Letters To The Editor

FROM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (Tuesday, August 27, 1996): Scott Rohwer’s name was misspelled in his Aug. 25 letter to the editor supporting Judy Olson’s candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives.

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Zoo failure let our kids down

When my family moved here, we were glad to see that Spokane had a zoo. The facility had its faults, but the potential was there to establish a cornerstone to the community and the surrounding areas.

The children would be able to go and learn about the animals, how vital they are to the ecosystem, how we can save them as well as ourselves. The only “catch” to creating a new generation of thinkers would be to support this institution. Why was this not done?

After the disappointment of hearing the zoo would close, our hopes were redirected and our goals were set to make a fresh start in North Idaho. The communities could make a significant contribution to the new way of looking at life by our children and children’s children.

But, yet again, every back was turned and every eye was closed when the need for assistance was greater than ever. Why?

I do thank those cherished few who did see the need for such a place in this world. I am truly sorry that there was just not enough of our kind to make it work here in North Idaho. Kathleen Lavender Sandpoint

If you want new high school, vote

As a patron of the Post Falls School District, I urge all responsible citizens to vote on Oct. 6 for the high school construction bond.

I won’t try to convince those set in their decision to vote contrary if they are not convinced that this is the right thing to do. Rather, I encourage those who already understand the importance of this issue to get out and vote.

During the last election we needed just a few percent more to pass the bond. If everyone who believes in the cause would actually vote, we can pass the issue.

I have no children in school; I just understand my responsibility as a citizen to provide for the education of our young people. Crawford Byxbee Coeur d’Alene

SPOKANE MATTERS

Moochers misuse your handouts

After spending endless hours cleaning up beer bottles and cans, wine bottles, soup cans, bags and human feces at work, I got the OK to put up a $600 fence to stop this from happening anymore.

This fence created some hardships for the responsible people who used this area for a shortcut to the store behind us and for those who used our outdoor tables during their lunch hour.

If you feel a need to support the lifestyle of those who enjoy holding up cardboard signs (by stopping and giving them money), try this: One time, give them money. The next time, ask them where they left their garbage so you can go clean up after them. By supporting this lifestyle, you support people with no interest in helping themselves. We are now forced to start cleaning in front of our workplace because these people have started using our bushes to drink away the money you just gave them. Rick Nelson Mead

Compost odor ‘just plain awful’

In response to Gary Dean’s letter “Colbert malcontents should move” (Aug. 22), I’m sure he has not driven by the compost facility when it is in full bloom.

We’ve lived in the country most of our lives, and driving by pig farms and dairies doesn’t compare to the smell of the compost facility. Anyone who says it doesn’t stink should have his nose checked.

It is just plain awful and should be closed. Nancy Hartley Chattaroy

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Gipper’s handiwork blights Spokane

I have been reading with interest the expose from the San Jose Mercury News, regarding government funding of the crack cocaine epidemic.

Just the other day, Bob Dole said he was going to bring back Ronald Reagan’s war on drugs. Does that mean he is going to lower the price of crack and make it available to all school children?

The Republicans tend to let the the CIA, FBI and the military run wild, while trying to eliminate those agencies that actually aid our citizens. I hope whoever wins the presidency will prosecute those involved in this rape of our inner cities, no matter how far up the line they go and no matter what they have supposedly done for the CIA.

If you think this doesn’t affect you, look around. What started in the ghettos of Los Angeles has spread to the streets of Spokane.

God spare us from a Ronald Reagan-type of war on drugs. Deborah Lawrence Hale Greenacres

Elect Olson to replace Nethercutt

Judy Olson should succeed Rep. George Nethercutt. She is intelligent, educated, and experienced. I have known her for many years. She and her husband are farmers, so they know hard work, pay good wages, know the value of good jobs, and the value of family and education.

Olson is a past president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and the National Association of Wheat Growers. She has worked on legislation to benefit our agricultural economy and to help our nation’s problems in both her community and in Congress. She knows and can speak to the issues.

Vote for Olson, 5th District Democrat, and for the defeat of Nethercutt. Scott Rohwen Spokane

Chenoweth wise to U.N. threat

Former Texas Governor Anne Richards’ swing through Idaho to bash Rep. Helen Chenoweth was quite entertaining.

Richards’ claim that “people like Chenoweth, who claim there is a conspiracy to take over the world, are loony tunes” is interestingly juxtaposed with the Coeur d’Alene Press’ front page story of the same day examining the United Nations’ attempt to take a controlling interest in our national parks and natural resources.

With her convoluted logic that linked Chenoweth with the militia movement, the bombing in Oklahoma City with militias, and thus, the need to increase gun control, we have an excellent view of Richards’ view of things.

Those who would support one-world government and diminished sovereignty for any nation should be purged from the ranks of power.

Texans already did this with Richards, except that they replaced her with the son-of-one-worlder, George Bush.

Chenoweth is aware of the subtle, behind-the-scenes move to place all nations under a U.N.-run government and disarm civilians of all nations so as to remove any real opposition.

Keep Chenoweth in Congress and get us out of the U.N. Kevin Tighe Sagle

Health insurance law no bargain

While the new health insurance law will “seal the cracks that swallow as many as 25 million Americans” who can’t get or change for fear of losing it, according to President Clinton, keep in mind that those of us who have insurance will pay for the increase in costs which will result.

This law has the same impact as if the feds raised your taxes to cover the cost. The only thing we can be glad of is that the feds won’t be running the program. David Otto Post Falls

Kemp’s waiver makes sense

Re: Jack Kemp’s left shoulder injury, which allowed him to play professional football but left him unable to go on active duty from the reserves in 1961 (“Kemp got waiver from Army,” News, Aug. 18).

Being physically fit for one tough job does not make a person fit for a different, but equally tough, job.

His primary job as a football player was “passing” using his right arm, while the injury was in his left shoulder. The circumstances are grossly different while playing for an hour with medics standing by on the sideline and hospitals are a few minutes away. The patient remains his own boss with regard to playing and treatment.

In battle, one must be prepared for no ground rules in facing the enemy. You need to keep in mind an old observation that a wounded soldier is more of a drag to his unit than a dead one. You can’t simply pull him off the field for any reason.

These are simply the observations of an average M.D. who reviewed draftees in World War II and treated the wounded in Korea. George Bagby Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

No mystery in tenant’s plight

Marty Boothman just doesn’t get it. In her Your Turn column (“Why can’t the landlord try a little fairness?” Opinion, Aug. 21), she wonders how her landlord could serve a 20-day notice to vacate their rental house after her 15-year-old daughter threw a party. After all, the police weren’t even called out, at least not on that particular party.

Boothman even acknowledges she must pay for damage done to the house during her daughter’s soiree, but she has learned from this experience. She stopped leaving her daughter alone while the rest of the family is gone.

The writer also reveals that there have been a “couple of other incidents” which caused neighbors to call the police! I have a feeling the landlord has heard about more than this one party.

She can’t understand why she is “harassed with an eviction notice by her landlord. Duh! As a landlord, I have difficulty explaining to some tenants that having the police called out or causing property damage may result in eviction. Not only am I now liable in small claims court for disturbing the neighbors’ peace, I usually have to pay for the damage done to property after someone’s “good time.”

Being a good tenant is more that simply paying rent on time. I trust that my tenants will take care of the property and abide by all the conditions of the rental agreement.

Yes, Boothman, being safe in one’s own neighborhood is an absolute must. However, if you don’t feel safe in your own home, how do some of your neighbors feel? Mike Miller Spokane