Letters To The Editor

OVER THE LINE

All fuel facilities must be made safe

I retired in 1979 after 39-1/2 years of service with Great Northern Railroad and Burlington Northern. I was employed as a telegrapher, car distributor, train dispatcher, local freight agent, station inspector and supervisor of administration. I have been a resident of Spokane since June, 1959.

Was I asked to write this letter? Yes. Was I told or advised what to write? No, other than that I should express my own thoughts about the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Hauser fueling facility and aquifer protection.

It appears BNSF has incorporated every possible safeguard into the facility design. If any practical additional aspect were available to augment protection of the aquifer, it would be in BNSF’s best interest to include it. None of the opposing viewpoints has taken issue with the design or operation as portrayed.

My concern is with the lack of aquifer protection by the numerous smaller storage and dispensing facilities in the aquifer area. Many of these store and dispense gasoline, which is an added cause for concern. In all probability, none of these incorporate the aquifer protection offered by the BNSF plant. Bringing these facilities up to the same standards would require formulation of appropriate codes and regulations, and an extended period of time to achieve full compliance.

Admittedly, this is a daunting prospect, but all possible causes of aquifer hazard must be included in the remedy. Harry L. Wihlborg Spokane

Risk of spoiling aquifer too great

Regarding the authors and supporters of the latest of many full-page ads in The Spokesman-Review paid for by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad: You guys miss the point. The issue is not whether yours is an organization of dedicated workers committed to taking every conceivable precaution to ensure the safety of the aquifer. Nor is there much doubt you’d do the utmost to clean up any accidental spill. The issue is that the risk of an accident, in the context of our precious water supply, however remote, is just too great.

As you know, we can never predict the whims of Mother Nature or the likelihood of human error, no matter how much we plan (as Exxon found out!). We have been conditioned to think it’s normal to buy water in a bottle. So be it. But at least we still have a choice. A major spill could alter that forever. Harvey Berman Spokane

BNSF up to date, conscientious

Burlington Northern Santa Fe has been a responsible member of our North Idaho community for many years. The railroad has provided good jobs along with important low-cost transportation services for our Northwest farmers and manufactures.

We should support the company’s efforts to upgrade its business and reduce costs. BNSF’s proposed fueling facility will be a positive step for this important community member.

As a railfan and model railroader, I have followed BNSF’s progress to becoming the best railroad in the country. Other railroads have floundered while BNSF has modernized its equipment with new, quieter locomotives and new railroad cars. Many of the tracks in our area are rebuilt with modern concrete ties and heavy ribbon rail. All this investment means a safer, more efficient railroad system, which we should approve of as a responsible neighbor.

We can believe the engineers when they describe the new fueling facility as being the finest facility to be built, with adequate safeguards to protect our environment. BNSF’s track record demonstrates this every day, as we see the modern trains and locomotives move across our countryside. George L. Wilhelm Coeur d’Alene

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Incinerator source of problems

My husband and I awoke on a recent Tuesday morning with similar allergy symptoms. We do not typically suffer from allergies. As we read the paper, we discovered the city had a problem at the Valley transfer station and was forced to burn a lot of garbage (which also included some unknown toxin) the previous night .

I understand our allergy attacks may be a coincidence. But I also know our fairly severe reactions could have stemmed from our open bedroom window. I understand those who insisted on building the incinerator were convinced it’s the best way to manage our region’s waste. But since the incinerator was approved by a less than democratic process, I would expect its operation to be beyond reproach.

I am not thrilled with burning garbage, but perhaps if we only burned our region’s garbage, not accepting garbage from out of the area, we would have a better chance of maintaining the plant at peak performance.

Remember the promises that were made when the plant was built? If the costs were significantly different than expected and the only way to manage the plant now is to burn as much garbage as possible, then at least apologize to those of us who breathe this air.

I also do not accept that four testings of the air emissions each year are enough to prove there are never problems in any of the other 361 days of the year. Tamara D. Weaver Spokane

SCHOOL DISTRICT 81

Heacox excellent choice for board

I support school board candidate Rebecca (Becky) Heacox, a fellow Hamblen Elementary School parent. I met Heacox at a parents event, and see her almost every time I am at school volunteering. The quilt Heacox executed based on designs by her daughter’s class hangs on a wall in the school’s main stairwell. A second quilt, designed by students from another class, will be presented to Gov. Gary Locke next week when he is in Spokane.

