Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

`Garden club’ rotten at its roots

I am writing to express how disconcerting it was to learn of the “Lilac City Garden Club” and its tacky, last-minute attack ad against Jeff Colliton.

A group of businessmen forming a group for the sole purpose of attacking a candidate in a political arena is bad enough, but hiding behind the name of a garden club with the intent to mislead the public is especially pathetic. Most garden clubs have a mission of education, fellowship, promotion of the joy of gardening and fund raising to contribute to the beautification of Spokane.

The campaign consultant from Olympia, the group’s campaign manager and all those who helped position the so-called Lilac City Garden Club to make its political point are definitely not “hardy” enough for Spokane’s “Zone 5” and should be relegated to the compost heap! Mary Anne Brown, immediate past president Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane

Keep your fair and your hypocrisy

We decided not to go to the fair this year. As smokers, it was not that we could not have held off smoking for the time we would’ve spent at the fair. We have to do it all the time, i.e. friends’ homes, concerts, restaurants, work, etc.

We feel the ban was implemented under suspect circumstances and we that if the powers that be were not willing to accommodate us for our money, then they will not get any of our money (usually about $150).

At an outdoor event such as the fair, an area set aside for smokers has always seemed a reasonable compromise to those who do not smoke and do not wish to be around smoking (and rightfully so). But what really angered us was that the minute attendance dropped, suddenly, the ban was lifted.

This ban was not conceived or implemented with the public’s health being the main concern, as we were all told. If it would have been, then the ban would still be in place. But, boy, the minute the money drops, look out! What a bunch of phonies!

We stayed away as a simple protest against this hypocrisy. Anyway, we can do without the $20 worth of junk and the mediocre meal that ends up costing $150. The sad conclusion? Politics rule, but money is the ruler!

How about some people in power who will find compromise when dealing with all the different segments of the community. And maybe some people who understand that if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! Stephen Dornbirer Spokane

WASHINGTON STATE

Republicans go ‘round the bend for 695

The Sept. 19 article, “State GOP endorses I-695,” solidifies the Republican position as the Party of the Reality Impaired.

I find it incredible that Republican leaders would abandon any attempt to provide responsible leadership on this issue. It reveals the extent of their desperation. They are ignoring the consequences if Initiative 695 were to pass. They have turned their backs on their communities, on their counties and on every facet of state government.

They paraded out a radio talk show host, John Carlson, for guidance. Carlson asked the gathered Neanderthals, “Why shouldn’t your city, your county and your state have to ask your permission to raise your taxes?”

Gosh, Carlson, I thought that is why we try to elect responsible leaders to office. Carlson’s thoughtless remark shows that a man can have an intelligence quotient number smaller than his shoe size.

According to the story, state Republican Party Chairman Dale Foreman urged the crowd to stand on principles. What principles, Foreman? The principle that our communities do not need good roads? The principle that a good education is unnecessary? Is it the principle that health care is not important for the disabled or the mentally ill? Or, is it the principle that we do not need good police and fire protection in our cities and towns? The Republican vote to endorse I-695 reveals they will do anything to expand their power but nothing to provide responsible leadership. Thomas L. McArthur Spokane

Officials’ scare tactics predictable

Sept. 16, 1999, another day, another scare tactic and another threat.

The Spokane Regional Health District board threatens voters with fee increases if they approve Initiative 695 (Spokesman-Review, Sept. 17). Why should the motor vehicle excise tax subsidize these costs of doing business or home ownership? The fees charged for those services should reflect the actual cost.

This voter understands that passing I-695 will jeopardize only the public services our elected officials choose to identify. Most voters do understand I-695 and that the agenda is not hidden. To help those who don’t, it’s “We want tax relief and we want it now.”

Voters, read, think, understand and remember. The other health board members and all elected officeholders should consider County Commissioner Kate McCaslin’s sage advice that pre-emptive strikes may be understood as a way to circumvent what could become the voters’ wishes. Jon J. Tuning Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Stark contrast between companies

As we opened the Spokesman-Review on Sept. 1, we couldn’t help but notice the letter written by the CEO of Boeing to all of the company’s employees about the proposed labor contract. It was very genuine and heartfelt, and he seemed to care about the employees and the company.

