Letters To The Editor
IDAHO VIEWPOINTS
Huff was friend, protector of us all
One of the difficulties in growing older is the increasing frequency of loss. On the other hand, the grieving process becomes more familiar and a little less challenging. First, the prayers for the departed and their family, then the remembering. This catalog of shared experiences helps us focus on the need to live each new moment to its fullest, recognizing our relationship to each other and to God.
This time, though, it is different. Through family, friends and time spent as a student worker, I have similar experiences - mostly vicarious - that I can think back on, but I never knew my friend. We never shared an experience. However, I grew up in a time and place where I was taught that everyone wearing blue was my friend, part of the thin blue line between chaos and me. I’m blessed to live now in a time and place where that still is true.
When Trooper Linda Huff used her last strength to disable her assailant, she wasn’t just protecting herself.
She wasn’t just protecting her family. She was protecting us all. This is what a hero does. This is what a friend does. Like so many heroes down through the ages, she showed us how a true friend acts.
Not by what she said, because I never met her, but by her actions she proved what I always knew. She was my friend and I will miss her. Donald F. Morgan Post Falls
Goodness, support mean so much
It has been approximately three weeks since Trooper Linda Huff was shot and killed in the line of duty. Huff will always be remembered as a dedicated trooper and a loving wife and mother. How the fine people in this community pulled together in this time of need was heartwarming.
I thank every citizen, police officer and business who helped and showed support in this difficult time. From the flowers, cards and letters sent, to the “house raising” and the touching memorial service. These people made me very proud, and I am pleased to serve in a community like this.
My prayers and thoughts are extended to Chad Huff and his family. Daniel C. Dixon, president Coeur d’Alene Police Association
CdA must develop long-range vision
Coeur d’Alene seems to be a city without a sense of identity. Over the years, we’ve been so concerned with separating ourselves from Hagadone and his projects.
True, Coeur d’Alene is not essentially Hagadone’s. Yet, I’m grateful for his well-done contributions to this city.
Growth in our area the past 15 years has given hope to a large number of people. They continue to come here with the same desire - to experience a quality of life in an area of tremendous beauty and make a reasonable living, as well. Are the opportunities available to us now, coupled with the endless quality of life possibilities, enough? Is it possible to evaluate every building project against this backdrop? How will this project contribute to the standard of living we aspire to?
Where will the vision come from? We need one based on the reality of who we are as a community. We’re removed enough from easy transportation and access to larger cities that significant industry is unlikely, except in the distant future. We’re still in the midst of a transition from a timber and mining community.
The story of Coeur d’Alene cannot end here. Growth of the last 15 years needs to be Phase 1 of some greater plan. Phase 2 needs to be pulling in - re-evaluating, setting new goals, protecting our greatest asset - the area’s natural, majestic splendor and it’s tremendous importance to our quality of life. Darrell G. Dlouhy Coeur d’Alene
Grass fields better than developments
Re: “Let’s motivate grass farmers,” (July 4).
New residents must remember the grass farmers were here first when they moved to Kootenai County. I live and ride my horses amongst the grass fields. They are much better than open fields or houses.
The waste left behind is not hay, it is straw. You can see around the prairie many stacks of the straw from last year No one wants it. So, if city residents are going to write letters, please have your facts right and The Spokesman-Review should be sure of facts before printing. I would much rather have grass fields than housing developments. Let the farmers make a living. Sharon V. Kelsey Coeur d’Alene
We appreciate blood donations
The recent blood drive for the benefit of my wife, Teresa Martinson, was a huge success. Sandy Emerson, Chris Copstead and Doug Eastwood were the organizers.
Many thanks to those individuals, the blood bank and to the dozens of Kiwanis and chamber of commerce members, city and county employees, friends, neighbors, and citizens who donated blood.
Teresa is much better, out of the hospital and feeling stronger each day. Thanks again for your support and prayers. Howard D. Martinson Coeur d’Alene
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Beware Idaho’s tilt toward industry
Re: “EPA receives warm reception in Spokane,” (July 9).
I am glad to hear this! Spokane should be on guard. Due to Idaho’s political makeup, we will continue to be targeted by industries seeking the path of least resistance. It may be the mining cleanup or future threats to the community like Burlington Northern’s proposed fuel depot over the primary water source for your city. If care isn’t taken by your representatives, you’ll be the next EPA cleanup site in the next century, drinking government subsidized bottled water. Wes W. Albert Rathdrum
Problem is EPA favoritism
Re: “EPA receives warm reception in Spokane,” (July 9). We all want a clean planet. The problem is the repeated dishonesty and fog-facts of environmental organizations of government.
