Letters To The Editor
The Military
National Guard is about defense
Several recent letters to the editor have equated serving in the National Guard to “dodging the draft.”
I’m deeply concerned with the incorrect impression imparted by these letters and the fact that we in the National Guard haven’t done our job in educating the public as to the National Guard’s role and contribution.
This year, the National Guard celebrates its 362nd year of continuous service to this nation. Members of the National Guard have seen service in every conflict in which this nation has been involved, beginning with the Revolutionary War. During the Vietnam War, over 22,000 members of the Army and Air National Guard were called to active service, including 11 tactical fighter units and 560 pilots. A member of the Washington Air National Guard from this community spent over five years as a POW in North Vietnam.
Here at home, the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington Air National Guard recently returned from its second presidential call to active duty in eight years. This is in addition to its continuing voluntary rotations into a multitude of global hot spots. If such service constitutes “draft dodging,” then I am at a loss to describe service to this great nation.
The political jousting will continue - it’s one of the freedoms we serve to protect. However, in the course of this jousting we should strive for accuracy and avoid unwarranted insults to those in the National Guard and Reserves who proudly serve this nation in peace and in conflict - some of whom have recently given their lives in the course of their service. Brig. Gen. Jim McDevitt Washington Air National Guard, Spokane
Spokane matters
No-shows don’t get the job done
It is ironic that I glanced at the front page proclamation, “Crime rate is lowest in 25 years” (July 17), immediately after helping to break up a brutal mugging downtown tonight.
Kudos go to the security workers at the STA Plaza, the couple of residents who stopped to help and the Spokane Fire Department personnel who responded immediately to the situation. These must be the people responsible for any lowered crime rate in Spokane.
The police sure didn’t show up to do any follow-up within the 45 minutes I was there. This seems like a leadership problem that doesn’t have anything to do with who the chief is. Joseph M. Reilly Spokane
Pupo departure earns my thanks
Re: “Pupo plans to resign”
After watching the pompous way City Manager Bill Pupo conducted himself on the resignation of Police Chief Alan Chertok, I can only thank him for resigning. In the same story, City Councilman Jeff Colliton blames others for Pupo’s downfall. Colliton should focus his energy on his re-election and leave the blame where it belongs. Gary R. Walton Sr. Spokane
Openness, consistency important
I agree with City Council members Jeff Colliton, Orville Barnes, Roberta Greene and Phyllis Holmes about the impropriety of subjecting City Manager Bill Pupo to the undue humiliation of a public meeting bickering over his evaluation. But, then too, I can understand the spirit that inspired it, given the somewhat similar treatment that Chief Alan Chertok got not very long ago.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Of course, the public expects that public-paid employees should be held accountable, even publicly so, if the circumstances warrant. On the other hand, I doubt that the public expects them to fall on their swords, in sacrifice, as part of an obligation to protect those above them in cases where there is suspicion of secrecy. I don’t know that that is the case but if there is immense public suspicion, the City Council serves everyone’s best interest by being as open as it can be regarding its policies and practices.
Surely, it would benefit no one if the next Spokane police chief and city manager are put in the untenable position of having to walk a fine line that shifts with political winds, being left to guess at too much. A more open government would help spare these officials and other employees the added burden of having to possibly meet contradictory expectations. Philip J. Mulligan Spokane
Taking away signs is bad business
What Suzanne Markham describes in her July 18 guest column as visual chaos and clutter (signs) along Sprague and Division is really the sign of a vibrant retail economy.
The business community creates jobs and pays the majority of taxes in the county. Sixty-five percent of the U.S. economy is retail driven and these retailers drive their business with signs. They are not in residential neighborhoods. To take away the most affordable, effective advertising and communication medium that a business has is to deprive the business owner and his or her employees of their livelihood.
Regarding Markham’s vision of 10 years from now, by removing signs and billboards through an amortization process, I’d like to remind her that amortization without just compensation is deemed as taking on the part of the state. This is illegal in Washington under RCW 47:42.107 Compensation for Removal Under Local Authority. I doubt that Spokane County taxpayers want to pay for sign removal when they can’t get enough money for adequate police protection or to get their roads fixed. Not to mention, how would you value the sign? Is it the cost of the sign or the amount of business the sign brings in?