I strongly feel that my children’s quality of life as adults will be affected not only by what they make of their own lives but also by what their classmates, schoolmates - indeed, the entire community - achieve. Heacox will be a strong advocate for all students.

Her platform includes improved academic offerings, including foreign languages at the elementary school level, access to advanced academic levels for any qualified student, etc.; more equal access to special programs, such as APPLE and Montessori classes; and increased parental involvement in all schools.

Heacox will bring fresh ideas to the school board. Please consider giving her your vote. Marianne K. Iwasa Spokane

Heacox showed lack of knowledge

I read a pamphlet from the SEA (Spokane Education Association) about the upcoming school board election. The questions presented to the candidates were thoughtful and interesting. But, I was appalled at the misinformation presented by candidate Becky Heacox.

Heacox says “free-lunch children at Franklin lost Title/ Lap funding because of APPLE.” She obviously has no concept of the circumstances of why state-federal funding is lost.

Due to changing population and demographics, a school slides in and out of this window of funding. The loss of Title/Lap funding was because of a lack of state and federal funds that are determined each year. Less money means fewer schools get services. That year, two other schools also lost Title/Lap funding. There are no APPLE programs at those schools! How can she accuse a parent group of having anything to do with the loss of a state and federally-funded program?

What’s more important is how can we keep these special programs that could help all our children in every school and not depend on the inconsistent funding of government agencies. That should be her issue, not slandering a parent group.

She says, “Children with parents unable to donate time are refused admission into tax-funded programs (APPLE and Montessori).” Montessori does not require hours from parents.

If Heacox is willing to spread falsehoods because of what seems to be a personal vendetta against certain programs, I am truly concerned what she might do if elected. Sandra D. Girton Spokane

`Parent contract’ talk just that

I was present at the League of Women Voters forum at City Hall on Oct. 19. School board candidates Terrie Beaudreau and Rebecca Heacox were asked for an information segment and responded to an audience question.

Heacox repeatedly cited incorrect information regarding the Montessori program (an alternative form of education supported by District 81). She alluded to a contract that all potential Montessori parents must sign prior to their child’s acceptance into the program. This contract mandates parent involvement in the classroom, on field trips, etc. She felt this contract precluded some children if their parents would be unable to commit to this time.

I have been a Montessori parent for 10 years and never have I signed or heard of such a contract. Montessori parents are free to volunteer their time and talents in whatever measure is theirs to give, just as any other District 81 parent. I am a full-time working mother who gives of my time after business hours because I feel it is important for my children’s well-being, not to fulfill a nonexistent contract.

Students are selected for the Montessori program by lottery. All District 81 elementary students may participate in the lottery. Unfortunately, the demand for Montessori slots exceeds the currently available personnel and classroom space.

The Montessori parent community and District 81 are working to expand our program in hopes that, one day, the Montessori program will have space for all who are interested in this form of alternative education. Judy A. Benson, immediate past president Jefferson Montessori Parent Group, Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

French has earned thanks, respect

I am commenting on the statement made by Cheryl Steele in The Spokesman-Review article concerning Al French.

Steele stated that French wanted to be a dictator. It should be noted that French designed the NevaWood Cop Shop, secured materials and volunteers to create what is now a model cop shop and neighborhood center. The hundreds of hours given by volunteers to complete this task was through the effort and leadership of French (as a volunteer), and certainly could not have been completed by a dictator.

Having worked with both Steele and French (as a volunteer, and a member of the executive board and office manager of the NevaWood Cop Shop), I know French is not one who would be a dictator. Art L. Frank Spokane

Do we subsidize bad habits?

Re: front page story, “Food Bank serving more working poor.”

The community should certainly be alarmed and concerned with the new statistics. The seven categories in the survey are all valid reasons for Spokane Food Bank’s use. I would, however, like to see three other categories in the survey:

1. How many of the people served are smokers?

2. How many have cable TV?

3. How many purchased alcoholic products since their last check from wages or welfare?

I realize this may sound like prying into their lifestyle. No one should be made to feel humiliated simply for seeking help. There are also mitigating circumstances to be considered on an individual basis.

