Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Attend hearing and support cleanup

On Monday at 7 p.m. there will be a public hearing at 7 p.m. at the Department of Ecology, N4601 Monroe, to hear a presentation of the Draft Remedial Investigation Responsibility Study for Washington Water Power Co.’s central steam plant cleanup plan.

This may be our last chance to assure the cleanup plan adopted can be accomplished in a timely manner so as not to cast a lingering shadow over redevelopment of this portion of our central business district.

It’s imperative that we make our desires known at this time to encourage that the cleanup be started immediately and be done in a manner that will allow not only the redevelopment of the Davenport Hotel to begin as soon as possible, but will also attract other investors to return to the Davenport Arts and Entertainment District.

We urge your attendance at this meeting to show an indication of public concern. Now more than ever, downtown needs the Davenport. Let’s work together to get this done. Ellen R. Robey, president Friends of the Davenport, Spokane

Good for Burnette, Roskelley

I congratulate John Roskelley and Martin Burnette for running a classy campaign.

I was especially delighted to see the letter to the editor from Burnette to John Roskelley in the Nov. 12 Spokesman-Review. That says volumes about Mr. Burnette.

The letter was a gracious way to end a campaign. I hope this begins a new trend in politics, where we stop relying on the negative. Good show! George R. Neal Spokane

Forget about using pavilion

As a mother, I think that the science center is a great idea. However, it shouldn’t go into Riverfront Park’s pavilion. The pavilion reminds us of how people of different cultures can come together and get along without fighting. In today’s world we need to be reminded of that every once in a while.

There are enough empty buildings in Spokane that could be renovated for the science center at the cost of what has been spent to put it in the pavilion.

Let’s get with the program and find a solution that the voters will like and approve for the kids of today and the leaders of tomorrow. Christina Nelson Spokane

Money exists for COPS

Regarding the plan for the business people of Spokane to contribute to COPS programs:

I suggest we add the county’s SCOPE program to this plan, and that Momentum supply $100,000 to $200,000, like they spent on combining the city and county governments, to these much-needed programs. These funds would be much better used in promoting Spokane and Spokane County as a safer place to live. Betty Jo Cook Spokane

SPOKANE COUNTY

Clean air measure: Fire commissioners

I just read your article on the political hogwash now plaguing Eric Skelton, director of Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority.

I’m disgusted with the behavior of our county commissioners. Skelton was hired to be tough on air pollution in Spokane County, not to be “neutral” as is the desire of our infamous County Commissioner Steve Hasson. Hasson has again shown himself to be a man of the lobbyist, not a man of the people.

It’s apparent that Skelton has done his job very well. It’s also evident that county officials are pushing for his dismissal because he’s not afraid to fine the city or county for polluting the air. Funny, I thought air pollution laws applied to everyone. Gee, Hasson and Harris, I wasn’t aware that governmental agencies and grass farmers were above the law.

For too long citizens of the Inland Northwest have had to put up with the awful black smoke that chokes our skies. We’ve had to breathe it. We’ve had to smell it and look at it. Rather that enjoying beautiful blue skies, we’ve had to endure gray haze.

I don’t care how few days there are for burning. It’s us or them.

It’s time grass growers find some other method of increasing their buck and quit torturing the people of the Inland Northwest. It’s also time we gave Hasson and Harris the boot. I haven’t seen evidence of any constructive output on their part recently, just chaos and political back-biting. Mark R. Wardrop Spokane

Commissioners’ priorities ‘scary’

Commissioners Phil Harris and Steve Hasson, where are your priorities? You want to cut the DARE and SCOPE programs because of a needed budget cut. Yet you are remodeling your office and buying new furniture at a cost of $14,000.

Come on. It’s scary to have as our commissioners people who think new office furniture is more important than fighting crime in our neighborhoods and having DARE programs in our schools.

Hasson, you say you will run again next year for county commissioner? Forget it. Barb Smith Spokane

Skelton arrogant? Not at all

The article, “A new political climate,” did a good job explaining the delicate balance that Eric Skelton must maintain as director of the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority (SCAPCA).

