Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

We need Locke’s intelligence, values

In a crowded race for governor, it can be hard for voters to get enough information to make an informed decision. I am fortunate to have firsthand knowledge of the effective management style of Gary Locke.

I watched King County’s Treasury Department grow into a top-notch operation in just a few months when Locke took over as King County executive. His management style mirrors his intelligence, strong work ethic, attention to detail and compassion for people.

Locke has a vision for Washington state. It is a vision of equal opportunity. He will be a strong proponent for quality education for everyone. He will promote exports, creating opportunity for business and thus opportunities for family wage jobs.

Locke knows firsthand the horrors of violence and crime. As governor, he will continue his fight against both. Linda M. Wolverton, CPA Spokane County treasurer

Locke would be fine governor

Gary Locke is one of the most intelligent and energetic young men I have ever met.

His experience is unmatched. As a state legislator, he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee brilliantly. Locke is also scoring high ratings as King County executive. As a public servant, he has handled and solved many complicated problems.

We’d be in good hands with Locke as our governor. Mrs. Larry Marshall Spokane

Bergeson best choice to lead schools

As a former member of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and a concerned citizen, I’m extremely pleased we now have a candidate for superintendent of public instruction. Teresa “Terry” Bergeson should be elected to the office and is worthy of the public support.

Bergeson is a lifelong educator and an outstanding teacher and counselor. She brought a reform agenda for children and public education to the Washington Education Association, where she served as president. As executive director of the Commission on Student Learning, she brought her agenda for children statewide. By working closely with parents, educators and students, businesses, labor and community leaders, Bergeson helped develop new standards to test our schools and students abilities to do their best. Her plans make public schools work and make us all part of the solution.

She believes young people must have hope and skills to last a lifetime, that educators must do their jobs and be accountable for results, and that parents and the community must be reconnected to their schools.

Our responsibility to the future is to make sure the crucial work goes forward with a gifted and effective professional at the helm. Bergeson is that person. Vivian Winston Spokane

Craswell better than story indicates

Again, I am disappointed by The Spokesman-Review, this time for the profile of Ellen Craswell. Can’t you get in front of the Christian angle long enough to give balanced coverage on the issues voters care about?

Sure, Craswell’s ideas were mentioned, but only within the context to paint her as an extremist. However, staff writer Lynda Mapes’ tactic will only make the paper look foolish later, as the wave of Craswell support (which is far more widespread than the Christian segment) will show in the state primary.

Craswell has spent 16 years in the state Legislature. She knows every political trick and trade-off in Olympia - and she will not succumb to any of them. She is not for sale. This is a refreshing and welcome change in an age in which freewheeling deals and go-nowhere compromises are the norm in government.

Yes, Craswell’s a strong Christian and her faith gives her strength and guidance. But personally, I feel much better knowing this because I’m confident of her honesty and her integrity. I don’t have to second-guess her and wonder whether she will deliver what she says. I know she will. Peggy C. Simpson Spokane

Craswell a candidate for all voters

How refreshing to read of governor candidate Ellen Craswell in the Sept. 3 Spokesman-Review. Staff writer Lynda Mapes pointed out many significant positive facts about Craswell.

Craswell avoids fat campaign contributions, sophisticated polling and costly TV advertising, depending instead on grass-roots, citizen support.

She displays a serenity that sets her apart.

She believes in limited government.

She is a candidate with moral values.

She has 16 years of leadership experience as a state legislator.

She is a woman of integrity, character and experience.

Her goals include eliminating the B&O tax, reducing property and vehicle excise taxes, and reducing government spending.

Craswell is a candidate we can all support, whether independent, Democrat, Republican, religious or nonreligious. She believes in the basics: love your neighbor, don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t kill. Ted P. Baker Spokane

Inmate education sound investment

John Bouchard obviously did little research in preparing his Sept. 4 letter on tax dollars being spent on Department of Corrections education programs (“Foreman will end waste, bungling”). Only 3 percent of the department’s budget is spent on educational programs.

