Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Trash disposal costs too much

We have a 4-by-8-foot trailer that we put our grass clippings, etc., into. We have always taken these things to the waste-to-energy plant and it cost around $5.

At the last minute, my husband put a small amount of dried horse manure in. After we were all unloaded, they asked if we had manure and we said yes. We were then asked for our pink card back and told we would have to pay full price for our load. We asked why. We were told it was because of the manure. There are no signs there to let anyone know that you can’t mix them.

The cost of this load, which had been rained on and therefore was very heavy, was $54. What a surprise.

We live off Geiger Boulevard and see a lot of trash on roads such as Geiger, Sunset Boulevard and Grove. Now, I can understand just why we see so much trash. Most people just can’t afford to take their trash to the plant with prices like they are.

We pay taxes to keep the waste-to-energy plant open, pay to have our garbage picked up and pay dearly to take anything to the plant. It almost seems like the city is punishing us for keeping our homes cleaned up. I don’t know what can be done about this problem but do think there is a large problem we need to get cleaned up. Barbara Kinney Spokane

Issue cops checkered flags

Jeff Sims’ letter of April 16 (“Welcome to the Hillyard speedway”)- was so true. But you need to bring the entire truth into the race.

Hillyard is the place for time trials and South Freya is for the hot lap and heat races, while 29th through Comstock Park and Grand Boulevard, from 29th to Eighth Avenue, are reserved for the main event. Spokane Transit Authority buses and route checkers, Parks Department vehicles, city supervisors and marked and unmarked police cars seem to share the front row in this main event.

Do you think there’s a way to stop it? Believe me, there is none. If you make a complaint, the officer will just deny having even been in that area or the driver will swear he was well within the posted limits. I could name names!

I said the same thing to a department supervisor, about respect for the city codes, and basically was told to mind my own business.

Sorry, folks, but the city of Spokane is my business. The only thing with a hand deeper in my wallet is the IRS. I challenge our new chief of police to go out in a private vehicle with a witness and deny any of the aforementioned statements. I’ll be the first to volunteer! Dick Ripley Spokane

Right of way forgotten concept

For years I have noticed that drivers on Grand Boulevard, for the most part, do not slow down at crosswalks to let pedestrians cross. I thought pedestrians were supposed to have the right of way.

There are not very many stoplights on Grand, to allow people to walk safely across. So if one is not conveniently placed on a stoplight-equipped corner, the options are either to patiently wait for some kind driver to stop and let you cross (which they are supposed to do anyway) or run in front of approaching cars. Some people have become so irritated that they march in front of oncoming traffic, just to “prove a point.” This isn’t a smart thing to do but it does show how frustrated some people have become at the lack of courtesy pedestrians are receiving by drivers.

This lack of courtesy is especially hazardous for young children and elderly people, who may not be aware of the traffic around them or be able to move quickly across the street. Once, while waiting to cross at the corner of 17th and Grand, our dog pulled forward into the street and missed by inches being hit by a car. That driver, in my opinion, should have slowed down to let us cross.

Some drivers don’t seem to pay any attention. I’ve had people honk at me and slam on their brakes while I was walking in the crosswalk, when others had already stopped to let me pass. I guess some drivers go with the assumption that pedestrians come second and are simply an inconvenience to be dealt with in whatever way one feels like, rather than as fellow human beings who may be in just as much of a hurry as you are. Anna Zieg Spokane

WASHINGTON STATE

Sign $30 license initiative

Considering the present high cost of license tabs in Washington, the $30 license tab initiative is a good start in giving us some relief from the high taxes we presently pay. Signing this initiative to qualify it for the November ballot is a start for some tax relief.

It’s time to send a message that we are fed up with the excess taxes we have to pay so our politicians can throw money at every problem that comes up, instead of prioritizing and/or considering alternative solutions. Are all the programs we presently fund really necessary? I say no and urge every overtaxed citizen to seek out and sign this initiative which will lower the license fee to just $30 a year for your vehicles, regardless of make, model, year and value. Clarence H. Dunbar Spokane

Send legislators a message

According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of “surplus” is the amount that remains when use and need are satisfied, and/or the excess of receipts over disbursements.

The Legislature is always crowing about the excess tax money that has accumulated due to its fiscal finesse, which makes this overtaxed Washington resident begin to wonder why Washington is the sixth-highest-taxed state in the Union. We just moved from eighth to the sixth this year - two places in one year.

