Letters To The Editor

Fri., Aug. 4, 2000

SPOKANE MATTERS

McCaslin sees things clearly

Re: “Health District dumps larger raise for workers” (July 28).

What is happening, again, at the Health District? As a taxpayer I want to applaud County Commissioner Kate McCaslin for being a responsible member of the Board of Health. It looks like she is able to cut through the bull and see the real agenda. I agree that the employees need to have some sort of cost-of-living raise, but not 3 percent when the public still is without vital services.

It also looks like the employees who do the down-and-dirty work at the Health District are not in favor of the raise so who is pushing for the 3 percent? According to Helen Jones, it is middle management.

Dr. Kim Thorburn was quoted as saying the Health District would only save $47,000. How many employees would that hire? Would it be enough to keep the health clinic open five days a week instead of four? Helen Warner Spokane

New stripes don’t help confusion

The city has recently repainted the double yellow line through the Thorpe Tunnels. To me, that means keep to the right of the double yellow. This could be the most basic safety rule we have.

Yet drivers, especially trucks, routinely cross over into the oncoming lane in the tunnels because it is narrow.

Just before the tunnels, a city sign reads, “One truck at a time in tunnel.” This seems to effectively blur the rule about keeping to the right of the double yellow.

For the safety of all concerned I suggest the existing signs come down and drivers be warned to keep right of the yellow lines. Width as well as height allowances should be posted. Vehicles too wide to fit in their own lane should use an alternate route. Jerry Jahn Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Power of office too strong for most

Re: “Rat helpful in explanation” (Letters, Aug. 1).

I read Phillip Thompson’s letter concerning Rep. George Nethercutt’s obvious disregard for the commitment he made to his constituents. But, isn’t this true of most elected officials? As well intentioned as some may be when first entering the political arena, don’t they soon become tainted by the power and self-indulgence made available to them?

This isn’t rocket science folks, why do you think these bureaucrats spend so much money at election time to stay in office. It doesn’t matter if it’s city, county, state or national, the story is always the same.

Thompson, I leave you with this, the definition of insanity: Electing the same people over and over again and expecting a different result. J.W. Cars Spokane

Ahern offers honor, common sense

John Ahern, candidate for state representative, has as his motto, “To serve with honor.” He promises leadership, integrity and common sense.

I have known Ahern for several years. I know that he does what he promises to do. He will bring to the office a voice for all citizens. As a family man and successful small business owner, he has the experience and insight that supports what we need in Spokane. He understands the people and the issues.

Ahern will put into office the same energy and determination that has brought him success in his own life. He is the kind of man we need in Olympia. Armed with new ideas, along with the desire and ability to perform, Ahern is the best choice for the open 6th District seat.

Please join me in voting for John Ahern, a man of honor, leadership, integrity and common sense. Al McCann Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Editorial an unfair attack

Your July 2 editorial, “Situation cries for peacemakers,” is another example of your tendency to take a knee-jerk, pro-tribal position on Indian issues. You unfairly attacked the North Central Idaho Jurisdictional Alliance and incorrectly identified treaty rights as the source of conflict between local governments and the Nez Perce Tribe.

Elected officials representing 23 cities, counties, highway and school districts have joined together in a peaceful, collaborative effort to defend their constitutionally guaranteed right to have a voice and vote in government decision-making.

It’s outrageous to say that NCIJA is trying to “destroy the Nez Perce Tribe’s legal authority to govern its own reservation.” No one is suggesting the Nez Perce should not have the right to govern their own members on their reservation.

The tribe claims to have authority to tax and regulate non-Indian residents, their businesses and property. That’s a power grab and not a treaty right!

Toppenish officials recently convinced the Association of Washington Cities to adopt a new policy on this subject. The new policy states: “AWC recognizes that cities and their citizens located within Indian reservations should be guaranteed all U.S. and state constitutional rights, and such rights shall not be diminished, taken away or affected by any tribal law, rule, or order.”

U.S. citizens civil rights travel with them abroad, and that should be true when a citizen lives or works on, or visits an Indian reservation.

Irresponsible editorials such as this only serve to confuse your readership and encourage tribal government overreaching. Barbara Lindsay, executive director United Property Owners, Redmond, Wash.

Reunion coverage disappointing

I was so thrilled that Spokane was chosen for the 50th anniversary and 23rd reunion of the POWs of the Korean War. Now I am so angry and disappointed.

There were nearly 400 ex-POWs, wives and families at the reunion. We got virtually no news media coverage. We have had reunions all over the states and have had better media coverage.

Shame on you, Spokane. These POWs are our heroes. Most of them were prisoners for three years or more. They had their lives threatened every day for our country.

We got one little advance notice and a column by Doug Clark, which was mainly about two of the POWs. There were lots of POWs in attendance who hadn’t seen each other for 50 years - all are brothers forever. There were hugs and tears all week, and horror stories that we can’t imagine.

Much money was spent in Spokane at the hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, etc. They came from all over the United States. They deserve much better.

Serial killers, hate groups and whatever get attention, but so little for our soldiers who fought and gave their lives and time starving and freezing, suffering beatings and worse.

No wonder this country is in a mess. Shame on you, Spokane. Darlene Tupper POW’s wife, Coulee City, Wash.

Hill’s motivitation race-based

Margo Hill’s July 29 Your Turn column, “Complacency could cost us our sovereignty and more,” is an example of distortion of the truth by omission. Hill conveniently left out the key element - the mandate that the Indian tribes change to a Republican form of tribal government as opposed to their present racial government.

It is truly ironic that the “civil rights activists” have orchestrated an outcry that the Washington state Republican Party resolution is racist. Exactly the opposite is the case.

The Indians want it both ways. They want a race-based policy on the reservation and affirmative action benefits off the reservation.

So Hill is now motivated to crusade to get Indian people to register to vote - off the reservation, of course. If her focus were not that of a racist she would concern herself with racial discrimination against non-Indians on the reservation. Will Murray Spokane

Legal parking for safety of us all

In the July 31 Public Periscope column there was an item about the concert at Audubon Park, reprimanding Sgt. Dan Torok for doing his job. I, a resident and homeowner in the area and user of the park, applaud Sgt. Torok for the job he did and ask that he keep doing it.

Legal parking is for the safety of us all. In the Audubon Park area, an emergency vehicle cannot get through if there is illegal parking. This would include responding to an emergency for the “white-hair audience” at the polka concert or an emergency at a “white-hair” home or any other residence in the area.

It is the residents in the area who have requested police intervention to keep Audubon Park safe and accessible for us all.

I wonder if the author of “Making the streets safe” feels it is OK for “white-hair” folks to park illegally everywhere, or just in Audubon Park? Michelle Dudley Spokane

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