Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

We’re stuck with Sweetser, for now

Spokane County Prosecutor Jim Sweetser has publicly stated that “lack of evidence” was the determining factor in a recent dismissal of robbery charges, although there were two victims/witnesses and a videotape of the robbery.

Experienced prosecutors win similar cases every day. In fact, this is another Sweetser stretch of facts. Court files reflect that violation of speedy trial is the true reason for dismissal. It had nothing to do with lack of evidence.

One recent letter said we, the public, are now getting “more bang” for our bucks. What do the people actually involved in the criminal justice system - the judges, the police and the victims - believe? How do the robbery victims and witnesses feel about their “bang”?

What about the alleged rape victim of the furloughed felon? How does she like where our taxes are going? Does Sweetser’s newly remodeled office help her sleep at night?

Sweetser has deceived his supporters and voters of this county by making campaign pledges he had no intention of keeping, by firing, transferring or demoting many hardworking employees simply for spite or revenge and by blatantly lying to the public about the inner workings of his office.

We may be stuck with him until the end of his term, but we don’t have to buy his propaganda. Paula Clark Spokane

Let me clarify statement

In “Library staffers checking out” (Region, Aug. 22) and in Keith M. Barber’s Sept. 2 letter (“Don’t underrate library’s role”) I was reported as stating that the library’s shutdown would not disrupt “essential services.” This is inaccurate.

The context of the discussion centered around the difficulty of implementing a furlough of this type where services are provided on a 24-hour, seven-day basis (i.e. police, fire, water, wastewater treatment). The choice of the term “essential services” was the reporter’s, not mine.

I agree with Barber that “the library is essential to the city’s spiritual and intellectual well-being.” Bottom line, labor, library management and the Library Board worked together to meet their part of a difficult budget year (in which 58 positions were eliminated from the base city budget). They solved their problem in a way that saved eight jobs and will maintain better services to our citizens than would have been the case if these eight positions had been eliminated. I salute them. Kenneth H. Stone, director of management & budget city of Spokane

Anti-pornography moves welcome

We owe the city and county a great big thanks for their choice to fund Patty Walker to work on legislation to control sex shops and pornography.

As I have driven by these places and seen men walking into them, I’ve wondered how much money our welfare system was spending on families whose husbands and fathers are using this system of gratification instead of the loving care they should be providing wife and children. Also, there surely must be a big expense by the Spokane Police Department to try to make the areas safe that harbor these businesses.

It is wonderful to know our officials are trying to make our city and county a safe and clean place to live. Laurence R. Morgan Spokane

Spokane people favor cars, not buses

Public transportation use differs in Eastern and Western Washington.

For example, it looks as though Puget Sound-area residents make more use of their buses than Spokane people make use of theirs. If you look inside a Spokane Transit Authority bus, chances are it will be empty, save for two or three people. Seattle’s Metro buses usually carry a whole crowd.

I have several ideas as to why this is. One has to do with traffic. Since traffic is more congested in Seattle, people there would rather take the bus than use an automobile. It’s probably cheaper riding the Metro than spending so much money on gas for a car.

Also, it may be that a higher percentage of Spokane people own cars than is the case in the Puget Sound area. This would mean more folks riding Metro than people riding STA. Paul Osebold Spokane

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Actions in Billings ‘outrageous’

What happened to America? We are supposed to celebrate our differences and take care of the marginal members of our American family.

The raid in Billings, Mont., over pet rats is an outrage and a far cry from justice (“Two day standoff over pet rats ends,” Aug. 28). I am just certain that the concussion grenades and teargas were necessary. Didn’t they get enough action in Noxon, Mont.? Please! Maureen Collicott Greenacres

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Money reward not the point

I am responding to “Skimpy reward an injustice” by Valorie White (Letters, Aug. 28).

