Letter To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Daughters luncheon offers healthy focus

The March 13 Our Generation article, “Crazy Cards,” disturbed me. This new card game, designed for girls, profiles boys and includes their descriptions of “ideal traits in a girl.” While girls do discover that boys are interesting, they can become too focused on how boys want them to appear and act.

Clinical psychologist Teresa Whitehurst recommends that parents encourage adolescent girls to develop friendships with other girls and to share books and movies that show women as achievers and adventurers. Girl Scouts has a suggestion.

The Take Our Daughters to Work Luncheon is an opportunity for us to encourage girls to set their own healthy goals. Let’s treat our daughters, nieces and other girls to the luncheon on April 27 at the Spokane Ag Trade Center. The speaker, DeeDee Jonrowe, is an Iditarod dog sled musher, the first woman to cross the finish line this year. She is an achiever, adventurer and inspiring role model.

My hope is that girls will be “crazy” about their own potential and the possibilities that await them. Let’s inspire girls to value and develop their own skills and talents, and not to adopt what boys prefer. Jonrowe will challenge girls to set personal goals and to work hard to achieve them.

Readers can call Stephanie at the Girl Scout Council, 747-8091, extension 219, for tickets and information about the Take Our Daughters to Work Luncheon. Geri Proctor, community relations manager Girl Scouts Inland Empire Council, Spokane

Women, beware of perverts

Jill Chandler’s letter of Feb. 29, “It’s running - and flashing - season,” is a good reminder to women that they need to be cautious. Caution means avoiding areas known to be frequented by “perverts,” as she states.

But that is not enough. Women also need to be aware that perverts can appear anywhere, not just on the Centennial Trail. They may have been passive in the past but it is not uncommon for their behavior to change. Personal safety is the responsibility of the individual. If law enforcement could be everywhere, this guy wouldn’t still be on the trail.

Carrying a big stick is an option, but I don’t recommend returning to the same area. Perhaps a change of scenery is in order for the springtime running.

Nothing is 100 percent reliable when talking about personal protection but awareness of your environment and common sense go a long way toward safety and peace of mind. Robin Ball Refuse to be a Victim safety instructor, Spokane

Schmidt really is a great coach

Chris Peck’s March 5 column was the best.

Ross Thomas, coach of the state champion Saint George’s girls basketball team, has to be the luckiest coach alive. For years, eighth-grade coach Errol Schmidt has been sending him the best-trained ninth grade players in the city. To my knowledge, Peck’s column is the only time that Schmidt has publicly gotten the credit he deserved for the incredible success of St. George’s basketball program.

Schmidt also coached boys sports with similar results. His River City Raiders soccer team, which included our son Jacinto, played far above its natural talent and contributed several members to local high school varsities.

Even more outstanding was his AAU basketball team. Five of these young men played on some of the best high school teams in the area, and at least seven, including our son John, made one or more high school all-star teams in basketball or another sport.

I’ll always remember the satisfaction I felt when I realized that seven of the players on the field at a varsity soccer game had played for me in the recreation and/or select leagues. Coach Schmidt must get this feeling every year. Now he’s getting some of the credit he deserves.

Please accept Schmidt as my nominee for coach of the year! L. Jim Shamp Cheney

Youth orchestra performance excellent

Something truly magical happened last weekend at St. John’s Cathedral. The Spokane Youth Orchestra gave Spokane a very special gift of their extraordinary music making under the baton of Verne Windham. This orchestra was challenged this season with two very difficult pieces of music, the Saint Saens Organ Symphony and the Sibelius Violin Concerto. It was evident this weekend that they had met their conductor’s challenge and played with a beauty that warmed the stone walls of the Cathedral and our hearts.

Thank you, Youth Orchestra musicians, for your love and dedication to your music and your organization. Thank you to the parents who nurture the gifts your children have been given, with your love, respect, time and music lessons. Last but not least, thank you, Windham, for allowing these talented young musicians into your heart and bringing out their greatness for us all to enjoy.

To those of you who missed these concerts, words cannot begin to describe the emotions this young group of musicians generated in that grand cathedral. I can only hope you will experience this youth orchestra the next time it performs. Wende C. Barker Spokane

Library staffers’ help invaluable

I am writing to send thanks to two members of the Spokane Public Library staff: Dennis Fredrickson and Nancy Compau.

