Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Kaiser should accept encroachment

Re: “Three freeway routes remain on the table” (June 6).

Big industry seeks and has great influence in everything. Fairness dictates that the freeway should be placed where it is most practical and disrupts the fewest families’ lives.

Kaiser’s position is that it has had a great impact on the Spokane economy. That is true. But Kaiser has also been serviced by this community for a very long time. It was discounted power rates that brought Kaiser here, not a community spirit. Kaiser should compromise on behalf of its local community. Kaiser has not always been a good neighbor. It has forced employees into retirement when it was in the company’s best interest, then tried to reduce their medical benefits to save a buck.

Kaiser locked out most of its labor force from the community. It has contaminated groundwater with cyanide and other contaminants. The Colbert landfill and other disposal facilities, I suspect, seep toxic chemicals from past Kaiser operations.

Should the community again suffer negative impacts simply because Kaiser would prefer not to have part of the transportation system on its property? Wouldn’t the company get good use from this road? Kaiser could use it to transport metal products to the Trentwood facility.

Planners paid by and working for the people should develop this community with the peoples’ best interest in mind. Special interest favors shouldn’t be afforded Kaiser or any other self-serving individual or group. Mike Sweeney Chattaroy

Align bus schedules with reality

Regarding the Spokane Transit Authority meeting concerning fine-tuning bus service (News, May 27): If STA wants to help bus riders, one place to start would be printing schedules that reflect reality instead of theory.

Examples from just one route would include the weekday afternoon outbound Sprague bus scheduled to arrive at Sprague and Havana at 5:09 (no chance; always late) and the weekday afternoon outbound Sprague bus scheduled to arrive at the VTC at 5:40, which often cannot even reach Sprague and Mullan by 5:45. And the bus is consistently late, regardless of driver, weather, detours or road construction.

How difficult would it be to print bus schedules that reflect the real times the buses arrive so we can time our walk to the bus stops accurately, especially in bad weather?

And before STA executives break their arms patting themselves on the back over the way their route changes have not resulted in a significant drop in ridership, perhaps they should keep in mind that since Spokane is the minimum-wage capital of America, many bus riders cannot afford a car and must continue to use bus service regardless of how inconvenient the new routes and schedules have been made. Bob Kirlin Spokane

Pupo, here’s a clue

Come on, folks. Instead of spending more of my tax dollars scouring the countryside for a hired gun, perhaps Bill Faux Pax - or is it Pupo? - could spend 20 minutes of his own well-paid company time to review our current duty roster.

Boys and girls, has anybody ever heard of the term “promotion from within?” Or is that too much like dating your cousin?

At any rate, he or she would most of all be well armed with firsthand knowledge of the ultraconservative nature that exists in Spokane, the Ingrown Empire. Jody W. Britts Greenacres

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Fairness? Accuracy? Forget it

Alan Chertok’s leaving will not better or worsen Spokane’s police department. From my experience with it in the past year, nothing can help us because the department is more like a club or a gang. There is no justice, only circumstances. You have no civil rights until you are arrested.

My car was stolen last June from my garage. A dozen witnesses watched the theft and more watched the car being stripped. By the time four months had passed, I had been dubbed a Hell’s Angels gang member affiliate and mastermind of the theft of my own car.

It was a case of mistaken identity. Looking at a picture of me and a picture of the other woman could have easily clarified that but it was never done. Talking to a witness may have helped also but it was never done. When I asked why, I was told, “We don’t investigate car theft.”

So this little mix-up by a novice, overzealous detective cost me $19,000. All I was given to make this right was a letter from a lieutenant detective saying they were sorry for the mistake in identity, a letter from Chertok that said he felt his detective acted in a totally appropriate manner and a letter from the city attorney saying I had no merit to my claim for retribution.

I don’t think it matters who the chief of police is. If you think there will be justice if you are wronged, think again. Expect no justice, only an inappropriate answer. Mary Pritzl Spokane

VIOLENCE

We must start with our own kids

Should photos of the two boys responsible for the shooting rampage at Columbine High School have been included in the school yearbook? That’s debatable. We need those photos to remind us not only of all that we lost that day but of the war we are losing in connection to saving the morals, integrity and self-esteem of all the young people who keep falling through the cracks.