No one could object if the EPA made a commitment to clearly publish the means by which tests are made and, at length, explain the laboratory methods used. We require maps. We require proof that some poor soul did not just waltz down by the stream bed and pick up a couple of black rocks. No one could object if the EPA made a believable commitment to honesty.
Unfortunately, we have them on record with misinformation about the persistence of cyanide. We have them on record for refusing freedom of information requests. We have them on record for corroborating the flawed second blood-lead surveys. We have them on record for giving large sums of money to partisan groups and failing to offer grants to opposition parties.
It is time for the government to stand up and pay for serious opposition to the EPA so that we can get on with real science and the foundations for good life. John H. Wiegman Osburn, Idaho
Idaho a menace to health and safety
I hate to sound nasty, but I want the federal government to get into Idaho’s face when it comes to heavy metal pollution of the Coeur d’Alene River.
Somebody’s got to protect Washington’s interests. Idaho’s politicians and businessmen won’t. I don’t trust them any farther than I can throw a gnat’s breath. I don’t want to insult the good people of Idaho, but their state’s dominated by powerful business interests and by politicians bought and paid for by business. Idaho’s a hotbed of mean-spirited, right-wing business and religious types.
I haven’t known Rep. Helen Chenoweth, for example, to have a heart any bigger than a pea. The same spirit that elected her feeds the spiritual roots of the religious right (i.e. Rev. Richard Butler, skinheads, militiamen, fundamentalists and other fascists). There’s some reason why those types pick Idaho in which to settle. They thrive on right-wing political types and the right-wing political atmosphere. And that atmosphere doesn’t cotton to bleeding-heart liberals or any other person who cares about the needs, health or rights of others. They’re all the “I got mine, the hell with you” type, so why would they give a rat’s snout for the health of Washington citizens? George T. Thomas Spokane
Chamber’s Drake biased, unfit
Re: “Group organizes against EPA study,” (July 7).
Comments about the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce being controlled by the mining and logging industry have been voiced both on the Internet and in many conversations around town. As a member of the chamber, I find I am again embarrassed by the conduct of chamber heads Judy Drake and Pat McGaughery (who is resigning following his scandalous endorsement of the proposed ASARCO mine masquerading as chamber endorsement).
Drake reportedly has been speaking against EPA involvement in the toxic mining waste assessment, without input from all the chamber members. As chambers reflect on the business community, it’s a fraudulent misuse of our membership fees to speak on highly controversial subjects without polling all members.
Repeated letters directly to Drake at her place of business and at the chamber office volunteering to work with any chamber committee working on formulating a policy statement based on actual members’ opinion on the EPA were never responded to or acknowledged.
Drake, a bureaucrat with a local school district, apparently only wants input from the mining industry itself, not from the hundreds of diversified chamber businesses in Coeur d’Alene that will economically benefit from the EPA forcing a cleanup or certifying our waters are safe.
With McGaughey leaving, perhaps it’s time we had someone in Drake’s position who actually has created jobs, run businesses and understands the meaning of a diverse, robust, economy. Our education system is bogged down with bureaucrats like Drake. Our chamber seems to be suffering the same fate. Nancy Lynne Coeur d’Alene
Find the non-greed-tainted truth
The level of greed that consumes the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce, extractors and developers supported totally by local and state politicians has never been more apparent than at the Environmental Protection Agency public meeting on mining pollution that potentially exists in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin.
Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t investigate, was their greed-driven message. I want to know what might be there and am opposed to the ranting, rude tirade of our mayor.
I ask the EPA to continue, with vigor, because the opposition group - clearly friends of the mining industry - must have something to hide. The truth is out there! Merlyn K. Nelson Harrison, Idaho
Environmentalists go too far
I am very concerned about what appears to be a movement to completely stop all extraction-based businesses.
We have read and heard comments that our community should move to technology and tourism-based businesses, and eliminate our natural resource-based businesses. And, by doing so, we will not be “damaging” the environment.
Our community needs all businesses to thrive.
