Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Bond measure a pig in a poke

I hope everyone thinks twice about voting for the street bond levy. The proposal’s text says, “to make improvements to arterial and residential streets and bridges of the city and make other capital improvements deemed necessary by the council.” This means they could fix a few streets and spend the rest on whatever they want, such as the new Lincoln Street Bridge.

It doesn’t specify how many streets are to be fixed and the streets now earmarked for repair could easily be changed after the bond issue was passed. Further, I’m certain if there were any funds left over after repair of the streets was finished, they wouldn’t apply it to repay the bonds. They would think up something to spend it on.

The only way I would vote for this would be if it specifically said it was to repair streets only. I wonder if other cities such as Tacoma, Seattle and Portland have ever had to have a levy to have decent streets. Carl J. Sperr Spokane

Reject naysayers’ hysterics; Fix streets

The termites have finally surfaced. There is nothing substantive or factual they can offer in rebuttal to the proposed street bond, so they have resorted to gnawing away at the very foundation of the city they purport to defend.

They can’t trust the city to spend the money on scheduled streets. They can’t trust the city to fix the potholes in the future because they don’t like the way they have been fixed in the past.

They can’t find a guarantee that the mayor and City Council will change budget priorities to suit their taste, so they resort to insinuations, allegations and downright falsehoods to satisfy their voracious appetite for obstructionism. They can’t find a guarantee for this or that, ad nauseam! How far astray can their imagination and integrity run?

Spokane is on the verge of moving away from its lethargic and negative past. This is one of the finest cities in America. We can keep it a great city by throwing aside the negativism of the past and taking on an energetic and vibrant attitude about ourselves and our town.

To do that, we must keep our house in order and in good shape. That means having everyone be a part of the solution, rather than the problem. That means having an honest and forthright discussion about the issues rather than resorting to half-truths. It means fixing our streets, even if it costs a little. Let’s be proud of what we have and confident in our future. Vote yes for better streets. Irv Reed Spokane

No wiggle room left; Just do it

Several letters have been critical of the street bond issue and have suggested alternatives: a local gas tax, vehicle license fee, street utility tax.

The Legislature has specified what local options are available, and they have all been considered for Spokane - and rejected.

Spokane County voters rejected in 1993 a 2.3 cents a gallon special fuel tax in that would have been used to maintain and preserve streets and roads. In 1991, the county proposed a $15 annual vehicle license tax for that purpose. Citizens came unglued over that idea and the county backed off. A street utility tax has been declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.

All state-allowed options have been rejected, even though they would have been more equitable. The crumbling streets and roads still need to be maintained and preserved.

It’s time to stop saying no and step up to our responsibility. Say yes to the street bond issue. Derek Poole Spokane

McCaslin will restore accountability

This Tuesday, we have the opportunity to make great changes in our local government. One candidate who deserves recognition as an outstanding leader is Kate McCaslin, who is running for county commission against Steve Hasson.

I have known McCaslin personally and professionally. I believe she will represent Spokane County with class, integrity and honesty. She’s one of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever met. She is a role model for active citizenship, someone Spokane people will be proud to have represent them.

McCaslin listens to people and will act to make Spokane County livable for ourselves and our children. I will vote for McCaslin because she is a responsible person who will bring back a sense of accountability to our county government. Laura K. Reinhardt Spokane

5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Olson has demonstrated values, worth

Democratic congressional candidate Judy Olson is my choice to challenge Rep. George Nethercutt.

Olson is a devoted mother of three and has been married for 30 years. She is a former Cub Scout mother. She is a farmer and a business woman with good, common-sense values. She knows that people who work an honest day and play by the rules should be rewarded.

Olson is committed to her community and is involved in church. She is a listener who is more interested in building coalitions than employing divisive rhetoric. I think she will be a great asset to the Democratic Party and working people. Joseph Boldt Spokane

Kaun competitors underperformers

Thank you for your Sept. 12 coverage of the congressional race. I was dismayed to see that Judy Olson leads the pack of Democrats and I have to wonder how. Sue Kaun spent the day with us at the Ferry County Democrats’ picnic and we all knew she was a shoo-in.

Knowing of a conflict with two upcoming speaking engagements, she asked me to speak for her in Republic. I listened as candidates Olson and Don McCloskey spoke, and was surprised at how ill prepared they were.