Through 1995, there was a 22 percent drop in recidivism among federal prisoners released in 1987. That’s according to a 1995 preliminary report by Miles D. Haren, Ph.D., of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The study concludes that when inmates have the opportunity to better themselves, the chances are 44.9 percent better they’ll succeed compared to those who get no further education.

The state’s investment in correctional education programs can be very cost effective. Other benefits are manifested in decreased welfare costs, lower property losses, salvaged families and reduced pain and suffering by those who would otherwise be victims.

Failure to support and an unwillingness to enhance rehabilitation efforts is not in the public interest. Protection of the public depends on changing offenders’ attitudes and behavior through education.

Dollars spent on prison education programs lower recidivism. That results in unlimited potential for returns to the state and society.

Unfortunately, not all agree on rehabilitation/ education programs. Wannabe gubernatorial candidates make campaign promises to stop waste and abuse. But, will those promises be kept? Dennis O’Connor, program coordinator Airway Heights Corrections Center, education department

SPOKANE MATTERS

OK for this time, but straighten up

Here we go again! The city has forced us into a corner. Arterials are dreadful in places and must be fixed, with no money set aside to do it. The solution? Go to the property owners with a bond issue.

Well, deja vu! How the city keeps falling into this old pothole is a question that will continue to be debated. Bad planning, I call it.

I almost always support bond issues, whether they directly impact me or not, because I know they are good for the community. I voted for the last street bond, for computers for the police, for all school levies, etc. I plan to vote for this street bond issue as well because we are up against it. But I’m not happy about it.

I’m putting the city on notice that this is the last street bond I will vote for. If, in another 10 years, the streets are allowed to deteriorate again and the city comes back for my money, I will say no. There has to be a better way.

The city must budget for street repairs every year and not come begging to property owners every 10 years to bail it out. This is a ridiculous way to run a railroad.

Why are property owners targeted exclusively? Street users should pay. That’s why a gasoline tax, one of the least painful taxes, makes the most sense. It’s the only fair way. Jack Jennings Spokane

I reject this easy way out

I can understand the need for repairing the city’s streets, but what happened to funds that are - or should be - budgeted on an ongoing basis? It’s probably easier to postpone the work, but eventually the need for it catches up - thus the dilemma we are in today.

This is the easy way to levy a tax - target property owners. But it’s not a fair way. Besides, many city workers are paid more and have better benefits than those in the private sector.

The equitable way is through a gas tax, so users pay for street repair and maintenance. This is more complicated, of course, because the Legislature would have to pass it. Voters should give this due consideration at the polls.

I will vote against this street assessment. Jim Hutsinpiller Spokane

Don’t let vocal few dominate

Several letter writers say they oppose the street bond because they already pay enough taxes. They say city leaders just don’t prioritize correctly. Well, here is one of the latest priorities.

The city recently worked out a deal with the county to hire a full-time prosecutor who will focus exclusively on pornography. Is this what the majority of Spokane citizens have asked for? Of all the pressing issues facing this city, from streets to crime to libraries to affordable housing, is this where you would have wanted your money spent?

I still believe we need to vote for the street bond. The need is immediate and great. But more importantly, I know that if more people don’t get involved in the process of setting priorities, our public officials will continue to set priorities based on input from a very narrow segment of our population. How will they ever know what we want if we don’t tell them? Suzanne Knapp Spokane

First, tap the scofflaws

Many agree our streets need repair. It’s the unfairness of the financing that is divisive, plus a feeling the city can make better use of existing resources.

Funding must be currently available. For instance, Indian Trail Road from Francis to Weile is scheduled for repair under the bond issue. Why, then, is it presently undergoing resurfacing? Are they not going to repair it under the bond issue, as stated, or worse yet, tear it up in a few months and redo the job?

I recently did a vehicle survey on Indian Trail at 7:30 a.m. Of 1,000 cars, 24 had out-of-state licenses. Projecting that for the 7,300-plus cars making the daily one-way trip equates to about 175 vehicles that are not paying licensing fees to the state.

That’s just one street in one neighborhood. If that ratio is valid, then the number of nonpayers throughout the city must be mind boggling.

