Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Give school for community center

As a homeowner in the small town of Elk Creek, I’m very concerned about what happens to the Elk Creek school. I do think a Community Resource Center would be a great thing.

Ours is a quiet town and I would like it to stay that way. A community center would help many people. I hope the school board will take this into consideration. Janice Bailey Elk

Creek Center needed for historical data

The prospect of a community resource center in the Silver Valley is exciting. One-stop shopping for social services is both practical and convenient. But a community resource center can involve a variety of services.

Since the mid-1980s, the Silver Valley Heritage Project has been compiling a comprehensive collection of the social history of the region. That is, the history of the people who came to work in the mines and the adjacent forests.

People involved in the project have compiled a great deal of information in the form of oral histories, copies of pictures from private collections, as well as some scholarly writings. The Heritage Project’s ambition is to have a home for this material that would allow local people access. The center would provide that home.

As a historian involved in the Silver Valley Heritage Project, I support efforts to create a site for local archives. As a 30-year resident of the mining district, I believe the community resource center would be a priceless asset to all Silver Valley residents. Corinne Davis Silver Valley Heritage Project

I support community center

I’ve worked in human services for over six years. In the past two years I’ve worked directly with low-income individuals in the Silver Valley. Obtaining services for these people always has been difficult. The trend of reducing available funds for services has me concerned for our elderly and disabled. We need to ensure the help gets to those who need it.

I’m writing to support establishing a Community Resource Center in the Silver Valley. The concept of a one-stop-shop for human resources is the wave of the future. As state and federal money shrinks it is important for service providers to cut operating costs as much as possible.

I also support the old Elk Creek school being used for such a purpose. The central location in the Silver Valley is ideal.

Members of the Community Resource Center board are attempting to meet the needs of the people. I urge others to join in leading the way to efficiently and effectively caring for our own citizens. Jeff Williams Coeur d’Alene

Mikesell railroaded from office

Where are the citizens of Wallace? Why should the citizens of this city go along with a handful of people to force the resignation of the mayor over a house that sits a few feet outside the city boundary? How can the few people who want to get rid of her solely on that basis even sleep at night?

I find this very hard to understand. She was elected. Should her years of dedication and service to this community be repaid over a few feet of boundary lines?

Mayor Mikesell has weathered a lot of storms and brought the citizens of this city through it. She has been a great representative, ambassador and mediator and I cannot believe that the citizens of this city are just going to sit back and go along with a few “map chasers.”

These people should realize not everyone feels the same on various issues. You should stop being vindictive. The mayor and I have had our ups and downs but they are issues and not a personal vendetta for life. There were lots of times when I went to the mayor, hugged and told her she has done a fine job. You first respect the person, respect the opinion, and go on.

Just because Mayor Mikesell purchased property outside the boundaries of the city does not mean she instantly will start targeting Wallace for higher taxes, etc.

The people of Wallace should stand up and refuse the mayor’s resignation. Shouldn’t our opinions count as well?

Mayor Mikesell, the rest of the citizens of Wallace refuse your resignation. We don’t care where your brain happens to sleep. Brenda Auld, Peoples Group Wallace

Better to share pain than kill

How far our society has sunk when doctors are now considered to be showing more compassion when they kill patients than when they treat them.

Pope John Paul II, in his recent encyclical, “The Gospel of Life,” states it better than I ever could. He writes, “True compassion leads to sharing another’s pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.” Janet L. Patrick Coeur d’Alene

SPOKANE MATTERS

City impedes sidewalk repair

Regarding repair of our sidewalks: I own property on West Dean that needs some sidewalk replaced. However, the city wants $80 for the permit to replace this sidewalk, which is more money than the concrete would cost.

Besides this cost I have to hire a licensed contractor to do this work. The contract has to pay his men for the time it takes just to get to the job site, thus increasing the cost even more!

I would gladly post a cash bond equal to the amount of the repair with the city if the city would allow me to do this work myself, without a permit charge. Donald M. Reid Spokane

Project violates basic right

Recently, the Department of Construction Services sent out notices regarding the Moran District 6 sewer project. Although a public hearing has been scheduled and announced, it appears that this project is a done deal.

The notice listed an estimated assessment fee for each property located in the construction zone. For those who reside outside city limits this initiative represents taxation without representation.

My property is assessed a fee by the city of Spokane and will be collected by the city of Spokane. However, I cannot vote for City Council members because I reside outside the city limits.

If any part of this project does fall within the city boundaries, the cost should be shared by county and city governments.

If there is not enough money from existing property taxes to defray most of the cost of this project, both government entities should find other ways to raise revenue beside gouging homeowners.

It has been written that taxation without representation is tyranny. James H. Williams Spokane

Bad move for such a good cause

I want to thank the El Katif Shriners for what they do for children. Providing free medical care for orthopedically challenged children is more than admirable.

My concern is the circus that they choose to sponsor and support.

On March 8 I went with my third-grade son and his class to a special, free performance. It reaffirmed why I have boycotted circuses for 20 years.

We had ring-side seats with a central view. We saw all three rings clearly. We were appalled by the treatment of the animals used in the acts.

Tigers were prodded through the cage with a long pole to get them off their perches. All of them clearly exhibited body language consistent with training through fear and intimidation.

Ponies exhibited this behavior as well. When two of them made minor mistakes they were unnecessarily swatted with the shorter whips. During the entire act the ponies were clearly confused and frightened.

The worst abuse we witnessed was that of the elephants. They were manipulated by means of electrical stimuli via cattle prod. The overall condition of the elephants was deplorable.

Several children in my group asked about the very obvious bruises and lacerations on the elephants.

It disturbs me that an organization concerned with the well-being of children would promote the abuse of animals for pure entertainment. Andrea “Ann” Nall Newport, Wash.

