Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Taxpayer complaints off the mark

This concerns three Roundtable letters of recent weeks.

One writer took exception to a date printed on the assessment form, having mistaken or misinterpreted the deadline date for appeals. Checking our records, we found the dates were correct: 6/27/96, the date mailed; and 7/27/96, the last date to file an appeal. The 30-day period is in keeping with state law.

To make the dates easier to read, we will in the future print them in the format “July 27, 1996.”

A second writer complained of a one-year land valuation increase of more than 35 percent. After such a big increase, a taxpayer should request review by the Assessor’s Office appraisal section. Information affecting value that we’re unaware of may come to light, reducing the increase and keeping it from being carried forward to future years.

The same writer took issue with Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp.’s assessment, which the company is contesting in court. The state Board of Tax Appeals in 1991 upheld the county’s valuation of Kaiser’s Mead and Trentwood plants. Kaiser has a right to seek a reduction in court, but the fact it’s doing so doesn’t mean the assessor’s valuation is incorrect.

A third writer mentioned Fish Lake-area land values. Market sales indicate waterfront recreational land should be valued higher, as it has been in this area. We believe the appraiser’s changes are appropriate - substantial, yes, but not in the 1,000-percent range, as the writer stated.

Our appraisers are quite willing to review valuations and answer taxpayers’ questions. David E. Wunder, appraisal manager Spokane County Assessor’s Office

Decisions bad and work shoddy

I don’t see how Brad Blegen could brag about doing a good job with the 1987 bond funds in repairing our city streets. Especially when a lot of the streets which were repaired were senseless.

For example, residential streets in Northwest Spokane on the way to Downriver Golf Course were in very good condition but were repaved curb to curb. For what reason? Some were torn up and repaved, others were just paved over. That wasted our money.

No work was done on arterials that had not been touched for years, or that had been patched and patched again to no avail. Methods and materials of street paving 20 years ago show they cannot be patched and then expected to hold.

Do it right the first time and they will last longer. Again, you are wasting our money. As a taxpayer for 50 years, I like my money spent wisely. Shirley Wilson Spokane

Theater restriction bad policy

Although they have no legal obligation to, Spokane-area theaters are enforcing a self-imposed ban not to allow children under 17 into R-rated movies unless accompanied by a parent. Accompaniment doesn’t’ mean being with the minor during purchase of their ticket but rather sitting through the whole movie with their child.

If theaters are going to enforce this ban, they should at least lower the minimum age from 17 to something more reasonable. Children are required to pay adult ticket prices at age 12, but they aren’t allowed to see half of the movies.

Lifting this ban totally wouldn’t have many, if any, ill consequences. The movies in question don’t play at 10:30 a.m.; their earliest times are usually around 7 or 8 p.m., so children wouldn’t be able to attend the movie without their parents’ knowledge, assuming the “parent” does half the job required to don that title. If parents don’t notice their children are gone, or don’t know where they are from 8 to 11 at night, then their offspring seeing an R-rated movie should be the least of their concerns.

If lifting or easing the ban would be drastic for theaters or parents, they should at least apply it with discrimination. I admit there is something wrong with a 7-year-old attending “Striptease.’ But there shouldn’t be a problem with a couple of 16-year-olds seeing “SuperCop.” Young children watch the same kind of violence on “Power Rangers” every day, but theaters won’t let two teenagers into a Jackie Chan movie without mommy. Brendan Sweeney Spokane

Landlady always fair to me

Regarding the Aug. 6 article “Neighbors sue, oust tenants.” I have been a tenant of Sylvia Ellingwood’s for 7 years. Sylvia always treated me fairly and helped me when I needed it.

I think the police have targeted Ellingwood to use as an example. The Safe Streets program is trying to put a feather in its own hat, rather than work for the people. Kimberly Browning Spokane

IN THE REGION

Boise Cascade, answer our concerns

Boise Cascade Corp. has received final approval for its plan to apply two herbicides by helicopter to 286 acres on Lane Mountain, near the town of Valley.

On Aug. 2, on behalf of Stevens County Residents for Alternatives to Pesticide), we filed an appeal with the Forest Practices Board in Olympia. Our appeal is under consideration.