I feel compelled to respond to County Commissioner Steve Hasson’s comment that Skelton is too arrogant. I have had the privilege of knowing Skelton on a personal level, and of working alongside him on non-work-related activities. Skelton is a caring, compassionate and committed individual. He is the antithesis of the arrogant, autocratic leader that Hasson paints.

I encourage Hasson and all public officials to refrain from unfounded personal attacks and focus on the issues at hand. It is the concept of teamwork that is needed to solve the complex issues. Frank M. Johnson Spokane

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

Humane effort up to people

Hats off to Spokane voters for approving the free spay-neuter initiative. People are to blame for pet overpopulation, so it’s high time we take responsibility.

In Spokane County, over 10,000 “surplus” animals were killed in shelters last year. There aren’t enough homes for them all. Dogs and cats reproduce at an incredible rate when not altered. Spaying or neutering is the single most effective way to keep domestic animal populations in check.

Animal Advocates’ primary focus is to promote spaying and neutering in our community. The excuse we hear most often from people who don’t alter their pets is, “I can’t afford it.” By approving the initiative, Spokane voters have solved this problem. City officials should stop fighting our decision and make it a reality.

We at Animal Advocates would like to commend Laverne Kettlety for her incredible efforts in getting this issue on the ballot. We may finally curb pet overpopulation in our community. Anne G. Sciortino, president Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest, Spokane

Pet lovers should care for their own

This is a wake up call for the voters who approved Initiative 94 and think it’s free. It comes out of the general fund.

I think this is one of the most stupid things ever to get passed. I have chuckholes I’d rather see fixed out of that fund.

We raised our children, took care of our own cats and didn’t have a dog. If we did, it would have been taken care of at our own expense. I’m tired of the neighbors’ cats and dogs defecating on my premises and so far haven’t flung it back.

Neutering won’t correct that problem, but if people want animals, they need to take care of them as if they were their own family, because they are. They can’t expect the rest of us to take care of their animals for them. Furnish your pets with litter boxes and fences to keep them safe and then see that they get their shots, etc., at your own expense.

This one thing we should reverse back to the people who create the problem. They’re the ones who should be paying for it. E.M. Clark Spokane

Bad pet owners behind problems

In response to the Your Turn column, “Speeding, callous drivers ugly part of nice community” by Thomas Dixon (Nov. 15):

I am a professional driver in the city of Spokane, and I have to agree that there are a lot of people in this city who drive too fast and disobey the laws. But I really have more concern for a dead cat than I have for an irresponsible pet owner who allows his cats to run loose and free in the neighborhood.

I have owned a number of dogs and cats in my life. I own two cats right now. Both of those cats are in the house or in a fenced yard, unable to roam the neighborhood. I feel a lot more sorry for the cat than I do for Tom Dixon. John Myers Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

People seek relationship with God

Regarding the Nov. 12 front page article, “And a multitude gathered”:

While Kelly McBride wrote a good article showing the growth of churches in the Spokane area, the article was focused mostly on church programs and the ability of those programs to draw people into church doors. What was not addressed is the fact that the seekers are drawn by the holy spirit, looking for a relationship with God, not the traditional religious pomp and circumstance.

People in droves are being attracted to these churches by the direct influence of God to his holy spirit and they are committing their lives to Jesus Christ. Why? Because of God’s immeasurable love, He gave us His only son, Jesus, to be the ultimate and final sacrifice for us, a sinful people, so that if we believe in Christ we can forever be with our Lord.

The programs seek to further educate us and help us to become better Christians and teach us to be servants and missionaries for Christ Jesus and what to expect as a Christian. An open invitation awaits all to open the door that God is knocking on and share the blessings that come not only from His love but from making the choice to love God and our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Earl Howerton Spokane

Faith shines at a bus stop

Where else but in Spokane would one come across someone reading the Bible in public?

While waiting for a bus the other day, I happened to sit next to a woman, utterly engrossed in underlying passages in one of the Psalms. When I commended her for reading the good book, she emphatically stated that it contained many messages relevant to our times - one of them that the Lord has entered into a covenant with the people of Israel which assured them of His everlasting love.

