Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
McCaslin has more to offer
The person who wrote saying that Ron Hormann has done the best job at candidate forums around town must have been at different forums than the ones I have attended.
Having heard both Kate McCaslin and her opponent at several forums, I believe McCaslin clearly has the best, most thoughtful ideas and is by far the best communicator of the two. While Hormann can follow his script, he does not have any new ideas. He is a one-issue candidate who can talk about only one thing - growth management.
McCaslin, on the other hand, is a well-balanced candidate with exciting ideas that will really make a difference in our county. Most importantly, she possesses a strong willingness to listen to citizens and the ability to communicate - perhaps two of the best skills an elected official can have. I’m supporting McCaslin for county commissioner. Fred Regalado Spokane
Hormann strengths what we need
Thank you, Opinion editor John Webster, for the truth about our decaying community and the great insight on Ron Hormann. I was not aware that a candidate existed who is so dedicated to fighting developers who are trashing our quality of life.
I examined this candidate’s qualifications and am I impressed. Could this individual be overqualified? Do you live in Spokane County for the quality of life? Do you see it slipping away as a result of overdevelopment, poor planning, traffic congestion, pollution, crime, and the inability of taxpayers to afford to pay for the infrastructure needs of this explosive growth?
It’s time to instill some common sense planning before we destroy that which we cherish the most. If these issues are important to your family and quality of life, vote for Hormann, a man who has dedicated his life to solving the serious problems that are decaying our community. Allan LeTourneau Spokane
We need it; Just do it
Portland calls its project the icing on the cake. It’s right in the heart of the city and is abloom with prosperity.
That project couldn’t have happened without fearless leadership. Public help for Portland’s downtown magnet amounted to $32 million. Successful? Their sales averages place them in the nation’s top-performing shopping centers.
We need that project in downtown Spokane today. And, we can have it right now if we just reach out and grasp it.
I can easily remember Spokane before the world’s fair. I heard people laugh at the idea that Spokane, Wash., had the nerve to think it could pull it off. The city did. Our legacy is Riverfront Park, the Opera House, Convention Center, Centennial Trail and the big red wagon - for all of our families. For our community.
What would you choose for Spokane, abandoned railroad tracks and blight or a thriving downtown as a front door to the entire region?
Fearless leadership, visionaries, decisions we can be proud of. Let’s get the project done now! Chris Schnug Spokane
Help extends to Guatemala
Thank you for “Into the heart of darkness” (Oct. 20) and for again giving us the opportunity to open our eyes and hearts to the children of Romania.
Our community is indeed a very generous one and continues to reach out to children and their families throughout the world. For several years, medical teams from Spokane have brought hope and life to many. On Nov. 8, a team of 43 from Healing the Children Inland Northwest will leave for Guatemala to do several types of surgeries not available in that country.
Yes, ordinary people can move mountains! Shirl Lewis Spokane
Giving deeds, stories, inspire
I commend the Spokesman Review on the full and beautifully written article on the charismatic Catholics and also on the coverage of Romanian refugees. In this day of such negative, even ugly, things in the news, we truly need the inspiration of God’s goodness working in people.
My picture was in the Review on Oct. 22, giving a donation to the refugee effort. I feel that credit for that should go to our dear and wonderful God. That money offering was our family tithe, which we try to give either to a church or for a real need near to us. Through the years, even in times of unemployment or sickness, we have made it a practice to give the first 10 percent to God for all he has done for our family. If I laid everything we had at his feet, it would not be a fraction of what we owe.
Hats off to a wonderful project and to the city with a heart. Marlene D. Walters Spokane
Irony abounds in two situations
It is unfortunate that Carolyn Lair, who has done so many positive things for Spokane, has been fired, while the true incompetent and embarrassment, Spokane County Coroner Dexter Amend, cannot be fired. Jon E. Christopherson Reardan, Wash.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Drummond offers lopsided view
Marshall E. Drummond is correct in that potential students in Washington are being priced out of the education market (“College fast becoming out of reach for the non-wealthy,” Oct. 16).
Drummond blames reductions in federal student aid for the dilemma. Isn’t that a typical response from today’s educators? Not one word relating the costs of education to the fact fewer students can attend college.
It’s all blamed on taxpayers, for after all, we are paying the bill for student aid and defaulted student loans. Drummond accepts no blame whatsoever for the unconscionable increases in tuition, books, campus housing and related costs. There seems to be no end to the Eastern Washington University building program. The Legislature places few restraints on tuition increases. Then the self-serving educators squeeze every dollar possible from students and their families - and wonder why only the wealthy can attend public colleges and universities.
When a business finds its prices so high it faces a diminishing market, it cuts costs.
Public institutions have an obligation to serve as many of their constituents as possible while preserving quality. Apparently, EWU thinks this is the role of the taxpayer and management should be spared the responsibility of bringing costs into line with the resources of the customer.
The university’s development program is to be lauded. It cannot be expected, however, to totally bridge the gap.
Only a cost-conscious administration fully aware of its responsibility will provide the education so needed by generations expected to move this country forward. Claude W. Morris Spokane
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Procedure legalizes home schooling
I would like to clarify one point in your well-written article about private schools (Oct. 19).
The article referred to some church schools as operating outside the law and whose students are therefore truant. This is not necessarily true. If the parents file a form, Declaration of Intent to Homeschool, with the local school district, they are free to educate their own children as they see fit - including by sending them to a church or other group setting.
Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction John Pearson has confirmed this and referred to the law, which states: “All decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of books, teaching materials and curriculum, and methods, timing and place in the provision or evaluation of home-based instruction shall be the responsibility of the parent except for matters specifically referred to in this chapter” (RCW 28A.200.020).
