” There are thousands of excellent poems that have never been published. For those who wish to share, we have used our talent to send personal thoughts to family and friends on special occasions through many years.

Third, there’s the 2,000 would-be poets at the convention. That number included family and friends. Even then, it would be ridiculous to think you would be top winner just because you were nominated. I don’t believe poets are that gullible.

Fourth, there’s the $495 cost of attending the awards convention. It included two banquets and entertainment by professionals such as Johnny Cash. You should expect to pay for their performance.

To answer Doug Clark’s question, no, I am not going to the convention. I did consider including it in a tour of Washington, D.C. May Messenger Spokane