“It’s important that people of today should still believe in this covenant of love,” the woman claimed, “which is a promise that God makes to all who believe in Him. His love is always there.” She added that the only thing we needed to do was to accept this love from the Lord, so each of us might then be enabled to turn around and love our neighbor as one’s self, just as the Bible has advised.

Later, in mulling this over, I rather whimsically wondered if the woman I’d met might have been one of those celestial messengers the Lord sends from time to time to let us know He is still abiding by His covenant of love everlasting. All we need to do is to believe and try to love others in return, in order to reflect that love. Florence Alexandrowski Spokane

Victim young to be out so late

In reading the article about the conviction of Nathan Witherspoon for the shooting (“Teenager faces term of 27 years,” Nov. 11), the first thought that came to my mind was about the young lady who was a victim. What was a 15-year-old girl doing out on the streets at 1:30 in the morning?

Values, people. Values. Mike Dodson Spangle, Wash.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Mainstream is mile wide, inch deep

In response to D.F. Oliveria (From both sides, Nov. 10):

The mainstream is the mushy middle. A few characteristics: Wants low taxes but likes the benefits of tax dollars. Wants less government but likes the benefits that only big government can provide. Enjoys the idea that values can be restored but looks to various levels of government/bureaucracy to restore them. Thinks of abortion in the same terms as welfare - money out of its pockets, but available if such services are personally required.

Happens to be highly religious, but would rather that government didn’t involve itself in religious matters.

The mushy middle happens to be the people least likely to vote. Would Colin Powell have encouraged this 60 percent of potential voters to come to the polls for the first time in election ‘96? They didn’t for the Democrats or Republicans in election ‘94. That is the one argument Oliveria never made: What candidate would attract voters to the point that they would come to the polls in droves?

As for the Republican defense of the “unborn,” what a laugh! This same party is gutting any opportunities for children in welfare, education, medical care and entertainment. The born children are currently the most defenseless in the GOP budget proposals. Joan Harman Coeur d’Alene

No U.N. commanders for U.S. troops

News reports show over 40 members of Congress signed a letter to President Clinton questioning his assumed authority to place American military personnel under U.N. command. Those people are to be congratulated, but one has to wonder - where are the other 495?

Also, what representation and protection will be given to the countless people in the service of the United States of America who agree with Army Spec. Michael New’s patriotism and courage? How many parents would have protested against their children joining the armed forces if they had been made fully aware of the “revolting” possibility and consequences of serving a foreign power?

It’s way past time for Congress to act to stop this usurpation of authority and sovereignty, and the best way to do this is to get the U.S. out of the U.N. as soon as possible, before more body bags start arriving from overseas - again. Cyril O. McGowan Post Falls

LAW AND JUSTICE

Heightened rape awareness needed

This is to encourage community awareness about rape. Recently a movie, “She fought alone,” about a girl who was raped by some classmates, aired. When she reported it, the community didn’t believe her.

A news report followed about rape and how victims are treated. It stated that many rapes aren’t reported, partially due to rape victims often feeling like they are the criminal rather than the victim.

A dear friend of mine is a rape victim. The attack occurred in a neighboring community and wasn’t handled by Spokane police. She was treated with disrespect by the police and the investigation was a joke. The police failed to do even the simplest things to get any leads. A sketch wasn’t even done for over two months.

I wonder if the actual rape or the treatment she received afterwards has been harder for her. Victims deserve more. Her feelings and concerns were totally disregarded.

The community should insist on more-severe punishment for sexual and other related crimes. I know a man who was convicted of raping and/or molesting more than one minor and he served only 90 days in jail with work release.

I encourage the community to take an active interest in how crimes are being handled and why people don’t report rape. It’s too late to save my friend and her family from the fear, pain and degradation that this has caused. It isn’t too late to help others and to prevent similar crimes.

Sometimes, a little awareness goes a long way. K.J. Winters Spokane