Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

Blowing smoke, not shedding light

The smaller part of the problem with Department of Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons’ Aug. 2 guest column is that his facts need some work. My organization is not suing DOE. The Save Our Summers group is suing his agency, alleging, among other things, that the secretly negotiated, non-binding agreement between ecology and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers is an illegal end run around the states Clean Air Act.

The reason the Northwest Environmental Education Foundation got involved in this matter is that we believe DOE unlawfully withheld key documents from SOS and The Spokesman-Review.

Fitzsimmons admits he doesn’t know precisely what occurred but assures us, nevertheless, no documents were hidden from the newspaper. Really? Then why wasn’t wheat growers’ notorious rollout strategy document properly indexed, as the state’s public records law requires? And why was the cover page of the fax transmission removed and replaced with an innocuous page dealing with permit requirements?

The larger part of the problem is that Fitzsimmons continues to lead the way as his agency perpetuates an act of public deceit. Because wheat growers have more political power than sick kids and others who suffer from this annual plague, the director has decided that it’s too much of a headache to actually enforce the law. That, after all, is why this deal with the growers had to be done in secret and why the plume of distortions and evasions keeps billowing from his office. Tim Connor Northwest Environmental Education Foundation, Spokane

Growers rigged the numbers

Lies, damn lies and statistics. Yes, the wheat growers agreed to cut their stubble burning by half in the next few years. But the starting point is based on the number of acres burned in 1998. And in 1998, anticipating the agreement, wheat growers burned twice the acres they had in recent years.

A clever strategy, don’t you think?

Thus, Tom Fitzsimmons and the Department of Ecology have done the public no favors. Indeed, by entering into a private agreement with farmers, the state has now institutionalized stubble burning, making it much harder to regulate and enforce.

Fitzsimmons’ claim that more scientific information is needed to connect burning and health problems is hogwash. Indeed, the agency didn’t even bother to research the matter. If they had, they would have found clear links between cereal grain burning and people heading to the emergency room, unable to breathe.

The Clean Air Act is supposed to protect sensitive populations, so Fitzsimmons is just plain wrong when he claims he doesn’t have enough authority to regulate.

The bottom line is this: wheat growers don’t need to burn. Burning is the lazy way out. Plenty of alternatives exist that are both economical and better for the environment.

Tired of breathing dirty air? Call Gov. Gary Locke and ask him why his environmental agency is cutting private deals with the polluters. Rachael Paschal Spokane

Why aren’t heads rolling at DOE?

Re: “Growers sent burn script to Ecology” and the articles which followed on the subject.

Kudos to staff writer Karen Dorn Steele and The Spokesman-Review for exposing the wheat stubble burning memorandum of agreement between the Department of Ecology and the wheat growers association for the unsavory back-room deal that it was.

How arrogant that the wheat association would send a public relations script to Ecology (a public agency working for us!) with the expectation that it would be followed. How appalling that Ecology apparently complied, providing cover for the industry’s sweetheart deal. How sad that our children, our seniors and those who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions have been sold out for politics.

Now that the truth is out, why haven’t the Ecology officials responsible for this apparent conspiracy lost their jobs? Why hasn’t Gov. Gary Locke struck down the MOU and directed his agency to stop the archaic and unnecessary practice of wheat stubble burning? And why, shortly, will we be breathing tons of toxic waste so that the few can profit at the expense of the many? Elaine DeGregorio Mica, Wash.

Story flaky as a box of Wheaties

In his Aug. 2 guest column, Department of Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons tries to explain his agency’s deception with more deception. He claims he “personally consulted the leaders of save our summers” before signing the wheat stubble burning agreement. One phone call to SOS to announce his decision to enter into the agreement and to assure us (falsely) that 1998 would not be used as the base year hardly constitutes consultation.

He also states the “rollout strategy” (the growers’ public relations script) was provided to SOS. It was not. Nor were other key documents that have since been made public. Finally, Fitzsimmons claims Ecology can’t regulate wheat stubble burning as it did bluegrass burning. In fact, another document (also withheld from SOS) contains an assistant attorney general’s opinion that Ecology does have the authority to regulate wheat stubble burning, exactly as it did bluegrass.

