Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Tacky development must stop

Over the years, I’ve been saddened by the continual commercial development along U.S. Highway 95. Every so often, huge stands of trees come down for the sake of the mall, new grocery stores, car lots or whatever. Every time I see initial signs of development, my heart stops, I lose a breath and cringe wondering what the outcome will be of this particular commercial venture.

Somehow, I’ve been able to justify in my heart and mind things like the Silver Lake Mall, Target, Tidyman’s, Super One, Parker Toyota, Dan Barton Oldsmobile and Lake City Ford. I’m not sure how, but then I realize Coeur d’Alene must grow.

It all begins to fall apart for me and my efforts to legitimize when I have to face developments such as Holiday Gas at Prairie and Highway 95. Stark white awnings accented with blue and red lit to zenith proportions with countless high intensity lights. It is absolutely intolerable, not to mention that there is already a smaller, equally obtrusive Holiday Gas less than two miles south.

I’m in the building trade and benefit from growth. But like all of us, I live here for the quality of life. Why will we let corporations out of who knows where (Minnesota is the home of Holiday Gas) mine our community? They will take all they can with little concern for the future.

I say it must stop and I’m angry at those in positions of leadership and authority who allow such development to continue. Darrell G. Dlouhy Coeur d’Alene

Thanks for supporting our magic show

On behalf of myself, our board of directors, and especially members of Idaho Drug Free Youth, we would like to extend a hearty ‘thank you’ to those community members who so generously purchased tickets to, or advertised in, the program for the June 2 magic show at Lake City High School. The money raised will help support IDFY chapters of Kootenai County as we continue to provide positive alternatives for kids who have committed to being drug, alcohol, and tobacco free.

Special thanks to Jim Gray for his help in setting up the lighting and sound for the event, as well as to the dedicated janitorial staff at Lake City High School for assisting in creating a wonderful atmosphere for a standing room only crowd! Thank you, citizens of Kootenai County.

The kindness of having purchased your tickets will be felt by over 1,500 kids! Amy S. Bartoo IDFY Volunteer Executive Director

Don’t forsake rights to forest road

The federal government has stated that one of its goals is to return the forests to the state of “pre-European man.” This goal presumes that the state of nature void of ‘European man’ is the ultimate Utopia.

However, this supposed Utopian state of nature the government is attempting to create will consist of forests that will burn or decay away, thus not providing shelter, habitat or food for people, plants or animals.

To reach these goals, the federal government has continually lied. New road construction requires huge amounts of red tape, such as environmental impact statements, studies upon studies and public input. The Forest Service now obliterates roads, causing as much or more environmental impact as new road construction without any impact statements or public input.

Blocking of the public and private access road on Boundary Creek is another of its attempts to close the forests. It’s illegal to block a public access road and access to private property, yet both are being done on the Boundary Creek Road.

A right not claimed and asserted is lost. Generally, I am disgusted with those who take a middle-of-the-road stance on an issue. This is the exception: I encourage all people who care about people’s right to use roads to stand in the middle of this road and help open, repair and use the Boundary Creek Road. Steve A. Tanner Bonners Ferry

Officials’ attitude wrong, unsafe

Mayor Steve Judy of Coeur d’Alene and the elected representatives for Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai counties should step back and take a good look at what they are doing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not the enemy. The enemy is potentially dangerous and unknown levels of heavy metals, such as lead, in the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d’Alene.

How can these public servants claim to represent the interests of their constituents by challenging experts from seeking the truth about a serious health threat? It is ludicrous that they are actually raising funds to pay lawyers to stop the EPA from doing its job of protecting us. Are these Idaho officials so blinded by greed that they’re willing to sacrifice children’s lives for the almighty dollar? Tourism is vital to the region’s economy, but at what cost?

It’s unfortunate that the word “Superfund” has taken on such horrible connotations. Superfund sites represent our successful attempts to restore the environment after years of mistakes and poor handling. The damage is done, now it’s time to right past wrongs. Do we really want to stick our heads in the sand and ignore hazards that may lurk in the depths of our beautiful waterways?

I am thoroughly relieved that Washington officials disagree with this wayward Idahoan sentiment. Let’s welcome EPA and any other government or private agency looking to improve our lives and the lives of our children. Brian Benkel Spokane

Mining company being mismanaged

Once again, Coeur d’Alene Mines CEO Dennis Wheeler demonstrated his arrogance or hubris, if you will, at the company’s annual shareholders meeting May 12. He and his handpicked board of directors elected not to disclose the company’s disastrous financial results until the next day via a press release.

Embarrassed, as they should be, by another property closure resulting in a $60 million loss, they showed utter contempt for shareholders and the meeting process. To think that the board, which is in part comprised of a prominent, well-admired local businessman and two of the nation’s and Idaho’s former foremost politicians, would allow this to happen is unbelievable. This ill-advised decision crosses all ethical boundaries. Shareholders elect these board members, entrusting their dollars to them. The fact is, they have allowed Wheeler to pursue his chaotic course of property acquisition.

