Letters To The Editor

Sun., Oct. 22, 1995

GOVERNING SPOKANE

All-or-nothing deal a bad one

I watched the program, “One government or two?” on television. I got the impression that many of the freeholders had an agenda of creating a combined city-county charter, no matter what.

For the sake of this agenda, open dialogue was stymied, leaving too many issues not fully discussed, brushed aside, swept under the carpet or passed on to the proposed citycounty government officials with little or no direction on how to address them.

This all-or-nothing approach to consolidation is, in my opinion, shortsighted. A telephone caller presented the idea that existing city and county departments be examined for compatibility and consolidated if service does not suffer and cost benefits result. I agree.

Note the comment of the pro-charter spokesman when he responded to this idea, saying, “The city and county of Indianapolis took 25 years to combine their law enforcement agencies because it was such an enormous undertaking.” If combining one department was such an enormous undertaking, how does this compare with the enormous undertaking of combining Spokane city and county governments in their entirety?

Spokane County voters are being saddled with the city-county government agenda, with few specifics and a myriad of unanswered questions. We need to examine consolidation carefully, because reversing this process will be next to impossible.

You eat an elephant one bite at a time, not try and gulp down the entire elephant. Harry A. McLean Jr. Spokane

Unified, police can do better job

All the recent gang activity, including drive-by shootings and territorial markings, reminds me that our present law enforcement departments can’t approach the gang problem with a single, unified effort.

Although some coordination between city police and the county sheriff does occur, a single voice in our law enforcement community with a single mind to solve these problems will improve results.

Less duplication of administrators and more emphasis on officers on the street will benefit city and county citizens alike. The proposed unified city-county charter makes major steps toward solving many problems in our community, including those public safety issues related to gangs. I intend to vote for the freeholder charter. E.S. Renouard Spokane

Analysis showed costs high

Tom Nesbitt of Seattle was hired by the freeholders to do an analysis of city-county consolidation. It indicated that a consolidated government would spend about $20 million more each year than the city and county do separately.

Most of the additional money would come from people who live in or own businesses in the Valley, suburban and unincorporated areas. Nesbitt noted all urban residents would pay a utility tax, which is now paid only by Spokane residents.

There will be 13 districts - one councilperson from each. Spokane will have six-plus districts. A county executive elected countywide will have veto power. It will take the vote of nine of the 13 council to override. Many offices that now voted on countywide will be appointed positions.

A proposal to consolidate Thurston County (Olympia) in 1990 was defeated, 65.4 percent to 34.6 percent. Vern Slichter Spokane

It’s a special interest plot

Special interests supporting the city-county unified charter have donated $140,000 to their cause. Of the total thus far, nearly 60 percent, $81,000, came from just four interests: Momentum, $50,000; Washington Trust Bank, $11,000; Washington Water Power Co., $10,000; and The Spokesman-Review $10,000. Several other business interests reflect donations of only $1,000 to $7,000 each.

Don’t you worry, citizens, Stacey Cowles, publisher of The Spokesman-Review, said that despite the corporate support, it’s wrong to paint consolidation as a business issue.

Perhaps the title on the November ballot would be more appropriate if it read, The Unified Business Charter.

These special interests need to be shown, loud and clear, that the citizens aren’t about to roll over and throw in the towel. They need to be shown, loud and clear, that the citizens aren’t about to give up their constitutional right to vote for county elected offices. They need to be shown once and for all that they can’t buy their way into our government.

Show them by voting no on their Unified Charter in November. George Britton Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Three should lose, on their record

It’s election time and we have options.

Jim Kolva is an appointed insider. His claim to fame is his years and leadership on the planning commission. The Community Partners repeatedly faulted the absence of comprehensive and specific planning and a piecemeal approach to community development as factors contributing to lack of direction in budgetary, management and leadership issues related to growth in our community.

Orville Barnes ran for city council as a self-appointed people’s champion leading the fight against tax increases, growth in city government and accountability for city management. His record is one of doing the opposite. He supported and proposed tax increases, voted for personnel increases and failed totally in holding the city management team accountable. Consequently, we face a general fund deficit in excess of $5 million. Barnes, you failed us.

Councilwoman Bev Numbers, representative on the Spokane Transit Authority board, did nothing to alert citizens to the $8 million taxpayer cost overrun on the new STA building. She even went on record after the debacle was made public that she thought those managing the project had done a good job. She was elected to lead and be accountable. Her performance must certainly be questioned.

Do we want to elect individuals whose leadership is so seriously called into question by a group of their peers? I think not.