GRASS FIELD BURNING

Get behind this vital effort

Perhaps it took a woman to question the conventional wisdom that has for 30 years put grass seed farmers rights to burn, for a higher yield, over the rights of the community to breathe.

Whatever it was, everyone who breathes is in debt to Mary Riveland, who heads up the Department of Ecology.

Riveland took a courageous step at a time when the Department of Ecology is under constant attack by many in the Legislature who would eliminate protection of our precious land, air and water. These shortsighted folks don’t realize or don’t care that they are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Economists now can back up with statistics what we have known all along: Our biggest asset here in the Northwest is or quality of life. Without managed growth and without agencies like the Department of Ecology being able and willing to enforce the Clean Air Act, the law is just so many meaningless words on a piece of paper in Olympia.

Although Riveland has taken the all-important first step, this battle is far from over. There are many who will use their power to stop this decision to phase out grass burning. Now you must do your part. Let the governor and your representatives know how you feel about this right-to-breathe issue. Call them today. Bonnie Mager, Washington Environmental Council Spokane

Smoke phobics should also sacrifice

The drastic action of the state Department of Ecology to completely phase out grass burning by the end of 1998 due to the supposed overriding health risks that grass burning poses is an extreme reaction to a minor problem.

Spokane County grass growers have complied with Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority regulations restricting grass growers to burning fields a maximum of 16 days per year.

In 1995, Spokane County growers burned grass fields on only 11 days. No federal pollution standards have been violated by burning grass fields. Emissions from cars contribute daily to Spokane’s air pollution. In the winter, wood burning stoves and fireplaces also contribute to the air pollution.

Despite improvements in car emissions and restrictions to wood burning equipment, these are the major contributors to air pollution in Spokane County and have resulted in violations of federal pollution standards.

Therefore, I expect DOE to apply the same restrictions to cars: this year each car would be driven one-third fewer miles, in 1997 another third fewer miles. By the end of 1998 another alternative would have to be used. This would put the emphasis on removing the major source of continued air pollution.

I wonder how many of the people affected or complaining about grass burning are willing to make a drastic change in their lifestyles to reduce pollution? That’s exactly what they are asking of the grass farmers. Chris L. Schettle Colbert

Riveland did the right thing

I was so surprised and relieved to hear and read about state Department of Ecology Director Mary Riveland’s decision to curtail and eliminate grass burning. It is such a clean breath of air to have a public official regard 400,000-plus people’s health as more important than approximately 150 grass growers’ ability to get rich at our expense.

The issue has not been lives vs. livelihoods but rather lives vs. very good livelihoods.

Grass farmers complain that now it will take hours to do what they are used to doing in one minute. They can still make a profit from their land, only now the rest of us will be able to go outside and enjoy spending hours in our own gardens in late August and half of September.

Grass growers were not willing to compromise. They certainly weren’t willing to pay the medical bills of those so directly affected by their pollution.

Quality of life will improve for all of us when the burning is stopped. Each grass grower will be able to sleep with a clearer conscience. Each of our children will be able to play and sleep in clearer air.

It was the right decision, Riveland. Thank you! Gwen Juliano Innes Cheney

OTHER TOPICS

Call it war on basic civil rights

Thomas Jefferson must have been thinking about the war on drugs when he said that “those who give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

It is shocking to me that people in this country are so quick to exchange their liberties for the illusion of safety.

Recent drug raids at Lake City High and Coeur d’Alene High School are a perfect example of this. Over 600 vehicles were searched with drug-sniffing dogs and yet only one possible felony arrest was made. In other words, a huge number of people had their privacy violated for next to nothing. And instead of expressing outrage at this gross abuse of authority, your paper cheered.

How long will it take before we realize that the war on drugs has done nothing for the American people but undermine our basic civil rights? How long will it take before the American press stops applauding the destruction of freedom? Joseph Gabriel Haydenville, Mass.

School drug sweep a good idea

Regarding Interactive editor Doug Floyd’s “Drug search was lesson in tyranny”:

What country do you live in, Floyd? Would you rather wait until our drug and gun problems equal what exists in big cities? Do you think we’re immune to these problems? I’m sure some recent incidents in area schools have many people wondering why something wasn’t done sooner.

My wife and I wholeheartedly support the administration’s efforts, along with local law enforcement, to give our children the best possible learning environment, one without threat of drug dealers/ users or violence.

Our son’s truck was one of those flagged by the dogs. He was called out of class and given a chance to explain what might be the cause of the suspicion. He was not in the least concerned about drugs because he is absolutely clean. As it turned out, what the dogs smelled was residue from an herbal supplement he takes.

I received a phone call from the school explaining what had happened. The school official told me nothing was found and no further action was needed. She said my son was very cooperative and supportive of their efforts, unlike several other students and parents. I wonder what they had to hide?

My employer requires a drug test prior to employment, as well as occasional random tests. I strongly support this. The action taken at the high school only serves to prepare our young men and women for the workplace and life in general. After all, isn’t this what school is all about? Craig Ziegler Hayden

Trip a rip-off of taxpayers

This final trip by Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Sheryl Crowe is such an extravagant waste of tax dollars and a flagrant slap in the face of Americans. The nine-day odyssey to Germany, Italy, Bosnia, Greece, Turkey, etc., finishes her attempt to take her daughter to almost every country in the world.

As Whitewater was alleged to be the nest egg for Chelsea’s education (using taxpayer-insured S&L dollars), the taxpayer also financed her “real-world” geography lesson. Money spent on these trips, along with the $25 million given to Bosnia, could have fed, educated and clothed many American children.

Mrs. Clinton appears to have used the American Village to raise her child. The Clintons’ elitist attitude must be stopped at the polls. Jim Fields Spokane