This really hit hard and very much saddened us, although we are very happy for the Boeing employees.

After working for Kaiser for nearly 20 years, it is amazing to see the difference between these two companies. Boeing is really taking care of its employees and Kaiser is choosing to turn its back on its labor force.

Kaiser keeps saying it wants to settle the strike but anyone can see that is just not true. It doesn’t appear to care at all about the employees who have worked hard in a dangerous, hot, dirty place and all the holidays they have worked, the weekends, nights and on and on to keep this company competitive and making record productivity before the strike started. Kaiser wants the union Steelworkers to give up all the rights they have fought for to make this plant a safe place to work.

Steelworkers, stay strong! John and Geri Rowe Spokane

Big difference in two projects

Spokane’s River Park Square was a wonderful undertaking - in more ways than one.

Local contractors got the work and construction jobs went to local building tradesmen and women. Premium payments were also made to the workers’ locally negotiated health and pension plans. Health insurance means family medical bills are paid and pension benefits mean local construction workers can retire in our community with dignity, not begging for government handouts. Sometimes, community leaders just do the right thing!

On the $19 million Cheney Cowles Museum expansion project, on the other hand, the Salt Lake City-based general contractor is under no obligation to hire local building tradesmen and women. In addition, the general contractor only has to pay benefit premiums to the workers in cash, which is worth less than the benefits the money would buy. Sometimes, community leaders just do the wrong thing. Paul “Bill” Carter Newport, Wash.

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Watch who you’re calling a freak

What is Doug Clark’s definition of a “freak?” (“Calling all freaks!” Sept. 21).

It’s funny, I’ve been to Costco innumerable times and have yet to see anyone I would label a freak. I see a large cross section of humanity, all with their own stories, hopes, fears and dreams. It rankles me to envision Clark smugly viewing this widely divergent collection of people and mentally classifying them as freaks. Or perhaps it is not mental - maybe he points them out to family members and friends when he sees a particularly “freaky” person. Who knows?

I try to teach my children to be open minded and accepting of all God’s creatures, including those who do not fit into Clark’s obviously narrow vision of who is normal.

By the way, Clark, next time you see a freak in line at Costco or anywhere else, say hello. It might be me. Becky Moser Spokane

Your hate ads just backfire at my place

It happened again during a recent weekend. An innocent-looking, rolled-up bundle of paper I mistakenly thought was a collection of advertising supplements was left in my driveway. My teenage daughter retrieved it while I was out and later informed me that it wasn’t innocent and it wasn’t advertising. It was white supremacist propaganda. Again.

Through the past several years we have received this offensive material through the mail and through leaflets left on our porch. Yes, we throw it away immediately. Yes, it bothers me to think some people actually believe these flights of fantasy. But I will not stand by and let it pollute my life nor the lives of my family, friends and neighbors. Each new leaflet or flyer only strengthens my resolve to stand firm against such blatantly ignorant and self-glorifying lies.

God has created a richly diverse culture for me to live in, learn from and in which I can share my skills to enrich others. I will join my voice with the voices of my family, friends and community, stand up and say, Never again! Jane A. Orto Coeur d’Alene

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Hard reality was soft pedaled

I would like to clarify a statement made in the Sept. 11 article, “Robot aids Hanford’s cleanup assessment.”

In the article, Sharon Bailey (robotics program manager at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) stated that the top (maximum) radiation levels in the ventilation tunnel of U-Plant was 260 milli-REMs. Then, to soften that number, it was stated that everyone in the United States is exposed to an “estimated average” 100 milli-REMs annually from natural background and cosmic radiation.

First, let me state that my expertise in the field of radiation safety consists of an associate degree in nuclear technology and that I have worked at Hanford and many commercial nuclear reactors around the United States.

Secondly, the amount of radiation that we are exposed to from natural sources is cumulative (the total of everything added together over one year). The amount of radiation that is being emitted from the tunnel at Hanford is 260 milli-REMs per hour, every hour.

Now, I think everyone can see that there is a significant difference between what we are exposed to naturally and what a worker would be exposed to if he or she were working in that tunnel. Ken E. Martin senior health physics technologist, Cheney

BELIEFS

Innocents dying for their faith

As I read the headlines in the Sept. 16 SpokesmanReview, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of grief. Not just over the death of seven human beings but over the sense of callousness that our nation has toward violence.

