Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Removed trees were a liability

Re: a recent letter about the FEMA street tree removals.

Most Spokane trees are 70 to 100 years old. Most are victims of improper pruning, wrong site selection and poor care. All the trees removed under FEMA funding were in very poor condition or dead. Ice Storm ‘96 exacerbated tree conditions and justified removal of trees scheduled for removal. Those trees posed a threat. Nobody could predict when they would fail but they had a high potential to fail.

The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department has stepped up since the ice storm to provide the public street tree information. Property owners have relied on our horticulture staff’s help with street tree issues.

For two years, we’ve worked on a street tree ordinance that would provide the legal authority for the Parks and Recreation Department to set up an urban forestry program and begin to manage our city’s urban forest. Such a program would manage the entire canopy of trees. Removal, pruning and replacement are all critical components.

We have had in place for more than a year and a half a tree replacement program called Reforest Spokane. More than 400 trees have been planted since the ice storm. The goal is to increase over time the trees in our urban forest.

Working together, we can ensure that Spokane’s urban forest will be healthy and viable. Proper tree care will result in our continued quality of life. A healthy, managed urban forestry program will result in a city within a park. Ange J. Taylor, director city of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department

Council members pulled a fast one

We’ve been had. In our most recent election, certain City Council members put three propositions on the ballot. Two of those propositions were an attack on the people who elected them. Then, they hid behind closed doors and said nothing.

Voters were quick to see that Proposition 2 was simply a ploy to reduce the opportunities citizens would have to speak to the Council on public issues and voted it down. It was also a way for council members to insulate themselves from the people they’re sworn to serve.

Proposition 3 squeaked by, by one vote, and those same council members danced on our heads. Why? Because Proposition 3 made it so much more difficult and expensive for citizens to put anything on the ballot. It also gave the council a lopsided advantage by ensuring that it would have almost total control of what even reaches the ballot for the people to vote on.

There was no issue on the ballot that had a greater impact on the citizens of Spokane. We were blindsided by our own City Council.

Those council members responsible should be watched very carefully until we can vote them out of office. Self-serving public officials who cannot be trusted should not be in office. David Bray Spokane

As ever, money talks, gets results

Whatever happened to the “public” in the public hearing process? I refer to the recent decision by the county commissioners to break up the mental health contract.

The commissioners limited public comment to agencies - again showing that the county cares more for dollars than the people. Let those who may get a chunk of the money talk, but keep those who are served from speaking out publicly on the very essence of their quality of life.

This process was a blatant abuse of power by the commissioners and discriminatory toward a vulnerable population.

When golf course fees were considered, I recall clearly that the influential gentry got its say. But then, the mentally ill and their advocates don’t have the same financial clout, do they? Louise H. Chadez Spokane

WAR AND REMEMBRANCE

Young writer’s thoughts reassuring Re: Kadie Bell of Shadle Park High School (Our Generation, Nov. 23).

Bouquets to the young lady for noticing that Veterans Day should be celebrated in school instead of being just another day off.

As a Pearl Harbor survivor, it has been quite apparent to me that our education system not only neglects the part that America has played in keeping the world free of despots but that the system denigrates those who served in our armed forces and downgrades their importance. Congratulations to a young person who knows what this country stands for in spirit. H.N. Colburn Spokane

Veterans Day should be important

Kadie Bell of Shadle Park High School (Our Generation, Nov. 23) brings out a very important message about the recognition of Veterans Day. For just about everyone, it’s just a day off, no big deal.

For veterans, this is a day of remembrance of how we spent time in the name of the American people and our way of life. Being a Vietnam era veteran, it’s especially a time when I see men and women my age and how it has affected our lives. Most veterans won’t talk about their tours. Some aren’t the same as they were when they went over.

The Wall bears the names of two young men from the Colville Reservation. You don’t see on that wall the names of the prisoners of war and the veterans who’ve turned to drugs and alcohol. Some people say, I don’t understand, because my so-and-so was over there and it didn’t affect them. The answer is, they all didn’t see the same type of action. Kill somebody in the line of duty and see how you feel.

