Letters To The Editor

Sun., Jan. 30, 2000

OVER THE LINE

Fuel depot foe not dealing in facts

The uninformed misstatements Kristy Johnson makes in her Jan. 22 letter (“Tell BNSF no again” ) do not serve the public interest.

There is no scientific evidence to support her contention that the Ramsey site is better than the site Burlington Northern Santa Fe has proposed at Hauser. In fact, what information is known about the Ramsey site is based on a study prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey and published by the Idaho Department of Water Administration in March 1974. That analysis is based on a single test boring into the “middle channel.”

Compare this to the scientific information that has been developed about Hauser over the last year. The science conclusively demonstrates that Hauser does not pose a measurable risk to the aquifer, the environment or to public health. No competent individual or agency has disputed the scientific information that BNSF developed.

Finally, there is absolutely no truth to her contention that BNSF has refused to “negotiate” with Friends of the Aquifer. BNSF met, at FOA’s request, with two of its members and a senior planner from Kootenai County on Oct. 25. At that meeting, the Ramsey site was discussed. BNSF expressed its position and offered to meet again regarding this so-called alternative. FOA never again contacted the railroad to discuss this issue.

The public interest is best served by presenting facts to our community and having the faith to believe that individuals will develop informed decisions based on those facts. Deception serves no public purpose and is unwelcome in our community. Kevin Barker, community projects manager Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, Spokane

Friends of the Aquifer needs your help

In three weeks, the Friends of the Aquifer must testify again to block permitting of the proposed Burlington Northern Santa Fe refueling depot.

Ours is one of the most basic grass roots organizations I have ever been affiliated with. Yet we prevailed over a Fortune 500 company at the last county hearing, having spent less than $2,000. Three months after that victory, we must regroup, refinance our next battle, learn to fight on an uneven playing field and do it on a convenient holiday, to boot, against a multi-billion dollar corporation.

It feels to me that “concerned business interests” and the Kootenai County commissioners have erected just about every hurdle and obstacle there is to thwart our objectives. However, we are committed to our goal and will not give up.

It’s time for the Friends of the Aquifer to ask you, the citizens of Kootenai and Spokane counties, for your support.

We ask that on Feb. 14, you give oral and written testimony concerning this issue. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Lake City High School.

Permitting of this proposed refueling depot is the single most important issue and decision ever made in our region. The fact that just three people will make a determination of this magnitude seems overwhelming to me.

I extend a challenge and invitation to all region schools and grades, government classes and their teachers to testify at and observe our county government in action. You will inherit the consequences of this decision. Speak out now while you have an opportunity.

Please contact the Friends of the Aquifer at P.O. Box 1168, Post Falls, ID 83854-1168 for further information. Chic Burge Coeur d’Alene

Security liability would be minimal

Re: “Fuel depot a security liability” (letters, Jan. 18). Herbert Ohlson believes that terrorists “aimed at catastrophic disruption of society” would somehow choose to detonate a bomb at a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Hauser refueling station. Weeks ago, a similar letter expressed fears that a military strike would target Hauser for aerial bombing or missile attack.

The fact is, Hauser would have little strategic importance in either situation. In an emergency, a makeshift locomotive refueling operation could be set up almost anywhere using tanker trucks or railroad tank cars. What cannot be replaced quickly or easily are the large bridges and long tunnels that allow trains to pass through our rugged Northwest terrain. These would be the targets of choice for an enemy trying to disrupt transportation.

Because BNSF plans to store only a short-term supply of fuel at Hauser at any given time, the sudden loss of the facility would cause some level of disruption, but it wouldn’t shut the railroad down completely. Bad guys hoping to cause death and destruction would more likely bomb one of those enormous tank farms in the Spokane Valley, which store much larger volumes of fuel along with a variety of lethal chemicals. Bruce Kelly Coeur d’Alene

HIGHWAY 95

We hope coverage will spur action

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the Jan. 23 editorial concerning Highway 95.

What was written and illustrated on those pages was very informative and something needed for a very long time. No one could say “they” did not know where to write with the names and addresses of those in charge in the article. That is, if they read the article at all.

We hope concerned people in Idaho will follow your suggestions and deluge all of the people they can write to with letters concerning this tragically strewn Highway 95.

We also found the letter written by Russell Wiemers of Rathdrum, about that family’s losses, very moving. There are many others who would feel the same way.

