Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Parents feel threatened by bad teaching

Re: “Stakes high in choosing math class,” March 30.

Betty Cheeley flatters herself by stating parents “feel threatened” by her opinion. Quite the contrary. Ineffective teaching methods she promotes and trains teachers to use are of grave concern to parents. If the children were achieving outstanding test scores, parents would feel no need to intervene.

The truth is that our math computation percentile scores are a disgrace. Fifth-grade scores, by school: Bryan, 23rd percentile; Fernan, 23rd; and Winton, 19th.

Considering these national scores in a country that ranks below the international average, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to recognize ineffective teaching.

University of Virginia Professor E.D. Hirsch has stated, “American students rank at the bottom internationally because progressive theory has led schools to exalt process over content. The result has been watered-down courses and ineffective teaching practices, such as whole language, cooperative learning and math programs that shirk mastery of basic skills.”

Last year, parents attempted sharing empirical evidence for a research-based, proven program with Herb Cheeley, school board trustee and Betty Cheeley’s husband. He arrogantly told me if it were up to him, parents would not be allowed on any curriculum committee. I have no doubt his wife shares his sentiment. Eileen Cox Coeur d’Alene

Health do-gooders make me sick

The American public is up in arms about cigarettes being harmful and trying to sue the industry out of business. Because our tax base is dependent on tobacco sales, we need to look for an alternative source before burning bridges.

Let’s tax health items. It’s a resource that cannot go away. Just think of it - sporting goods, camping equipment, health foods, tanning salons, athletic clubs, golf courses, bowling alleys, small water bottles, vitamins, wristbands, headbands, sweat clothes, etc. The list is unlimited and we would no longer be dependent on unhealthy habits for our tax base.

I always thought picketers on an abortion ban picket line should be forced to adopt two kids each. Now, the ban-smoking picketers can pick up the loss in tax revenues.

It’s high time the people who want to run all our lives pay for that privilege. We can call it the Goody Two-Shoes tax. David Sheridan Coeur d’Alene

Some wolf hybrid sellers responsible

Re: “Wolf story a dangerous disservice,” Letters, March 5.

We were shocked and saddened by Kerri Oakley’s statements in your editorial section a few weeks ago. It is so wrong.

There are at least 650,000 wolf hybrid owners across the U.S. who would agree. When crossed with a malamute or husky, these animals are just as loving, in fact more so, than most dogs. If they are made a part of your family, fed, loved, not kept on a chain, they are quite predictable. We always stress the importance of never leaving a wolf alone with a child. In fact, anyone who leaves a child alone with any animal is using poor judgment.

Unfortunately, Wolf Haven and the Humane Society have seen only the abused wolf hybrids. They have never seen any like ours - loved, happy, responsive and trustworthy.

A backyard breeder never gives information to a new owner, never follows up with calls during the animal’s lifetime, never has a contract provision for taking an animal back if the owner cannot keep it and doesn’t list requirements that must be met before a cub is purchased, etc. Oakley, we do all of these things and more.

Thanks to The Spokesman-Review for a beautiful, real story on the wolf hybrid. It was great and truly appreciated by all of us who own these magnificent creatures and love them for what they are. Bill and Nancy Taylor Sandpoint

SPOKANE MATTERS

Opera House inhospitable to children

My child’s second grade class was lucky enough to have a field trip to see “Pippi Longstockings” at the Opera House. This must have been a big event because I was told the Opera House was full.

His teacher told us that when she asked Opera House personnel for her students to use the restrooms, she was told to use the facilities in the park.

The kids ate their lunches in the park and very few restrooms were open, resulting in very long lines.

If the Opera House is going to charge $6 to see a play, maybe it should tack on 25 cents to assure use of its restrooms. Greg Eik Liberty Lake

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Chief police problem is Mangan

I am appalled by the manner in which Police Chief Terry Mangan has responded to David Peffer’s DUI arrest.

Peffer acted properly and honorably by admitting to his actions, his alcohol problem and by immediately seeking treatment. Had he been in a lower position in the department, he would have qualified for the department’s treatment program and never faced the loss of his position.