The Leadership/Respect cadre, a student group at Logan Elementary, was asked to celebrate Martin Luther King Day at our school by recognizing the contributions of local African Americans. The resources of the Spokane Public Library and its staff were the reason the members’ project was so successful.

I called Fredrickson, whose daughter attends Logan and is a member of the Leadership/Respect cadre. He in turn talked to Compau. They then took it upon themselves to make available books, articles, personal vignettes, slides and photos. Together, they made it possible for the Logan group to present a living history of several notable African Americans such as James and Eleanor Chase, Wally Hagin and Clarence Freeman.

In spite of reduced resources, the Spokane Public Library is to be commended for their service to the community and, in particular, to our school. We are especially grateful to Richardson and Compau for helping us access the richness of the library collection. Elaine Tyrie Logan School counselor, Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Ranger case much ado about little

Regarding Mount Spokane State Park Ranger Peter Wood and the whistleblower (Region, March 15).

It’s clear that if such trivial charges were routinely brought by whistleblowers, our government would cease to function. The charges included playing a day of golf on a work day!

As a 30-year Ski Patrol member at the Mount Spokane Nordic area and president of the Langlauf cross-country ski race, I’ve known and appreciated Wood as different than the typical government bureaucrat. He approached his job more like a business, being more concerned about cooperation and the maximum enjoyment of the park facilities. That was unlike many who have worked for him and use the strictest interpretation of the state’s policies to bolster their self-importance in their overzealous enforcement.

Unfortunately, this petty, bureaucratic position taken by less-enlightened state employees has been largely responsible for the decline in Wood’s ability to manage the park in the friendly, progressive way we so much enjoyed and appreciated.

The State Park and Recreation Commission had better seriously consider how it treats these petty “offenses.” Wood is definitely a cut above the average state management-level employee. If we drive enlightened individuals like him away with petty harassment like this, we and our park will both suffer. Paul G. Smith Spokane

Indiscretion shouldn’t ruin career

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mount Spokane Ranger Pete Wood for several years. As a Search and Rescue coordinator for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, I knew Wood as a valuable resource. He was always quick to help, and provided any information we needed to successfully complete the rescue.

As an outdoor enthusiast, I have enjoyed the park’s success in accommodating the numerous requests made on it. This has been largely due to Wood. As a friend, he and I have watched our kids grow up together.

I hope Wood can weather the storm of these accusations and can continue to provide the area with his professional approach and experience. As a taxpayer, I hope he doesn’t decide to charge the state for all the hours of overtime he hasn’t been putting in for in the past. It would make the minor indiscretions seem like small potatoes. Cpl. Tom Henderson Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, traffic unit

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Principals I know are fine people

Re: the Golden Pen letter of March 13.

I am an investigator who has worked on several school district investigations, including school shootings. I have come in contact with several school principals during these cases and have found the majority of them to be caring educators, who are not “PR men.”

These are people who have been devastated by the tragedies in their schools and who want to provide safe, healthy environments for our students. They have hired us to find out the truth behind a multitude of situations, from sexual inappropriate behavior to students threatening others.

I have had two sons at University High School since 1994 and have had the privilege of observing Erik Ohlund, their prinicipal, as an administrator. He is everything but a PR man.

From addressing my concerns about a student threatening my son to giving me a reassuring pat on the back at my son’s wrestling tournament, there is no doubt in my mind that he is involved daily with his students and cares about them not only as students, but as people. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the impact he has had in their lives when my son made it a point to tell me how much he respects Ohlund and what his support has meant to my son.

We, as parents, need to encourage the educators of our children, and hold those few accountable who are not involved with our students daily activities. Such educators would not be able to say, as Ohlund told me, “It’s been a pleasure watching your son mature and being an influence in his life.” Sandra Brewer Spokane

NORTHWEST DAMS

Wrecking our economy unacceptable

Finally, a sensible commentary on the dams question (guest column, March 13). Brett Blankenship showed common sense and thought. If we don’t let our feelings be known on environmental issues we are going to lose our way of life.

Of course we have to take care of things and with the rules and regulations now in place, we are doing a good job of protecting what we have. But when it starts to ruin the economy of our counties and country, we have to take a stand and at least use a sensible approach.