Boise Cascade’s spray operation has received a class 3 rating, which, according to the forest practices law, does not require notifying the public, a public comment period or public hearing. We who live downwind and downstream from this operation have been locked out by the law except for the appeals process.

I ask Boise Cascade to honor our appeal with a moratorium on the aerial spraying of Lane Mountain until an appeals hearing takes place. The forest practices appeals hearing is the only opportunity provided by law for neighbors to add information and have their concerns addressed. Our concerns about drift and about watershed contamination in the Waitts Lake, Little Sweden and Deer Creek neighborhoods are real.

Recent scientific studies we have in hand validate our concerns. We are adamant that these concerns receive a fair hearing. Ellen Breiter Valley, Wash.

Power line siting hazardous

How is it that we are having a transmission line built next to the Ione School?

Companies throughout the civilized world provide work electromagnetic field-free work areas. Manufacturers are redesigning products so they emit less EMF.

Here in Pend Oreille County, dissatisfied people are demanding regulatory reform. Some are upset about building codes, sewer requirements, etc.

One way to avoid state and federal regulation is for county commissioners to issue a determination of nonsignificance, which also limits or eliminates public input and environmental assessment.

Our county commissioners threw out the concerns of state and federal agencies about the proximity of this 115-volt power line to our homes and schools.

The public utility district has issued optimistic numbers representing the power line’s EMF. But independent health agencies should be responsible for evaluating EMF.

My own research shows a magnetic field of 3 milligans or greater 90 feet from the wire at ground level; 180 feet total, considering both sides of the line. Three milligans is where health risks begin.

Long-term exposure to low-level EMF, 3 mg or more, increases the incidence of childhood cancer between two and five times, depending on which study you cite. The electrical industry cites studies commissioned by its own front groups. These studies show no ill effects related to EMF. These ridiculous studies stand up in court.

Ask your county commissioners how much they really know about EMF. Bill Dean Ione, Wash.

WASHINGTON STATE

Moyer keeping low party profile

Is our local state Senate candidate trying to hide from his party? Is he embarrassed or is he trying to be deceptive?

John Moyer’s recent campaign brochure fails to mention the word Republican. The “GOP” does appear in small print, probably sufficient to comply with legalities. In the brochure, he is pictured chatting with a longtime Democrat who has been dead for four years.

Whatever the intent in designing this brochure, and whatever he says, we can easily refer to past voting records. Those clearly show Moyer is a Republican and votes only as a member of that party. Marion Dumoulin Spokane

Covington fall guy, not bad guy

Re: “Eastern State chief resigns under fire” (News, Aug. 1)

It is truly unfortunate that Steven Covington is being made to blame for mismanagement issues that began long before he ever entered Eastern State Hospital. As a former employee of ESH for 14 years, I know all too well how mismanaged the hospital is and has been for several years.

It would be interesting to know how much Tom Fritz, the superintendent prior to Covington, paid each month for the house located on the ESH grounds that has been historically designated for the hospital superintendent/ CEO.

It would certainly appear that The Spokesman-Review is very interested in printing whistleblower and other allegations about Covington, but please remember that those accusing him are responsible for the mess he came to clean up. Karen Lassey Medical Lake

COMBATING TERRORISM

Safety at any price is no bargain

So, we are now ready to waive a “few” liberties for safety from terrorism and more law and order (“Poll: Give government more power,” July 31).

People of a society that sacrifices individual rights for safety or law and order will soon find a new terrorist at their door. He will be neatly dressed in a spit-and-polish uniform, with insignia, medals and “authority.” I am sure this will make you feel much safer as your loved one is dragged away to the gulag.

The best deterrent to terrorism is freedom. Why has the United States had a history of the fewest terrorist actions while countries with the most Draconian security and intrusion into individual rights had far worse records? Could it be that a truly free people respecting the individual’s rights is more of a deterrent to terrorists than the most powerful and pervasive Gestapo?

Let’s not forget the true outcome of more government power - the government becoming the terrorist in our midst. For has not the worst terrorism been perpetrated by legitimate governments against it’s own people? After all, the German people did put the Nazis in power.