Our family has not traveled the full length of this highway, so we are not truly aware of all of its specific aspects. It’s too bad the people in charge of running the state of Idaho are not more concerned about the lives of all Idaho citizens and especially of those who have suffered these tragic losses.

Is this because the powers that be in Washington, D.C., are so unconcerned about the lives and needs of all the people in any state?

Again, thank you for the great article and descriptive drawing of the highway. Both pages were needed in this time and place. We hope many of the people who read this article will write to their administrators in Idaho. Ruth G. Hammack Cheney

Make your safety your top priority

Don’t blame the telephone pole for being in the way. Put that cell phone away. Eat that bowl of cereal at home with your family; it may be the last time they see you eat.

Go to a manicurist to have your nails done. Put your dog or cat in a traveling cage. Have your hair done at the salon. And for everyone’s sake, please be sure to put your contact lenses in before you barrel down the street in your SUV and then blame the patch of ice on the road or the terrible condition of the highway or the other driver for the accident that is bound to happen.

Slow down and save a life. After all, it’s not the road, the conditions or the vehicle that kills - it’s you. Howard H. Schwind Spokane

Roads can’t make bad drivers safe

I have driven Idaho Highway 95 from the Canadian border to the Oregon border and I find it to be a comfortable and scenic two-lane road. There are several passing lanes on uphill stretches and more could be built.

But, attempting to improve this highway to make it safe for all drivers all of the time is neither practical nor justified. Our mindset is that we must “get there” no matter what - no matter what the weather conditions are. We have a false sense of security due to seat belts, air bags, traction tires and reliance on the road crews plowing and sanding icy areas.

Analyzing the information in the Jan. 23 Spokesman-Review, I find some interesting facts. Twelve of the accidents were head-on collisions involving other vehicles. Eleven were one-car accidents. Three were failures to stop at intersections. Four were left-turn accidents. One involved a deer on the road. Do these statistics indicate a problem with the road or a problem with unsafe, inexperience, drinking or drowsy drivers? Too many drivers blame others or the road for their own mistakes.

The Idaho Highway Department and the federal government could spend billions on a 500-mile freeway and still not be able to guarantee safe passage for all. Reginald T. Peacock Deer Park

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Baby-sitting course invaluable

Re: “Niece was genuine life saver” by Kelli Shannon (Your Turn, Jan. 19).

Shannon’s niece, Tori, saved her son, Christopher, from choking by performing the Heimlich maneuver. Tori saved a life using information she acquired from Baby Sitting Basics.

I, too, took this class that was sponsored by Holy Family Hospital. It is a very important class for all teenage baby sitters to take.

This class, which I took in March 1997, had several speakers talking about poisonings, mothering skills, safety tips and similar topics. After performing CPR correctly, we received a certificate and a notebook full of information that is necessary to know. I still bring this notebook with me on every baby-sitting appointment.

Not only does this class provide life-saving information, it gives beginning baby sitters the confidence they need to perform their job well. Kara Johnson Mead

Poorer living through chemistry

How about this for a good reason to eat organic food? In the “Journal of Applied Nutrition” (1993), Dr. B.L. Smith reported on a two-year period during which he bought some fruits and vegetables, both organic and inorganic.

He then had a laboratory test their nutritional content. The damage done to the nonorganic food by pesticides, herbicides and other toxic add-ons was so great that the lab determined that the organic produce had, on the average, more than 90 percent more of the nutritional elements than the comparable food you typically see in the supermarket. Robert R. Smith Spokane

Ignorance, selfishness can be lethal

A person who picks up a third consecutive beer and turns the key to their car’s ignition doesn’t think of how they are endangering themselves and their acquaintances. But why must their ignorance make innocent people suffer?

That is exactly what Russell Wiemers stated in his article, “Why must innocents suffer?” His 18-year-old daughter was killed by one of these inhumane people and my deepest condolences are sent out to him and his family.

In 1998, there were 41,471 deaths from car accidents, 15,935 of which were alcohol-related. That’s a total of 38.4 percent deaths from drunk drivers taking innocent people’s lives.

The people they killed had lives in front of them, something to look forward to. But because one person wanted to have a “good time,” their lives were diminished. I agree with Wiemers: those who ruin someone’s life should have all privileges confiscated, just as their victims had happen to them.

I and other people like me (a teenager) have many dreams that we wish to pursue. We need to stop the ignorance of those who drive while under the influence of alcohol or we many never be able to pursue those dreams. Chelsea Kopnick Mead

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