You cannot legislate aesthetics, color or the shape of a sign. To do so would be a violation of the Lanham Act and to legislate content violates the First Amendment. Markham’s 10-year vision is not pleasing and inviting. It’s the vision of lost jobs, lost tax revenue and a dead Spokane. Nathan S. Batson Colbert
The environment
USFS chief a less than reliable source
Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck was quoted as saying, “Watershed health will be the overriding priority in all forest plan revisions.” (Outdoors and Travel, July 4). Is this true?
The Colville Ranger District sent out notices, dated May 27, proposing a watershed management activity in the Quartzite Ecosystem near Chewelah, including Thomason, Sherwood and Upper Cottonwood drainages. Meeting time, June 3 at 5 p.m. in Chewelah, giving interested parties two days for preparation. I think quickly scheduled meetings are arranged by design to avoid public participation.
This ecosystem is slated for “vegetation management, riparian-wetland management and road management activities.” Over 4,500 acres are wild and roadless. Vegetation management means to “mimic severe fire.” In this instance, 4,600 acres will be handled by timber companies. Sounds like clearcuts again. Riparian and wetland management means “de-channelizing the stream,” which would return the meadows to a natural wetland condition. This has not worked in the past. Road management means constructing “11.5 miles of new road” into roadless wilderness.”
I explored this area a year ago. Wetland restoration is already in process and progressing very well in Betts Meadows, without the benefit of managed vegetation. The national forest slopes feeding this wetland are old growth.
The information our Forest Service chief is feeding us staggers along the border of fiction. As for the local Forest Service districts, the nature of their relationship with the timber industry is hegemonic; the timber industry emerging as the dominant entity, even over democratic process. Edward R. Busch Spokane
Refuge plan right thing to do
Tony Delgado’s July 13 letter, “Refuge needs better new plan,” reminds me of the bumper sticker, “Humans are not the only species, we just act like it.”
Delgado is wrong to say that any politician blind enough to endorse the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge plan is a Benedict Arnold. On the contrary, any politician with the moxie to support this refuge plan will someday be able to tell his or her great-grandchildren that they unselfishly did the right thing.
Is it really asking so much to actually have a wildlife refuge managed for the benefit of wildlife? Christopher G. Bowers Liberty Lake
In the paper
Kennedys cartoon misinterpreted
I disagree with Janis K. Gilson’s interpretation (Letters, July 22) of Milt Priggee’s July 20 cartoon concerning John F. Kennedy Jr.’s arrival in heaven. Believing in the hereafter and the reuniting with those we love is comforting to me and many others. This cartoon was not meant to be funny. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw it. I do not feel Priggee meant any disrespect. His drawing depicts the only good that can come out of this tragedy - i.e. that John, Caroline and Lauren have everlasting life in heaven. I feel better believing they are safe and with those who love them. Kathryn E. Casey Troy, Idaho
Comforting thought most welcome
I did not find Milt Priggee’s depiction of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s arrival in heaven insensitive or sickening. Yes, the accident was a tragedy. But the thought of the family being together again in heaven is a very comforting thought to many people. Thank you, Priggee. Virginia Koehler Spokane
Priggee `captured the poignancy’
With just a few pen strokes, Milt Priggee has again eloquently captured the poignancy of tragedy. His July 20 drawing of John F. Kennedy, Jr. rushing to introduce his bride to his parents struck just the right chord and echoed the very thoughts my friends and I have discussed over the last several days. Spokane is very fortunate to have Priggee’s insightful talent. Melonnie S. Davis Spokane
Cartoon `in no way insensitive’
Re: Milt Priggee’s John F. Kennedy Jr. cartoon.
I, too, have spent years having a love-hate relationship with some of Priggee’s cartoons, but his July 20 tribute to the Kennedys was priceless. Everyone knows that cartoons on the editorial page are sometimes sarcastic, sometimes informative, many times humorous but usually always social commentary. I took the J.F.K. Jr. cartoon as a tribute. In fact, I liked it so well that I copied it and sent it to friends and family outside of Spokane.