George Orwell said it best. Read “1984” and “Animal Farm,” then tell me you want the “pigs” in control. If so, you can be the horse. Gregg A. Leibert Chewelah, Wash.

Commentary one of the best

Opinion editor John Webster’s July 30 editorial (“Freedom is our best weapon”) was excellent, one of the finest I have ever read. His reference to our right to bear arms was especially appreciated.

Webster is absolutely correct when he says that we should not negate our freedom and the Bill of Rights to eradicate terrorism.

Unfortunately, Congress often seems overanxious to pass ill-conceived, Draconian legislation during times of crisis, fear and anger.

Let’s hope that President Clinton will use his “anti-terrorism” legislation against legitimate terrorists, foreign and domestic, and not as a tool to harass and intimidate his imaginary enemies - “enemies” like the National Rifle Association, gun owners, pro-life groups, the Christian Coalition and conservatives in general. Curtis E. Stone Colville, Wash.

‘Freedom’ editorial excellent

What a wonderful, well thought-out editorial Opinion editor John Webster wrote on July 30, “Freedom is our best weapon.” I hope he keeps up the great work. He is able to say more in fewer words than I have seen in a local or regional newspaper for a while.

Wow! He really comes right to the point fast. He is a visionary and a seer into the future. He has the ability to foretell the consequences of, and the wrath historians will put on us for, the things we do today, such as this rush to enact laws in the heat of passion during short-term popularity.

Anyone can criticize, but he offers and identifies solutions to some of our problems. I hope his editorials get republished in newspapers across the country. People will pay heed to his words. He makes sense. Dennis B. Swartout Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Cowardice, greed must not prevail

The Republican cut-and-slash welfare package, approved by our hybrid president, is a cruel, cowardly blow aimed at voiceless victims - children and the poverty-stricken.

Left untouched was the double amount spent on corporate welfare to subsidize hundreds of thriving transnational corporations. Agribusiness corporations alone receive $29.2 billion, twice the amount allowed for Aid to Families with Dependent Children. For them, no workfare or time limitation.

Additionally, our public grazing, mineral and timber rights are literally given to corporations, some foreign. Transnational corporations are deemed more deserving than our children. This warped attitude is a result of corporate payoffs to greedy politicians.

Jobs must replace welfare. Only government can meet that challenge.

Every period of prosperity in our history was brought on by massive government spending, such as building the transcontinental railroads, New Deal projects, supplying arms for World War II, the interstate highway system, the Manhattan Project and massive Cold War defense spending. Government always took the lead. It must again.

Alternative energy, urban and interstate transportation systems are among today’s needs. A 24-hour work week, utilizing our labor-saving devices, would provide jobs, strengthen our family life and reduce crime. A return to the tax patterns of the 1950s would adequately fund the necessary changes.

Our churchgoing president and Christian Coalition favorites, Rep. George Nethercutt and Sen. Slade Gorton, seem more obedient to their corporate masters than to the master who said, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it unto dogs.” Arch Jaecks Wenatchee

Alleged reform a joke in bad taste

Decent, humane people do not try to balance the budget on the backs of the disadvantaged. I’m embarrassed that the nation’s most formidable political parties seem to be using welfare overhaul as the year’s vote grabber.

Educated people know welfare constitutes only about 3 percent of the national budget. Sure, there are abuses in the system, but there are more in the corporate welfare system.

Cut income to poor, hungry children and watch the violence escalate. Create jobs, decent and affordable day care, housing, medical coverage, absent parent accountability, better education and parenting classes and you will see crime drop as fast as the number of welfare recipients.

Educated people will not vote for someone intent on making the rich richer and the poor poorer. Been there; done that. It didn’t work and wasn’t moral.

Clinton will have my vote, especially if he vetoes the current welfare reform proposal. This reform is a joke as an answer to the societal problems before us. Dee Stewart Elk, Wash.

PARTING SHOT

Don’t let the door get you going out

If Nikolay Senchenko, the immigrant poacher, does not agree with the laws in this country or thinks they are unfair, maybe he should go back to the Ukraine. Lynda Willcox Spokane