Yes, there are some good people volunteering their time and knowledge to help troubled kids. But more work and new approaches may be needed. It must start early and with our own kids. If we can’t build trust starting at the cradle, we’ve already lost the biggest battle.

Some children may be predisposed to violence. Who can say? One thing is for certain: If we don’t teach our own kids to be tolerant of others and more accepting of differences, we will continue to witness heartbreaking scenes such as the ones at Columbine. Linda F. Muir Cheney

Parenting education need is clear

Being a sophomore at Mt. Spokane High School, I especially am concerned. Many suggest multiple police officers on duty and metal detectors at the doors. These measures do nothing for prevention and use taxpayers’ money in vain.

Instead, free parenting programs through the schools would teach parents how to deal with certain parenting situations and not allow the extreme hatred to manifest within. Also, counselors need to be more involved in students’ lives and understand them. Counselors now seem to care only about scheduling classes rather than the students’ personal lives.

Both measures would help prevent school violence, rather than try to catch it when it’s too late. Theys would also allow tax money to be spent on education, the real reason school exists. Mike T. Bush Mead

Children in fatigues? How appalling

Re: the large picture of the young boys in the June 1 Region section. There’s something very disturbing about youngsters in camouflage fatigues carrying guns.

When I first saw them on TV, marching on Memorial Day, I couldn’t believe my eyes. With all the tragic news lately of kids killing kids, and now this, it’s too much. Reminds me of pictures during Hitler’s reign, of youngsters goose-stepping as storm troopers-in-training. There are many patriotic and moral lessons to be learned in other boys clubs and organizations - the Boy Scouts, for one. A better picture could have been used honoring our fallen friends and family on Memorial Day. You really failed the test this time. Milt Priggee’s cartoon in the same issue emphasized the gun problem. Good timing, guys.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. Little boys encouraged to be soldiers and little girls made up for beauty contests. When are the grownups going to knock it off and let children be children? Josie R. Say Spokane

WHO’S NOT WHO

No lawsuits for this Anderson

In the past month or so, The Spokesman-Review printed some pending lawsuits that listed a person with the same name as my husband. I want the public to know the lawsuit that named Mark Anderson is not the Mark Anderson in Cougar Gulch, nor is it the owner of CFI Construction, Mark Anderson. My husband, Mark L. Anderson, owner of CFI Construction, is in good standing and has no suits pending against him. Judy D. Anderson Coeur d’Alene

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Affect me? Yes and not for the better

Stephen Hayes of the Aryan Nations is complaining about being judged? (Letters, June 1). Well, cry me a river. He hides behind his religion, tries to drive away anyone who isn’t white and expects no one to protest this behavior?

He claims he is “courteous” to his neighbors, the majority of whom are white. I wonder if he would extend the same courtesy to a black person?

Hayes asked residents how the Aryan Nations has an effect on them, so here is my answer.

Whenever I travel, nationally or abroad, and tell people I’m from the Northwest, one of the first things they ask me about is the racism here. On a much deeper level, it profoundly affects me when a cross is burned on someone’s lawn. I may not have the same skin color as the people being targeted for this abuse but we share the stronger bond of humanity.

Every time the Aryans parade around town espousing their doctrine of hate, make a racist joke or teach their children that people who don’t share their skin color are inferior, a part of their soul dies. They have no idea how enriching life can be when you learn about different cultures and interact with people of other races because eventually, you realize we are all one.

Yes, you do affect me, Hayes, and I will continue to attend all the human rights functions I can and lend my support to organizations that protest yours. Laura L. Toussaint Spokane

Aryans, I know and reject you

Re: “Don’t judge us too hastily” (Letters, June 1).

How has the Aryan Nations had a direct effect on me? I’ve been yelled at and had threatening phone calls. If it were only that, I could live with it. However, it went far beyond that. I had to move my family for safety and sever ties with other family and friends due to my direct contact with the Aryan Nations.