There are institutions in the Spokane area, such as Ben Franklin Academy, where the parents file their declaration of intent to homeschool and then send their children to classes several days a week, thus benefiting both from group activities and more parental involvement in their education.
Pearson agrees that such children are not truant. They benefit from “schools” that fill a special niche in our educational continuum, where parents are the responsible entity for the child’s education but are assisted by teachers and religious leaders in sympathy with their concerns. Kathleen McCurdy, executive director Family Learning Organization
Vote yes on I-173
I urge you to vote yes on Initiative 173. Since we’ve taken God out of our public schools, they have steadily gotten worse. With this measure, we’ll be able to afford a choice where our tax dollars go.
If many choose private schools over public, then maybe we’ll be able to consolidate some of our public schools without raising taxes. Why pay for public schools with our tax dollars and pay extra to send our kids to a private school? We need more choice without paying twice.
So, let’s give 173 a try. You Christians then might be able to get your kids out of humanism and into creationism, which has a better future. I believe your kids will turn out better. R.E. Yates Spokane
THE JUDICIARY
Cozza decisions protect the abused
I support Judge Sam Cozza for Superior Court judge, Department 6. He has proven his skill and commitment to our community.
As presiding judge of District Court, Cozza required batterers be held in jail, pending first appearance before a judge. This ended the practice of allowing them to bail out and return to continue their abuse within hours of arrest.
Cozza requires batterers to attend a certified perpetrator treatment program and holds them accountable for their crime.
His years as a prosecutor and judge have given Cozza the opportunity to learn about domestic violence and what it does to the fabric of our community. This knowledge is essential in order to adequately address felony domestic violence cases as well as family law matters (divorce), many involving domestic violence.
It is imperative that our judges acknowledge the destructive role domestic violence plays in the lives of children exposed to it and that such information must play a relevant role in determining a parenting plan for them.
Because he brings to this position so much experience and knowledge about domestic violence, I urge all voters who care about the issue of domestic violence to elect Cozza to the Superior Court. Carolyn J. Morrison Spokane
Cozza will serve with distinction
Few locally elected offices have as much impact on the order and security of our community as that of judge. Spokane Superior Court is facing an increasingly heavy felony caseload and we need a person with the training and experience immediately begin hearing cases. That person is District Court Judge Sam Cozza.
Cozza has honed his skills as a trial judge in over 200 District Court jury cases, with an excellent record on appeals. Prior to that, he served as a deputy prosecutor, handling high-profile cases. He successfully prosecuted charges ranging from robbery and arson to murder and rape.
His numerous endorsements from other judges and attorneys reflect the respect he commands.
I’ve known Cozza for several years. In addition to his vast experience, he takes his responsibilities as a judge very seriously. He is intelligent, fair and diligently committed to community safety and well-being.
Cozza will serve with distinction on the Superior Court. Carol C. Smith Spokane
Cozza is bar’s third choice
It is unfortunate that the letters staff doesn’t check accuracy of letters submitted in support of Judge Cozza, for, on the issue of integrity, the Spokane County Bar Association rated him the last of three contenders.
On the issue of experience, also, it ought to be made clear that a court commissioner such as Royce Moe exercises the jurisdiction of the Superior Court when assigned to an appropriate case. District Court Judge Cozza, in this case, has the name but not the responsibility assumed by Commissioner Royce Moe. Thus, both contentions fail to do the necessary justice.
There can be no doubt that the better qualified candidate is Commissioner Moe. Donald M. Barnes Spokane
3rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Anti-Brown material untrue
Gross distortions - that’s what Sen. John Moyer’s and the Republican Party’s flyer attacking Rep. Lisa Brown, candidate for the state Senate in the 3rd District, is full of.
The most outrageous claim is that she “refuses to protect children” when, in fact, her main concern is protecting children. She has worked to include in the budget child care for working families and she supported funding for child-abuse prevention and such programs as Crosswalk.
I voted for Moyer when he first ran for the Senate because I thought that as a retired physician he’d work for a fair, basic health plan for the citizens of Washington. I was shocked when he voted to revoke the bill he helped pass in the 1993-94 session.
The intellectual dishonesty revealed in the unqualified assertions in this attack ad of half truths is shocking. Vote for a fair-minded person of integrity. Vote to send Lisa Brown to our state Senate. Rose Matis Spokane
Moyer went down wrong path
Sen. John Moyer is a good and honest man, one who is completely out of touch with the citizens of the 3rd District.
Moyer’s campaign slogan is “for our children,” but he has voted along party lines with the radical, right-wing Republicans who set out to destroy, or greatly limit, programs that help children.
The 3rd District has many low income people who are struggling to keep their economic heads above water. Moyer, by his willingness to go along with the radical Gingrich agenda, has put himself squarely against working people in the 3rd District.
Rep. Lisa Brown, by contrast, has a solid record of supporting working families and advocating for the most helpless of our citizens, our children. Brown has been a voice of compassion and common sense these last two years in Olympia. She will be an excellent senator for the 3rd District and will not forget who she is representing. Bob Stirling Spokane
Brown simply the best candidate
So, Rep. Lisa Brown stands accused by the Washington state Republican Party of having radical ideas.
As far as I can tell, the really radical idea Brown has is to believe that her job is to give a voice in government to those who don’t have wealth, power or other kinds of political influence. And with that idea, she has been a conscientious and successful representative for the 3rd District for four years.
Maybe that’s why her opposition fears her so much that they’ve decided to run a smear campaign against her.
Here’s another radical idea. Voters of the 3rd District, don’t allow negative ads to sway your judgment. Check her record and see for yourselves how well Brown has represented you.
Last time, I voted for Sen. John Moyer because I felt he was the best candidate. This time, I’m voting for Brown for the same reason. She is, very simply, the best candidate for state senator. Jessie Norris Spokane