But it isn’t just Veterans Day the American people have forgotten about. How long will it be before we change Veterans Day to fall on a Friday or Monday so we can have a three-day weekend? Everything is so commercial.

I feel proud of my fellow veterans but just as proud of the people who waited at home for their loved ones to return. I hope it doesn’t take another war for people to realize the sacrifices that have already been made. Eldon L. Wilson Nespelem, Wash.

Shadle band recognized veterans

Re: “Too bad school ignored veterans” by Kadie Bell (Our Generation, Nov. 23).

I attend Shadle Park High School with Bell. I’m also one of 65 or so kids in the band who worked very hard to put on a Veteran’s Day concert. This concert was the Tuesday before Veteran’s Day and was open to everyone in the area, veterans or not, to enjoy an evening of music and remembrance.

Our band worked extremely hard to learn our music. This concert was announced quite a few times at school so everyone would know about it.

Two jazz bands and the jazz choir performed and then the concert band performed. A poem, “The Flag Goes By,” was read and then we played the National Anthem. After that, we played a song called “The Last to Defend,” which portrayed a battle during the Civil War. “Fantasy on Yankee Doodle” was next in line. Then, another poem, “In Flander’s Field,” was read. We observed a moment of silence and that blended into a rendition of “Taps” by two of our senior trumpet players. Then we played a ballad.

Before the last song, our band teacher asked all the veterans from various branches of the military to stand up to be recognized. We ended the concert with a song that combined all the songs from all the branches of the military.

I don’t know where Kadie Bell was when this concert was being announced, but in my opinion, Veteran’s Day was pretty widely recognized, at least by the band. Anna E. Black Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Bad deal, Steelworkers? Go elsewhere

Kaiser workers have one of the best jobs a person can get in this city, without having a college degree. A steelworker goes through hard days and long hours of work but they do get paid well. The company gave them a better deal then they had. If they feel that they are being mistreated, they should quit.

Will they? No. They would rather whine about their great benefits and pay raises. Chris Bowen Spokane

Critic should arm himself with facts

I was very interested to read Devon Alcott’s letter of Nov. 19. I wonder if Alcott has ever seen an actual pay stub from a Kaiser union employee?

I just happen to have a few, as my husband worked hard there for 32 years. There is one from 1980, when we first met. It provided a comfortable living. There is another from 1984, when the union members gave back $2 an hour. My favorite is the last one he got before he went on sick leave; it’s almost as much as the one from 1983. Mind you, the year is 1997.

If Alcott would like to try an informed opinion, I’d be happy to show him one of my pay stubs. I don’t know any rank-and-file employee who doesn’t have a working spouse.

Perhaps Alcott would like to see a copy of my husband’s retirement pay? It doesn’t say much for 33 years of work. Then maybe he’d like to see what we pay for doctors and drugs to keep him breathing, since he has “pot-room asthma” (a Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Co. term). Just maybe an informed opinion would include knowing just exactly what KACC has offered the union members. Ask at either union hall. Jodi J. Finch Mead

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Now, not even impeachment?

Well isn’t this just a fine barrel of rotten, stinking fish? We now have a handful of gutless Republicans who are planning to join forces with the spineless Democrats and vote against the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

These “fearless” legislators along with, supposedly, the majority of Americans, want an alternative punishment in lieu of impeachment. I would like to know just what form of punishment King Willie will allow these people to prescribe for him? He has recently gone on record and said he has been punished enough already. I guess because Queen Hillary has probably revoked his intern ministering privileges and taken away his box of cigars until this latest crisis blows over.

Lead on, ol’ liberal media. Your sheep are right behind you. Together, and with your continued support and encouragement, Clinton will continue his assault on our Constitution and his subversion of the laws of our country. Bill R. Klein Nine Mile Falls

Scripture includes prophetic precedent

Polls suggest the American public is fed up with the media frenzy over the president’s adulterous affair and wants the whole issue, including impeachment proceedings, dropped. This is driving the religious right, Christianity’s Pharisees, insane. They are obsessed with the immorality of the president’s adultery.