Looking for money, City Council? Here’s a suggestion. State law requires that out-of-state vehicles be registered within 90 days. Have the police ticket flagrant violators of this law. Fine them an amount equal to the licensing fee. Dedicate the money to street repairs. That’s a big chunk of change, if the survey ratio holds true.

When the city cracks down on these scofflaws and equitably charges all resident users, not just city property owners, for street maintenance, I’ll be willing to pay my fair share. Frank R. Schoonover Spokane

Fair price can be had

Byron Davis says in his letter “Fair admission costs too much,” Sept. 11, that a more reasonable admission cost would be $5. If you buy your tickets early at Safeway, that is all you would be paying. Carol Morgan Elk, Wash.

3RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

Smith has the edge in qualifications

At their heart, all political issues ultimately affect the welfare of children and their families. Our elected representatives’ decisions help create the future our children will inherit. This is why who we vote for should be a thoughtful and intelligent choice, not just a knee-jerk response based only on name recognition, political party or the size of a candidate’s bank account.

Val Smith has worked with child welfare issues for the past 25 years. She has a deep understanding of how decisions made by legislators on budgets, education, taxes, employment and health care affect families.

I support Smith for 3rd District representative, position 2, because she has the life experience, integrity and common sense to provide genuine leadership in Olympia. Renee Hintz Bourke Spokane

Consider environment when voting

It is disheartening to read the Washington Conservation Voter’s Conservation Report and legislative scorecard. Since 1981, WVC has tallied the voting records of our House and Senate members on important environmental legislation.

The 1995-96 session had the worst environmental record in 15 years. Many members voted against pollution safeguards and growth management.

I hope Spokane voters will vote for candidates who will work as stewards of Washington’s environment. In the 3rd Legislative District, the only candidates endorsed by the WCV are Lisa Brown, for the Senate, and Jeff Gombosky, for the House of Representatives.

If we want to safeguard our environment for future generations, we must vote for candidates like Brown and Gombosky. Nancy Williams Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Kaun supports woman’s right to choose

I have just received Planned Parenthood’s nonpartisan candidate survey results. I am astonished to learn that of the state’s 31 congressional candidates, Judy Olson is one of only two Democrats who “declined to answer” the questions.

Not surprisingly, everyone else who declined was Republican, including Rep. George Nethercutt.

That’s a far cry from congressional candidate Sue Kaun, who not only answered all the questions but received Planned Parenthood’s highest rating.

Women voters should remember on primary election day that Kaun was the woman who publicly went on record supporting a woman’s right to choose. Jan Polek Spokane

We’re importing everything but jobs

During World War II the people of our country built the ships, planes, tanks and arms that helped beat the Axis. Most everything purchased in this country today is made overseas.

We want to reduce unemployment and cut our welfare roles but we do not have the manufacturing jobs to accomplish this.

I read in The Spokesman-Review recently that San Francisco brought 19 pay toilets from France to put onto its streets. Isn’t U.S. industry capable of manufacturing a privy? Fay Steen Spokane

Democrats are as bad as ever

President Clinton and the Democratic Party are nervously trying to hide their real agenda. They are sending mixed messages to try and capture as many voters as possible. In their official rhetoric, they do not state their true beliefs and proposed plans to accomplish them.

These extremist liberals pander to middle-of-the-road voters by saying popular conservative things, and Clinton even signed the Republican welfare reform bill. However, they immediately reassure their supporters that they really have a liberal agenda and will reverse conservative legislation. The ink hadn’t dried from Clinton signing the welfare reform bill before his White House staff was putting out word he would use the line-item veto to entirely change the law for liberal acceptance.

Clinton and his liberal cronies don’t want to change the course of our government. They want to keep their primary voting supporters on the public dole and beholding to the great savior in Washington, D.C. They want to keep the immigration floodgates open to millions of new liberal voters who come here to seek our rich handouts.

Liberals want to continue the really nice things for all the fringe groups that are “lost” in our society.

The Democrats claim to care so much for our precious little children and also for our elderly, but it’s all rhetoric. If they really cared about these groups, Clinton would have signed conservative legislation to provide economic solvency and a future for our children and elderly. Steve Caswell Sandpoint