Letters To The Editor
LAW ENFORCEMENT
More to a good chief than credentials
Thank you, City Council, for finally making a decision based on the good of a person’s content and not a politically correct pedigree. Look what $25,000 got Spokane for a police chief before.
There is far more value in a man with a level head, good common sense and experience than any man who walks into a room with a rolled-up diploma. A college degree cannot replace the years of hands-on experience Chief Roger Bragdon has. No college professor can put the gun in his hand that he has to shoot or put into his head the knowledge of snap decision that must be made.
Often, jobs available state a prerequisite of a college requirement or that amount of time in experience at the job title.
Bragdon obtaining a four-year degree? I assume the cost of this education will be financed by the city of Spokane. Wouldn’t his time be better spent at work where he is needed than in a classroom learning what he already knows? Mary Pritzl Spokane
In the big picture, Bragdon works
With a recent national obsession for political correctness above all else, it was a breath of fresh air to read of the appointment of Roger Bragdon as chief of police.
If the majority of officers and staff members support him after 27 years of service, he’s passed the most critical test of a career officer. Dedicated police officers are keenly aware of the qualities necessary in those who lead. Honesty, fairness, competence and a track record of excellence as a street officer and investigator are absolutely essential. The officers of the department have been in the best position to assess these factors.
The community is indebted to Steve Eugster, Pete Fortin and all others responsible for this appointment.
The “expression of dismay” uttered by the president of the NAACP is typical of the input of special interest groups. In most cases, they are sincerely working in the interest of their group and must always have an avenue of input up to a point. But their goals must be kept in perspective. It doesn’t take a college education for the average reader to understand that the new chief’s major problems will include a poor budget, lack of resources and an ever-increasing rate of criminality, requiring a loving commitment to his community and his department. The obvious lack of evidence indicating that racial profiling, or any other discriminatory practices, exist should relegate this issue to its proper place in priorities.
Public input is good but there should be a distinction between this and the goals of special interest groups. Al Gagnon Kettle Falls
SPOKANE MATTERS
McCaslin, Harris priorities lacking
I am appalled Commissioners Kate McCaslin and Phil Harris’ decision allowing Raymond Hanson to build his Market Pointe II project 50 feet closer to the Spokane River than shoreline regulations allow.
I know of several families who have built homes along the river who were turned down when they asked to build closer. Why is Hanson given special consideration?
I’m sick of officials dancing every time a developer jerks their strings. As for McCaslin’s reasoning that “clearly, conditions have changed dramatically in the past 25 years,” and that area is more urban now - that is exactly why we must fight to keep this pastoral setting within easy access to area residents. The river and Centennial Trail are local treasures that no one should have the right to encroach upon. To paraphrase, “With all due respect, commissioner, you just haven’t grasped that point.”
As for the property in question being “nothing but weeds” that attract “an occasional bird or rabbit,” I suggest McCaslin educate herself on the role native vegetation plays in our environment. Native plants harbor much more than an occasional bird or rabbit, and are beautiful in their variety in all seasons - something we won’t see in Hanson’s grass swales and asphalt.
I applaud Commissioner John Roskelley for having the character to buck developers and fight for the citizens’ and the region’s best interests. He is the only one of the three with any common sense. Susan M. Bradley Spokane
Glut of malls, retailers not good
The articles on Jan. 30, “Mall that glitters” and “River Park Square has ups and downs,” told about a booming downtown River Park Square, where sales of clothes, food and movie tickets are high. Anyone loves to hear about businesses thriving, but has anyone been watching out for the other malls and stores in town?
I have worked at NorthTown Mall for over two years. My first few months at the mall, customers bustled everywhere, shopping. Slowly, customers have become fewer and fewer. The reason: too much competition.
Within the last few years, the Valley Mall, Wal Mart and the renovated River Park Square have opened. Sadly, only so many customers exist and too many stores know it all too well. I have seen many stores come and go, while others barely struggle on.
The renovation of River Park Square has created a total of 360 jobs. I ask, how many have been destroyed? Diana Miel Pullman < WASHINGTON STATE
Add sales tax for transportation
“Penny Lane.” Hardly an original title, yet very recognizable.