What do the scriptures have to say about national leaders and adultery? Christianity’s Pharisees point out that the law against adultery does not exclude national leaders. This, however, isn’t the only portion of scripture to consider.

Scripture does tell of a national leader who was caught in adultery. He not only committed adultery but also attempted to cover it up by committing what might be considered premeditated murder. What was his punishment?

Perhaps King David wasn’t impeached because the greater justice was to have a king who could do a good job of ruling a nation. Perhaps removing him from office and replacing him with a less competent man who was more morally correct would have been a greater injustice to the people of his nation.

It appears that while the religious right has the law on its side, it does not have scriptural precedence. It also appears that the very people Christianity’s Pharisees are upset with are being more scriptural than they are. Are Christianity’s Pharisees able to accept this fact and drop their issue?

The president’s behavior was immoral, but justice goes far beyond the limited issues of crime and punishment. E. Arthur Seaton II Spokane

Tripp valiant warrior against evil

Re: “Voice that launched a thousand subpoenas” (Nov. 18).

An MSNBC “expert” concludes that Linda Tripp has “the heart of a snake.”

My hat is off to Tripp for her courage. She came up against one of the most powerful men in the world. Someone needed to gather enough evidence to stop the games Bill Clinton has been playing with women.

My dictionary describes a snake as a sly, treacherous person. I believe the snake here is Clinton. He’s old enough to be Monica Lewinsky’s father. He would call and meet Monica secretly, even after church on Easter Sunday with his family. He seduced her into doing despicable acts, led her on and hurt her deeply. He cheated on his wife and brought shame on his family. He lied to his family, colleagues and the people of this nation. I believe he has committed perjury, obstruction of justice, tampering with witnesses, etc.

He’s paying Paula Jones a settlement to drop her lawsuit. Of course, this is because he did nothing.

Have Americans lost their ability to know right from wrong? Do they really believe there are no absolutes? Or are so many people guilty of the same acts that they would never point their finger at Clinton? We are in a sad state of affairs. One day, the people of this country will all be judged by their actions. That is an absolute.

Thank God for people who will stand up for what’s right, no matter what the consequences are to them. They are heroes. Sandy Ogle Chattaroy

Where are the retractions?

Over the past few years, I have read various newspapers’ editorial diatribes or heard pundits reprimand President Clinton on Whitewater, Filegate and Travelgate. Now, after all of these agonizing years, we finally hear that “nothing” was uncovered to justify charges against the president.

Where are the editorial or pundits’ retractions for their rhetoric? Locally, we selectively define “hate” utilizing conventional gatherings, yet “hate” is not attributed to the costly investigation of the president. Edward Thomas Jr. Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

First half of concert was also great

Re: the review by Jim Kershner of the SuperPops concert of the Spokane Symphony with Norman Leyden and Pink Martini.

I could not agree more with his description of the enthusiasm of the audience and the memorable performance of Pink Martini. I would, however, like to express a different point of view about the first half of the concert.

Under the very able baton of Norman Leyden, whose many years of arranging for the likes of Glenn Miller have given him a firsthand perspective, we were soon swept back in time, through the 1940s by “Jalousie” and “Frenesi,” during which he played a mellow clarinet. A couple from a dance school, the lady in flamboyant pink, moved across the stage to a medley of tunes from “Flying Down To Rio.” We found ourselves in more recent time as we listened to the tango from the movie, “Scent of a Woman” and finally, marched along with the crowd as the Symphony played Brazilian Carnival Marches in a blaze of color.

Pink Martini certainly carried us to another dimension in the second half of the concert, but because of the wonderful introduction before them, our ears and feet were more than willing to go along. Patricia L. Garvin Spokane

Taste of Home ‘a fun evening’

Thank you for sponsoring the Taste of Home Cooking show and exhibition at the Ag Trade Center. Because of the reasonable price (what else could you do for only $5?), I was able to take my two daughters-in-law and two of my sisters-in law. We had a fun evening of samples, exhibits and demonstrations.

We’re looking forward to the next show, which has already been scheduled for April. Phyllis D. Fitzgerald Valley, Wash.