I read the article also, and the boy also stated that if he had known he was going to get such a skimpy reward, he would not have returned the money at all. In my book, you do what is right and you don’t expect a reward. The boy is not learning honesty by getting a $5 reward and then regretting returning the money. Dee Dee Dressem Spokane

‘Greed and power’ charge ludicrous

I’ve read that some Native Americans have bought some land and want to build a casino on it. This will give their tribe needed money for their people. Is this power and greed for them?

What about the foreign-born developers who completely clear the land of any foliage, then build thousands of cheap homes for greed and power? Is this any different than the Native Americans?

Is this any different from a political convention having a party to gain greed and power? Where did their money come from? All the big businesses that want many favors from the political candidates. No, this is not for greed and power.

Why do American foreigners give fake promises to their constituents and then forget what they have promised? Is this for greed and power? Is this greed and power so necessary in our lives? Why? Ruth G. Hammack Cheney

THE JUDICIARY

Moe qualifications exceptional

I support Superior Court Commissioner Royce Moe for Spokane County Superior Court Judge, Department 6.

As a lawyer who has practiced for years before Moe, I’ve had the opportunity to observe his careful judgment and fair consideration of issues. He is intelligent, sensible and decisive.

Moe is the only candidate with extensive experience deciding Superior Court issues of a criminal and civil nature, having been a Superior Court commissioner since 1988. He regularly hears and decides civil litigation, family law and domestic violence matters, and mental health commitments.

In Juvenile Court, Moe hears and decides misdemeanor and felony bench trials, dependency cases involving protection of children alleged to be abused or neglected and cases concerning runaways and truants.

Moe has worked extensively on and off the bench to build healthy families and protect children. He has worked to effectively address the underlying causes of juvenile crime while imposing appropriate consequences upon criminal youth to protect the community.

Among other activities, Moe has served as president of Spokane County’s Domestic Violence Consortium and as chairman of the Spokane County Juvenile Court Working Group. He is past president of the Evergreen Elementary School PTA and a Little League softball and baseball coach. With his wife of 27 years, Moe has three children who range age from a college graduate to a fifth-grader.

Consider the choices for Superior Court judge, Department 6, carefully. Moe’s background and experience set him apart and make him deserving of your vote. Sylvia Glover Spokane

It’s a privilege to support Cozza

It is with a deep sense of conviction and enthusiasm that I draw attention to District Court Judge Sam F. Cozza, candidate for Superior Court Judge.

Not only is Cozza unequivocally the most experienced candidate in dealing with serious criminal matters, his superb record as a former deputy prosecutor and currently as District Court judge make him our obvious choice for responsible, decisive and effective justice.

During Cozza’s nine years as a Spokane County deputy prosecutor, he has achieved an overwhelming 85 percent conviction rate, with 90 percent of those affirmed on appeal. He served as co-counsel on the Shadle Park rapist case, effectively taking George Grammer off our streets.

Cozza has brought this expertise forward into our District Court system, where for the last six years he has vigorously supported stronger enforcement of domestic violence laws and protection for victims, as well as the DWI victim panel.

Cozza is the most principled human being I have ever had the privilege to know. His value to our community extends far beyond the courtroom. He is a recent past president of the Spokane North Lions Club, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and is very active in his church. Cozza cares about the citizens and issues of Spokane County. Make your vote one for a safer, saner Spokane County. Cast your ballot for Cozza. Karlene E. Hyer Spokane

Cozza’s qualities long apparent

About 10 years ago, I had the privilege of being on a jury when Sam Cozza was a deputy prosecutor for Spokane County. I did not know him well at that time, but was immediately impressed with his knowledge of the law, his courtesy to all and his effectiveness in that position.

As a Spokane County District Court judge he has been outstanding in fairness and dedication to serving the public, in the courtroom and on committees of the bar and judicial profession. He is a man of compassion, integrity and honor.

He will be a Superior Court judge for Spokane County in whom we can all be very proud. Mrs. Richard A. Stejer Spokane

3RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

Sparks more able than young opponent

Erin Hays (Letters, Aug. 19) says, “Sparks ought to return to his life as a trial lawyer and leave the community in Gombosky’s capable hands.” This simple, declarative statement causes me grave concern.