Roads, highways the obvious need is there. In light of Initiative 695, should the citizens also vote on how they want highway projects funded?
I propose we launch a ballot item, statewide, that adds 3 cents to retail sales taxes, with this revenue mandated to go directly into the R49 account for transportation use only. The Penny Lane Fund.
As for port districts, mentioned in a recent SpokesmanReview article, I doubt Councilman Steve Eugster was the first to propose a city Port District. In the early 1990s, I urged the same, as did others. The 1980s vote followed a less than vibrant campaign in support. Marc Ramsey Spokane
Make auto insurance mandatory
Re: “Crack down on uninsured drivers” (Letters, Jan. 29).
Jeff Berglund, we all feel your pain - at least those of us who purchase auto insurance and suffer from those who don’t. It’s incomprehensible that our Legislature hasn’t made auto coverage mandatory and then followed that up with some teeth, like the requirement for proof when registering a vehicle or renewing a license.
Somehow, liberals have seen to it that we must show proof of vehicle emissions inspection before allowing registration but have not seen fit to do the same with insurance. Here is a good opportunity for our state Legislature to do some valuable work for the responsible citizens of Washington. Or do we need another Tim Eyman to do the job for them? John Miller Spokane
GAMBLING
Be mindful of tribes’ good works
Re: “Tribal gaming dispute stalled” (Region, Jan. 30).
The state of Washington and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are in a dispute about gambling. The issue, presented by the state, has to do with oversight and state law.
When the tribes started building casinos, the states cried foul. Never mind what these tribal enterprises have produced in the way of services - education, medical, social services, housing - the list goes on. Don’t forget to mention that the states and federal government asserted for many years that the money was not available to provide these badly needed services.
Last, don’t forget that some of the tribes (such as the Coeur d’Alene Tribe) share their success with the communities around them and demonstrate leadership in the process.
It seems that the states are jealous of the tribes’ sovereignty and the status of the tribes. Perhaps the federal government should meet its responsibility and decide this issue once and for all. Remember, the tribes did not ask for others to come here and steal the land and their way of life. They did not ask to be stripped of their independence. They did not ask to be removed to worthless tracts of land. And they did not ask to be assimilated into the dominant culture.
The very ideals this country stands for have not been offered to the first inhabitants of what is called the United States of America. Ironic, isn’t it? Tim Collins Spokane
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Too many newcomers, too little money
Idaho schools is one sore subject with me. To start with, I am retired. My taxes used to be around $25. They’re now way over $1,000. For what? Mostly schools! Don’t get me wrong. I am not against education. But what sticks in my craw is our former governor several years ago was being shown on California TV saying to come to Idaho, where there is land, low taxes, blah-blah!
Our former mayor advertised this whole area. Cheap land, new opportunities, blah blah!
I realize the world population has doubled in the past few years and I’m willing to move over and make room for anyone who wants to leave California. But these jokers were out to make a fast buck in this area and they really succeeded.
Now what do we have? Mainly, we have a highway system - it’s playing Russian roulette going from Sandpoint to Coeur d’Alene, and now and then a little bandage is being applied. And it seems like every two or three years we are asked to dig deeper for bigger schools, because of the overcrowding.
I understand California schools are being closed on account of no attendance! Sure - they are up here!
Let the fast buck artists and the newcomers pay for their own new schools. Any more new schools - count us old timers out. We have helped build too many new schools, and we are sure not the cause of needing them. Grove Schoolcraft Sandpoint
Ultimately, it’s up to us
Education in Idaho is at a crisis point. Schools need to be replaced, repaired or expanded. New schools need to be built. Smaller school districts need to consolidate, to combine funding and efforts for more efficiency.
We have quality teachers who are going to other states for higher pay and safer facilities. Our children’s education suffers and something needs to change.
Everyone needs to take an active role in our children’s education because they are our future. Financially, we are getting what we pay for. Unfortunately, the truth hurts. Funding has to come from all available resources, including individual pockets.
