Letters To The Editor

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Good Idaho coverage

As a longtime subscriber of The Spokesman-Review, I wanted to thank Jim Meehan for the great pre- and postgame coverage of the Idaho-Washington State football game (“Down for the long count”, Sept. 19) - a good amount of which was from an Idaho perspective! I’m an Idaho alum and an avid Vandals athletics fan.

One thing you may want to know (maybe you already do) is that two of Steve Musseau’s sons were in the stands for Saturday’s game. Kermit lives in Moscow and Gene lives in Seattle.

Keep up the good work, Jim. Mark Miller Spokane

Vandals, fans show heart

From my Idaho section seating vantage point in the east end zone, I observed a different WSU-Idaho game than was reported in the paper (“Down for the long count”, Sept. 19). I saw outstanding play from both teams and some great individual efforts.

Players from both sides played their hearts out. Yes, there were missed assignments and missed opportunities. However, the outcome was not about all the things the Cougars did poorly, but more about all the things the Vandals did well. And that begins with coaching.

Idaho coaches have recruited players with more heart and better values in addition to being good athletes. But more than anything, the Idaho coaches prepared the team better physically, mentally, and emotionally. And that was what made the difference.

It would have been easy for Idaho to fold at halftime. Instead, the Vandals made adjustments and found the heart to “suck it up” and come back and win. Likewise, the Idaho fans could have found it convenient to leave at halftime. But I didn’t see any empty seats in the Idaho end zone section(s) the entire game. And after the game I didn’t observe any of the customary trash talk. It all made me proud to say, “I’m a Vandal.” Butch Slaughter Spokane

HORSE RACING

Speak up for Playfair

Recent political setbacks propagated by some members of the Washington Horse Racing Commission and “bush” fair meets have the current hard-working Playfair investors’ backs against the wall, attempting to initiate a knockout blow.

Although the “bush tracks” are licensed and not required to have a safety rail, Playfair was required to and did install a safety rail. The Auburn Downs track has been issued a license and has allowed a known bookmaker access to the track and even occupy a box seat, which is in violation of the Washington administrative code.

As a former vice investigator, thoroughbred owner and trainer, I brought this to the commission’s attention, and was never contacted. I am astounded at the credibility of commissioner Barbara Shinpoch and executive director Bruce Batson. The commission has shown no signs of being fair.

Discrimination at times was blatant against the Muckleshoot Indians, who tried in vain to resurrect the local oval. Meanwhile, livelihoods are being ruined. I beg and plead for local racing fans, prior to Oct. 8, to contact the governor’s office, their local legislators, and local racing commission member Hartley Kruger to express their support in granting Playfair a license and to also express their support in ousting Shinpoch and Batson. John G. Kallas Veradale