While I deeply admire the aforementioned individuals for the way they run their own companies and the unsurpassed contributions they’ve made to their communities, state, and nation, it’s apparent they have little expertise in the precious minerals industry. Shareholders should nervously await their decisions on the company’s remaining gold properties.

It’s time for Coeur d’Alene’s management to step down so another team can try to create what the company touts so highly and has little of - shareholder value. Patrick A. Wheeler Coeur d’Alene

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

HUD funds should help house needy

Re: “Cheap housing in jeopardy” by staff writer Jonathan Martin (June 10). This is a statement of our society’s priorities.

An organization such as Catholic Charities cannot secure federal assistance for low-income housing because of program cuts, while just down the street, Nordstrom and the city of Spokane can secure a $20 million loan to build a new Nordstrom store. What kind of sense does that make? Especially considering that the funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and could’ve been used for low-income housing. I’m not saying there is a direct connection. However, it gives one something to think about.

Park Tower and housing units like it give the elderly and mentally and physically disabled a safe, affordable housing choice. If these low-income housing choices are lost to the tenants, it would be a travesty.

To think HUD funds are being used to build a new Nordstrom and the funds are not available to assist in financing housing of this nature seems to be a little out of balance in the overall picture. Joanne Tebow Odessa, Wash.

Clinton good to Japanese, at least

Earlier this month, we were subjected to President Clinton ranting during the SAVER Summit on the American citizens’ lack of savings - something the federal government hasn’t been able to do in over 50 years, and seems very reluctant to allow us to do.

Now, we are subjected to Clinton’s bailout of Japanese currency markets (a euphemism for “gamblers”) and his praise of Japanese economic improvement via large government tax cuts - again, something our federal government has very little intention of doing for us. I suppose Clinton doesn’t think we’re desperate enough yet to be given such a break.

Just how much more of this hype and hypocrisy are we going to take? Joe Lykins Rathdrum

Politicians tell convenient truth

Too many people believe everything they hear and read. This causes many to believe things that just aren’t true.

A person who tells a lot of lies usually doesn’t do it by telling an outright fib. They just don’t tell you everything. They leave out things that would discredit them. A Classic example in the news is Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, who is trying hard to defeat the tobacco tax bill. He won’t come out and admit that tobacco lobbyists have been flooding Capitol Hill with wheelbarrows full of money, trying to stop this legislation.

He says it is “bad for business.” That’s how politicians keep lying to stay in office. I just hope Republican Sen. John McCain’s bill does get passed. Tom Akren Post Falls

Democracy has become racketeering

I read with interest your story that the U.S. Senate had effectively killed the legislation designed to prevent children from smoking (“Senate kills tobacco legislation” June 18). As Sen. John McCain has said, every day in America, 3,000 children start smoking for the first time, of which 1,000 will die an early death from the effects of their addiction to cigarettes.

Like the child pornography trade, the tobacco industry needs frequent and easy access to children to show a profit. Our politicians require frequent and easy access to large sums of money to fund their re-election efforts. In a system brilliant for its simplicity, the politicians supply the children, the tobacco industry addicts the children, the addicted children supply the money to the tobacco industry, and the tobacco industry shares its profits with the politicians.

Politicians win re-election, so they have a platform to constantly moralize about their deep, abiding concern for children’s health and other strongly felt issues. The tobacco industry wins because its need for addicted children is satisfied. Our children slowly lose their health, sicken and die, producing a need for more addicted children. A perfect circle of cause and effect. All the important players win. All the addicted children lose. But of course, they can easily be replaced.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that what once was a democracy of ideas is becoming a democracy of money. He who has the most money and is politically generous with it receives the greatest benefit from our government. Norman L. Gissel Coeur d’Alene

OTHER TOPICS

Women smarter than writer assumes

I read the June 15 editorial, “Open your eyes to new danger,” three times to try to understand where Jamie Tobias Neely was really coming from. At first, I thought her fairyland nonsense was tongue-in-cheek. Unfortunately, I think I was wrong the first time, and in reality, one raving liberal has launched on an incoherent diatribe that is far more radical than what she rails against.

I am insulted to be put down by such an editorial. I personally abhor abortion (equated with murder) on both moral and religious grounds. But let’s give today’s woman a little credit for being able to forge her own destiny according to her own morality and conscience. Donna C. Blazin Hayden Lake, Idaho

March for Jesus overlooked?

Did I miss the large color picture and article in your paper about the March for Jesus on May 30? There was certainly a big picture and article on the Gay and Lesbian March.

I think Jesus deserves equal coverage. The March for Jesus was a wonderful experience. A thank you goes to Mayor John Talbott. Donna M. Skeie Spokane