Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Freeway options posed incorrectly
Periodically, the press reports handwringing regarding the loss of agricultural land and the blight of low-density suburban sprawl. An editorial in The Spokesman-Review put much of the blame on our pioneering nature and free-market forces. I suggest we look to government policies as our primary causal agents.
The proposed north-south Spokane freeway provides an example. Generally, we expect freeways to link population, centers of industry and commerce, or major transportation corridors criteria which do not pertain to the Spokane proposal. It will serve as a commuter freeway. Primary beneficiaries include real estate developers.
We have gotten so used to government benefiting the wealthy that we accept it as normal behavior. We treat middle class white flight as a natural phenomenon, like the migration of ducks or our pioneer spirit.
In city after city, the story is the same: officials don’t have money to deal with potholes, litter, crime, drugs, alcohol, prostitution, falling-down schools, snow-clogged sidewalks, congestion and pollution. Somehow, they find billions to help suburbanites. With public investment in suburban infrastructure, wealth concentrates there. The city core requires periodic infusion of federal money to stay afloat. Commercial boulevards like Division Street atrophy as suburbanites elect to patronize new shopping centers near the commuter freeway.
The north-south Spokane freeway decision is really this: Should Spokane be a cosmopolitan city or suburban sprawl? Donald L. Tryon Colville, Wash.
At long last, deal decsively with dump
I appreciated Karen Dorn Steele’s article explaining the EPA’s citing and fining of individuals and businesses involved in illegally disposing of 900 tons of PCBs in the Graham Road Dump.
Because the Graham Road Dump illegally accepted this toxic waste, I understand that their permits are going to be reviewed by officials at the Spokane County Health District. I’m thankful Dr. Kim Thorburn is taking charge of this investigation and directing her personnel to a plan of action. Unfortunately, Thorburn’s personnel are the same people responsible for originally permitting the dump. I believe the Health District should revoke the dump’s exiting permits and close the dump.
EPA’s actions to date do not remove the toxic substances or resolve the continued pollution of our ground water by the dump in the West Plains. Our health district and Department of Ecology are responsible for allowing this dump to be placed directly in a critical ground water recharge area, directly within an aquifer which merges with other major aquifers and is in violation of numerous laws.
It is time our local government agencies take responsibility and correct these errors. Mike Schmidt Medical Lake
Well, what do you know about that?
Interesting front page article Feb. 21 regarding Mayor John Talbott. I was wondering when someone would get around to pointing out this man had actual business associations before becoming mayor. What was he thinking? By the way, does the Cowles family have any connection with The Spokesman-Review? Ken Crane Spokane
IN THE PUBLIC EYE
For Republicans, the mourning after
With the impeachment trial now history, do you suppose both parties can and work together, in a bi-partisan manner, to address the important issues that face the nation, such as health, education and Social Security?
The Lewinsky affair became public Jan. 21, 1998 and lasted a year and 22 days. Prior to that, Kenneth Starr had been investigating Clinton since August 1994. I watched parts of the impeachment trial on television. For the best acting performance by a Republican prosecutor, I would nominate Henry Hyde, R-Ill. and Trent Lott, R-Miss. For best supporting actor, it was a tie between Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark. and James Rogan, R-Calif.
The 1999 Golden Finger Award winners are Larry E. Craig and Mike Crapo - two distinguished Republican senators from Idaho. I know in my heart these two great leaders voted their conscience and not the party line.
In an interview before the final impeachment vote, Hyde said, “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.” After the final vote, he made several comments such as: “The flag is flying. The Constitution works. We did prove our case. The problem was the clock.” Finally, he said, “I am not a Clinton hater.” This last statement I will never believe.
The fat lady has sung her song. Now, it’s time for the fat man and all his Republican colleagues to cry the blues. For readers who still think the Lewinsky affair was not about sex: “Good Morning America” stated Feb. 15 that the word “sex” was in the Starr Report 548 times. James L. Baker Kingston, Idaho
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Better teacher pay sound investment
I’m in full agreement with the Feb. 15 letter, “Consider who’s in the greatest need,” by Henry S. Berman, M.D.
I am a student at Mt. Spokane High School, so President Clinton’s decision to throw all the government money at the elderly affects students my age. The government needs to pay more attention to the teachers in our country. Teachers work incredibly hard every day teaching our future doctors, social workers, politicians and presidents. They are a key part of developing children into fine adults, yet they get little credit for it.
Clinton’s plan gives 88 percent of government funds to those who are or who soon will be over 65 years of age. As Berman asked, “How sensible is it for us to invest so much money in our citizens at the end of their lives and so little in those just starting?”
The average salary of a teacher in 1998 was $33,208 a year. That is not enough to live on if the teacher also has children and supporting them with only his or her salary. We need to recognize teachers more, pay them more and appreciate them more. If we don’t, then who will want to take their place in the future? If we pay teachers more, I believe they would enjoy their job more and therefore teach better. It’s a domino effect.
So let’s make sure we knock the dominoes in the right direction. Rachel Bell Spokane
OTHER TOPICS
Entertainment is for escape
In his Feb. 21 Roundtable column, Mark Harry says certain classic television shows like “Leave it to Beaver” are dangerous to the fragile young psyche because they convey “unrealistic portrayals of life in America.” This statement implies that the current situational themes of gratuitous sex, violence and general dysfunction are somehow healthy to the young viewer’s mind.
Whoever said entertainment must be utterly realistic? Most people turn to entertainment in its various genres to escape from reality for a while. If comic immorality and severe trauma are indeed the present-day norms of daily life, then, logically, shows like “Leave it to Beaver” provide a welcome release from everyday tensions and should be encouraged or at least tolerated, not berated and condemned.
These recent attacks on the Beave by media and the entertainment world are yet another transparent ploy by the morally challenged to desecrate everything good and wholesome in America, past and present. Jeffrey J. Grygny Spokane
Another camel’s nose under the tent?
As a small-business person who has been very active in health care issues, I found Frank Bartel’s article on health care very interesting.
The average family premium is in excess of $200 per month and it is not uncommon for it to be $400 (if it includes prescriptions and long-term health care). That is well over 10 percent of the average family income in Washington. The total health care expenses of the country are approximately 17 percent of gross domestic product.
I would like to know how Bartel and Health Care 2000 plan on providing these benefits for 1 percent of tax on income. Remember how Medicare and Social Security started? Now, it is 15.3 percent of payroll and going broke. Curtis L. Fackler, owner Payroll Plus, Spokane
Spencer `touched my heart’
Again and again, writer Kathleen Corkery Spencer skillfully touches emotions that cause us to think and to feel.
She has touched my heart - again - with the article about her dog and loyal friend, Micah. Those of us who have been lucky enough to share a bond with a pet certainly can feel her sorrow.
I send my wishes for solace and comfort. I believe that “All dogs go to heaven.” Kim D. Price Spokane