Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Help formulate new horizons

We tend to spend a lot of time grousing about what’s not right in Spokane. Each of us is about to be presented with a unique opportunity to participate in guiding our community and our neighborhoods into a more healthy and livable next century.

Spokane Horizons is hosting seven area meetings throughout Spokane through April 4.

The input citizens can generate will help ensure that decisions that must be taken over the next several years will represent not just the vision of a few but a vision our entire community can embrace. It’s high time we all take responsibility for crafting Spokane’s future.

Call Spokane Horizons at 625-6060 for times and dates when you can participate. Bill Dillon, executive director Northeast Community Center Association

Restore televised public forum

On Jan. 22, City Council members Roberta Greene, Phyllis Holmes, Mike Brewer and Orville Barnes voted to remove the open public forum at the Monday council meetings from Cable 5 TV.

If you testify on the council agenda, that will be on TV for the public to hear and see. You can wager most of your money that the mayor and council have already made up their voting minds on those issues before they plunk down in those padded brown chairs, so save your breath and eyes.

Blacking out the public forum denies speakers and cable viewers the opportunity to deliver and listen to nonscheduled issues. So, they show me and tell me what they want me to hear, and silence the cameras when something might be said that is not agreeable to our mayor, City Council and city manager.

Did I bump my head? I don’t remember seeing Fidel Castro in the Lilac Parade with his purple coat, brown hat and cigar! By the above policies, the red star, bearded Latin must have conquered City Hall.

Councilmembers Greene, Holmes, Brewer and Barnes, please push the “clear” button on your brains and restore the public forum to TV. When government is afraid of its people, we’re really in trouble. I hope that is not the case in Spokane. This is America! Jonathan Swanstrom Sr. Spokane

How sad such struggle is required

Kudos to Staff writer Bruce Krasnow and to The Spokesman-Review for the excellent human interest story, “Oprah Winfrey cites struggling parents,” (March 21). A commendation to the parents who cling to the important family values and priorities that made our country great and praise to the children who recognize that commitment.

This clear investment in family will reap huge long-term rewards for the Matlocks and others with similar commitment.

How sad, though, that such financial struggle is today’s reality in Spokane and elsewhere for hard-working parents giving their all. How telling it is to see a struggling family from Spokane recognized nationally for their plight. We should be proud of the Matlocks but be ashamed and embarrassed otherwise that this story reflects much of what family “quality of life” is in Spokane. Chris Anderson, City Council member Spokane

Let’s work to improve sidewalks

City sidewalks are great but they aren’t funded the way roads are and don’t get a high priority in transportation spending. This is because cars don’t fit on sidewalks!

I agree with Don Chase (“Sidewalk supervisor,” Region, March 17) in his assessment that there could be a community pool of money set aside for sidewalk funding and maintenance. New, creative funds need to be developed and selling public right-of-way land to form a community fund is worth exploring, especially as federal funds shrink.

But first, why not seek an exact inventory of our city pedestrian facilities, focusing on their condition and prioritized by citizens? An inventory helps focus funds where the need is.

The Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board, with the support of the City Transportation Department, has initiated a citizens bicycle/walking spot improvement request form designed to allow citizens to document and report problems that folks like Chase have stumbled onto. Gerald Schuldt Spokane

Chief deserves admiration

How can we be sure that the people in the pickup, motor idling, weren’t considering some malevolence towards the police chief or his wife? We should all admire him for taking prompt action.

And gosh darn, if he hurt their little feelings with a bad word, I hope they stay hurt. Homer C. Mason Spokane

Program helps women in treatment

I wish to express my gratitude concerning the March 13 article on increased alcoholism among women. It was very informative about the growing problems and concerns confronting women today.

The article addressed the problem that women may not seek treatment because they cannot arrange child care. There is a program in Spokane aimed at alleviating that barrier: the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

CCAP is funded by a grant awarded to Family Care Resources by Spokane County’s Community Services Division. The grant provides a system of child care services to low-income families while the parents are enrolled in alcohol/drug treatment in Spokane County. CCAP serves 60 to 65 children per month and has been in operation over two and a half years.