It really bothers me that at the meetings on breaching the dams the environmentalists bring in every person off the street to make it look like the whole world wants the dams breached.

Now with gas prices going sky high we need the dams more than ever. It has been stated it would take nearly 700,000 trucks to do what shipping by barge does. Can you imagine the shortage of gas that would cause, plus the wear and tear on already overcrowded highways? Alice Lundgren Curlew, Wash.

Compact benefits everyone

Wow! I’m impressed! Avista Corp., Indian tribes and environmental groups were able to negotiate an agreement to renew the federal license for two dams on the Clark Fork River, resulting in a win-win situation for all. What a concept - using consensus-building and working together for a solution which benefits all, rather than taking sides and creating prolonged political battles.

As Opinion editor John Webster points out in his editorial of March 12, conflicts over dams will grow in numbers as our region becomes more populated and environmentally stressed. We are all better served if this model of cooperation can be used to create solutions for the many contentious issues facing our region.

I echo Webster’s words: Congratulations to all. Linda S. Moulder Cheney

OVER THE LINE

Kootenai hearings strictly for show

Regarding the Kootenai County commissioners’ decision, was anyone surprised? Not likely! How about disappointed, disgusted, angry? You bet!

It was quite obvious that Commissioner Dick Compton had made up his mind in favor of the fueling depot well before the so-called public hearings. His claim of no conflict of interest is suspect at best, considering he is a Jobs Plus board member. Jobs Plus, almost by definition, had to endorse Burlington Northern Santa Fe and its “50 jobs” promise. It seems strange that Compton’s claim of no conflict wasn’t challenged. Apparently, his own declaration is all that’s needed.

As for the public hearings, holding a public hearing and listening to the public appear to be two different things to Compton and Commissioner Dick Panabaker. The commissioners’ decision was made after public testimony and pleas that BNSF’s fueling depot not be allowed over the aquifer, but was the public heard by more than one of the commissioners? It seems more accurate to say they were tolerated.

There is much to suggest predisposition on the part of the commissioners. Their rejection of the hearing examiner’s conclusion is a glaring example. Who believes that the examiners’ recommendation would have been rejected if she had recommended approval?

As for the conditions appended to approval, several stand out as admissions of possible disaster. Example: In the event of aquifer contamination the railroad shall be responsible for providing an alternative source of drinking water. Think about that one! Bob McClure Post Falls

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS Kootenai commissioners have to go

Re: “Average folks need representation, too,” (March 11). I thank D.F. Oliveria for his column on the “Fat Cat Party.” He’s right on. I agree that the people of North Idaho are not being properly served by the Kootenai County commissioners. Their allegiance appears to lie only with the Fat Cat Party whose people funded their political campaigns.

The commission’s majority vote favoring the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway refueling depot and the lack of support for a new community center are symptomatic of their concern for only big-money interests. So secure are they in their support from this group that they will defy the expressed will of the citizenry and expert advice relative to potential dangers to the aquifer. It makes one wonder about the future and what other special financial perks they render to their chums among the financial elite.

I urge the citizens of Kootenai County to turn out Commissioners Dick Compton, Dick Panabaker and Ron Rankin at the next election, if not before. Bob McCroskey Harrison

Sandpoint needs viable bypass plan

After years of study, the state has proposed a Highway 95 bypass along Sand Creek. Is a bypass needed? (Ask anyone, especially a trucker!) Are there other better options? Yes.

I don’t believe I’ll live long enough to see any improvement. Every time a plan is agreed upon, the people in Boise say “there’s no money at this time.” Then, in a year or two, they say, “OK, folks, we have some money now but a new idea has come up. We would like to run this by you for consideration.” Off goes the argument again and it’s good for another couple of years.

The Sand Creek bypass would destroy any development possible to beautify the town in relation to the lake. True, it would alleviate somewhat the north-south traffic. But how about the east-west traffic? I’m not talking strictly about automobiles. A lot of 18-wheelers have to navigate this route also.

The way this area is growing, the Sand Creek bypass would be nothing but a Band-Aid. And those poor people in Sagle. It’s like playing Russian roulette getting on the highway. Why not go west of town, starting south of Sagle, and come across the river and west of town into the junction north of town? Grove Schoolcraft Sandpoint