Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

July 4 experience thought provoking

On July 4, my wife and I accompanied friends to the traditional Riverfront Park fireworks display. As we mingled among the rooftop crowd, enjoying the weather, the people and traditional festivities, my wife noted a cry for medical help. This cry came from an elderly woman concerned for her husband who was apparently suffering a heart attack.

Being a medical professional myself, another gentleman and I did our best to provide aid. As paramedics, firemen, and other emergency response personnel arrived, every effort was made to revive the man. We continued our efforts until the man was placed in the ambulance and rushed to Sacred Heart Medical Center. As I returned to the festivities, reviewing the events in my head, my wife said, “Isn’t that ironic, to pass away on Independence Day?”

That simple sentence had such an eloquent yet powerful impact on me. In one sentence she managed to sum up so many of my emotions. Too often in the fast-paced, hectic and (organized) chaos of the operating room environment, I take advantage of the important things in life. Like many others, I, too, have become somewhat calloused.

Perhaps this was irony. Maybe destiny. Either way, I believe this gentleman found the ultimate meaning of freedom on Independence Day.

My heartfelt regrets to this gentleman and his family. Please rest assured that everything humanly possible was done by myself and everyone involved. Mark Brown, C.C.P. Spokane

We enjoyed our vacation in Spokane

I realize letters to the editor normally contain views from disgruntled or dissatisfied citizens. On a positive note, I send not only my compliments but those of my family to the citizens of Spokane.

I was raised in Spokane and moved away in the mid-1980s. Over the Fourth of July holiday, I brought my wife and two children to Spokane for a week’s vacation. It’s been some time since I was home to the great Inland Empire.

My wife and I found the people wherever we stopped to be courteous and helpful.

Our vacation didn’t start out too well, with our luggage being lost on the airlines somewhere between Spokane and Minneapolis. But by the time we left for Pennsylvania on the Fourth of July, my wife and I both agreed that our stay in your beautiful city was a complete success. On a scale of 1-10, we rate the week’s vacation a 12, exceeding our highest expectations

All our thanks for a wonderful stay in your beautiful city. So many times it is hard to return to an area and find it as you remember it. In this case, the city of Spokane and its residents have done themselves proud. Thanks again for a great stay. Mark Ritchie and family Red Lion, Penn.

Training upgrades disaster response

The citizens of our county and the safety of our community were well served recently, when 120 community leaders gathered for an intense week of disaster preparedness training.

Never before had so many given such attention and so many long hours of hard work to comprehensively create, critique and improve our disaster preparedness.

The isolated and Spartan environment of Mount Weather, Va., created an intensity of focus that produced results no at-home program could have matched. The lengthy preparation prior to the event resulted in a complete upgrading of our disaster response plan. The trial run at Mount Weather has already resulted in many further improvements.

This group was remarkable for their spirit of cooperation and their camaraderie. Those who participated in the training experience gave our citizens their very best. James M. Nania, M.D., FACEP medical program director, Spokane County EMS, Spokane

H-P has 13 percent minority workers

The Spokesman-Review is doing a commendable job of exploring the diversity of our community through its recent series, “In it together,” and everyday coverage of events.

Hewlett-Packard was pleased to be among Spokane-area companies profiled in the July 5 “Developing diversity” segment. I hope this inspires other local businesses to make diversity outreach a vital part of their plans for growth and change.

I also would like to correct two errors. Hewlett-Packard’s Spokane site has a minority population of 13 percent, not 13 individuals. With a total employment of about 950, you can see we’ve made great strides in hiring (and retaining) people from many races and cultures.

Also, Randy Bustamante, the HP software engineer featured in the article, is not the only Hispanic employee at our Spokane site. We employ several people of Hispanic background.

Again, thanks for providing this much-needed and provocative series. James R. Rundle, general manager Hewlett-Packard Spokane division

Self-reliance got great job done

The visionaries who brought the new Spokane Children’s Museum to fruition are to be commended. They turned an old downtown building into a delightful learning center for youngsters and did it without government subsidy!

