Letters To The Editor
IDAHO VIEWPOINTS
Trail negotiators, you forgot something
Thank you for staff writer Julie Titone’s article on the proposed railbanking of the Union Pacific line from Wallace to Plummer and its conversion under the Rails to Trails program. However, we feel the basis for objection by many landowners whose property that line passes through needs clarifying.
Negotiations, according to state Deputy Attorney General Curt Franzen so far have involved the major players, including lawyers, consultants and engineers for the railroad, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, EPA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
These negotiation center on cleanup of the toxic mine waste used in the ballast of the roadbed, spillage of contaminants from rail cars, the railroad’s cleanup costs and future maintenance and design of a trail.
A major player has been excluded from these negotiations. The people who own, pay taxes and live on property through which the railroad corridor passes have had no representative at any meeting. These people represent the combined ownership of a substantial number of miles along that corridor. Their property has been directly impacted in the past by contaminants and will be impacted in the future by the form and extent of the cleanup.
Excluding these people is wrong. If other affected parties have representation, why don’t property owners who are in the same situation? Bob and Jeri McCroskey Harrison
Term limits: People’s intent clear
In his Nov. 5 Hot Potatoes column, D.F. Oliveria hopes the Republicans - with their lock on state offices - don’t become too arrogant. Then, he reports that GOP legislators “are screwing up the courage to overturn the latest version of voter-approved term limits.” Now, that would be true arrogance!
Legislators shouldn’t touch a law enacted by initiative and reaffirmed in a second vote. If they do, they might as well strike the initiative and referendum process from Idaho’s Constitution.
During debate on the “advisory question,” it was clear that legislators were hiding behind small-town officeholders as “stealth” justification to repeal their own limits.
Legislators got their answer a second time. Now they ought to do what’s right by smaller communities - pass legislation allowing individual counties, cities and school districts to put local term limits before local voters. These elections could be held early in 1999 - well before term limits start to apply at the local level in the year 2000.
We put forward such legislation last year. Our approach was endorsed by Gov. Batt in this 1998 state of the state address when he said, “I compliment those who passed the initiative for indicating a willingness to work with you to improve it. Legislation now being prepared would give the local folks an option to remove their limits.” It was Citizens for Term Limits he was complimenting and our legislation that he was endorsing.
We’ll support this legislation again. Let’s hope it’s passed by a legislature that has not, after all, become arrogant. Donna Weaver, chairwoman Citizens for Term Limits, Hayden Lake
We can’t afford new schools
Re: “Batt notes crumbling schools,” (Dec. 3).
Legislators who believe local school districts can continue to fund expensive new school buildings seem to be out of touch with reality. The low population in many districts can no longer keep up with such costs. Lowering the supermajority requirement to 60 percent to increase an already unfair and regressive property tax burden will only delay the inevitable. The state must begin to assume its share of building costs.
Which mutual fund would you invest in - one with 100 investors or one with 1 million? And which would be more likely to produce consistent returns? Jo Williams Princeton
Wild and crazy taxing guys
I am writing regarding the Dec. 4 article about sales tax people who are now targeting vendors at craft and garage sales. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because of the insanity of what I read about our supposedly government officials every day in the paper, but really, this is nutty. Anyone who sells at craft sales or garage sales knows it’s a lot of work for little or nothing. Then, to top it all off, Boise has its hand out.
How often do we have to pay tax on something? Garage sale stuff was taxed when it was new and now they want to tax it again? I resent that the state greatly misuses our tax dollars. To add insult to injury, it wants more. Please, someone in government, step forward and stop this craziness. Shirley E. Singleton Coeur d’Alene
THE MEDIA
Don’t decide suitability for others
Re: “Kevorkian segment unwelcome,” Nov. 24.
Bravo, KREM 2, Carolyn Zorich, Thomas Ryan and John and Cindy Omlin! Your censorship rights should extend into everyone’s home until we are only allowed to view what you deem “appropriate.”
Where do the rest of us demented souls stand in our opinion? Do we goosestep now or wait for you to tell us when we may?
I’m glad we had the opportunity to become educated in the situations that others are coping with. Perhaps we could have come to our own conclusions on this issue, but - oops! - we were not allowed the choice to turn the channel or instead watch the program that you claim to love show a segment that had value.
I’m sick of self-righteous people trying to stick their censorship in my face. If you want tolerance, humility, compassion, open-mindedness and respect, it crosses all lines, not just the ones you create.
Once and for all, please learn that the human race contains a variety of people and their beliefs, and it is not anyone’s place to dictate morality, preferences or opinions. KREM 2 should apologize for its irresponsible actions.
I oppose circuses and rodeos but I would not suggest in a million years that they be outlawed. Some people enjoy them. I can choose to stay away or to change the channel.
Do this yourself and quit your beefin’. Leave my choices alone. Bonni Johnson Spokane
Justifications for deletion lame
Re: KREM television and the 60 Minutes segment with Dr. Kevorkian.
In the letter “Kevorkian segment unwelcome,” Carolyn Zorich wrote that nothing would have prepared her family for this story. Promotions ran all week indicating that they would interview Kevorkian. I have yet to see an interview with this man that did not talk about assisted suicide. From another letter, “KREM 2 made right decision,” must we forget the most horrible images that were broadcast every day in the ‘60s and early ‘70s of the Vietnam War? Those images were far more degrading than Kevorkian’s story. The same is true for images from all the terrorist bombings and oppression in other nations.
Yes, KREM 2 did censor “60 Minutes.” This is because one person dictated what the public can see. I didn’t realize we elected KREM manager Barry Barth to make these decisions for us.
As far as freedom to choose the good, the people Kevorkian assists have made a choice to die with dignity and without prolonged pain and agony. Jerry W. Clark Spokane
OVER THE LINE
Deaf appreciate Chief Lasky’s efforts
A thank you to Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief Richard Lasky. You made our program at the Coeur d’Alene Library great on Nov. 20. The best part is, you may have saved some lives.
Saturday night, the deaf had a get together at one of their homes. They smelled gas and because of you they knew it was possibly a gas leak. They understood the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. The renters had not smelled it, but the wife had been suffering from dizziness and headaches. Dorothy Wright knew and she told them to contact their landlord, which they did, and the problem was solved.
It’s so nice to have such a caring person in our area. You have the support and respect of all the deaf community. The deaf were very grateful for your offer to let area fire departments know where the live. This gives them a feeling of security. Donna J. Helmer Cheney
Gee, only $150,000
Re: “EPA officials flesh out beach report,” (Dec. 2). Wow! All that for a measly $150,000. Such a deal. Keith H. Bell Republic, Wash.
IN THE PUBLIC EYE
Keep focus on the rule of law
We sincerely hope that all of our elected officials in Washington, D.C., will abide by the rule of law. When most, if not all, citizens would be found guilty of perjury for lying under oath, we would like the same thing for our president. Place honor above feelings - do the right thing. Let the impeachment proceeding deal only with the rule of law. Dick Wandrocke Coeur d’Alene