Incredibly, Fitzsimmons made no attempt to explain why the wheat stubble burning deal was cut behind closed doors, why the public was intentionally misled or why Ecology’s actions followed a public relations script written by wheat growers. Instead, he rewrites history, claiming SOS was involved in the process and that incriminating, missing documents were simply “overlooked” by The Spokesman-Review.

It is a mystery why Fitzsimmons would compound his agency’s deception with more deception and make statements that can be so easily disproved. It is clear, however, that he has.

Now the question is, what is Gov. Gary Locke going to do about it? Roe Roberts, M.P.H. board chairman, Save Our Summers, Spokane

Smoke victims, seize the moment

Re: “Growers sent burn script to Ecology” (July 18).

We all count on the Department of Ecology to protect the environment and public health. DOE failed miserably, when one considers the recently uncovered public trickery it engaged in with the Washington Association of Wheat Growers.

The public is understandably outraged at being deceived, especially where our health is concerned. However, I am entertaining the thought that this underhanded deal will stimulate a better outcome for public health than what we could have hoped for previously. Already, an article by pediatric allergy and lung specialist Dr. Michael McCarthy appeared in Wheat Life, the official publication of WAWG. In it, McCarthy asks growers to consider those “whose lives are threatened by air pollution” and to work together “to provide a healthy breathing environment for our children.” By printing it, WAWG showed it might be willing to consider a win-win situation.

Maybe this will also be a time of great learning for the DOE. Maybe DOE just needs to hear a little more clearly that this smoke really does hurt lots of people.

Everyone who suffers breathing problems during the agricultural burning season should consider sharing their story. Help us give DOE the nudge it clearly needs. Now is a critical moment in time when we must unite and politely insist that the air be cleared! Jennifer A. Ekstrom Upper Columbia River Group Sierra Club, Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Council ripping taxpayers off

We have to pay off our public officials with significant money when they bungle things and then resign. Otherwise, they will point the blood-sucking attorneys after us or convince the Spokane City Council what a great job they have done and let the taxpayers foot the bill with their reckless spending habits.

Except for Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers, who voted no regarding Bill Pupo, the six spendthrift members wasted more of our tax dollars.

Pupo resigned, spendthrifts, which does not require payment. If there is more to the story and Mayor John Talbott decided to hold back the whole story, a double shame on him.

Seems strange that only a few months ago the payoff clause was added to Pupo`s contract in the event he was fired. Dick D. Adams Spokane

Delay result of arrogant meddling

The delay of taking action on the two ballot measures Monday night by the City Council and Mayor John Talbott shows clearly their unacceptable arrogance and the quickness with which they have all become members of the elite who know better than the people who elected them what’s best for the electorate!

It’s time we showed them who they represent by replacing all incumbents. How dare they ignore the will of the electorate? Councilmembers Rob Higgins and Phyllis Holmes have directly slapped us in the face by “honoring a request by a former mayor.” The operative word here is former.

It’s the will of the required number of citizens that action be taken on the ballots. It’s inexcusably arrogant of the council and mayor to block the will of the electorate because a former mayor thinks he should have more time to fight the initiatives and that placing initiatives on the ballot is too easy to do. He has the same recourse any citizen - and that is exactly what any former office holder is - has who’s dissatisfied with the initiative process. Use that process to change it.

I respectfully urge every citizen of Spokane to demand the council take action on placing the measures on the ballot. Demand that the council immediately stop playing games with our rights to self-government! Donald D. Jones Spokane

Support our good firefighters

I thank the Spokane Fire Department for the dedication and hard work that was very evident at the Mars Hotel fire.

I was able to watch the department battle a very difficult fire that presented extreme challenges that happened so fast, like the rescue of over 100 citizens and a rapidly extending fire. I am thankful to have such dedicated people who risk their lives to protect us and our property.

I call upon the rest of the citizens of Spokane to thank and support our firefighters by voting for the upcoming levy that will ensure continuation of the high level of service we enjoy. Ryan Lieuallen Spokane

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Public apathy keeps polluters polluting

I was dismayed to read the July 29 article, “Fish caught for heavy metals tests.” It doesn’t make sense to post health warnings at a swimming beach for heavy metals pollution and sample fish for lead while Kaiser’s two outfall pipes pump “white pollutants,” including PCBs, into this same river.

