Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Lair affair botched throughout

I was dismayed and disheartened to read Doug Clark’s revelations about Carolyn Frances Lair (“New arts director has quite a flair for the, uh, creative,” column, Oct. 13). If the charges he makes against this woman are true, Lair lied to obtain her $41,000-a-year position and should resign immediately.

If Lair was never on her way to completing two master’s degrees at Simon Fraser University and took only “a few” courses at the Emily Carr School of Art and Design, then her resume was a pathetic (though successful) piece of fiction. If Lair finished her bachelor of arts degree at Simon Fraser in 1992, I fail to see why she would consider the date problematic.

Why not tell the truth up front? How can anyone be an effective leader after submitting lies instead of credentials? I’m not reassured by city leaders’ response to this apparently willful act of deceit. While Acting City Manager Bill Pupo indicates falsifying a resume is grounds for termination, others on the board reportedly seem willing to forget the whole sordid affair. What happened to ethics?

Eighty-four candidates were on the short list for the position Lair holds. If her resume was a pastiche of falsehoods and half-truths, does it matter if her current work is seen by Jack Lindberg as “superb”? Why is Lindberg quoted as saying he “doesn’t care” if Lair lied? I suspect everyone on that candidate list cares.

I hope graduates in the region take note of this tawdry mess. Whether Lair resigns or not, it seems no one in authority cares to examine the issue, since a position has been filled. The next call for an opening should read, “Creative writers wanted. Experience optional”. Barbara Ellen Baldwin Spokane

Fire Lair and boss who doesn’t care

Doug Clark’s story Oct. 13 column is a simple story of everything that is wrong in the character issue that’s so much in the news.

So, Carolyn Frances Lair lied. So, she said she had degrees that she doesn’t have. So, she was dropped from her last job, not that she left a higher paying job to come here. So, honesty, integrity and character are not important to her. So, fire her.

But wait. For all her screw-ups, her supervisor is far worse for not checking all references and statements, and for not caring whether Lair lied and cheated. He says he doesn’t care about the lying. Wow!

Fire him first, then ask Lair to shut the door behind her as she leaves. I’ll bet a nickel that the city’s donors to the arts will think twice about supporting Lair’s projects, and Arts Commission President Jack Phillips’ projects as well. Karl W. Mote Spokane

Poster person for all that’s wrong

When hiring employees, specific work skills, experience and education are certainly important. However, more telling is what the person is made of. What are their core values?

Carolyn Frances Lair lacks the core values of honesty and integrity. Misrepresentation on a resume is grounds for termination. Lair is a representation of what is wrong with too large a segment of our society today - lack of honesty and good moral character. Doug Kelley Spokane

Precedent that should not be set

In a recent column (“New arts director has quite a flair for the, uh, creative,” Oct. 13), Doug Clark revealed facts about the resume submitted by Carolyn Frances Lair, Spokane’s art director. It doesn’t matter how or why the truth was revealed; what matters is that she used deception to acquire her position.

We are appalled and disappointed that the Arts Commission president and board members are willing to overlook the lies.

The fact that she is enthusiastic and energetic does not negate the fact that she was not truthful.

What kind of precedent will this set for hiring policy in Spokane and what kind of message is this giving to others who will submit resumes?

To paraphrase the old saying, we suggest that honesty should be the only acceptable policy. Mike and Catherine Rojan Spokane

Commission wise to hire Lair

I commend The Spokesman-Review on its article about Carolyn Lair, the new director for our city’s Arts Commission, which outlined her exciting plans to bring new and responsive arts programming to Spokane.

We are fortunate to have someone as personable, experienced and intelligent at Lair.

As a professor of contemporary art, a writer for art magazines and an artist, I find her enthusiasm infectious, her knowledge of the arts extensive and her ability to work with broad sections of the city a positive sign.

For all of us who want the quality of life here in Spokane to continue improving, Lair’s kind of farsighted cultural leadership is key.

The City Arts Commission was wise to hire her. I wish her and her work the very best. Lanny DeVuono Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Review stabbing case

I am outraged that the county prosecutor’s office refused to bring charges against a white woman who reportedly admits to having stabbed a black teenager at the county fairgrounds (“Prosecutor’s office accused of racism,” News, Oct. 9).