But Mangan has seen fit to demote Peffer for admitting to the offense. As Peffer correctly points out, this is a lesson that will be learned throughout the department: If you are in trouble, don’t admit a thing; doing so will cost you your job.

Of course, this is the same Mangan who has abused motorists on the street, who pulled a shotgun on a law-abiding citizen who had done nothing but drive on a public road. The same Mangan who for the past 10 years has refused to accept responsibility for the illegal raid on the Gypsy home and who has ordered his sycophant, Assistant City Attorney Rocco Treppiedi, to stonewall local, state and federal courts - and will no doubt cost the city many millions when we finally must pay up.

And finally, this is the same Mangan who was only too happy to leave the department in Peffer’s capable hands while he junketed around the country a dozen times a year. Was Peffer’s work so bad while the chief was away that he had to be demoted?

What Spokane needs is a new police chief, the sooner the better. Robert Glatzer Spokane

Demotion unwise and unnecessary

I am saddened and chagrined to read about the fate of David Peffer. To be removed from his nine-year position after a heretofore unflawed and exemplary record of 29 years of public and volunteer service to our community is harsh beyond necessity.

As I understand from the ongoing news coverage that he assumed complete responsibility for his behavior from the outset and is currently in treatment.

A special assignment during the period of treatment with a provision for reassessment of his fitness to serve as assistant chief upon successful completion would have been a far more humane solution. A person of Peffer’s caliber and commitment deserves no less from a community he has dedicated his life to protecting. Mary Averett Spokane

Regrettable case of overkill

We think Police Chief Terry Mangan made a poor decision in demoting Assistant Chief David Peffer.

Since the incident occurred when Peffer was off duty, and since no one has accused him of poor performance on the job, we do not think Mangan should use the job as a punishment. Peffer can use all the support he can get to complete a treatment program and get his life back on track.

The problem goes deeper than one man’s DUI, and Peffer may be a scapegoat. Our state law is much too lenient when it comes to drinking and driving. If it were up to us, a person with a DUI (first offense) would be fined and have a license revocation for one year. Second offense, permanent revocation. Since that is not our law, we think Mangan’s action was inappropriate and reactive.

Not too many years ago, one of our judges was convicted of a DUI but he continues to work competently on the bench. Mangan himself has had his share of bad press and clearly used poor judgment on some occasions.

We think he might have acknowledged that Peffer has an illness for which he is receiving treatment. He could let the court deal with the driving infraction, as with any other citizen. And he could support Peffer’s recovery by holding his job for him, pending successful treatment. Bonnie and Rev. David Crum Spokane

Peffer has earned appreciation

Thank you, David Peffer, for the extraordinary dedication you have brought to law enforcement, to keeping our community safe to the best of your professional ability for 29 years.

I recall the conversations we’ve had about the most appropriate way we can respond to teenagers who are at great risk, the depth of your understanding of the issues and the support you have given to thoughtful community responses for these young people and their families.

Thank you for the countless hours you have devoted to United Way. Your leadership, your wit in service to the community, have lightened the load for many and inspired us all to give more of ourselves for the greater good.

Now it would seem these gifts to your job, your community and certainly to your family - as I know you are one terrific dad - have come at some personal costs to you. It is so difficult to see a private person like yourself subjected to public humiliation.

As usual, you have brought your own grace to the challenge and reminded us all that no growth and no learning occur without pain. I admire you for your honest and forthright acceptance of responsibility, your willingness to seek help.

I thank you and celebrate your courage. I have even greater confidence in your leadership. Mary Ann Murphy Spokane

SEX AND THE YOUNG

Event focus was just plain wrong

I was at Condom Fest ‘97, a.k.a., “It’s your choice, not chance.” Staff writer Virginia De Leon accurately represented the condom fixation.

Keynote speaker Dr. Nancy Tipton, medical director of Planned Parenthood of Seattle-King County, told the students, “My favorite topic is contraceptives.” She went on to tell them that “emergency contraception for unprotected sex” means to “take four of any garden variety contraceptive within 72 hours.”