Why do we turn and look the other way when tragedy strikes? Why do we claim that it could never happen to us, yet in our hearts there’s a fear that it will? One question that ran through my mind was, where does it end? How much sorrow and bloodshed do we have to experience until it’s over?

You think the term “martyrdom” only applies to a saint who was burned at the stake in the 16th century. But being a martyr applies to our lives more and more each day. What is a martyr? A martyr is someone who dies for his beliefs.

The deaths of the people in Texas, of Cassie Bernall, of Rachel Scott and others, all speak loudly of their willingness to give up their lives for Jesus Christ. When I think about it, I realize that it would not be my “beliefs” that I would die for. It hit me that I would die for my Jesus, my God and savior. In the Bible, Phillipians 1:21 says, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” I pray that if the time came, I would be able to say that. Jana Fulton, age 17 Spokane

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Way to go, Avista, IPUC, suckers

As a wealthy resident of Idaho and an Avista stockholder, I would like to thank everyone involved with the recent Avista Utilities electric rate hike in North Idaho. Not only is my Avista stock value rising due to increased profits, an additional bonus is that my electric power rate went down.

Residents who, like me, own expansive homes whose electrical use exceeds 2,500 kwh per month will actually see a decrease in their power bills. The increased rates are reserved solely for the middle class. People with average homes using 1,000 kwh per month will see an 11 percent rate increase; 500 kwh users receive a 22 percent increase; and if you’re someone on a fixed income surviving on 250 kwh, you get an impressive 41 percent increase.

This rate change seems extremely fair. After all, the middle class deserves whatever it gets. They’ve allowed corporate America to successfully shape them into nothing more than a herd of complacent bovine consumers.

My thanks to Tom Matthews, CEO of Avista Corp., for creating this rate hike scheme, and to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for its docile agreement. Thanks to the state and local elected officials of Idaho for turning a blind eye on the proceedings. Lastly, thanks to the Idaho public for meekly accepting it.

I enjoy living in Idaho, a state where the government knows how to appreciate people of real value. I definitely will increase my political contributions to ensure that Idaho remains a pillar of American conservatism. Paul N. Valanoff Moscow

Enforcement tough, you say? Good

Re: “Marine deputy has a way of finding trouble,” (Sept. 6). Here’s the thing: It’s unfortunate that the deputies have to crack down on all boaters (and hopefully, all snowmobilers) but it kind of gets to that old thing about one rotten apple spoiling the barrel.

In this case, it only takes one drunken bozo in a boat (missile?) that runs into a boatload of people, killing or injuring a couple or more, to ruin a season. And if the deputies are too easy or too lax, then the public outcry will be that they aren’t doing their jobs. If the deputies are hard on boaters and snowmobilers (as in enforcing the rules?) then people will hopefully get the message and act like responsible citizens instead of irresponsible gangsters. Mike Pierce Coeur d’Alene

Hang in there, deputy

Re: “Marine deputy has a way of finding trouble,” (Sept. 6). Being in a position of authority is not a way to become popular with the public. Especially if the position requires one to deal with people who are not obeying the law. People always want things their way, whether they are in the right or not. They always perceive that they are being unfairly picked on by the person in authority.

My guess is that the deputy is simply “going by the book” and enforcing the laws on the lake. The people boating on the lake are out for a good time. They think it is their right to boat in any way that they see fit. The deputy is there to try to prevent accidents, property damage and injuries.

I believe Sheriff Chip Roos when he says he has tapes of each encounter and the deputy acted professionally in each instance.

It is against the law - and common sense - to be boating late at night without running lights. It is against the law to drive a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is against the law to ski without an observer. The law says there must be a life jacket for each person in the boat. The laws were made necessary because some people seem to think they are the exception to the rules of common sense.

The deputy should keep doing his duty, even though the people seem to be ganging up on him. Harvey Martin Sagle

Let’s all be part of the solution

Re: “Marine deputy has a way of finding trouble,” (Sept. 6). It is the responsibility of all involved - residents and deputies - to take responsibility for their actions. This is a community problem and all should work to solve it. Norman Schroder Mosco