Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

At long last, make insurer pay

The Lake Coeur d’Alene oil slick from two pieces of sunken machinery outrages me. I felt no surprise, only anger, again, at the original decision to leave the machinery there.

On May 31, 1990, I wrote in a letter to the paper (“Who will pay for lake mess?”):

“The two huge, greasy and diesel-filled pieces of machinery will be allowed to remain at the bottom of the lake because the insurance company has deemed it too expensive to try to remove them. I would like to know who is supposed to bear the brunt of the expense. I thought the reason we paid for insurance is so they would pay when something happened.

“How much plant life, animal life and drinking water will be affected if we allow companies to leave their construction messes lying around. Who, ultimately, should decide if that machinery will be allowed to remain at the bottom of the lake? If we leave those decisions up to the construction firm, they will get two shiny new pieces of equipment and the insurance company will save some dollars. What choice do you think they are going to make?”

That letter still conveys my opinion perfectly. If the machinery can’t be removed, the insurance company should have to build a surrounding barrier of concrete or some other long-lasting material. Drain off the remaining fluids and encase the whole thing.

Do not let this continue at the expense of nature. Make it be at the expense of the insurance company. Valerie Rongey Chattaroy

Clark case example of what’s wrong

Re: Dave Crateau’s Jan. 7 letter, “Privileged character gets off light.”

First, I want to acknowledge The Spokesman-Review for printing the Jan. 5 article on Rep. Jim Clark. These reports are normally on some back page or not included at all.

For the man who proposes legislation pertaining to drunken snowmobiling, Clark has the audacity to drink and drive, with the statement of “I’m sorry.” Then, there’s his refusal of a blood test after failing a field sobriety test.

Government has become an entity in itself. It seems we, the people, are the only ones who have to obey the laws. Watch your wallets, Idaho. Next commitee, Joint Finance Appropriations! R.M. Schutt Sandpoint

Serving has been an honor

I would like to thank the citizens of Dalton Gardens for placing their trust and faith in me to serve as their mayor for the past four years. Then to surround me with a City Council and staff of this caliber has made me very proud and humble.

I want to also thank two very special friends, Kenny Kirking and Otis Wuest.

Congratulations to our new mayor, Ron Koontz, and new councilman, Steve Roberg.

I am very honored to have served as your mayor and councilman over the past eight years. It will remain a highlight of my life and career. Ray Tomes Dalton Gardens

OVER THE LINE

Hearing examiner’s decision deplorable

What is the future of our republic, where the majority was to rule through elected representatives while protecting minority rights? In her Burlington Northern Santa Fe fuel depot decision, Kootenai County Hearing Examiner Jean DeBarbieris ignored science, responded to the mob and trampled private property rights.

DeBarbieris said, “Common sense dictates that there is significant risk …” Dictates? She might have said leads me to believe. However, in this instance, common sense leads any reasonable person to believe a spill is virtually impossible.

If this depot is an unacceptable threat, nothing industrial can exist over the aquifer.

Many believe we can prosper on entertainment and retail alone; I don’t. We need real jobs. If this can’t be built, what can? If a properly zoned facility meeting all regulations can be denied, what are your private property rights worth?

The commissioners are called to demonstrate that rare commodity, political courage. Will they do what is legally, morally and economically right or bend to political pressure? D. Dean Haagenson Coeur d’Alene

Ounce of prevention can be invaluable

Local residents are justifiably alarmed about the Burlington Northern Santa Fe proposal to build a diesel refueling depot over the aquifer. In many places, the top of the aquifer is only a gravel layer topped with a thin layer of soil. There is not an impermeable surface of solid rock or clay between the surface and the water in the aquifer. A large spill can reach the aquifer in hours, polluting the drinking water of many people.

If the aquifer is to remain clean, citizens will have to guard it and demand that government officials restrict activities over it. It is foolhardy to shrug off the potential risks and ignore accidents that have occurred elsewhere.

In 1986, an aquifer in the Po Valley in Italy was so badly contaminated from weed killers that 400,000 people were left without drinking water.

In the 1970s, when we lived within Coeur d’Alene city limits, our water began to smell and taste like gasoline. It was unusable. The city discovered fuel had leaked into the well that supplied water to our home.

Ground over the aquifer is no place for a fuel depot. In time, spills are likely to occur. The consequences could be devastating. Where are we going to get other water for 400,000 people? Now is the time to prevent this situation. We must deal with problems we already have with our present industries. BNSF should not be bullheaded, but find a better site. Twila Little Coeur d’Alene

Nothing lasts or stays safe forever

Re: Proposed Burlington Northern Santa Fe fuel storage facility.

This is my aquifer, my family’s and future generations’ sole source of drinking water. The independent study presented in The Spokesman-Review only confirmed my gut feelings. No matter how remote the chance, any accident with fuel storage would be disastrous for our area for a long, long time.

As I recall from science class, nothing lasts forever. Everything decays eventually. It would be a tragedy for us if this facility were to be built and at some future time, from whatever cause, it leaked.

I’m sure that the proposed location of the facility makes good economic sense for BNSF. The consequences of any failure of integrity of the storage containers are too much. No one can guarantee that anything will last forever. These are our families, friends and neighbors.

Locate your facility somewhere else, away from anyone’s water source. Mark Totman Spokane

APPRECIATION

We are grateful for care and support

Our 4-year-old son, Joshua, was diagnosed with leukemia last September. As you can imagine, it’s been a long year. Lake City High School staff, students, family and friends have outdone themselves and blessed our family with love, cards and gifts. The Wishing Star Foundation also sent gifts and food.

Then, of course, there is Dr. Reynolds and his dedicated staff at Deaconess Medical Center. They have given us the miracle of life. To all of these people and the many more who have touched Joshua’s life, we’d like to say thank you. Thank you for giving us Joshua and his smile on Christmas morning.

May God bless you all. Dave, Penny and Joshua Swanlund Rathdrum

SPOKANE MATTERS

Things not always as they seem

C.G. Timboe’s letter of Jan. 8 (“Lack of enthusiasm obvious”) merits additional comment.

A wise woman I once knew admonished to the effect that “there are as many sides to a story as there are participants.” I have no idea how Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes feels about Steve Corker and Steve Eugster, nor do I care. I do know she was profusely apologetic about being late for the business appointment that I had scheduled with her late that morning.

It might do Timboe well to remember that the remuneration given City Council members does not offset the need for them to continue making a living. However the situation may have appeared to the casual observer, please be gracious enough to acknowledge that things may not be as they appear. Audrey S. Hoffmann St. Maries, Idaho

Ball’s in your court, SOS

Dec. 23 is a day most farmers should remember in rural areas surrounding Spokane. TV stations reported the air quality needed restrictions on wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, plus carbon monoxide from vehicles.

For years, area farmers have been chastised for burning stubble in the fall and for burning their grass. There have been numerous letters from angry residents, downing the farmer and demanding change to “save our summers.”

I guess we should now say to them: Save our winters. We demand clean air drifting into our rural areas. Take the bus or car pool. Inconvenient? You bet. We all must give up something. It can’t be just a select few. Patsy Prince Thornton, Wash.