Living at the Shadows Motel and RV Park, my son and I were constantly subjected to recruitment tactics by Danny Lee and Chevie Kehoe. We were given literature, saw the weapons and bomb making materials, listened to the talk of racism and hatred.

I’ve heard stories of adults and children being murdered to further their cause. I’ve testified to law enforcement, the grand jury and in federal court as a result of my personal contact with the Aryan Nations.

So my judgment is not hasty. It’s been years in the making. I was and will always be affected by my direct contact with the Aryan Nations. I’ve not been able to forgive and forget. My anger runs deep and I will fight against all that you stand for.

Many people believe as I do and together we will defeat you! I ran from you once but never will again.

So, if you’re looking for compassion, you’ll never find it here. I know and understand all too well what your people wish to do in my community. James Wanker Spokane

Follow good move with news drought

Re: “CdA chooses dumping ground for Aryan march,” (June 3).

Everyone should have the opportunity to express their opinion, even if it is a stupid one. Removing the parade from downtown was a great decision. I can only hope that the local media will follow the Human Rights Task Force in largely ignoring them, denying them any additional free publicity. Lori A. Wright Post Falls

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Kegger not school district’s concern

In regard to the letter from Marcia Stoup, on June 4, you need to research your facts before you speak out. I agree that any minor or adult needs to be held responsible for their actions. But in the case of damaged property by a number of youths during a kegger, how can you say the administrative staff at Lake City High School should be involved by holding diplomas for these youths?

Was this a school district-sponsored event? No. Had it been, then perhaps holding diplomas might be a step to take. This party had nothing to do with the school. It was a private party on someone’s private property and the law, not the school, needs to deal with this matter.

If community service is the solution, the court ought to dole out the punishment, fines, etc. The schools have nothing to do with it.

Please do not blame the schools for these youth’s problems. School administrators have enough problems to deal with when something happens in the school. They certainly don’t need any outside problems.

Perhaps the parents need to be held responsible but that may open another can of worms. William A. Kinder Hayden

Craig’s way popular and foolhardy

Re: “Craig wants to make it easier to get dam operating licenses,” (May 27).

Efforts to streamline any administrative process are to be applauded, as long as they don’t compromise the purpose of the process.

Throughout most of our nation’s history, we have paid little heed to the ecologies that sustain us. We have traditionally pursued wealth and comfort at the expense of our air, land, water and wildlife. This is particularly true of our watersheds and waterways.

Protecting these life-essential resources is undeniably expensive. The alternative is costly beyond price. Cheap hydropower at the expense of living waters is no bargain. Sen. Larry Craig has a long history of ignoring environmental concerns, largely with the connivance of Idaho’s citizens.

Wisdom dictates that easing restrictions on licensing dams should be viewed with a jaundiced eye. Craig’s statement that “it requires participating agencies to consider - and be accountable for - the full effects of their actions before imposing mandatory conditions” is another way of saying that if protection costs much, we should not protect. The debt we incur with this kind of thinking will be paid by our children yet unborn and that is a terrible moral wrong. P. Kent Henderson Lewiston

Closing pool figures, unfortunately

Re: “Swimming pool to close July 1,” (June 3).

In these days of youth trouble and violence, I would think the city could find a way to help keep such a valuable resource open. But I guess you can’t get blood out of a turnip. Joe Goodsen Hayden Lake

Art? Not if it costs taxpayers money

Re: Ken Olsen’s June 7 article about city art.

I’m a long-time taxpayer and I’m all for the improvement of city government, but not at taxpayers’ expense.

With the influx of money moving into Coeur d’Alene, I see all the city projects getting art for their businesses but what about the schools? What about the older generation that helped make our city what it is today? I’ve met senior citizens in our city who have to choose between eating and taking their medication.

Why can’t we give something back to them, instead of taking all the time? We have a beautiful senior center but not all of our seniors are able to go there. My mother is in her mid-80s and has just her social security to get by on. Paying taxes on her own home doesn’t leave her much for anything else.

I will frame my sewer, water and garbage bill and put it in my bathroom. When I flush each time, I’ll know that I donated to a special cause. Arlene Johnston Coeur d’Alene