I wish I knew the answers to find the funding needed, but I am willing to give my share to ensure my children receive quality education. It’s time to stop the blame game and look at our own accountability. Individually, we are set up to fail. Together, we can create a future. Cyndi Ebert Wallace
We need people pressure on officials
Idaho state school funding is an embarrassment. What should the state do?
In the popular parlance, duh! It should fund its schools better than it funds its prisons, which are funded quite handsomely, thank you. It would truly help if we would stop incarcerating individuals for minor drug offenses.
Fund our schools adequately and if we don’t have enough money to pay for them, raise the income tax, not the property or sales tax. That’s what our Legislature should do. But since it probably won’t, our best hope for public school funding lies with our Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the judges of the highest court of our state are elected, so if they do something unpopular, however right or legal it is, they are subject to being removed from office.
One can only hope there are enough citizens concerned with the status of public education to encourage one of our elected bodies to protect our children and enhance their educational opportunities.
Thank goodness for our one bright spot in Idaho public education - Marilyn Howard, our state superintendent of education. Mike Curley Moscow
Supermajority rule impedes progress
Idaho is one of the most stubborn places when it comes to paying for things like schools. I know this because I was born and raised in North Idaho.
Growing up, I remember students from another elementary school being moved to ours because part of the roof of their school had collapsed. I remember scary stories of double-shifting at Coeur d’Alene High School and portables in school parking lots. I also remember a sense of relief when I knew that another high school was finally to be built and that I would be among the first students to use it.
With Idaho’s required supermajority, it took years to pass bonds to build desperately needed new schools and repair others that were in sorry shape. Often, more than 50 percent of voters supported the measure, but because the additional 16 percent was needed, the bonds failed. It is also a sad testament to our state that the supermajority is required to pass measures for our schools. It is sad because no one has taken the initiative to change it.
Idaho needs to get its proverbial rear in gear and act according to the needs of its citizens, even those who aren’t old enough to vote yet. Erica A. Orto Coeur d’Alene
Inequity in vote value must end
The super majority in our Legislature proves on a near daily basis that Idaho is not capable of handling issues that require public action, especially funding for schools. Given its actions in the past, Idaho is inviting the federal government to come in and manage education for us.
The two-thirds majority required to raise money for school buildings is an insult to the Constitutions, state and federal, by which we govern ourselves. Since when does a yes vote count only half as much as a no vote?
The U.S. Supreme Court has held the one man, one vote principle as sacred to the whole notion of selfgovernment. In Idaho, the naysayers are valued one-third more than those who would support fixing our schools. Dick Wolff Cocolalla
State financial help is needed
I’ve long realized the serious situation regarding the condition of school buildings and the need for new ones. But we live in Bonner County, where the average income is under $20,000, so most people find it difficult to vote for levies and bonds even when they would like to. We are more or less in that position ourselves since we are on a limited income.
I have always believed the state should provide funds for this purpose, although I’m not sure how the apportionment would be made. G.P. James Sagle, Idaho
BELIEFS
Activists’ efforts backfire
The battle lines are drawn terrifyingly close. The results are bloodshed and hate. Why have people simplified the debate into pro and anti when the pain that accompanies the reality knows no side but fear? Yet here we are, turning on one another when we should be wheeling and facing the fear that pits us against one another.
The woman (pregnant) holds her fears as the fulcrum of her decision. What is she to choose? Single motherhood, stigma and scorn or abort and weep for her loss? She will be damned before, during and after for choosing either road. It is safest to tell no one and carry the pain and guilt alone, forever.
Can anyone wonder why the rabid anti-abortionists actually might be creating the longevity of abortion? A cornered animal will always fight to the death. So, too, will those supporting abortion. The rabid antiabortionists are creating their own war with a foe who so desperately wishes not to fight. But fight they will, being cornered.
If abortion is to end, mothers must always feel loved and accepted. Jesus loved all as his own. But, he shunned the Pharisees for their rabid damnations. Jesus would not intimidate or accuse. He would love and comfort. He would not protest, he would act. He would not turn one against another. He would hold close and love the mother before, during, and weep with her after. Actually, when you think about it, he already does. Why can’t we? Christopher Vogel Marshall