Where does a teen get four extra contraceptives? Sound like an advertisement? So did the entire health fair.

I was there representing Teen-Aid, a private, nonprofit organization which thoroughly teaches premarital abstinence and parent-teen communication. One table on abstinence cannot undo all the other titillating information. Year after year, Teen-Aid attends these events - never to host, speak or change the focus. When will premarital abstinence be the major focus for teens? Instead, physical sex (and sometimes its consequences) reigns supreme at these events.

Condoms are personal medical measures. Making them party favors and condom curios degrades sex and the teens, who are pressured into thinking that everyone is doing it and that it’s safe.

Adults who gain when kids have sex cause peer pressure for sex. Incredibly, these same professionals blame parents when kids then have sex.

It’s time to stop these adults, paid with your tax dollars, from pressuring teens into sex. Ruby Hogan Spokane

THE ENVIRONMENT

Building and selling beat burning

Re: Paul Lindholdt’s ill-thought-out diatribe about wasting forest resources (“Cleansing fire, not salvage logging, is the better way,” Street Level, April 6):

Advocating the burning up of our forests instead of harvesting them and making useful products from them for mankind’s needs, he follows the fuzzy, biocentric thinking of the enviro-conflict industry, or ECI, which he represents in the Sierra Club.

The forest products industry only exists to fill a need, to provide the world’s people with products to satisfy the basic needs of everyday living. Why does the ECI make it sound like the FPI only exists to ravage the forest to make big bucks? Is that the only way they can keep their membership contributing dollars to maintain the lavish lifestyles of their leaders? They don’t suggest where fiber is going to come from if it isn’t harvested locally.

North America has some of the world’s most productive forest land. Under ecosystem management, we could end up with forests emulating pre-settlement conditions. These natural-like forests would not contribute their fair share toward the material needs of our people. This would force the marketplace to provide wood from some other country, maybe one not concerned about what they do to their forests.

We are tied to the rest of the world and what we do in the Inland Empire does affect someone, somewhere.

The ECI forgets that the only way to create new wealth in our economy is to convert our natural resources to useful products for mankind. All else are recycled dollars. Letting it all burn up isn’t the answer. Russ Hudson Libby, Mont.

It’s the economy, environmentalists

After reading “Cleansing fire, not salvage logging, is the better way” (Roundtable, April 6), I realized that not all nuts are in cans, hanging from trees, etc.

Anyone who wants to burn down a forest to save it and who applauds the massive, destructive fires in Yellowstone doesn’t understand the economic reality of the world global demand for lumber products.

I owned a lumber company in Spokane for several years and saw how misguided individuals such as Paul Lindholt adversely affect the local lumber industry and cause lumber prices to skyrocket in the global market. The result was that lumber users turned to trash logging in the former Soviet Union and also bought vast tracts of rain forest for logging to satisfy demand for wood products.

Not only were foreign companies turning to these sources. Spokane has witnessed the start of suburban logging. In and around the Ponderosa subdivision in the Valley there have been at least seven logging operations in the past four years. The reason for this logging is simply that it is now economically feasible to log these small wooded lots because the ecologists have closed down the national forests.

Now they want to burn down the national forests after they have “saved” them. Come on, let’s get real.

Let’s not let these eco-pyromaniacs set national forest policy. Let’s use rational thought when it comes to our renewable resource, our forest, and salvage them rather than destroy them. Duane F. Cocking Spokane

FINAL WORD

Enjoy milder weather safely

Summer is in the air. The kids are outside playing. We are all excited to get home from work and have a barbecue or go for a walk.

Please help keep our neighborhood safe by driving slowly, stopping at all intersections and supervising small children at all times. And remember, everyone must wear a helmet when bicycling or rollerblading.

The difference a helmet can make? When your head hits the pavement or a car, you could end up in diapers and eating baby food for a long time. Adolescents usually don’t like that image.

Everyone is hurt when a child is hit by a car. Heidi Rust Spokane