Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Lack of enthusiasm obvious

Conspicuous by their absence from the swearing in of Steve Corker and Steve Eugster, the two new City Council members, were re-elected council member Roberta Greene and incumbent Phyllis Holmes. The latter was seen bolting for the exit with the ceremony in progress. We’ve all heard of a bad loser but sore winners? C.G. Timboe Spokane

North Central students, you’re terrific

North Central High School students are great and groovy. For the second year in a row, they have provided food and necessities to Our Place Community Ministries, to benefit the residents of the West Central Neighborhood.

Our Place is a food and clothing bank, and thanks to North Central, our cupboards are not bare.

Many students stood in the cold, outside of stores, collecting food. For those of you who purchased an item or bag, we also say thanks. Your generosity helped the students realize that when we seek assistance for good causes, the Spokane community responds with a resounding yes.

As they prepare for their Groovy Shoes basketball game, North Central has not forgotten the importance of community spirit. And perhaps a lesson the students may learn is that as they go out into the world to do well, it is just as important to go into the world and do good.

Thanks again, NC student body. Louise Chadez, president Our Place Community Ministries, Spokane

We appreciate Cheer Day support

On behalf of all the Has Beens and Gonna Bees, I thank everyone in Spokane who helped make Christmas Cheer Day 1999 a reality. Our event has grown each year and with support from the community, we were able to touch the lives of 71 families in some way during the 1999 Christmas holiday.

This year, 255 businesses contributed in some way to our project. We held a ham dinner on Dec. 18 and dispensed gifts, food baskets, plants and door prizes, and had the “bee” from the Old Country Buffet and Santa on hand to give candy and a stuffed animal to all the children attending. Each child had a picture taken with Santa, a keepsake they could take home with them.

A very special thank you to all the wonderful, caring people who helped us to share the true meaning of Christmas with so many. We only have 12 members, and with teamwork we were able to achieve our goals. Without all of the members, friends and the community, we would not have been able to brighten the lives of so many on Dec. 18. Words cannot express the warmth and love that was shared by so many who are less fortunate. Patti A. Reynolds Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Parade marchers undercovered

On Dec. 12, the Spokesman-Review published a wonderful article by staff writer Kristen Kromer about the Mead-Mt. Spokane bands going to the Jan. 1 Rose Parade. Being the parent of a Mt. Spokane band member, it was nice to know that these kids and band instructors were being recognized for all their hard work.

Can you imagine my surprise when New Year’s Day came and went with no mention in The Spokesman-Review of those students in the Rose Parade? The big news was a fire that burned down the El Toreador Restaurant that has been closed since 1996. I’m not saying the fire didn’t warrant a write-up, but did it deserve space on the front page?

The students from Mead-Mt. Spokane weren’t only representing their schools but our community as well. We should show how proud Spokane is of them and be thankful we have teachers like Scott Jones and Terry Lack in our school districts. Teachers who give their students 100 percent and students who give it right back, not because they have to but because they want to. Watching and listening to the band on Jan. 1 made me very proud, not only of our son but of the community we chose to live in. I’m sure if you were to ask the parents of the other 350 students, they would echo the same feelings. Patty McKee Mead

Repugnant cartoon can go now

A regrettable beginning for a new age. The Spokesman-Review’s “comics” have found a new low with the Jan. 2 “Simpsons” parody.

Seniors and care givers certainly appreciate humor in maintaining stability, when aging realities become increasingly apparent. But to trivialize disabilities in such a sham is not funny.

Please send “The Simpsons” packing. B. Marie Decker Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Exercise in Republican-bashing

This is in response to Gail Parke Jr.’s Dec 31 letter, “Claim regarding Clinton `ludicrous”’.)

I am sure that if the same allegations were leveled against George W. Bush, with respect to Juanita Broaddrick’s charges of rape by Bill Clinton, Parke and would be screaming for an investigation and claiming Bush is unfit for office (see Clarence Thomas vs. Anita Hill). I seriously doubt Parke and his ilk would be standing at the front of the line claiming it was simply a 20 year old, he-said-she-said incident not deserving of the public’s attention.

Parke’s claim that he can find plenty of conservatives in the media is ludicrous! A 1992 survey by both Roper and the Freedom Forum found that 89 percent of media people who were polled had voted for Clinton in 1992. The same poll found 61 percent of correspondents questioned classified themselves as liberals while only 9 percent considered themselves conservative.

Regarding Parke’s claim that Tripp violated the trust of a friend and is therefore a person of no character and is deserving of whatever the Maryland courts give her - well, one can only wonder if he feels the same way about Clinton. He certainly violated the trust and vows that he made to his friend and wife Hillary when he engaged in his numerous trysts.

Somehow, Parke’s type is quick to forgive when it’s a Democrat and quick to punish when the offender is a Republican. Give me a break! Scott Meyers Mead

OTHER TOPICS

Panamanians will regret change

Re: “U.S. hands over the Panama Canal” (Jan. 1).

I submit that the heavy rain during the signing of the Panama Canal transfer is an omen of things to come. Panama President Mireya Moscoso will be wishing that the old signs and fences blocking the entrance by the U.S. were still in place. Angela H. Eudaley Spokane

Such ado about almost nothing

Y2K came and went. The world is still turning, and society’s functioning. On Jan. 1, 2000, I awoke to the usual, electricity, heat and water from my faucet.

For months our society prepared for the coming crisis. Computers were upgraded to be “Y2K Compliant.” There were tinges of panic and fear as the millennium approached. Y2K is over now and the related incidents worldwide were minimal.

I was astounded by how much our government spent for Y2K preparation. Billions were spent trying to secure our future. In comparison, many Third World nations, which were supposed to be hit hardest, had barely anything to invest. The effects of Y2K in these nations were no greater than in our own.

What do we now have to show for the billions we spent? Then there are the individuals who stored up lentils, water, generators, candles, blankets, etc. Need I go on?

We were exploited by the industries. Could we just admit we were wrong about Y2K?

I propose to the city of Spokane that we gather together all the goods we stored up and send them to those who are really in a crisis situation, to the needy in Russia, Venezuela, Mexico, Africa and Vietnam. There are people all over the world who live in true need daily.

When will we understand that each person was born for a purpose? The world isn’t going to suddenly come to an end. Our purpose is from generation to generation to generation. Mary M. Allen Spokane

Statement holds contradiction

Re: “Mission statement, our guiding principles” (Opinion, Jan. 2).

You state that you support freedom, responsibility and opportunity for private individuals, including freedom to choose an abortion. You are contradicting yourselves, because you are not supporting the right of the child in the womb to have a life. He or she is also a private individual. Florence A. Westmeyer Coeur d’Alene