Family Care Resources locates child care openings that meet parents’ needs and provides information on how to select quality child care. The child care services are paid for during times parents are in treatment, support group meetings and/or family counseling.

Beyond just arranging for child care, the program pays for the child care needs of women undergoing treatment. Kim Murillo, program coordinator Family Care Resources

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Brainwashing charge groundless

As a parent of one of the children who participated recently in writing a letter to the editor, I must respond to those who accuse the schools of manipulating and brainwashing our children.

The SPACE Program is a parent participation program. We are required to spend a minimum of 90 hours per year involved in the classroom, planning special curriculum units, field trips and other activities that help our children receive the best education possible. We would never allow brainwashing or social engineering in the classroom.

Many of us have very strong conservative, traditional value systems that we have taught to our children. We also teach them social responsibility. We teach that God has given us a responsibility to care for this Earth and the animals that inhabit it. Even a young child can see the unfairness of people who are serving time in prison having the privilege of gyms and cable TV that many of us law-abiding citizens can’t afford.

I know many of these students personally. They are a terrific group of future citizens who care about what’s going on in their world. They are idealistic enough to think their opinions can make a difference.

We’re fortunate to have a very gifted teacher who often sacrifices her personal time to make sure these children have the opportunity to express their opinions in public.

This lesson has taught the students the importance of freedom of speech, how to compose a convincing argument reflecting their viewpoint, and their responsibility as citizens to be involved in civic affairs. Mary Lou Peck Spokane

Candy sale effort laudable

Re: the letter by Steve Haxton, who wrote about a boy selling candy for the purchase of computers in his school.

Has Haxton forgotten that, besides tuition at St. Thomas More School, several home and school fundraising projects help supplement education costs, in addition to which there is a substantial parish commitment? Without the support of the parish, family, friends, neighbors and the business community, it would be difficult if not impossible to provide and maintain technology.

My child graduated from St. Thomas More and is now at Rogers High School. I, too, had little knowledge of the financial environment of public education. I now know that our tax dollars don’t come close to meeting the needs.

The district must follow state law in putting issues before the public. Had it been legal to factor into the levy proposal a capital request for computers, the district would have had to cut other programs. This is because it was a no-tax-increase levy request. In addition, over the next two years, the district has a mandate to cut expenses by $6 million.

I commend the parents and children of Linwood School for their efforts. Ruth E. Dearing Spokane

BELIEFS

I don’t stand for anthem, either

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets refused to stand for the pre-game National Anthem and was suspended by the National Basketball Assocation.

Abdul-Rauf is a Muslim. I understand Islam to mean, in Arabic, “submission to the will of God.” A Muslim is one who so submits.

I have remained seated for the National Anthem for nearly every sports event (many hundreds) since about 1971. Although I am not associated with any organized religion or ideology, the Vietnam war was the catalyst for my not standing.

Many people at each event have been irate or puzzled, assuming only a bad person does not acknowledge the U.S. national song. Our anthem is quite war-like and certainly linked to an imperialistic contempt for anything non-national.

If indeed people are disgusted at the narrow, nonspiritual priority of the U.S. and are courageous and willing to endure others’ contempt, then they must refuse to acknowledge either the anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance at any public event.

It is time to remember ourselves and in larger and larger numbers remain totally at rest during this nationalistic war-like clap-trap we call our national anthem.

The more that one does this, the more that it becomes natural.

Although it is sometimes not desirable to antagonize one’s neighbors, one can only make such a choice after being true to one’s priorities for many years, inviting contempt. Tom Lande Spokane

Set NBA ingrate free

I disagree with the March 17 Hot Seat column regarding Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, another public figure who tried to bend the rules.

Whether you join the NBA or a local basketball league, there are rules for people to follow. We normally abide by them.

