Letters To The Editor

Fri., Aug. 2, 1996

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Wal-Mart makes future look blight

We moved into our new home in the College Homes area of north Spokane with great excitement and expectation. We were returning to our beloved, tree-enhanced neighborhood we had left 20 years ago for tree-barren Yakima.

We love the view from our back deck, as it looks north toward the natural setting of pine trees, rolling hills and valleys. We thrill at the sight of a mother quail and her brood of young chicks as they scoot across our lawn and into the natural habitat beyond.

Then the bad news came. We were barely settled into our new home when neighbors informed us that Wal-Mart has big plans. Plans to change the zoning in order to down the beautiful trees, raise the concrete pillars of merchandising, flatten the rolling hills and lay down acres of asphalt, driving away the wildlife in its path.

We have to question Wal-Mart’s intent because commercial property is readily available right across the Newport Highway, but not at a price that suits Wal-Mart.

It will probably be down with the trees, up with the concrete, down with the asphalt, out with the wildlife.

Welcome to Spokane, Wal-Mart. Cal Riemck Spokane

Amen, Priggee

Staff cartoonist Milt Priggee scored a perfect 10 for his statement of July 28, on the Little Spokane River.

Will the county commissioners preserve this pristine area or will we once again see the bulldozer of greed prevail? Ray Dickelman Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Rhetoric rides roughshod over facts

The writer of “People, you’ve been ripped-off” (July 26) has offered a perspective and personal opinion. The facts, though, are somewhat different. For the sake of an objective and factual consideration of the upcoming Spokane street bond on its own merits, a correction is needed.

In offering an opinion, the writer erroneously referred to Spokane city management as choosing to build “a Spokane Transit Authority Plaza” and “add fake trolleys to downtown.” This statement was misleading because the decisions to proceed with and fund these projects were made by the Spokane Transit Authority Board of Directors. STA is an independent municipal corporation under state law. Its board is comprised of local elected officials from throughout the service area.

No city funds were provided to STA for the plaza. The Spokane Falls Streetcar Co. is jointly funded for its capital and maintenance costs by STA and four private-sector corporations.

Specific and factual information about STA projects and funding is a matter of public record. Such information always is available for inspection upon request during regular business hours. Robert Allen Schweim, executive director Spokane Transit Authority

Are we being served? Yes, badly

What on Earth does Bill Pupo do for $92,000 a year?

I think a sincere thank you would have been appropriate from the city for giving Pupo the experience and opportunity to work in another position (city manager). This will look great on his resume. To pay him $20,000 for doing so is ludicrous.

The county has opened another golf course. The city has paid $250,000 to a physician for his property next to a golf course. When was the last time the city or county opened a park or built a citywide swimming pool? Could all of this money best have been utilized for working on repairing the much-needed work on local roads?

I am beginning to believe the city and the county do not have my best interest at heart. When was the last time the city gave a secretary a $20,000 thank you for doing another’s job?

People, remember these small things at election time. They do add up, and not in your favor. W.J. Crawford Veradale

Volunteers fill special need of elderly

Your excellent article on adult family homes brought to mind one of the heartrending needs of the elderly and those who cannot completely care for themselves.

Those who live in adult family and nursing homes on a long-term basis need protection. The need someone with whom they can talk and communicate their fears, agonies and needs.

While this may or may not have to do with the efficiency or cleanliness of the place in which they live, this need for friendly and understanding human contact is so great that the lack of it appreciably denigrates their quality of life.

One of the finest volunteer efforts is that of the Long-Term Care Ombuds - men and women who guard, protect and become the friends of the elderly in nursing and adult family homes. Since I have the good fortune to be one of them, I invite all those who have volunteer time available to join us. Homer C. Mason Spokane

Hospital up to no good, again

Seems like Sacred Heart is at it again. A few years ago, the hospital blocked the view with its new parking and munificent office building.

Has this “nonprofit” operation bought the old Jimmy Crick Building? We’re in the wrong business. Bet the rent isn’t based on nonprofit basis.

As I read the article, the hospital is going to take pedestrians (customers) off the street and funnel them into a dimly lit parking garage, so they can then dodge traffic under “controlled conditions.” I know I would sure feel safer getting run over by someone who could afford to pay for the parking.

The last time I was in the Jimmy Crick Building, they were charging for parking. Then there’s the restricted parking lot south of the Crick Building and west of the P.I. Tavern. Are those enterprises going to get a skywalk?

Just how many injury accidents have occurred at this location?

When Sacred Heart finally gets patients over on its side of the street, is it going to open up the skywalk, now restricted to a select few? If, as the hospital folks contend, it will have “little effect on the view,” I suggest they buy the previously affected property at it’s pre-medical building parking garage value. They screwed the owners with the city’s blessing that time.

If the city fathers and mothers decide to let them screw up what’s left of the view, I suggest they charge the hospital rent, 180 patients per day at $1 each. Charles E. McCollim Spokane

Some can’t afford a baby sitter

Steven and Liz Warren (“Leave the little tykes at home,” Letters, July 28), obviously: A) you are not parents or B) you have not had to find, or pay for, a baby sitter.

If I could afford to leave my children at home, I certainly would. However, I think it’s just as fundamentally important for a child to be outside and be exposed to classical music.

I’m sorry if the 2- and 3-year-olds were disruptive and marred their evening so they couldn’t have a good time. Cheryl Moyer Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Cafeteria-syle justice worthless

A recent letter writer says, “I believe that anyone who says because it is the law you must obey it is a fool.” While he was writing about the Avon lady in Coeur d’Alene, he did not limit his statement to that case.

One wonders how he would feel if someone were to build a glue factory next door to his residence. If he were to complain, the factory owner could tell him, I know the zoning laws say I shouldn’t do this, but I follow your philosophy and would be a fool to obey the law. Likewise, a driver who runs a red light and crashes into his car could say, It’s too bad about your car, but only fools obey traffic laws.

Zoning laws protect property values by ensuring that neighborhoods remain livable. A neighborhood where streets are lined with shoppers’ cars, delivery trucks are coming and going and - in the Coeur d’Alene case - front yards are paved over for parking, will not be a desirable one to live in.

Residential means residential. Permitting one exception, even if it is not very intrusive, sets a precedent for another one that is likely to be more so, and soon the area is dotted with commercial activities.

To have a civil, decent society we must obey the laws with which we disagree, even as we may work to change them. Robert Forman Colville, Wash.

Case against Christmann foolish

In regards to your little summary on Rose Christmann, the Avon lady (The Hot Seat, July 14), I also am an Avon lady in the Coeur d’Alene vicinity. While I will admit she can be “crusty,” nevertheless, her services do contribute to the community. But really - embarrassing our community?

The only thing I am embarrassed about is the good-old-boy system that uses the snowball fallacy to justify its denial of her zoning. That is, if we let one do it, where will it stop? Maybe planning and zoning should have thought of that before it let Target, McDonald’s, Appleby’s, etc., destroy all the trees on their lots without leaving any for aesthetic purposes.

Christmann did not create the traffic on Best Avenue. It already existed. Matter of fact, so as to not disturb her neighbors, she fronted her little shop and circular drive off Best Avenue. Her hours usually are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when people are at work and kids at school.

George Washington thought a little nose-thumbing was appropriate when he dealt with tyrants. Does everyone have to kiss the king’s boots for him to be reasonable?

Why doesn’t planning and zoning come up with a real reason, such as environmental impact on reproduction of rats in Coeur d’Alene, to deny her request?

Embarrassed about Christmann? Get a life. Susan Doughty Hayden, Idaho

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