No one, even with a discharge permit, should be allowed to contaminate and destroy a river. Obviously, the permits and penalties are not strict enough to discourage this kind of irresponsible, immoral behavior.

Sadly this isn’t really costing Kaiser. It must be cheaper to simply dump into the river . Yet it is we the community who have the most to lose and will pay for it dearly in terms of our quality of life and health.

What encourages and sustains this kind of injustice? Governmental limits and inefficiency? Government “servants” bought by corporations or developers? Or the apathy of a community that tolerates such government and such cowardly conduct?

Of the three, apathy is the most dangerous. The apathy that now exists in our own neighborhoods, tolerating those who trash it, is the same apathy that tolerates this kind of environmental robbery and destruction. Those who have no civil conscience, with little thought to consequences, may become the CEOs of tomorrow. And just as they acted in their youth, they will think nothing of dumping trash that someone else must pay for.

When will we have had enough? When our drinking water is contaminated? When our loved ones die from eating the fish and other contaminants? Unfortunately, it will be too late then. Jeanie Wagenman Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Be of help when and while you can

In July, John F. Kennedy Jr. and his young wife were laid to rest in the sea that he loved. Another chapter has closed in the tragedy for this legendary Irish-American family that has contributed so much to America but paid the ultimate price.

John Jr., his family’s “shining light,” is gone but the clan will survive with the members’ indomitable spirit and great personal faith.

The nation mourns the Kennedy-Bessette families but was the media wake too long and too emotional? Perhaps, but the nation watched and shared vicarious grief in the process. What triggered this widespread outpouring of grief for this particular young man? Was it the sudden-death syndrome? Was it celebrity fascination or fantasy? Was it a repeat of the Kennedy mystique?

John Kennedy Jr. was an extraordinary young man, yet ordinary - comfortably at ease with ordinary people. He was graced with good looks, a self-depreciating charm, his father’s wit and a motivation for making a difference in the world. He chose to do this in his own independent style and modus operandi. He had not accomplished a great deal in his short span of life but the potential for leadership and service were there. He had a great zest for living and many recognized and were saddened for what might have been. This may be the most significant factor.

The focus resonated repeatedly in scenes from the lives of other Kennedys. Kennedy’s sudden death gives us pause to contemplate our own fragile mortality. It may be a national wake-up call for public service. Jo Hendricks Spokane

Letter inappropriate, a stretch

Re: “Other deaths deserve concern also” (letters, Aug. 3).

It is too bad that Steve Haxton had to choose such a time of loss to get up on his soapbox. It is even sadder that he is trying to link two completely unrelated items: John F. Kennedy Jr.’s death and abortion. Athena Bemel Spokane

The excuses keep on coming

Re: Aug. 2 article about Hillary Clinton. Today, a “sin of weakness.” yesterday, a “vast right-wing conspiracy.” The first lady seems to have no lack of excuses for Bill Clinton’s indiscretions and they change about as often as her hair style. Why can’t the Clintons simply tell the truth the first time? I wonder if the voters of New York will remember all this Orwellian Newspeak when it’s time to cast their votes. Greg S. Bergeron Reardan, Wash.

Do the crime and you must pay

Re: David Carroll’s letter of Aug. 2, “We’ve seen how compassionate bush is.”

Karla Fay Tucker was sentenced to death 15 years ago by the Texas judicial system. She would have been 23 and any 23-year-old knows that death is a possible punishment for murder.

She wanted to help youths get back on the right path?

Perhaps God, in his infinite wisdom, wanted her to show them that religion is not some “get out of jail free” card. Only God and Tucker Brown know whether her redemption was real, but redemption only averts punishment in the afterlife. In this life, we must all pay when we break man’s law, whether for a parking ticket or a grisly murder.

Bush is not responsible for her death. She is. He was not even governor of the state at that time. Only Brown can be blamed for Brown’s actions.

And before anyone gets the idea that I’m a Bush supporter, I should say that I usually vote Democrat. I just believe that as long as excuses are made, as long as the current “it’s not my fault” attitude is allowed to flourish in this country, our society will continue to deteriorate. We must all take responsibility for our own actions; when in the wrong, admit it, take our punishment and get over it.

And if that punishment is the death sentence, when we get over it, hopefully, we’ll be in a better place, like Karla Fay Tucker Brown. Connie L. Foy Spokane