Letters To The Editor
OUR CHILDREN, THEIR SAFETY
‘This has got to stop!’
I’m sitting here typing a letter to the editor because I don’t know what else to do. The news just broke, to tell me and all of Spokane that we just lost another innocent child to some sick, evil animal who passes for a human being.
Rachel Carver won’t be going home.
There are tears on my cheeks that keep coming back as fast as I wipe them away. I am so angry! This has got to stop!
Our courts are constantly letting people who hurt children back on the streets to harm again. What we need in our legal system, when it comes to the punishment of people who destroy our children, is a one-strike-your-out law. And I mean out!
I’ll pull the switch, put the rope around their cowardly necks, buy the gun, the bullets and pull the trigger. Whatever it takes.
If I stand before God and say “I killed a man who killed a child,” I would do so without fear.
Before I sleep tonight, I’ll look in on my 7-year-old daughter. She’s beautiful, fun and I love her very much. She’s in danger every day of her life. I can never forget that and never let my guard down. There’s a Rachel disappearing every day somewhere in our country.
We let it happen. We pay the price.
We have got to turn it around and make our streets safe again for our children.
God bless, you Rachel. I never knew you…but, Ill miss you. David Bray Spokane
Together, we must seek justice
We, the residents of the Ridgeview Elementary community, banded together to find little Rachel Carver. All of us asked, “What if she were our child.”
Unfortunately, our worst fears became reality last night. Rachel’s body was found. We all prayed she would be found alive.
Now, standing in Rachel’s name, we must remain banded. We must make sure Rachel’s killer is never set free; free to do this to another child. Rachel will never get the opportunity to enjoy another day, neither should her killer.
Even though we are told that we should have faith in our justice system, I believe there are times when it needs a push in the right direction. Justice must be served.
We will miss you Rachel. Your disappearance has brought a community together, and our promise to you is that we will remain together, never forgetting you.
Our community will remain together to protect all of our children. Julie Sellers Spokane
IDAHO SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Naive, simplistic answers no good
In response to Alan Mason’s letter of May 31: Yes, I read the letter Mr. Bakes wrote concerning classroom settings offered at Hayden Meadows and I understand it.
Hayden Meadows has a small group of unhappy parents who have created unhappy students. They are persistent in their views and were able to force furniture changes and limits on collaborative learning time. Most recently, they convinced the administration to address a “traditional” classroom setting. How many positive responses were there for a traditional classroom in a week? Fewer than five from a student population of 650.
Now, claims of overwhelming support of their narrow agenda will be recognized as self-serving. With this option given, and rejected by the majority, our school community has shown it supports and trusts its childrens’ teachers to define and address learning needs and styles.
Mr. Mason suggests isolated changes in classroom structure can cure all the ills of a low-achieving student and raise test scores. How naive.
There are many reasons children don’t learn. If you are truly concerned about low scores, ask a teacher who administers them. Ask why children aren’t successful and then ask how you can help. It will take all of us working together - parent, child, teacher, and community - to achieve what we all desire. Diane Riley Hayden
Substandard graduates - not
I must respond to Robert Dixon’s letter (June 11) regarding the Bonner County School District and taxpayers dollars.
First, no one argues that the residents of Bonner County do not want higher taxes.
On the other hand, to say the school district is turning out substandard “graduates,” to quote Mr. Dixon, is incomprehensible.
I am the mother of one of those substandard graduates who will be a senior in college this fall. Since the first 12 years of school are quite formative in a child’s life, does this mean she will be substandard the rest of her life?
I believe you owe the hard-working teachers of our county a little more credit than that. Geraldine Riffel Oldtown
OTHER IDAHO VIEWPOINTS
Annexation: Weigh the consequences
Residents who are concerned about higher taxes and utility rates might consider the outcome of annexation across the Spokane River.
As existing city services reach maximum capacity, annexation into outlying areas will require much higher outlays for operations and maintenance. Are area residents being asked to subsidize more growth for its own sake?
Meeting current and future needs is not the same as subsidizing speculation. Progressive annexation that promotes this type of growth awaits the extension of city sewer and water service into this area.
We can accommodate business growth and provide needed housing while also planning for the best use of limited resources and public funds.
Your voice against the annexation of Blackwell Island at the City Council meeting on Tuesday will help assure responsible growth for the future of Coeur d’Alene and represent a step toward wise use of stretched city service and resident pocketbooks. Jerry Gospodnetich Coeur d’Alene
Quit testing and get on with it
It seems that after 21 years of blood testing of children and women workers at the Bunker Hill Superfund site that national health organizations would realize the need for more than just testing.
Lead causes a number of illnesses when it reaches a certain level. Learning and behavior problems become apparent, along with neurological damage and moreserious ailments such as high blood pressure, kidney damage, cancer and heart disease in adults.
It’s time to say no to any more studies and testing. We need actual intervention. We need the funding necessary to bring in an industrial doctor or someone who would help get to the bottom of diagnosis and treatment. We also need good nutrition that the average person cannot afford in the Silver Valley.
If there is anyone else out there who got results back from the testing that was done in August 1994 and who would like to know more about the results, please contact the People’s Action Coalition office at (208) 784-8891, or call me at (208) 784-7331. Charlotte Rieken Kellogg
Cats kill; I kill them off
In response to Jeanne Helstrom’s June 4 letter, house cats are notorious killers.
These well-fed, pampered, little pussycats account for some 80 million little animals annually. Little grouse, squirrels, rabbits and a host of birds. I live out in the country, and they even kill baby chickens. In my shed I have a mama squirrel and little ones because I keep the cats killed off.
We also have rabbits, grouse and a multitude of birds because they know they are safe here. In neighborhoods they urinate and defecate in flower beds, crawl spaces and in the garbage.
If you people prize your pussycats, keep them home. Curtis Rodgers Hayden