Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Give buses room to make curve
With the closing of Lincoln Street between Main and Spokane Falls Boulevard, because of the River Park Square development, all STA buses heading north must turn in front of the library. This makes for a very dangerous situation.
The way the street curves, it can’t keep the buses to a single lane, thus, the drivers must “split” the lanes. We do this by signaling left, turning on our hazard signals and straddling the bus over the dividing lines.
Take the clue people. We don’t do this just for the heck of it, because we want to “hog” the road and hold you up. We do this because there is a real potential of sideswiping your vehicle if you try to squeeze past the bus.
It takes less that 10 seconds to get around the library. Don’t you think holding back for this “tremendous” amount of time would be the smart thing to do? Margaret B. Kelley Spokane
New mayor signals new era
The election of John Talbott as mayor suggests some immediate and future changes in Spokane that will signal a new era in this city. Spokane has made a giant leap in a new direction at the polls this year and can no longer pretend to live behind the mask of a “small town atmosphere” and isolationalistic indifference.
Consider the following: 1. Who’s elected mayor of Spokane is of great interest to people outside Spokane and those people are willing to provide financial support and influence to sway voters. 2. This newspaper with its money, endorsements and biased reporting can no longer buy an election; however, this newspaper will not miss an opportunity to attack Mr. Talbott during his term as mayor. 3. There are a lot of people very unhappy with the way this city has been led and managed. To say we are divided is a major understatement. 4. Mr. Talbott’s election is disconcerting to some council members and the possibility of a resignation or two is not out of the question. 5. The power of the lifelong resident “good ol’ boy” network and the attempted manipulation by wealthy families has been damaged, but they still pack a punch. 6. Mayor Geraghty’s hearing problem has been cured. The people have spoken.
Spokane is a great city but still a true diamond in the rough. It’s past time we had the leadership and vision we so long deserved. Let’s hope our new mayor can do the job. David T. Bray Spokane
Scholarship program worthwhile
For the past nine years I’ve been involved with the Miss Spokane Scholarship Program and feel I’m able to state my beliefs with an accurate, first-hand experience.
Who needs it? Any young woman from the ages of 17-24 who is interested in furthering her education at whatever school she chooses. This program is dedicated to the improvement of today’s women and consists of a committee of volunteers who dedicate their time, energy and often money to the goal of choosing a mature, intelligent, well versed, talented young woman to represent our wonderful city.
In the past nine years, first as the producer of the show, and now as executive director, I have worked with many wonderful women who have fulfilled their dreams of education (it’s not only the winner who achieves her goals). Women of race have been included within that group of individuals who worked, dedicated their time and talents, completed the program and have stayed in touch with our committee as volunteers as well as going on to careers (which many have accomplished from the skills they learned while being involved with the program).
I encourage any woman who’s interested in an avenue of bettering themselves to become involved and investigate the possibility of becoming the representative of our city. She can go onto the state finals for Miss Washington, and possibly on to Miss America. Last year the Miss America Organization awarded $31 million in scholarships throughout the country. That’s certainly commendable. Carol L. Grover Executive Director, Miss Spokane Scholarship Program
IN THE PAPER
Share the wealth my way
Please pass these words to Mr. Rex Rempel, the gentleman who expressed the communistic idea of redistributing our wealth, in his letter published in the Nov. 6 paper.
If he truly believes that poppycock, and doesn’t just want to redistribute someone else’s wealth, I suggest he send half of his assets to me. I’m a retired farmer and I sure could use it. T. Neil Gwyn Moses Lake
Story unfair to runaway’s family
Tough lives remembered with tender stories … this is how your writer Robin Rivers chose to glorify a group of runaway street kids.
Did it not occur to this reporter that these kids like to create horror stories of their home lives in order to fit in? These kids knew Alicia for a short time. Did this reporter give any thought of whether there was any truth to these so-called tender stories? Did the reporter give any thought to how heartless and cruel it was to print these ridiculous tales the morning after a loving and grief-stricken family buried a daughter they loved so much?
Alicia Easterwood’s mother is a woman whom I greatly admire. She has raised four wonderful daughters in a very happy and loving home. It’s unfair that this newspaper can print that Alicia’s family life forced her out of the home. Did the reporter know that for a fact? Do we believe that some kid chooses to live on the street because they hate their own parents?
I’m an aunt of a runaway teen. That teen told so many lies to justify this choice. I have witnessed the agony parents of runaway kids live through. There is little help or support available to help these parents bring these kids home safely. Alicia did not make it home safely. I pray that this tragedy will make these kids think twice about the lives they live on the streets.
This reporter and this newspaper wrote a story that put the sympathy with the wrong group. You owe all parents of runaway teens an apology. Alicia was so much more than just the past few months. Just ask the people who really knew her. Londa Vaughn Spokane
Article didn’t show true Alicia
Re: An article written by Robin Rivers on Nov. 8, concerning the three teenagers killed in a recent automobile incident.
I’ve never seen such an example of irresponsible journalism in my life. Ms. Rivers wrote a one-sided view of the life of Alicia Easterwood, and it was obvious she received her information from tainted sources. As someone who knew Alicia, I’m able to say she was a beautiful, smart and talented girl who could light up a room with her smile and contagious giggles. Alicia also possessed a free spirit that led to her downfall.
Yes, there were problems in Alicia’s family life that caused her confusion and stress, but that’s not what drove her to the streets. It was Alicia’s want for independence, excitement and adventure. The sources who were interviewed would never have known that, because they were never fortunate enough to meet her loving family. On more than one occasion Alicia’s mother and three sisters begged for her to come home. They would often find her downtown and take her out to dinner, only to have her leave again.
No one who read the story would know about the phone conversation between Alicia and her mother the night before her death, Her last words to her family were “I love you, mom.”
It was a terrible tragedy to have such a beautiful creature taken from us, but in wake of Alicia’s death we should remember how much we loved her and how much she loved us. Rachel E. Lindsley Spokane
CLARK COLUMNS
Spokane no longer warm, safe town
Doug Clark’s article “County buckles down on lap dancing” was right on the mark along with his usual humor.
Isn’t it sad that the county commissioners are so out of touch with reality that they are trying to regulate what consenting adults are doing behind closed doors? Wake up and smell the coffee, folks. Judging by the news, there is enough crime out in the open in your town to waste time and money on victimless transgressions.
In the old days sunset was the time to look for a restaurant for dinner and maybe a show; now it’s a good time to head out of town. It took a long time getting there, but Spokane just isn’t the cozy, warm, safe town that it once was, and with taxes being spent on wild goose chases it may never be again. C. Bob Hagman LaCrosse, Wash.
Column, picture appalling
I take exception to Doug Clark’s column on Nov. 9, not to mention the picture above it of the old bird in BVDs.
After reading about the scourge of lap dancers plaguing Spokane for profit, I just don’t know what to think the world is coming to. How do you dare print this piece of trash. I’m highly offended by some newspaper editors who apparently think they can print just anything these days under the protection of the First Amendment.
How dare you insult my grandfather. Although I’m not a member of L.A.P.S. (Laplenders Against Pornography for Profit), I’m appalled. You’ll be hearing from them I’m sure. Judith L. Maibie Spokane