Is this something we should be proud of? Are we paying exorbitant taxes so the state can “surplus” it? If we are paying more than needed, why aren’t taxes reduced rather than raised and added to the surplus?

We need to send a message to our spendthrift legislators. A good way to do that is through the $30 license tab initiative, Initiative 695. We could lobby for tax cuts for 10 years and never achieve as much as we stand to gain with I-695.

I urge everyone to seek out and sign this initiative, qualify it for the ballot in November, and vote yes. If we keep going the way we are, the other choice is eventually reaching first place. Yippee! Leo J. Fagan Spokane

State employees deserve bigger raise

As a state employee, I am very disappointed in Gov. Gary Locke and the state Legislature.

Locke proposes using a good share of a huge budget surplus to fund substantial salary increases for teachers, yet provided only a token 2 percent increase for state employees. This creates a two-tier salary system in which state employees are paid and valued less than teachers. It would be unconscionable for the state to create such a caste system.

The Legislature and Locke seem to believe state employees will be content with a 2 percent increase. This totally inadequate increase amounts to nothing but a slap in the face for thousands of educated, hard-working state employees.

According to a 1997 state salary survey, state employees made 11 percent less than the private sector and other states were paying then. That gap has continued to widen in the last two years.

Teachers, who already receive higher salaries than state employees, report their salaries have lost 15 percent to inflation. Obviously, they are not unique. That disparity applies to the state employees’ salaries as well. How can state employees be expected to make ends meet when they are already behind and are being asked to accept only a minimal salary increase?

A salary that keeps many state employee families near the poverty level and forces qualified, compassionate people out of government service is not the best use of our resources. I urge Locke and the Legislature to reconsider and provide a cost-of-living adjustment worthy of our education and dedication. Allen Rozeboom Spokane

Full pay for full year’s work

Many teachers demanding wage increases deserve them. There is much expertise embedded there, expertise badly needed by students: mathematics, science, literature, English, geography and history, among others.

Many teachers can place solid bargaining chips on the table. Yet there is one area that both they and our Legislature have overlooked. Yes, teachers should get substantial increases if, in return, they work a full year for that full year’s wage.

Today’s school year was established years ago to accommodate farm families who comprised a large percentage of the population. Rural communities, recognizing the need of accommodating the farmers, prevailed upon school authorities to pattern the school year around crop seasons, enabling the farm students to work the fields during planting, growing and harvesting seasons.

While benefiting farmers, it severely handicaps nonfarming families by denying them full use of expensive school facilities and, most importantly, that valuable teacher expertise.

Today’s school districts schedule classes only 180 days each year, leaving school facilities vacant and teachers idle 185 days of each year. Adding 30 days (six weeks) for three 70-day periods, each followed by three-week vacations (for 210 days) would negate weeks of remedial studies every fall and teacher burnout.

More studies could be added or four-year high school and college terms be reduced to three years, thereby saving parents substantial sums and enabling more students to afford college educations. Andy Kelly Spokane

U.S. AND THE WORLD

Administration bungles war effort

During World War II, I remember the posters and billboards with these words of caution, “A slip of the lip sinks ships.” Information that would, or could, benefit the enemy was withheld if possible. No information with regard troop strength, location, movements, armament, equipment, number and type of ships and aircraft, etc., was revealed. What the enemy did not know could not hurt us. To forewarn is to forearm!

It appears that philosophy has changed or, as alleged, the present administration is totally incompetent and unqualified to lead our country in any military confrontation. The administration continues to inform the opposition of the type, number and location of our aircraft, type of armament, our shortage of cruise missiles, high-tech weaponry used, etc. They advise of other aircraft and how many more we are going to add, as well as the number of support personnel needed. They continue to tell Milosevic we are not going to commit ground troops. He can then concentrate all his efforts on antiaircraft defenses and prepare his military accordingly.

Further, we tell him he will be branded a war criminal and tried as such after this conflict is over. That sure as hell gives Milosevic a lot of incentive to call it quits, doesn’t it! He would lose either way.

This administration continues to make grave mistakes. U.S. citizens, as well as the citizens of other nations, are going to suffer greatly as a result of the Clinton administration’s incompetent leadership and continued blunders in this confrontation. Harold J. Benson Elk

Shunning China trade bad policy

There is a serious issue coming up that causes great concern. It is China’s entry into the World Trade Organization. I do not see how we can ignore 1.2 billion people in that country. We could develop a new market for American goods and many more jobs for American workers. China is now the sixth-largest market for American agriculture.