While her son and the victim were involved in a fist fight, Karen Beeman allegedly entered the fray to spray mace in the victim’s face. She then allegedly retrieved a knife from her vehicle, returned to the scene and repeatedly stabbed the victim.

This appears to warrent charges by the prosecutor’s office. However, the prosecutor’s office, according to the story, declined to bring charges because it appears to them Beeman was acting in “self-defense.”

Self-defense? When the assailant left the scene of the fight, returned of her own volition with a lethal weapon and, in full view of scores of people, used it on an unarmed teenager whom she had already blinded with mace?

Despite claims by the prosecutor’s office, the decision not to charge Beeman appears to be anything but “race neutral.”

A few weeks ago, a bipartisan group led by Mayor Geraghty approved a document called Spokane’s Commitment to Action for Racial Equity. Among other things, the document states that as a community we “Proclaim with words and deeds that ours must be a community where harassment, intimidation, discrimination and violence are totally unacceptable.”

Certainly, these words ring hollow in light of the prosecutor’s decision.

I urge the prosecutor’s office to review the sheriff’s report of the incident and prosecute Beeman for the stabbing of Tim Buchanan. Tom Carter Spokane

Ruling subverts parents, education

Hillary’s village is indeed raising our children. On Oct. 8, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Texas Federal District Judge Melinda Harmon ruled “parents give up their rights when they drop the children off at public school.” Incredible!

Legal precedent has been set. Children are wards of the state while in public school. They can be strip-searched, taught communism, socialism, yoga, perverted sex or anything else the state sees as expedient in its race toward implementation of Goals 2000. The educational system can now do anything it desires while the kids are in school, and parents can do nothing about it.

Fortunately, Washington citizens have an opportunity this November to circumvent Judge Harmon’s disastrous decision. Both charter schools and vouchers to finance tuition are on the ballot. We can reject Hillary’s “village,” with its experimental social engineering agenda.

If voters approve charter schools, parents can retain their rights. Charter schools can teach proven curriculum; teach children how to think. Public schools, pursuing Goals 2000, will teach students what to think. Charter schools will promote only students with passing grades. The Clintons’ concepts will pass all students so as not to injure self-esteem; they will downplay reality by rewarding failure.

This November we can either maintain parents’ rights and strengthen our social fabric, or we can lead America further into social decline. We must use our votes wisely since we may not have this opportunity again. Don Graham Spokane

WASHINGTON STATE

I-655 consequences not pretty

Congratulations to Kim Heroff and the Washington Wildlife Alliance for getting Initiative 655 before the King County voters. It’s wonderful to know that the millions of dollars we taxpayers spend for professional fish and wildlife management is being wasted.

All those regulations in the Hunters Guide on hound and bait hunting - what a waste of time and money. Did I just see a deer hunter hiding in that apple orchard or by the salt lick? Hunting over bait, is he? Was that elk hunter using a call to bring in that bull elk, out of breath and looking for a fight?

I think Heroff and the Wildlife Alliance are right. Let’s pay more tax dollars to professional hunters to control problem animals. Let the professionals use traps, bait and hounds to capture and-or kill these animals. Let’s follow the lead of other states like California, so cougars eat a few joggers and there are fewer dogs and cats around. Rural folk, just remember to leave an extra dish of dog food on the porch - one for the dog and the other for the bear.

I know Heroff and the Wildlife Alliance members are people of conviction and would gladly write personal checks to the taxpayers for loss of revenue from the sale of tags and hound stamps, as well as the millions of dollars in lawsuits the taxpayers would have to pay for damages to property and life. Al Ostrom Spokane

Vote for Initiative 670

Term limits are essential. Members of Congress will never voluntarily impose term limits on themselves, even though the people want term limits to end the powers, perks and privileges of professional politicians and career Congress members.

Term limits were passed before in Washington state. However, the U.S. Supreme Court decided our votes were worthless and threw out the law. Term limits for Congress will again be on the ballot this November: Initiative 670.

Support 670 and help put an end to the entrenched power structures in Washington, D.C. Term limits and 670 mean more inclusive government, more candidates for office and more choice for voters. Robert Alton Veradale

Editor’s note: Initiative 670 is not a term limits measure in and of itself. If passed, it would result in notices being included on future ballots to identify Congressional and legislative candidates who have not supported term limits.