You decide. Vote on Nov. 7. Gene Tracy Spokane

Keep Larned on fire board

After serving almost 9 years as a fire commissioner for the Spokane Valley Fire Department, Harry Larned is seeking re-election to that position. His record as a commissioner deserves your support and vote. His knowledge of the laws and regulations directing the fire district is thorough and is needed for the continuity and direction of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

I strongly recommended this man’s re-election to this position of responsibility. Ray and Betty Van Hees Spokane

PLAYING BALL

This is all wrong, bad precedent

I fail to understand why a new stadium for the Mariners will help the owners earn more money. Do they think people who don’t attend their ball games now will spend the extra money to pay an added surcharge per ticket just to sit in a brand-new seat?

To expect Washington state taxpayer to fund a new ball field for the “owners” would be a case of government tossing good money after bad.

If Gov. Mike Lowry is successful in forcing this stadium upon the citizens of this state, will he set a precedent? What if a large, profitable company wanted to expand? Would it be fair for it to expect state taxpayers to support its expansion financially so it can earn more money? Would an ultimatum be given to the taxpayers to put out or risk economic decline?

I believe $300 million could be better spent on needed programs in the state, ones that would benefit all. I’m truly disappointed in a governor who puts the profits of a very few above the needs of so many. Wendy McElroy Veradale

Sterk will hear from me Nov. 7

I can’t help wondering what $275 million would have done for Washington schools. We won’t know because that money will likely be spent to keep the Seattle Mariners in King County.

I am disappointed in our local legislators who voted in support of building a new stadium on the west side of the state. I will express my disappointed Nov. 7, when I cast my vote for Mary “Chey” Austin for 4th District legislator, rather than for Mark Sterk. Harold McCulley Spokane

Representatives do as they please

Now you know why the people in this state and people across this nation can’t trust our federal, state, county and local officials. They have prostituted themselves to the almighty dollar and the corporations that control the capitalist economic system in this country.

It’s become very clear to the citizens of this state that no matter how you vote, the result of a legal election doesn’t mean a damn thing to our elected officials in Olympia.

It’s a sorry and sad commentary of the priorities in this country and the state. The people in King County and the people of the state of Washington have been thrown the proverbial screwball! John Wodynski Spokane

Lawmakers sell out children’s interest

I read with dismay of the selling of our children’s education in order to finance another sports complex for Seattle.

I am disappointed that Reps. Mark Sterk, Larry Crouse and Todd Mielke all caved in to the Seattle Mariners’ ultimatum and voted to make the owners still more millions at the expense of our students.

I’m proud of my friends and colleagues on the Riverview Youth Center board. Mary “Chey” Austin and Rep. Denny Dellwo are opposed to the stadium. Dellwo voted against it and Austin would have if she had been in Olympia instead of Sterk. Dellwo and Austin are both fine people, strong leaders and I shall vote for Denny Dellwo for Judge and Austin for 4th District legislator on Nov. 7.

Martin Burnette shares my view that the city-county consolidation charter would be devastating for the Valley and all of unincorporated Spokane County. Burnette is a young, aggressive activist for the betterment of Spokane County and he will also receive my vote next month. Dale Mcleod Otis Orchards

Sterk wins my vote - for Austin

Why would a legislator from the 4th District cast a vote against Spokane’s children and for the Seattle Mariners? If his loyalties are with Seattle, he should move over there.

I certainly won’t vote for Mark Sterk in November. I’ll vote for Mary “Chey” Austin. John Workland Spokane

Leave Sterk to games; Elect Austin

We were horrified to read that keeping the baseball team in Seattle is more important than a quality education for our children.

Mary “Chey” Austin is a strong advocate for excellence in education and was outspoken in her opposition to a new King County baseball stadium.

It’s apparent that Mark Sterk is more concerned with baseball and other games, like Follow the Leader, than he is in the future of our state. The 4th Legislative District needs representation for our kids, so we will vote for Austin next month. Charles and Shirley Gonciasz Liberty Lake

Austin will put local people first

I’m very disappointed that any of Spokane’s legislators and senators gave in to the Seattle Mariners’ exploitative ultimatum and voted for the new stadium in Seattle.

One can only assume that Mark Sterk is more concerned over the wealth of Seattle than he is for the health of the 4th District. I live in the 4th District and I won’t vote for Sterk on Nov. 7. I’ll vote for Mary “Chey” Austin, who will put her people before the people of King County. Lois M. Meadows Spokane

They find money when they want to

How did the lawmakers find millions for a new stadium but can’t find money to properly fund state employees’ health benefits? Thomas Hauck Medical Lake

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