Letters To The Editor

Tue., Sept. 12, 1995

GOVERNMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

We can and must do better, together

Syndicated cartoonist Chuck Asay’s Sept. 4 work, “Guess which interconnected vital resource many environmentalists think is expendable?” confuses the relationship between life forms and systems created by God’s hand and the economy, which is a tool designed by human construct and agreement.

The various life forms and the ecosystems they define are the foundation of our economy’s current structure and design. At present, we are excavating that foundation - the ecosystems and the life within them - right out from under our economy. Most structures collapse when their foundation isn’t large or strong enough to support them.

By eliminating life forms and altering ecosystem functions, we chip away at our economic foundation. We can’t re-create extinct life forms. We can redesign our economy to fit its foundation while meeting our needs and the needs of future generations.

The question is not “Is our economy expendable?” The question is “Can we redesign the tool we created called economy to meet our goals and reflect our values?”

We all want healthy homes and children; good schools and safe streets. What changes should we make to our economy to support this vision? What do we need to change so we live within our ecosystems?

We can start by letting go of contention. There’s no us or them, only we. We all require fresh water, air and wholesome food. If we focus on these issues, keep our sights on the vision of a livable future, interject creativity and vitality, we can design an economy to support us well into that future. Sharon L. Sorby Newport, Wash.

Boise Cascade unfairly trashed

The analogy angry letter writer Derrick Jensen made comparing Boise Cascade to the infamous Dr. Mengele was rabid, uninformed, inaccurate and patently unfair.

First, Boise Cascade is at present engaged in ecosystem management projects to better manage our forests, for now and the future. This involves the expenditure of millions of dollars. Boise Cascade is involved in these projects because it’s the right thing to do, not because it is required to do so by law.

Boise Cascade is also involved in a water analysis project designed to help us understand how we can manage our forests in such a way as to harvest trees and, at the same time, enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

Also, Boise Cascade’s environmental leadership has resulted in more trees being planted, more pro-active treatment of areas susceptible to disease and insect infestation, lowering catastrophic fire danger by thinning and controlled burning, etc. Chlorine use is almost nonexistent in the company’s paper plants.

The last point I would like to make is that, unlike some members of the Sierra Club, Boise Cascade doesn’t export its logs to other countries.

Seldom do writers like Derrick get so specific in their attacks. Usually, the attacks are more general and paint the whole industry with the same broad brush. The specific attacks are more honest and give us an opportunity to answer the accusations. Suzanne Nicholson Addy

Check ‘faith healer’s‘ facts, ends

Anyone who wonders why scant compromise on the environment is possible with environmentalists should read Derrick Jensen’s Aug. 31 letter, “End quackery in our forests.” He equates harvesting timber for forest health to killing children in Nazi concentration camps.

The letter contains several factual errors, among them:

1) Logging companies “profit from cutting public trees at public expense.” Companies pay for the timber they cut and pay their own expenses. Timber is sold by competitive bid, and it usually costs more than from private land.

By regulation, over half of it must be sold to small businesses. Contractors do use roads built for public recreation, firefighting and forest management, which may include logging.

2) ” … forests damaged by generations of overcutting.” No national forest ever harvested more timber than it generated by volume, and a lack of intervention, blocked by environmentalists appeals and lawsuits for two decades, has created sick and dead forests choked with fuel for the inevitable fires.

It’s hard to tell whether Jensen loves nature or just hates free enterprise. He would probably agree with environmental leader Andy Kerr, executive director of the Oregon Natural Resources Council, who said that “having destroyed evil communism, we must now destroy evil capitalism.”

As Jensen’s letter makes clear, he’s an environmental faith healer who wants to impose his beliefs on our public lands, hates private industry and has no sense of proportion. Keep those letters coming, Derrick, the public has a right to know. Dwight C. Opp Newport, Wash.

SPOKANE MATTERS

Vote for library excellence

County residents have a chance on Sept. 19 to support excellence in our library system.

Spokane County Library District lends books, magazines and other materials at the rate of 2 million every year. Over 110,000 county residents have library cards. Library use has increased 40 percent since the district’s last (and only) bond election in 1988. County libraries have more people to serve than city libraries, yet city libraries get 50 percent more funding.

