Letters To The Editor

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

McGovern had integrity, courage

I am responding to John A. Hols’ personal attack on George McGovern (letters, July 16, “McGovern just keeps popping up.”)

I wonder if Hols was taking a nap during the 1960s and early ‘70s. The central issue of the 1972 presidential campaign was the Vietnam War. George McGovern was one of the few politicians who had the courage and integrity to take a stand against that fiasco.

Yes, Richard Nixon won the election, with the help of Hols’ vote, but he later was driven out of office and most of his cronies ended up doing time in prison. If Hols still thinks his vote is justified 1,000 percent, I’d love to play poker with him sometime. Robert W. Bordeaux Medical Lake

Obvious who benefits most

Robert Brody, in his (July 16) letter, “Gov. Locke showing true colors,” says, “Liberals could care less about small-business people and the hard-working middle class of this country.”

I think we all are pretty much in unanimous agreement that small-business people and the hard-working middle class of this country are having very tough times. But it is quite obvious, if we really pay attention to what went on in Olympia in this last legislative session, just who is benefiting at the expense of the middle class.

To quote an old cliche, “I’ll give you three guesses, and the first two don’t count.” Dick E. McInerney Spokane

FARMING

Research is highest priority

We write in response to the July 13 article, “Pea farmers fuming over (Dan) O’Brien campaign.” As farmers and board members of the Washington dry pea and lentil industry, we want to emphasize our commitment to strong research programs.

Research always has been and will continue to be our highest priority. The commission currently spends between 25 percent and 30 percent of its budget on research, depending on the size of the crop. The staff we employ generates an additional $500,000 in matching funds from state and federal sources for pea and lentil research. The need for increased research funding is the primary reason we support the pea and lentil assessment increase.

We are proud to have the world’s finest athlete as our industry spokesman. An effective use of his image could have a significant impact on the consumption of U.S. peas and lentils.

The Washington commission currently spends $55,000 per year on market-development activities. The Idaho commission spends a similar amount. The industry staff generates an additional $800,000 in federal and private matching funds to promote and develop new markets for our products.

The assessment increase will provide the matching dollars the pea and lentil industry needs to fund critical research, crop protection, new use and market development programs. To compete in today’s market, we need to increase our investment in these programs. Keith Kincaid and Jack D. Neal Pullman and Garfield, Wash.

MARINE SHERIFFS

Don’t cut marine sheriffs fund

I was dismayed to learn of the plans to cut funds for the marine sheriffs of Bonner County (“If funds dry up, boaters in deep water,” July 17).

About four weeks ago, we were out on Pend Oreille Lake in our boat. There were very few boats on the lake that weekend due to debris from recent flooding. We were about five miles from where we put in. Our boat started overheating to the point where I couldn’t run it anymore. Frantically, I sent a message over the VHF radio for help. Sheriff Chip Roos replied immediately. He told us he was just around the point and would be there to help us within 15 minutes. When he arrived, he tied up to us and pulled us into Sandpoint.

Without Roos and his deputy, we really would have been in deep water. I know they do this type of rescue all the time (yes, Commissioner Bud Mueller, even at 3 a.m.) I think it would be a very grave mistake taking money from the marine sheriffs department. I think you should look at other areas that can more safely be eliminated than this fine program. Jeff E. Osborn Spokane

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

What’s wrong with this picture?

I’ve been riding the bus to work for the last year and a half - after having driven for 10 years. This has added an extra 45 minutes each way. To my surprise, I found this to be agreeable. The bus drivers are friendly, and not having to drive added to my health.

However, two weeks ago, the board of transportation put up “no parking” and “you will be towed” signs on the small parking lot where I had parked my car - it is a 200-by-40-foot teardrop piece of state-owned property at U.S. Highway 195 and Inland Empire Way. It’s the farthest point the Garden Springs bus travels. During the last year, between four and 15 automobiles have been parked there. The drivers either carpooled or rode the bus. Now we all drive.

When calling the Spokane Transit Authority, I was told the nearest parking would be at Third and Jefferson. But if I have to drive all the way downtown to park to take the bus, I may as well drive the extra two miles to work.

I guess we in this huge rural area southwest of town can have our only bus taken away and we all should go back to driving.

Every month, more of us city workers living down south were trying to do our part to help keep Spokane’s air clean. A gas station and a grocery store finally have managed to find their way south. Can’t the bus, too? Don’t the board of transportation and Spokane Transit Authority guys ever talk to each other? Dennis R. Turner Cheney

OTHER TOPICS

A difficult choice to make

Regarding the debt load and the sinking, shrinking middle class:

Some folks stay temporarily afloat by working excessive overtime or multiple jobs. But who would have dreamed that on the threshold of the 21st century, American workers would have to choose between feeding their children and seeing their children? I hope God will hold us all in the palm of his hand. Christy K. McIntyre Post Falls

Moose just fine in Stevens County

Re: Marge M. Huntington’s July 13 letter, “Did they have moose over for dinner?”

The two moose wandering the urban Spokane Valley on July 5 that were tranquilized for removal and relocation by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials were released alive and well in Stevens County.

The newspaper account that the moose were taken away by wildlife officials and “no further details were available” was information from the Washington State Patrol only. No inquiry from the newspaper was made of our officials, who could have relayed the rest of the story, as they did through KHQ-TV’s on-the-scene report.

Huntington’s suggestion that anything else happened to these animals is a quantum leap from the incomplete information given. Madonna E. Luers, public information officer Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spokane

Fireworks not about patriotism

In response to the July 15 letter, “Fireworks ban a freedom lost”: The fireworks ban has nothing to do with being patriotic. I spent 27 years in the U.S. armed forces. I still get a lump in my throat when I see or hear the national anthem being performed at certain ceremonies. I like to fly the flag on Memorial Day and Independence Day. But I never got the same experience lighting a firecracker or watching a bottle rocket going off.

I salute the ban on fireworks. It makes the neighborhoods safer, quieter and more enjoyable. Tom A. Pauley Spokane