Letters To The Editor

Over the line

Mud flats a man-made problem

Lou Baribault’s “Let’s improve on mud flats vista” (Letters, June 11) is a perfect example of what happens when a well-intentioned person embarks on a campaign while totally ignorant of the facts and issues.

Sand Creek mud flats are the direct result of meddling with nature by man. The mud flats Baribault is so disgusted by wouldn’t exist if the Corps of Engineers had left the river at Albini Falls alone. The mud flats are the direct result of raising the level of the lake and keeping it artificially high for months at a time. The Corps is hog-tied by court decisions that limit its ability to dump large volumes of water during spring run-off. That has caused flooding in Washington and the Corps has been held responsible in court.

Those who are repulsed by the mud flats should try to get the dam removed and let nature control the lake level. Then, the mud flats would return to being wetlands full of vegetation and wildlife most of the year, flooding only for a short time during spring run-off.

I’m sure the intentions are good but please get the facts before starting another petition drive that will only make things worse. Please look at the mess Initiative 695 has made in Washington before lighting a fire! Don D. Jones Spokane

Officer basically doing his job

In response to “Rude law enforcement bad for tourism” (Letters, June 7), I would like to say a few things.

First, don’t put down the police department because of one incident that was spread and intensified by the media.

Second, you need to look at both sides of the issue. Yes, the police did overreact but they had good intentions. They probably intended to help keep the park clean and free of dog feces. They also wanted to make sure the woman wasn’t creating a public nuisance (a tiny dog running around yipping and snapping at everyone’s heels).

It was a major mistake of the police officer to tell the woman he could have her thrown in jail for walking her dog but I still think the police had good intentions. Connor M. Petersen Mead

Spokane matters

Thanks for help with Relay event

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I would like to thank all the people of Spokane who participated in this year’s Relay for Life.

I’ve been involved in this event for several years, and it is important on many levels. First, it brings in hard-earned dollars to fund cancer research and to support educational and treatment programs right here at home. Second, it enables us to publicly recognize the strength and courage of the many cancer survivors throughout eastern Washington. Finally, the hundreds of candles which light this event allow us to remember loved ones we have lost, while strengthening our resolve to make this terrible disease a thing of the past.

Thank you for helping us. Tom Allerding, M.D. President, Spokane Unit of the American Cancer Society

`Do gooders’ were bad thinkers

Where did the $5.8 million go?

Actually it is quite elemental, Watson! The money was being managed by a group of do gooders. Routing traffic past the new city-owned garage and the stores would help downtown business. So off they go, half cocked as usual. ` First there was the matter of “blocking the view” from the new city library. Couldn’t have that happen, as only a select few go to the library to read books! Then by moving the footings for the bridge a few feet, the Ronalds’ property could be included in the plan. So the do gooders made a ridiculous offer, held up the Ronalds’ plans and it ended up costing millions for a questionable piece of property.

Then, Salty’s was going broke. Clinkerdagger offered to lease that property but cooler heads prevailed. Now we have two formerly revenue producing properties worth millions that are owned by the city and not producing one cent in taxes. Wow, great thinking!

Then, of course, there were countless hours of time put in by the city employees.

The city fathers put all of our eggs in one basket and then dropped it on the way to market. Makes one wonder how the shopping centers can make it, without getting guidance from such a benighted group! Charles E. McCollim Spokane

Make all 29th a four-lane arterial

It is my understanding the streets of Spokane belong to the entire population of Spokane-not to special groups. Twenty-ninth is the only through street from High Drive to the western edge of the Valley. It is a de facto arterial and should be treated as such. To do otherwise is to create a street waiting for a major accident.

I drive 29th several times a week, from High Drive to the Pittsburg area. All the proposed center lane on 29th will be is a passing lane. I’ve come close to being involved in accidents because 29th is four lanes east of Grand and narrows to two lanes to the west. Drivers already pass on the right, whether it is marked for that or not.

The proposed changes will not create less traffic but certainly will increase road rage. Twenty-ninth is not a safe street to ride a bike on and never will be. Traffic will not diminish but increase over the next few years.

Sorry, gang, but Spokane is growing up. And that means there is a need to move more traffic not less. Twenty-ninth should be four lanes from High Drive to the Moran Prairie. Margaret S. Jones Medical Lake

People in society

Trainers do not understand

Re: “Diversity trainers share war stories” (June 9).

I read this article with great interest because I certainly believe that the majority of people in our country need sensitivity training toward ethnic minorities. However, I felt somewhat insulted by the comments made by Linda Takami and Terrie Scott, both diversity trainers with ethnic backgrounds. The article stated that each took offense during their training sessions when asked the question, “Why can’t you just be Americans?” It was obvious from the comments of Takami and Scott that being called “just an American” was in some way demeaning.

Both of these individuals fail to understand the true meaning of the question. It is not asking them to shed their ethnic background but to place being an American ahead of their ethnicity. For millions of us, regardless of our racial background, being an American means embracing the ideals set forth in our Constitution, our laws, our ethics and morals. It means being a citizen of this country first and above all else, including cultural heritage of our forefathers.

As diversity trainers, Scott and Takami must realize that we who consider ourselves Americans first have sensitivities also. They should take this into account when answering the question, “Why can’t you just be Americans?” We, too, can be offended. Jack Bresnahan Spokane

The environment

Urge protection of forests

On behalf of my generation and future generations, I would like to express my strong feelings about preserving the remaining forested wild lands. This would involve permanently protecting all national forest roadless areas from logging, mining and other destructive practices. Once our wild forests are gone, they are gone forever.

It is clear there are no environmental benefits from the destruction of pristine forests. The environmental nightmare of such destruction includes soil erosion affecting rivers and streams, loss of habitat for wildlife, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and the loss of untouched forests for future generations to enjoy.

Over the years we have watched other countries all over the world destroy their rain forests. Nothing has been gained from this and yet so much has been lost. Already, more than half our national forests have been lost to us. Enough is enough.

If you want to protect this precious remaining legacy for future generations, contact the Forest Service today. Stefanie N. Yep, age 15 Spokane

Tell government to protect forests

Do our national forest wild areas deserve full protection from logging and other harmful activities? Does the national Tongass coastal rain forest in Alaska need immediate protection?

If so, then please say so because the Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation draft plan proposes to continue allowing commercial logging and other damaging activities in roadless areas and to postpone any protection for the Tongass jewel for at least five years.

Tell the Forest Service and the Clinton administration at a public hearing this month (or in an e-mail or snail mail) to prohibit all forms of logging, off-road vehicle use, all new mineral, oil and gas leasing, and all new grazing leases and permits in roadless areas of 1,000 acres or more.

Many people see the need to protect the places in our national forests that have not yet been scarred by logging or fragmented by roads. They realize the increasing value and rarity of those untouched lands and watersheds. The long-term economic health of our communities depends on keeping this gorgeous landscape intact, our streams clear and clean, and the wildlife abundant and diverse.

We can’t wait for pollsters to call us to give our opinion. Take the initiative and tell policy writers they missed the mark. The final plan must have no loopholes. Gretchen Stewart Moscow