A $7.66 million bond issue would provide funds for an upgraded computer system, new and expanded buildings and additional materials. The library district can’t take care of these necessary improvements without the bond.

Let’s take a step forward on the 19th - and let’s remind our friends and neighbors how important it is to vote. Hans E. Bynagle Spokane

Ensure future library quality

With the primary election drawing near, it’s time for Spokane County (not city) voters to become informed about one very important ballot issue.

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, county voters will have an opportunity to help shape the direction of the Spokane County Library District by voting for the public libraries. At stake is the library district’s ability to acquire a state-of-the-art computer system, expand facilities and purchase more books and other materials. All these improvements are needed if the district is to be able to provide essential information services into the next century.

County library use has increased 40 percent since 1988, the last time a bond issue was passed. This statistic is proof that county residents have discovered the library district’s excellent service. Now is the time to ensure that the district will have the means to continue to provide these much-needed and much-used services.

The cost of the bond issue is small. It amounts to $1 per month on a $100,000 home. For the cost of a couple of paperback books per year you can maintain quality and ensure Spokane County will have public libraries that can keep pace in the information age. Vote “yes” on Sept. 19. Mary M. Carr Spokane

Meikel fully qualified to serve

As Spokane citizens prepare to go to the polls to narrow the candidate list for county commissioner, I hope they will carefully consider Art Meikel.

Art’s background of distinguished Air Force duty, being a self-employed businessman, family man and community volunteer make him uniquely qualified to serve as a county commissioner. He is able to analyze issues and make good decisions. He has the time and is committed to doing his best for Spokane County citizens.

Give Art Meikel your highest consideration when you vote Sept. 19. Don Kaufman Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Diversity pledge laudable

Your editorial, “Opinions are part of newspaper’s job,” will probably not satisfy those who feel that straight news is not fairly or fully reported, and maybe you did not intend to address that topic in your essay.

Those of us who consider the editorial page the most important one in a daily newspaper happily anticipate your pledge to include more opposing opinions. Not only will this tend to relieve you of the bias charge, but we, the readers, may have our minds changed on some issues.

As a reader of The Spokesman-Review for over 40 years, I can’t recall seeing so many opposing editorials, local and syndicated, juxtaposed (no pretentiousness intended) on the Opinion page. Now, you pledge to do more. I hope it happens. Darin Krogh Cheney

Comic duck victim of discrimination

In response to The Spokesman-Review comic survey, Mallard Fillmore is by far the best!

It’s extremely well done and humorous, in contrast to many comics, which are in very poor taste and not worth reading. However, moving Mallard to the Roundtable page and changing it to black and white is an absurd, childish stunt that only a biased paper such as yours would resort to. Irene Beeson Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Spare teachers untenable position

Staci Vesneske was right in her Sept. 1 letter (“Critic lacks or disregards facts”). As parents, we must look at the essential learnings set forth by our local school districts. That’s exactly what I did.

I was shocked to find goals like spiritual wellness (religion?), social and mental wellness, joy (How much joy?), enthusiasm and sense of humor(?). Although there were goals for basic skills and critical thinking, there was an obvious emphasis on behaviors and attitudes rather than core academics.

As Ms. Vesneske stated, the pressure is on the teachers. They will need to make sure their students demonstrate specific behaviors and attitudes set forth by the district. How will teachers measure these subjective outcomes? Judy Paulson Spokane

Add your strength to PTA’s

September traditionally signals the end of summer and the return of children to the classroom. This year, the month of September has also been proclaimed PTA Membership Month and signals the start of a statewide campaign to encourage parents, teachers and other community members to join their local PTA.

Founded in 1905, Washington State PTA has 133,000 members who are dedicated to improving the educational opportunities and quality of life for youth and all children. PTA provides opportunities for parents, teachers and students, civic and religious leaders, business professionals, senior citizens and all residents to be involved in education and the health and well-being of the children in our community. Membership in a local PTA also links individuals with a strong state and national organization which supports child advocacy efforts through educational programs and legislation.

Parents and public involvement are essential to the successful education of our children. Joining the PTA is the first step. Call your local school and say you want to become an advocate for children in this community by joining the PTA.

I guarantee you’ll be welcomed. Remember, we must all work together to improve the lives of children. There’s a place for everyone in PTA. Delain Miller, Adams Elementary membership chairwoman Spokane