McCloskey left the audience feeling like they would happily send him to a seance, but not to Congress. Olson whined and said nothing more pithy that bumper-sticker slogans.

She was ignorant of Ferry County agriculture, speaking only of wheat farms, when the only family that grows wheat is mine. For a forum with the intent to show how well candidates can think on their feet, this pathetic duo never made it out of the starting gate.

Democrats have a perfect opportunity to oust Rep. George Nethercutt. Don’t send either of these weak sisters. Kaun is better qualified, much smarter and can better handle Nethercutt in the political arena. Please, send our best candidate. Mysty Beal Curlew, Wash.

Kaun won’t dance to lobbyists’ tune

In 25 years of political activism in Spokane County, I have never been more impressed with a candidate than I am with Susan Kaun.

Her opinions are always well thought out and logical. Kaun is committed to campaign finance reform. She doesn’t feel that the people’s representatives should be bought and paid for with lobbyists’ money.

Kaun refuses to sell out for money from Washington, D.C., special interest groups, as others are now doing. They are literally wallowing in money back East and jamming local television with their commercials.

I would be proud to have this intelligent, capable woman represent all of us in the 5th Congressional District. Kathy Reid Spokane

Olson supports woman’s right to choose

As a former president of Planned Parenthood and a present majority counsel member of Emily’s List, I would like to correct the misperception contained in a recent letter to the editor.

Judy Olson’s position is clear regarding reproductive rights. She is an outspoken defender of a woman’s right to choose. She believes government has no business intervening in a woman’s most personal decision. It is basic to our democracy to keep government out of the personal lives of its citizens.

Olson has the endorsement of major women’s political organizations such as the National Women’s Political Caucus and Emily’s List that are strongly pro-choice.

A vote for Olson is a vote for women. Mari J. Clack Spokane

Olson simply outclasses Kaun

Even a charitable reading of recent letters on this page suggest that Sue Kaun’s supporters are somewhat disingenuous in labeling her campaign a true grass-roots campaign.

Kaun may not be accepting organized money, but it is not for lack of trying. The fact is, she has solicited such support, only to see it go instead to Judy Olson, who is believed - rightly, I think - to have a better grasp than Kaun of national and regional issues and is better equipped to represent the 5th Congressional District.

Kaun is a fine person and certainly is to be applauded for even wanting to run for political office. Moderate though she may appear to some Democrats, it is Olson, not Kaun, who stands a better chance of restoring some semblance of balance to Congress. Douglas Siddoway Spokane

THE JUDICIARY

Ryan best choice for Superior Court

There is no question in my mind that Terry Ryan should be elected our next Superior Court judge. He has the experience and integrity to take over for retiring Judge Thomas Merryman.

Ryan was a deputy prosecutor for Spokane County for almost seven years, and for the last 17 years has gained wide experience in civil and criminal law.

Ryan is a graduate of Gonzaga Law School and has practiced at all levels of the judicial system. He has been involved in over 100 jury trials, both civil and criminal, and has argued more than 60 cases before the Court of Appeals. He has served as judge pro tem in both the Superior and District courts of Spokane County.

The other two candidates have nowhere near this broad overall experience.

I have been a friend and neighbor of Ryan and his family for the past 20 years and know him to be a person of high moral character. He is honest, hard-working and dependable.

Ryan and Donna, his wife of 28 years, raised five children. Above and beyond his legal career, Ryan has volunteered his time coaching, fund-raising for education in our community and working with Habitat for Humanity to provide basic housing for those in need.

This is the type of person I would like to serve as Superior Court judge on my behalf. Barbara McAfee Spokane

Cozza experienced, prepared

Let me offer some reasons why Judge Sam Cozza is the best choice for Superior Court judge.

First, he has already served as a Spokane County District Court judge for six years. Secondly, he not only has presided over hundreds of jury trials, he was trial attorney for nine years as a deputy prosecuting attorney. Thirdly, he has made groundbreaking decisions that have been adopted by the Supreme Court.