Coming from an Irish Catholic family myself, I found the cartoon to be comforting and in no way insensitive. I do not believe that the cartoon was meant to be humorous. It consoled me and reaffirmed my belief in the afterlife. Thanks, Priggee! Donna DuBois Spokane
One of Priggee’s best
Kudos to Milt Priggee for his tender, poignant and thoughtful comment (July 20). I told everyone I saw or talked to to get out their hanky and look at it. What a great final curtain. When Priggee is remembered, this will be one of his most important works. June M. Wakefield Post Falls
`My heart was gladdened’
When I first heard there would be no survivors of the John F. Kennedy Jr. plane crash, my first thought was that at least J.F.K. Jr.. would finally be with his father again. As a Christian, I was comforted in knowing that this tragedy did, in fact, have a silver lining. I believe that death is not so much an ending but a beginning of a new life in Heaven, and a reunion with those who have gone before us.
My heart was gladdened to see Milt Priggee’s drawing, as it so completely expressed how I felt about this terrible accident.
For someone whose life was constantly defined by who his parents were, I also felt it was appropriate that J.F.K. Jr. would want his parents to meet and approve of Carolyn. Priggee also captured J.F.K. Jr.’s boyish enthusiasm, that combination of his mother’s looks and his father’s charm that held our nation’s interest since his birth. I felt the drawing was a fitting tribute to both the young man he was and the man he would have become. Joy C. Whitlock Spokane
`He touched my heart’
I was stunned when I first heard the news of John F. Kennedy Jr., His wife and sister-in-law being lost at sea in a plane accident. As days passed by and the stark reality of the events unfolded, I was moved to tears. John Jr. Was a part of all of us, from the time of his childhood to the wonderful young man he became, unaffected by power and wealth.
On July 20 as I turned to the opinion page and saw the drawing by Milt Priggee of John Jr. And his wife entering the gates of heaven, John saying, “mom, dad, I have somebody I want you to meet,” I could not control my tears. The picture made John Jr.’s fate so real and final.
Priggee has been judged pro and con many times, but with this cartoon he touched my heart in a special way. When my time comes to pass on, I hope to be greeted by my parents and others who were an important part of my life. It is my faith that leads me to believe there is a hereafter, that one day I will be with those I loved. Thank you, Milt Priggee. Mary F. Pizzillo Spokane
Other topics
Shriner fund raisers vary
I, too, want to thank you for the splendiferous article regarding Shriners Hospital volunteers. I also wish to address Luanne Gehrig’s letters, express my opinion regarding Shrine fund raising activities as I know and understand them, and about her use of the words “duck race” in conjunction with the Shrine Circus, ice show and others. I think the public is misinformed and could form a wrong impression in the reading of that statement.
Not every Shriner dog and pony show or other fund raiser benefits the hospital. The fez is naturally associated with this charity.
Two fund raisers are allowed in Shrine: charitable, where 100 percent of the net proceeds benefit Shriners hospitals; and fraternal, where net proceeds benefit the temple, which in turn may distribute them as it sees fit.
A Shriner, temple/club/unit, an organization of nobles or affiliated/appendant corporations, are prohibited from engaging in charitable fund raising efforts other than for the benefit of Shriners hospitals.
The duck race is gambling by raffle, is licensed and regulated by the state gambling commission in tandem with the state Department of Revenue, Federal Gaming Act, the IRS and with concurrence of the police department.
Join the ducks and piggies at the Spokane fair for a quacking, squealing deal. We’re the only game in town! David A. Saiz duck race chairman, Spokane
Great food in an unlikely place
On a return trip from Seattle about a week ago, we stumbled upon what must be Moses Lake’s most well kept secret. It’s food, but not ordinary chow. It’s a sensual culinary adventure.
Where? A few miles east of Moses Lake on Interstate 90 turn at the junction that looks like a great truck stop. Once on the side road to that veritable village, take a right turn at the light. Pick the least likely spot - a green gas station adjoining a well-known motel. It looks like a typical tourist-stop deli except for that “Prime-Rib, all you can eat - $6.99” banner. You kind of know what to expect: crusty mashed potatoes, chicken that looks and tastes like some archaeological find. But look closely and you see a magical unveiling. The food actually looks scrumptious, smells great and tastes divine.
We watched many gas customers glance around and depart, not knowing what a glorious experience was right under their noses. As we dined, my friend could not contain her enthusiasm. She approached gas customers, recommending and insisting that they try the food. She gave the owner advice on what he should do to increase business.
Later, as we contentedly motored on I-90 toward Spokane, rehashing (pardon the pun) the extraordinary event, my friend said, “He needs a better place. He is a rare artist.”
I agreed. Ted M. Keith Liberty Lake