On the other hand, giving free food to someone who casually chooses to purchase cigarettes, alcohol or entertainment instead of food is a threefold misjudgment. It encourages, indeed supports a losing lifestyle. It is a misuse of the contributions of those who donate the food. And those who genuinely need the food due to unfortunate circumstances (rather than deliberate bad choices) are being underhelped. The food, in generous amounts, is intended for these people.

The food bank is entrusted with a valuable resource. I think such questions should be asked before food is freely given. May God bless your judgment. Philip Zammit Spokane

THE ENVIRONMENT

Been there, done that - still no good

In Opinion editor John Webster’s recent editorial, he suggests “proposed projects to strengthen fish populations,” i.e. predator removal, hatchery reforms, harvest reductions, etc., as better alternatives to dam removal. The blatant excessive studying of this issue, thereby allowing the requisite time needed to facilitate eventual fish extinction, has been one of the most effective tools used by pro-dam, anti-fish advocates to date. But alas, $3 billion, 25 years and various failed projects later, nothing has worked to even stop the decline of these fish, let alone stabilize their populations. Yet Webster advocates this antiquated notion. Pathetic.

Webster also mentions the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s effort to restore cutthroat and bull trout to its reservation. Comparing these restoration efforts to those regarding salmon on the Lower Snake River is like comparing apples to oranges. The problems these species face are very different in scope.

Yes, habitat restoration is the answer to saving these fish, but is planting a handful of trees along the river going to eliminate the miles of slackwater behind the dams that salmon must contend with during migration or the stress they must endure during barging? It’s like trying to cure cancer with cough drops. It simply has not, and will not, work. What seems to be even more “trendy … in some circles,” is the inability to make informed decisions based on scientific facts which state overwhelmingly that dam bypass is the best chance these fish have for survival, period. James Turner Boise

We’re talking best hope, not `trendy’

Opinion editor John Webster’s recent editorial on salmon recovery showed little understanding of the causes of salmon declines in the Snake River.

Restoring cutthroat and bull trout to the Coeur d’Alene Reservation is a wonderful project. But it doesn’t replace the loss of wild salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Snake River and all its tributaries. Habitat projects won’t save Snake River salmon from extinction. The most pristine spawning habitat in the world is of little use if salmon can’t survive the journey there.

Idaho has the largest amount of pristine salmon habitat left in the Northwest. Much of the Salmon River and its tributaries, for instance, are protected in designated wilderness areas. Yet there are few wild fish returning to these rivers. Why? Because they can’t survive the gauntlet of eight dams to and from the ocean.

Hardly “trendy,” dam removal has been endorsed by the most respected fisheries experts in the Northwest. In addition, the Idaho Chapter of American Fisheries Society, Western Division of American Fisheries Society and Idaho Department of Fish and Game, have all endorsed bypassing the four lower Snake River dams as the only real hope for restoring our wild salmon and steelhead. Sam A. Mace Washington and Idaho Wildlife Federations, Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Photo awful example of mistreatment

I found your recent photo of a young lady barrel racing on a draft horse offensive and sickening. The photo shows the horse in obvious distress and a rider taking great pleasure from the abuse being inflicted. As a horse owner, I find it appalling that you would publish this disgusting photo on the front page.

Horses are sensitive and proud animals that deserve much better treatment from the people they depend on. The young lady should be ashamed of her lack of sensitivity to her mount and her obvious poor riding skills. No real horsewoman would ever hang on a horse’s mouth like she is doing. Her parents should be also be ashamed that they didn’t teach their daughter to respect and cherish her horse, and to always treat it fairly.

Your decision to put this photo in the paper indicates to me that you are heartless, insensitive to animals, ignorant, or all three. No wonder The Spokesman-Review came out in favor of killing cougars and other predators. It appears the majority of your editorial staff feels that animals are only there to serve us and killing or abusing them is apparently just great fun. Michael T. Doherty Hayden, Idaho