Cozza received a vote of confidence from the citizens and the bar association when he was re-elected without opposition in 1994. He will need no warmup time or training before he starts hearing cases. We need his dedication and devotion to justice on the Superior Court. Floyd J. McDowell Spokane

Ryan ‘the outstanding candidate’

I support Terry Ryan for Superior Court Judge. Ryan has practiced law in Spokane County since 1972. From 1972 to 1979 he was a deputy county prosecutor. Since 1979 he has been in practice.

Ryan has tried over 100 criminal and civil jury cases. He has broad experience in all phases of civil and criminal law. He has served as a judge pro tem in Superior Court and as an arbitrator. He understands the importance of access to the courts by all citizens.

Ryan has been active in the community for over 20 years, as a volunteer coach for the YMCA and Spokane Youth Sports Association. He has volunteered his time to Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife have raised five children.

Ryan has legal experience and life experience that make him the outstanding candidate for Superior Court judge. He is deserving of your vote. R. Max Etter, Jr. Spokane

WASHINGTON LEGISLATIVE RACES

‘Keep Sparks on the job’

Rep. Lonnie Sparks has demonstrated that he has earned the support of 3rd District voters. By addressing the issues knowledgeably and without equivocation at every forum, he has shown that he is the candidate who will be a leader, advocate and deliberative lawmaker in Olympia.

Sparks favors welfare reform, but not at the expense of children. He believes that the juvenile justice system has to be given the tools and support to get the job done.

His belief that everyone should have the chance for an education second to none with a university and technical school system in place to give everybody a chance to better themselves, limited only by their ability, is a view that is vital to a representative of the 3rd District.

On Tuesday, vote for the candidate who has demonstrated vision, knowledge, compassion and the ability and leadership to get the job done in Olympia. Keep Sparks on the job. Richard Morphis Jr. Spokane

Smith uniquely prepared to serve

Val Smith is one of a kind. As a candidate for 3rd District representative, she is the no-baloney person in Spokane politics today and offers a clear-cut choice in the local political arena.

A reading of her life resume alone separates her from the usual quagmire of aspiring politicians, local and national, filled with people who offer little in the way of differences.

Her life experiences and formal education uniquely qualify her for the office she seeks. Complaints of voters not having a choice ended when this lady decided to run.

Spokane’s elderly and children will all be better off if we elect Smith as our 3rd District representative. Mike McMorris Spokane

Gombosky attributes are what we need

I am enthusiastic about the election of Jeff Gombosky to the state House of Representatives.

Gombosky is a brilliant, energetic candidate who was born, raised and now works in the 3rd Legislative District. He learned the legislative process, serving as a staff member Seattle’s Sen. Ray Moore. There, he became familiar with the broad issues affecting Washington.

Gombosky is articulate and thoughtful in his advocacy for a progressive approach to the goals we all share: economic security, environmental protection, affordable health care, child care, housing and education. These qualities have earned him the endorsements of our state’s major unions and conservation groups.

Gombosky follows the example set by two of our greatest public servants, Sens. Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson and Warren Magnuson, who each won their first elections when in their 20s. I sense that Gombosky will serve Washington with similar skill and distinction. Morton Alexander Spokane

Crouse would cut from wrong end

On Sept. 6, my husband and I listened to a radio program featuring candidates for county and state offices.

I feel an error was made by Larry Crouse on the percentage of money reaching those who are recipients of welfare in our state. He states that 70 percent stays within the Department of Health and Social Services for everyday operations of that department.

Crouse then stated that it is necessary to find the “truly needy” and reduce the rolls. This I understand would lead to less money used for people who receive the 30 percent of funds left for benefits.

I have no way of contesting his figures, but it seems that the proper place from which to retrieve funds is the 70 percent which he says stays within DSHS for operations.

Cost-cutting should be from the larger percentage of funding, not from needed benefits. Carole Wright Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Bergeson ‘the best there is’

Terry Bergeson is definitely the leader we need in the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. We owe it to our children and to every Washington citizen to elect the most competent, caring educator of our time.

It has been our special privilege to work with Bergeson for over 20 years. She knows education from every angle: counselor, teacher, administrator, college instructor, WEA president and executive director of the Commission on Student Learning. With constant energy and enthusiasm, Bergeson devotes her life to ensuring that all students learn and educators know how to make this vision a reality.

If you want our children and our schools to have the best there is, vote for Terry Bergeson. Marlys and Gary Johnson Pullman