A specific NBA rule requires all players to stand during the national anthem. It’s all of about three minutes to pause and be thankful to live in the United States.

When Abdul-Rauf joined the Denver Nuggets, devout Muslim or not, he was aware he was in America. A $2.1 million salary helped, too.

Then he refused to stand for the national anthem. After he is welcomed here and made a millionaire, he saddled up on his high horse only to put down America as an “oppressive tyranny.”

I applaud the NBA’s action.

Abdul-Rauf, if you don’t agree with this and you don’t like it here, you’re free to leave any time. It’s a big world out there. You might want to bring along a dictionary to brush up on the definition of “oppressive” as you set foot on someone else’s basketball court. Andrew Biscow Post Falls

LAW AND JUSTICE

Case smacks of mindlessness

In regards to the “bonehead blunder” committed by the Spokane County Prosecutor’s office (Doug Clark column, March 17), this wasn’t a bonehead blunder, it was an inexcusable crime against this young woman. We should demand more accountability from the prosecutor’s office and the judge.

The statement “I think maybe this one fell through the cracks” from Superior Court Judge James Murphy doesn’t cut it. What happened to using discretion in this case?

How could the deputy prosecutor, Carol Davis, be so careless as to make a verbal agreement with the defendant’s lawyer? Did she really think that when the time came Mark Vovos would hand his client over on a silver platter? After all, they had two sworn affidavits from witnesses who watched Tony Ledenko commit a violent act against a young woman.

Does the prosecutor’s office neglect to recognize the right of the victim to have her day in court? Is a felony rape case just a little nuisance that can be easily forgotten and lost in the shuffle by an incompetent, bumbling prosecutor?

Let’s hope this is a lesson in humility and that the prosecutor’s office realizes the weight of its job - to follow through, communicate and protect people who elect and pay its staff to provide justice for all.

As for the alleged victim, whom Clark calls Amy, my hopes and prayers are with you and your family, to be able to heal from this inexcusable blunder committed by the judicial system. Debbie S. Kahl Evans, Wash.

System forsakes the children

Evidence stares blindly into the faces of those with the power to retrieve it. The evidence is ignored. Where does the fault lie? Not with the detective who has more cases than he can humanly handle. He, who is sickened every time the guilty walks. It is the system, with its extreme protection of the criminal and further demoralization of the victim.

When the victims are children it’s painfully obvious that the laws forsake the child. In a court of law, the words of a child are ignored when unforgivable violations are revealed to the persons that child trusts most, the parents. The victim becomes a prisoner of a system that fails to convict the guilty, sentence properly, and releases molesters and murders back onto our streets everyday.

These predators run wild and unafraid throughout our cities, adding notches to their belts every step of the way.

People who knowingly posses information about the behavior of such animals must come forward. Are they aware that others’ silence could render one of their own a victim? Can they know how it feels to stand alone?

It costs thousands of dollars to represent the victims. Most families can’t afford it. With that, and other surrounding factors, the majority of abuse and molestation cases are dropped.

Let it be known that there are those of us who won’t go away. We believe in and will fight for the rights of innocent children and for legal accountability on their behalf. Geri Stevens Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Always tell how officials voted

Question: Will you or won’t you run the name and vote of every elected official in every story that concerns a subject that official voted on? Yes or no? If no, you of course you may add your justification, rationalization, excuse, etc.

Again we get only half the story. On March 21, page A8, “Bill puts limits on public education; House votes to deny free schooling for illegal immigrants.” You tell us what happened, but not who did it.I can hear the politicians now: Reporting my vote alone, out of context, distorts my record. Answer: Since when did it become the job of The Spokesman-Review to shield politicians from possible distorting facts, or readers from the truth of a matter?

You report the vote and let the politician explain to me why she or he voted that way. If you can’t do this simple bit of reportage, then just send the funny papers to my house each morning. Jeff L. Price Pullman