Letters To The Editor

Law enforcement

Nice for the BID area, however …

There is an interesting dichotomy in the Aug. 14 front page story, “City had a lusty youth,” and the same day’s editorial, “Reform the BID, but don’t trash it.” The editorial praised the Business Improvement District’s Security Ambassadors for making downtown safer, extending the reach of police and forcing hookers (and drug dealers) out of the urban core. While businesses flourish downtown, the article states, the East Sprague corridor has become the axis of street trade with pay-for-sex transactions consummated in motel rooms or the customer’s car. And now, with serial killer suspect Robert L. Yates Jr. in jail, police report the prostitute and drug business on East Sprague is picking up.

All of this despite legislation passed in the 1999 session giving police additional enforcement tools to pick up johns soliciting prostitutes from their cars. Spokane police have elected not to enforce this law and East Sprague businesses are again the victims of serious disruption every day by prostitutes on the streets.

Is it really fair for the well-funded downtown BID to push the prostitutes and drug dealers out of downtown and onto the poorer East Sprague corridor that has mostly small businesses, many struggling for survival?

Shouldn’t we get together as a community and get the prostitutes off Spokane streets and out of town? East Sprague taxpaying businesses are suffering from the continuous disruption caused by illegal prostitutes and drug dealers. We need help from the City Council, city manager and police department to put a stop to it. David A. Clack Spokane

Spokane matters

Strip mall sprawl is passe

Re: the Aug. 16 letter, “Downtowns die - that’s progress,” from Wilson Conaway.

Conaway seems to have a poor understanding of the role played by a downtown area in an urban community. A successful downtown is not simply another conglomeration of retailers; it is much more. It helps define the identity of a city. It is, ideally, the cultural, residential and business center of an urban area.

Establishing the cultural institutions necessary to a well-rounded core is difficult, however, if no one is downtown. In many cities, the most direct way to draw people is to provide a retail experience unavailable at decentralized malls or the multitude of neighborhood strip malls. The national chains whose only stores are in the new River Park Square provide a unique shopping experience, but smaller, locally owned retailers are necessary too.

Giving in to the endless succession of strip malls will not solve any of Spokane’s problems. Advocacy of such development seems like a throwback to two decades ago. The trend toward ceaseless urban sprawl, symbolized well by the neighborhood strip mall, has given way to a new urbanism, centered on the concept of urban villages, vibrant, walkable neighborhoods clustered around a vibrant downtown. Spokane would do well to move toward a more urban, and decidedly less suburban, vision of itself.

I am hard-pressed to find the “thousands of towns and cities across the United States” that have retained their civic dignity after giving up on their downtown. Throughout the country, scholars and civic leaders have realized that a livable city is a centralized city. It would be irresponsible to manage Spokane in any other way. Anthony P. House Spokane

Many small contributors back Powers

Your lead story in the Aug. 19 edition regarding contributions to the campaigns of the four mayoral candidates omitted a few important facts.While John Powers has raised more money to date than his opponents, it has come from literally hundreds of donors citywide in relatively small amounts - a phenomenon that is indicative of his broad appeal and not, as Mayor John Talbott complains, of any effort to buy the election.

While we’re on the subject of buying elections, let’s not lose sight of the fact that Talbott himself was the beneficiary of a lot of special interest money three years ago or that he can be expected to launch an 11th-hour media blitz this time around with support from the same base of narrow interest donors.

I voted for Talbott three years ago when we were just beginning to battle the city over the ill-conceived Lincoln Street bridge. My thinking then was that the city needed change and would benefit immensely from someone with leadership and vision who was not politically beholden to anyone. We still need it, and that’s why I’m actively supporting Powers for mayor in this election. Douglas Siddoway Spokane

Powers has `positive vision’

Spokane’s world’s fair, Expo ‘74, was made possible by the spirit, vision and commitment of a small group of citizens who were willing to step forward when the city was in serious need of courageous and creative leadership.

John Powers has that same spirit, vision and commitment to a greater Spokane. His positive vision for our city is backed up with specific plans and programs to make it happen. And his long professional career of successfully bringing people with competing ideas together to work toward common goals means he has the proven ability needed to move our city forward. Combine all this with his integrity and strength of character and you’ll see why Powers has my vote for mayor. King F. Cole Spokane

Over the line Butler has a right to express himself

Regarding Richard Butler and his freedom of religion and speech, we thought freedom included all of the people. Why should we persecute this one person for his belief? It is only fair, whether we accept it or not, for anyone to adhere to the belief they choose.

Regardless of your, mine or Richard Butler’s beliefs, it is only fair that we all have the opportunity to express ourselves. If those rights are diluted, we all lose.

Individualism is what America was built on. Fortunately, we have charismatic personalities who choose to express themselves as only the true American westerners can.

Let Butler practice his religion as he so chooses! Do not persecute him for his religious beliefs. We stand behind him in that he should be able to express himself. Larry and Rhonda Ecklund Spokane

Government and politics

Wasson best to represent 6th District > I encourage voters to support Ron Wasson in the primary election Sept. 19 for 6th District representative. Wasson is a moderate Democrat who appeals to Republican and independent voters. He has a strong commitment to public education and health care but recognizes that middle class residents of the district want a frugal approach to taxes and budget issues.

Wasson’s opponent, Jack Geraghty, is a tired, old face from the past. Wasson is a young, vibrant, hard-working family man who is not a career politician. He is a former Lions Club president and has been active in community organizations.

6th District voters have a chance to look to the future this fall by voting for Wasson. Floyd J. McDowell Spokane

Nethercutt conspicuously absent

I have attended several candidates forums, events and dedications this summer. It seems all of our 5th and 7th district elected officials are present, with one notable exception.Nethercutt conspicuously absent I have attended several candidates forums, events and dedications this summer. It seems all of our 5th and 7th district elected officials are present, with one notable exception.

We have one elected official who seems afraid to face his constituents. The candidates forum in Colville this past Saturday was another event where Rep. George Nethercutt was missing. As King Weasel asked the crowd Saturday, “Where is George?” A man who can’t face the people must be afraid of the truth. Keep your word, Nethercutt. Heidi L. Duty Deer Park

Set debates commission straight

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced its criteria for inclusion in the 2000 presidential debates and it’s bad news for third parties. Included is that any presidential candidate who wants to debate must receive over 15 percent of the votes in a series of public polls.

Thus, all third-party candidates are locked out.

In Minnesota, Jesse Ventura was receiving 10 percent in the polls before he was invited to debate. After the debates, he received 37 percent of the votes in the real election and won! That shows you how debates can affect the vote, especially for third-party candidates who do not get much media coverage.

Everyone should put pressure on the debates commission, telling it we want to hear all the candidates who actually could win the election in accord with how many ballots they are on. Also, encourage television stations to have their own independent debates.

The 15 percent criterion is ridiculous. Under it, Abraham Lincoln wouldn’t have been able to debate. Think about it. The only poll that really matters is the one on Nov. 7. I hope we the people show the politicians where we stand. Matt Waller Racine, Wisc.

Property rights are being trampled

The governmental assault on private property rights is moving forward with frightening speed. First, with President Clinton’s abuse of executive order privileges and then with bureaucratic decisions on the state and federal levels.

Gov. Gary Locke and the state Department of Ecology have ignored concerns of farmers, business owners and average citizens in their proposal to radically overhaul the Washington Shoreline Management Act. Again, new financial burdens will be placed upon landowners and local governments, and would lead to the unconstitutional taking of private property by the state. Is this socialism or what? Marion L. Phillips Spokane