What I do not understand is how someone can press for the elimination of the use of our natural resources while living in this day and age. Do they not realize that everything they use - their toothpaste in the morning to their latte in a paper cup, to their computer - is made of materials that at one point were extracted from this Earth? It’s physically impossible to get something from nothing. Many of the items we use everyday are made from or are byproducts of timber and mining.
I am not saying we need to rape and pillage our Earth. I do believe we can continue to use our natural resources in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner and still get the products that we as consumers demand. Helping people understand this is the biggest challenge. Bobbi K. Condos Post Falls
Expensive, useless study, begone
I am a Silver Valley resident. I have gone to school here, married here and raised my children here. We all have been exposed to the lead problem for many years. On May 22, I attended a meeting in Kellogg presented by Dr. Rosen. I learned several things that have been kept from us.
According to information I have accumulated, the biggest culprit is our own government under the title Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, or ATSDR. By its own statement, $900,000 is to be spent in the first year to set up a program to find people who had high lead values from 1973 through 1981. After that has been done, they will spend $5.5 million to test these people again.
Are they offering any hope of treatment for the high lead values or the damage done by the lead? No! ATSDR stated, “We don’t have the authority to offer treatment.” Then who does? It is time to stop these money-sucking “government” leeches.
We need to let everyone know we are tired of being government guinea pigs. We have a very fine organization, Silver Valley Lead Health Project, that has a very workable plan to identify and offer treatment as well as education on this problem.
Let’s stand together as a united community and let our state and nation know we do not want or need the help of ATSDR. Karen L. Jerome Cataldo, Idaho
Water better than ever
Not everyone downstream from the mining communities is concerned. We who have lived here all our lives have seen tremendous improvement in the quality of our waters in the past 20 years.
The people who are overly concerned should consider moving to a place where they feel safe. Or better yet, move back where they came from. Esther L. McDonald Spokane
Let agency do its job
Re: “EPA faces critics in North Idaho,” (July 7). I am relocating my family to Coeur d’Alene next month. I think it is important for the EPA to test as well as pay for the contamination. It is not the responsibility of the taxpayer. Let the EPA do its job.
I am sure taxpayers would like to know the waters are free from contamination. Tracey J. Hamlen Redmond, Wash.
NEO-NAZIS
Don’t give Aryans what they want
In 1975, Volusia County, Florida, held its annual Christmas Day parade. I and several hundred students of Stetson University were watching. To our surprise, right behind Santa Claus came the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
I quickly ran up and down the lines of students, saying, “When they reach a position directly across from you, turn your backs on them.” It was a powerful sight and a powerful message. The students turned their backs on the Klan, and the townsfolk followed suit.
I disagree with fleeing Coeur d’Alene and turning over a city to the Aryan Nations, and I disagree with open confrontation by the Jewish Defense League. In both cases, Aryan Nations win - by either appearing to be cowering the citizenry or by having constitutional rights infringed. Through nonviolent demonstration, we can show our disapproval without lowering ourselves to their level. Angel M. Fitzpatrick Fairfield
Aryans’ rights should be honored
Re: “Jewish group wants parade stopped,”(July 4). We just celebrated the Fourth of July. We are a nation of people with different beliefs and affiliations. To not allow a group to demonstrate peacefully would go against everything we have fought for. I do not support Aryans, but I do support all peoples’ rights. Arthur L. Coleman Coeur d’Alene
Don’t underestimate the danger
Militant, organized racists bent on acts of terrorism are among us. Pay attention! If there were only one neo-Nazi in our community, it would be one too many. This is my response to those who would ignore them, and who complain that our media magnify their importance by focusing on them too much.
Draw an analogy to preventable diseases or accidents that killed many children in the past, yet kill few today. Should we ignore this small number of deaths now for fear of being too negative or blowing it out of proportion? No, because even one preventable death of a child is too many. So it is with these hate groups.
These racial terrorists in our midst are truly a blight and an embarrassment to all of us. No matter how few their number, we should be ashamed to have them as our neighbors. As Cheryl Bozeman vividly points out (July 8), they are a real danger to us, our families, friends and neighbors.
Even if history did not teach us that ignoring Nazis won’t make them go away, repeated acts of violence in the recent past and the explicit promise of more in the near future should alarm us and move us to defend our way of life, our ideals and our very lives.
These guys are killers. If you don’t believe it, just wait until the next murder. And if the next victim is dear to your heart, will you ask the media not to magnify the importance of the issue? Dennis L. Bratland Spokane