Jeff Gombosky is only 25 years old, while Rep. Lonnie Sparks is 51 years of age.

Gombosky has never served his country in the military. Sparks has professional leadership training and experience as an Army officer.

Sparks is a professional manager, successful farmer, business entrepreneur and prominent trial lawyer. This image of success contrasts sharply with Gombosky’s no apparent gainful employment.

Sparks continues to meet a monthly payroll and maintains two law offices.

Lastly, Gombosky’s littering of our legislative district with over 600 yard signs is hardly an experience in the government process. Sparks has been appointed the powerful House Appropriations Committee and the financial institutions and insurance committees.

Sparks is the personification of capable hands. I’m voting to keep him in our state Legislature. Mary Wright Spokane

Gombosky has shown commitment

As an 80-year-old member and lifelong resident of this community, I am pleased to see Jeff Gombosky running for a legislative position in my district. The 3rd Legislative District needs someone with his character and work ethic.

Gombosky has worked to make our neighborhoods safer by serving on the Spokane Police Advisory Committee. He has also served the community by working on the steering committees of Washington Drug Free Youth, the Hillyard Neighborhood and the West Central Community Mapping Project.

Many people in politics claim to care about our neighborhoods. Very few have actually given as much time and energy as Gombosky has. When he knocked on my door and asked for my support, I gave it to him. I encourage others to do the same. Margaret I. Powers Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Union line is misleading

As John Leinen is the head of the Local AFL-CIO, his opinions are certainly unbiased when it comes to union matters (“Union members direct all support,” Letters, Aug. 31). If you believe Leinen’s statement that it’s “local money,” then the locals must be responsible for running the false ads on some local TV stations.

Medicare isn’t being cut but increased at 7 percent per year. House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s “wither on the vine” comment isn’t about doing away with Medicaid but elimination of the Washington bureaucracy and blockgranting money to the states. Washington bureaucracy chews up 32 percent of the Medicaid budget before it gets to the states. The states can better administer the money.

Reps. George Nethercutt and Helen Chenoweth didn’t vote to “cut Medicare by $270 billion” but to save the program, which will be broke by 2002 unless growth restraints are applied.

The last version by each party is a $124 billion reduction by Democrats and $156 billion by the Republicans - a small difference over seven years.

Special interest groups (unions), media and politicians demagogue to the point where it’s hard to figure out the truth. If unions are really the “most democratically run organizations in the world,” why is this special assessment for political funding mandatory? Why are many union members filing lawsuits to challenge the unauthorized use of union dues for political purposes?

If 40 percent of union members are Republicans, why is 98 percent of union political spending going to liberal Democrats? Wayne Lythgoe Colbert

Park shouldn’t be Disneyland clone

In his Aug. 30 editorial concerning Glacier Park use planning, staff writer D.F. Oliveria suggests that Joe and Jane should be able to climb in and out of their vehicles wherever they want. Has he ever been to Glacier Park?

The geographic confines of the park make this impossible, even if relatively few people are using the park’s one through road. Has he considered that if more and more people are allowed to drive in a limited space, no one will be able to get out of their car anywhere, let alone get back onto the highway?

Oliveria states that people have every right to enjoy the park their own way. Oh really? Not all places can be all things to all people. Glacier Park is unique.

Why must everything everywhere be reduced to the least common denominator among us? Why do we need motels in a national park? Plenty of private land surrounds the park. A collection of 35-foot motor homes with TV antennas and generators doesn’t make a campground.

Why do people like Oliveria think every place must be Disneyland? If I’m not 30 pounds overweight, waiting in line to be entertained, am I an elitist?

Has Oliveria ever seen how the shuttle services are operated in Denali Park in Alaska? Has he ever been to another country to see what other cultures consider an outdoor experience?

Maybe Oliveria should get out of his car and into the woods for a little solitude, and let go of some of his anger toward people who have ideas different from his own. John P. Baran Chattaroy