I celebrated with the enthusiastic volunteers and staff at the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the opening of this new educational resource. I was thrilled to learn of the tremendous commitment by individuals and businesses who donated labor, funds and materials. Opening of the museum made me proud to be a citizen as well as one of Spokane’s representatives.

As a member of the House of Representative’s Capital Budget Committee for the past three years, I have listened to numerous presentations and requests for funds from community groups who often look to the state as the first alternative for funding. Frequently when questioned, it becomes apparent they have not seriously explored the option of implementing a project with community resources. Too many groups expect government to be the court of first resort to meet all of their needs.

I applaud the Children’s Museum leadership. They adopted a remarkably common attitude in Spokane: We can do it on our own.

My congratulations and thanks to all who made it happen. Rep. Duane Sommers Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Huckleberry’s closed for business reason

In response to the July 7 letter regarding the closing of Huckleberry’s Fresh Market at Sprague and Sullivan, the article Michael Spencer was referring to did not express fact about union organization at Huckleberry’s. It was only speculation.

I have been an employee of Rosauers for 20 years. I have been treated fairly and was given a great opportunity when I became an employee-owner.

As an employee-owner, I was very concerned about the losses Rosauers was incurring at the Valley Huckleberry’s location. Rosauers realized that this was the wrong location for this type of store and made a very wise, but painful, decision to close.

This decision had nothing to do with unions and everything to do with being responsible to 1,700 Rosauers employee-owners.

Rosauers is a Spokane-based company and does many wonderful things for our community. Let’s give Rosauers the community’s support. Paulette Munstedt Spokane

My insurance money flows one way

It was not good news to read Providence has merged with several medical facilities.

After submitting claims to my secondary insurance, I was sent notices that they required an explanation of benefits from the primary insurance. Numerous requests for six months was only frustrating. Not one letter of explanation for the delay. I finally pleaded my case to the Washington State Insurance Commission, only to have that paperwork sent to another agency. Again, no response.

Just now I received a notice to resubmit all paperwork for 1997. I wonder if I’ll again be on the merry-go-round when I send in medical papers for 1998? It would have been futile to send them until the previous claims had been processed.

I guess I could have jumped off the merry-go-round and given up, but I was determined. I pay my premiums, and I still wonder why the delay in a simple request was so lengthy. Trudy Crook Deer Park

LAW AND JUSTICE

Rein-in neglectful, abusive mothers

Again, we have a trial involving the killing of a child by the mother’s boyfriend - this time, in Coeur d’Alene.

My niece, Amanda Welch, was almost killed by her mother’s boyfriend last summer. He received a sentence of 123 months for first-degree child assault. Amanda’s mother suffered no consequences for her behavior, which included leaving the child alone in the apartment so she could attend parties and allowing the child to roam the streets around the complex.

When are we going to start holding mothers accountable for the abuse of their children? These abusers don’t just wake up one morning and decide to be abusive. They are abusive all along. And the women know it. They choose to allow their children to be in jeopardy just so they can have a man. I’m sick and tired of it.

I wrote to several government agencies, only to be told I have to get a law written against parental neglect. If you find yourself saying “there ought to be a law,” please write to your legislator and tell them. Nancy A. Cowles Reardan, Wash.

A life for a life is just, necessary

Re: G.T. Thomas’ letter of June 20 denouncing capital punishment as the product of society’s “raging need for revenge.”

Thomas’ arguments themselves evidence much rage and emotion, and ignore a cardinal component of criminal justice: fairness. Fairness to the victim, whose life has been ended without his or her consent and without any justification recognized by law.

Is it not true that our country was founded on the fundamental principle that each person has an unalienable right to life, to exist, to pursue happiness free of murder and unlawful interference from others? And is it not just that a criminal be sentenced to a punishment commensurate with the crime he or she committed? Should we, as a society acting as the surrogate of the victim, impose on a murderer a sentence less severe than the murderer has seen fit to impose on his victim?

