Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Arterials, not bridge, are what’s needed
Proponents of the bridge point to improving downtown air quality by removing the transportation bottleneck downtown. Using the Division Street Bridge as an analogue indicates the bottleneck, along with poor air quality, will just migrate northward. This problem will continue to plague the city until north-south, nonstop arterials have been constructed.
When you think about it, the project and the manner in which it’s being rammed down our throats is akin to the newly passed Seahawk stadium. In this analogy, groups positioned to make money on the proposition, such as the city and its special interest groups, take on the role of King County. Federal and county taxpayers take on the role of those opposed to the stadium (us).
In reality, the bridge project is antiquated pork initiated during the Foley era, redesigned through the years in order to pacify downtown developers and property owners (bottleneck), environmentalists (increased air quality), bicyclists (pedestrian bridge), and other special interest groups.
Proponents are even trying to buy off Spokane Tribe concerns about trashing the beauty of the falls by including Native American artwork on the bridge. (Is there a provision allowing seed growers to burn the median strip annually? How about showers for the transients who’ll frequent the facility?)
The city bureaucracy has looked to the bridge for jobs via increases in transportation staffing. Seattle-based engineering consultants treat the project as manna from heaven and transportation staff as a sugar daddy. (They’d install wheels and propellers if DOT asked). Fred Kirschner, Ph.D. Valleyford, Wash.
Stonewall News ads unacceptable
I’m appalled by the doublespeak of our city attorney, who attempts to hide behind the First Amendment in defending smut ads found in the Stonewall News on display in our City Hall.
This is the same person who sat by and allowed the same council to restrict our freedom of speech in 1996, when it voted to black out the public forum portion of City Council meetings. It appears that our city attorney, mayor and City Council are simply pandering to those in our community who wish to flaunt their filth.
The publisher and editor of Stonewall News should refrain from printing ads that contain offensive language. The policy statement printed in Stonewall News should be adhered to. If the policies of Stonewall News are not adhered to, I will call for a boycott of all advertisers who include a business owned by our very own City Council member Roberta Greene (Empire Ford). Steve E. Thompson Spokane
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
AARP people care about the young
Mike Tillford’s letter “Unite against Social Security,” (Aug. 11) reflects the feelings of many young workers. He resents payroll deductions for Social Security and Medicare, and believes the programs will go broke before he retires.
Unfortunately, Tillford blames the American Association of Retired Persons. He says we don’t realize that payroll taxes are a burden on the “working class.”
One-third of AARP’s members, about 10 million people 50 and older, are working full time or part time. They pay taxes and many lose benefits when their income exceeds a certain level.
AARP is very concerned about the future of young people and families. Many AARP volunteers work diligently to preserve Social Security and Medicare for future generations. Our efforts to assure access to health care, contain medical costs and make long-term care affordable help people regardless of age. In addition, thousands of members volunteer in programs aimed specifically at helping children.
The more older people are able to live independently, the less financial support they need from their children and grandchildren. If payroll tax is a burden for you, think what it would cost to pay medical bills for your aging relatives.
Social Security is a self-funded program with a large reserve that will pay full benefits for another 34 years. It can remain strong for future generations by making modest adjustments.
Tillford advises others to explore AARP’s Web page. I hope he will study the issues and our policies more objectively. He may discover we care very much about the future of our children and grandchildren. We are bringing lifetimes of experience to serve all generations. Elinor F. Nuxoll Spokane
Don’t be putty in interests’ hands
Letter writer Edward B. Keeley is upset with Curtis E. Stone as he attacks Initiative 676, but there’s nothing special or surprising in Stone’s reasoning.
Whenever an industry feels some action (usually by government) threatens to shrink or eliminate its market, or if a special interest with deep pockets wants to have its way, a campaign is started.
What it’s all about doesn’t matter because people will be told that some mean bureaucrats are after their freedom. Negatives of the current situation will be minimized. Statistics will be presented to “prove” the point. People who have no clue what statistics are will be led to believe some simple numbers make them experts. Thus, we supported a new Seahawks stadium.
What we should all do is sharpen our wits and pay attention to issues, taking care to separate fact from propaganda. By doing that, we can discourage special interests from trying to manipulate us. Peter C. Dolina Veradale