When we cut off our sale of wheat to Russia, that nation bought it from Canada and Australia. We never did get the market back. So we didn’t punish them, we only punished American farmers.

The Chinese people could benefit in the area that should trouble us most, human rights. China’s formal inclusion in the international trade community could increase the dialogue and discussion over human rights violations. Access to Western ideas, information and products could provide a better way of life and increase that democratic awareness of the Chinese people.

Fear of giving or selling our secrets to China should not be a reason to stop trade. The solution to that problem is to diligently ferret out and severely punish traitors. Ruthie Johnson Hayden Lake

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Clinton not fit to lead

The incredible sadness of the Kosovo conflict of recent weeks with intervention (never war) from NATO is increased by the lack of sound leadership in our ultimate leader, President Clinton.

Ironically enough, a lot of the genuine distrust the American people harbor against him stems from his obsession with getting them to like him, by following polls. However, polls will not save him now, as this crisis calls for more leadership and moral conviction than the president could ever possess.

It is a tragedy, in this time of need for real action, that the United States can only provide a compulsive liar and swindler to help the world through its times of trouble. K.K. Mowery Mead

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Political pendulum swings both ways

Re: Shirley Hethorn’s letter, “Be conservative or begone,” (April 14).

Hethorn had better be careful what she wishes for; she might get it. If the liberal and moderate minorities in Idaho all leave, who will the conservatives have to blame for everything conservatives see as a problem? It’s well established that organizations that wish to control the population need a bogeyman to hate to keep its membership focused. If they no longer have an adversary, they often start bickering among themselves and may turn into a pack of howling, cannibalistic hounds devouring themselves. There is some evidence this process already has begun among the social Christian conservatives, as they question if those who show any moderation whatsoever on such issues as abortion and school prayer should be considered conservatives.

Hethorn’s praise for our congressional delegation, including Rep. Helen (the hypocrite) Chenoweth, is amusing and shows her total lack of objectivity. I remind Chenoweth that while Idaho is conservative now, the political pendulum swings both ways. When it swings back, Idaho may again elect leaders with moral courage and ability, like Frank Church and Cecil Andrus, instead of the present negative losers.

No, I’m not going to leave my home state. I will stay and continue to point out where conservatives distort the truth and take selfish, me-first positions. I hope that someday Idaho will again have a moderate, reasonable political climate that respects the diversity of its citizens. Gail Parke Jr. Post Falls

Public’s money for public schools

Public school funds pay for many things that relate directly to the education of a child. The assumption that it takes half as much to educate a private student is flawed. In many cases, building maintenance and operation of a private school is absorbed by a congregation so that they will have a functional place of worship. In contrast, public funds must maintain and operate the school, parking lot and playground. They must pay the custodians, librarians, lunch room workers, certified teachers and aides. They pay for heat, lights and cleaning supplies. They supply the chemistry lab, the home economics department, computers, fax machines, phone lines and copiers. The cost is not shared in any way with any other entity.

In every community, everyone pays to educate all the children. Seniors and childless couples contribute as well. The benefits of educating our children far outweigh incarceration or welfare. It is our privilege, as citizens, to contribute, so that every child has access to a free and equitable education, no matter their complexion, socioeconomic status, special need or gifted status. The diverse needs of today’s classroom is a challenge that our public schools are meeting. An education tax credit bill will not build strong public schools. Diane M. Riley Hayden Lake

Pay figures amazing

Regarding a recent story concerning law enforcement wages. I’m a native of Bonner County. I was floored that it would take a Bonner County sheriff’s deputy 20 years to reach top salary. And if the reported numbers are correct, it takes a deputy 20 years to get a total of $1.98 raise! That’s less than 10 cents a year. I know I’d sure transfer to another occupation at that alarming rate of pay. Gayl Downard Sagle

Cable service presumptuous

Many people who live in North Idaho and have cable can no longer watch the Home Shopping Network.

Isn’t it nice that the cable company in Coeur d’Alene had another new purchaser, and again from the East Coast, who knows little of this area? How can a person who doesn’t live here and does not know that the income here is very low make up his or her mind to end the HSN? Why can’t the people who live here have a say about the things they would like to see on cable? Gwen Jones Post Falls