Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Marlton county’s saving grace
I feel helpless with local government. County government has been in a tailspin since the last election. Since County Commissioner Steve Hasson turned Republican it appears the County Commission is being led by Dumb and Dumber. With Dumb and Dumber, comes Dumbest - Coroner Dexter Amend. I’m beginning to believe we need some brain transplants in the county courthouse.
Luck smiled on us when we got George Marlton as a county commissioner. It appears lately he has helped bring rational thinking back. The commissioners have taken a step back on the health district issue, on chain gangs and have gotten the City of Spokane to take on the county’s liability of the Marks family lawsuits for dimes on the dollar.
An attorney, Marlton’s knowledge of the law and the county’s justice system is proving invaluable. In a short period, Commissioner Marlton is proving he can work with the other commissioners and is an asset the citizens need to retain in office come this September and come November’s elections. Donald H. Skaufel Spokane
Elect Burnette commissioner
On Sept. 19, the citizens of Spokane County District 1 will be asked to select a new county commissioner. I encourage all the voters of the district to attend forums, debates and speaking engagements and judge for yourselves who would best serve you.
Having done this for myself, I decided to support Martin Burnette. I found Martin well versed on county issues. His knowledge of financial matters would be a tremendous asset to the county, especially during the present financial crisis.
He is a successful businessperson whose clients depend on him for sound financial and investment advice. He would bring this sound judgment to county government.
Having listened to the other candidates, all of whom bring qualities to the office, I feel Martin would best serve me as a voter and a client.
Please take the time to research those seeking elected office. As voters, we’re responsible for those we elect to office. They in turn are obligated and accountable to us.
During your research, I’m sure that you’ll arrive at the same conclusion I did: Martin Burnette is the right choice to get results. David Binford Spokane
Car enthusiasts’ image hurt
There are two ways to look at a low rider: as a primered car driving down an alley doing drive-by shootings or as a beautifully painted and muraled car or truck on display at a show for all to see.
Ever since some individuals did a drive-by shooting on Argonne last week, low rider builders have been stereotyped as gang members. What happened to the kids who were shot is unfortunate and should have never happened. As true car enthusiasts, all our money goes to making our cars more beautiful, not to buying drugs, doing drive-by shootings or other things commonly associated with gangs.
Because of the recent articles about this unfortunate incident, we custom car builders are no longer looked at as thugs. Now we are looked at as potential murderers. Jonathan Jones Spokane
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Youth’s evil act his doing, his fault
Regarding Anne Windishar’s editorial, “Kids shouldn’t need gangs”: Yes, Anne, that’s you’re opinion, not mine.
I resent your implying that I and the community of Spokane should have a guilt trip over Kenneth “Junior” Comeslast’s murder of two girls. The only people who failed Comeslast are the two people who brought him into this world and he, himself.
A 15-year-old kid does know right from wrong. We all have the free will to choose what is good and evil. Comeslast made his choice very apparent.
So, Anne, get off your sanctimonious, “I feel bad that the community failed this young man” position and write about the two young girls whose lives were stamped out by evil. Mike Forster Spokane
Spokane people made fine memory
I remember Spokane, the date Sept. 26, 1942, and what I did that changed the course of my life. It was at a time when so many young men of my age had already committed themselves to duties in one of the military services. I didn’t like war and all the killing connected with it, but I still felt I had to do something.
I was walking on Post Street in Spokane and noticed a sign in a window, “Sign up in the maritime service training school,” so I did, along with two other fellows about my age.
Well, I didn’t realize so much press would be made of it. The three of us spoke on the radio station and we were taken to the train station on a float in the company of an Indian Princess and hundreds of townspeople who escorted the float all the way to the station. A wonderful send-off from the beautiful people of Spokane, Washington. Erschell L. Kohl Sandpoint
Controversy clouds real evil
I’m outraged by the Dexter Amend controversy. I’m angry at both sides. With all the posturing and political uproar, both sides have forgotten the children who are the victims of adult sexual abuse.
The sexual orientation of the adult attacker is irrelevant. Children who have been sexually abused by adults will bear the scars for the rest of their lives. I know, I was sexually abused as a child. My attackers were all heterosexuals. They were all “good family men” who held good jobs in the community.
As long as society maintains the fiction that so-called nice men can’t rape children, then these “nice men” will continue to destroy young lives. It’s so much easier to pretend that only people who have a nontraditional sexual orientation could be involved in something this evil.
Many people in this community have been moved to action by Dexter Amend’s unfortunate remarks. There have been letters, rallies and speeches. I wish both sides would hold a joint rally - for the children victims. I wish that both sides could put aside their personal agendas and direct their actions towards doing something to protect the children of this community. Kelly L. Brown Spokane
LAW AND JUSTICE
Refractory criminals go on and on
The Aug. 30 story, “Couple admit to killing woman” makes me furious. This low-life, scum-bag killer, Willie Richardson, 20 years old, has been arrested 41 times and been convicted 11 times. His convictions include assault, robbery, theft, malicious mischief, vehicle prowling and criminal trespassing.
It sounds to me like the police have been doing their job with 41 arrests. The prosecutors are obviously doing their job with 11 convictions.
Why is this slime on the streets? What part of our legal - justice? - system isn’t working? Edward Parker Walla Walla
Three strikes law least we can do
What’s wrong with this picture? Willie Richardson has been arrested 41 times with no fewer than 11 convictions that include assault, robbery, theft, malicious mischief, vehicle prowling and criminal trespassing. Now it appears murder will be added to his resume of crime.
Do you bleeding hearts still think three strikes, you’re out is a bad law? I know I don’t.
Too bad we don’t go one step further and make it retroactive. G. McQueen Spokane