Granted that our passion for compassion is laudable and that forgiveness is God-like. We should let God play God and demand that our criminal justice system provide and enforce sentences equal in severity to the crime committed. No more, no less - in the case of premeditated murder, a life for a life. Bill L. Scott Liberty Lake

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

Give caribou project more of a chance

We have in Pete Wilson a real-life Dr. Doolittle in our midst, fighting for the wishes of the woodland caribou.

Yes, many of your constituents may want their forest back, to log and bolster the North Idaho economy, but 10 years is not enough time to judge an environmental project. Your argument that it is wrong to relocate the animals “only to be killed by cougars and bears,” does not hold water as the last time I checked, Canada had the same predators.

Not only that, but if you did get your wish, I’m sure the caribou don’t want to be tranquilized again and rerelocated back to Canada. Why don’t you go ask them?

Wilson, have you ever seen a caribou in the wild? Unfortunately, I have not, yet my parents have. It was six years ago and it is one of the most special moments in their lives.

I believe it remains to be seen whether this program will be successful or not, but to argue your point on the basis of how the caribou feel is ludicrous! Mark A. Miller Spokane

Don’t abandon pets in the countryside

This letter is to all who take their unwanted animals out to the country and drop them off, on the assumption someone will take them and feed them.

Almost always, these animals die a slow death of starvation, unless a kind and caring person finds them and takes them to the Humane Society, where they are almost always put to sleep. There is also the possibility they will join the packs of other animals that have been dumped, and kill small animals and deer.

I would like to see people who dump animals taken out to a remote wilderness area and dropped off with no food, weapons, clothes or transportation. Let’s see how well they would do under those conditions.

The animals you drop off are looking for humans to love and care for them, not to let them starve and die a horrible death. If you don’t want them, take them to the Humane Society. At least if they aren’t adopted they die in a humane way. Darlene C. Holcomb Spokane

Put-down days distressing

It’s Wednesday and the Spokane Humane Society is closed. One reason may be that Wednesday is the hardest day of the week for the employees working and volunteering their time at the society.

The kennels are too crowded and there are too many stray and neglected animals that are coming in each day to have enough room to keep them all. Wednesday is the day that they have to make room.

It’s not their fault. They’re doing their job. If the animals stay any longer, they usually become sick. Usually, an animal stays a staggeringly short time - 10-14 days - before being put down. They need homes.

Of course, not every family should have a pet. A puppy or kitten is not just a great gift or something to play with. Animals are living, breathing creatures. They have feelings and need love just as much as any child or adult. They are a responsibility and they are a joy. They can protect you and be your best friend - a friend to talk to and share your life with.

Please, if you have an animal, take care of it and realize what a joy it is. If you don’t have a pet but think it’s something you would be interested in learning more about, come down to the Humane Society or give them a call.

Remember, the best way to love your pet is to spay or neuter it. Only when people realize this will Wednesdays become easier. Jody Simpson Spokane

BELIEFS

‘The self does not pass away’

I enjoy much Kathleen Corkery Spencer’s occasional musings. I pleasurably followed her symphony of thoughts in the “Real time” of July 5, but then I was let down, felt frustrated, because she failed to complete her symphony. She writes, “the desire to create, preserve and be something that lasts is one of our deepest human longings … we dream of immortality, of outlasting the limitations of blood and bones.”

But then Spencer aborts the life process, seemingly buying into the Sartian secularist no-exit view of life: “The self passes away,” she writes. I read her as saying she has a very strong, innate desire for full, perfect, everlasting life, but it can never be satisfied.

Spencer, please read again your Christian theology. The self does not pass away. Our longing to create, to preserve and to be something is to be fulfilled beyond our wildest imagining. The good news is that we have already been gifted with that kind of life. Like a symphony, it’s in process, as you hinted at. You write, “The body falls away and it reconfigures itself.” More accurately, the body is reconfigured, is resurrected, by the power of its creator.

The denouement of your symphony would be something like this: How utterly frustrating, foolish and insulting to us humans would it be true that the self just passes away and never experiences the fullness of perfect, eternal life. But that is the world view, and the angst, of the secularist. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die.” James J. Flynn Spokane