Letters To The Editor

Spokane matters

Spokane election executed well

I had the opportunity to observe a well-run canvassing board last week. While Florida’s major parties’ representatives struggled, Republicans and Democrats in Spokane worked together to follow legal requirements and make every voter’s choice count.

Democratic Auditor Vickie Dalton’s team had done a great job of preparing for the meeting. Republican County Commissioner Phil Harris presided and made sure that every opportunity was given for each voter’s choice to be included in the final tally. Republican Prosecutor Steve Tucker sent Rob Binger as his representative to provide a legal perspective. Ballots were accepted when the voter’s choice could reasonably be determined and if the voter had followed the minimum requirements of our voting laws. Republican and Democratic Party observers were given an opportunity to ask questions.

I can assure you that this process works well and our Spokane County Canvassing Board ensures the accuracy of our election results. Spokane can be proud of our election process. Frank Malone Spokane

Powers, you’re the man

Congratulations to Mayor-elect John Powers.

Now that the votes are in, it is time to understand the position that you won. The job that you and Mayor John Talbott sought was that of overall city manager - new title, strong mayor. This rhetoric about “undertaking a national search for a chief administrative officer” may sound impressive but as they uttered on the old Andy Griffith show, “surprise, surprise.” You are that person and we expect you to bring forth the wisdom that was spouted on the campaign trail. You, not a surrogate, won the job. Edward Thomas Jr. Spokane

Lions’ project exposure helpful

Re: Lions Club-Habitat for Humanity home (Nov. 17).

Hurrah - a good news story! Normally a house must have a family resident before you can refer to it as a home. Such is not the case with the project under construction at 1015 East Providence. The prospective homeowners, the Lions and, I dare say, even Mike Guilfoil, have given so much of themselves that we all consider this our home.

Thanks to The Spokesman-Review for allowing Guilfoil the latitude necessary to for giving a firsthand account of what it’s like to be a “grunt” and learn construction from the ground up. He took some nice pictures and wrote a great article but has really been an invaluable addition to our construction crew.

I must also make a few additions to his article.

While it’s true that most of the daily workers are retired and in their sixties and seventies, Lions is not an old, enfeebled organization. Robert Swanson from Spokane Shadle is probably in his thirties and we have had Leos (young Lions 12-28 years old) from the Timberlake Leos club in Spirit Lake, Idaho, come over on two Saturdays to help us with the project.

This is, as Guilfoil mentioned, a unifying project for Spokane-area clubs. A few have worked together in the past to help with fund-raising activities, diabetes walks and membership campaigns for KSPS, but nothing of this magnitude. We hope this story will encourage others to join a service club to enrich our community. Robert R. Worley Jr. Spokane

Law enforcement

Brown wrong about Bragdon

I read with great disgust the comments by Terry Brown, former chief executive officer of Spokane Community College, calling for the resignation of Chief Roger Bragdon.

Bragdon is a man of professionalism, integrity and ethics. He has earned the trust and respect of his officers, the criminal justice system and, most important, the community. Bragdon is a leader who rose from the ranks of the Spokane Police Department through dedication and hard work. He is that rare sort of leader who has not forgotten from where he came. Just ask any member of his staff. His tenure as chief has been exemplified by his making tough decisions, regardless of what might be politically expedient.

The swift apprehension of suspects in the abduction of students from Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute speaks well of Bragdon and his officers. Spokane is very fortunate to have Bragdon as chief of police. My advice to Brown is, get a clue. Jack M. Brucick Spokane

In the public eye

Up close, reality trumps prejudice

Will Rogers was right when he said: “See that man over there? I don’t think I like him. Guess I need to get to know him better.”

Regrettably, I’ve been guilty of just what Rogers cautioned us about - judging a person before getting to know him.

I had a unique opportunity just last week, at an event called Imagine Spokane, to experience the truth in Rogers’ words. Who but Stacey Cowles sat down next to me.

You know Stacey, he’s part of that blood-sucking family behind the River Park Square development. I know this because I read it in our local paper.

Funny, how the man I met didn’t fit the image I, and likely some of you, had formulated. I met a man who cares deeply for his wife and children. A man who is genuine and sincere about his hopes and dreams for his hometown. A man willing to take risks. A man with a good sense of humor, who can laugh at himself. A man of values and principles not unlike mine.

I thought to myself of the similarities between my preconceived notions about Cowles and the preconceived notions others have about the urban poor and homeless who take part in our outreach ministry. And, I was ashamed of myself.

Imagine Spokane is about focusing on what is good and great about Spokane, and working together to build on our strengths. I - we - need to start by getting to know one another better. I’m glad to have gotten to know Stacey Cowles. I hope it was mutual. Wallace M. Keith Shalom Ministries, Central United Methodist Church, Spokane

Government and politics

Hustling, suppression no way to win

Most of us have credit cards. We would be outraged if the credit card bill was as inaccurate as some voting machines in Florida. Neither Gov. George Bush nor Vice President Al Gore has a right to be elected president but every voter has a legal right to have their vote count.

Bush supporters claim they have more passion for their candidate and that Gore should concede as a result. Hogwash! Tens of thousands of votes have been set aside in Florida by machines that are unable to see what a human eye can tell. Those votes have never been counted. Bush is the one who is trying to steal this election by preventing the full and accurate count of votes.

The election is over. Political spin should be over, too. It is right and proper for the courts to determine what actually happened on election day. Allan N. deLaubenfels Spokane

Give up till it hurts

Open Letter To Al Gore and Joe Lieberman. Concede! You know it’s the moral, ethical and honorable thing to do, but do it anyway. Dale Robertson Laclede, Idaho

Certification a partisan, inside job

The Florida certification proved the old adage we commonly refer to when we try to get a job : “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

The secretary of state, a very partisan Republican, thwarted all attempts to get at the truth by putting impediments in recounting effort and succeeded in certifying George Bush with a 1/100 of 1 percent voting difference and with 20 times that number still not counted.

Gov. Jeb Bush lost a great opportunity to show leadership and a future run for the presidency by not issuing an executive order to get at the truth by overruling the secretary. Mallur Nandagopal Spokane

Florida set up unfairly from start

In the state of Florida, all voters’ rights are not created equal.

An Orlando Sentinel article reported on an analysis of voting processes in the 69 Florida counties.

In primarily Republican counties, 44 had upgraded to new pen-marked balloting systems, with 29 using “precinct-tabulated” systems and only 15 of the smallest counties using central processing centers.

In the other 25 counties, which were primarily Democratic, antiquated punch card balloting systems with central processing centers were used.

The 29 primarily Republican counties with pen-marked, precinct tabulated systems resulted in more than 99 percent of all votes being counted. This was primarily a result of voters’ ability to instantly scan-in their ballots and make immediate corrections for errors or rejections before leaving the polling location.

In the 25 counties with punch card, centrally tabulated systems, the balloting resulted in only 96-97 percent of all votes cast being counted. This does not even consider the nonconformity of ballot styles between precincts - namely, butterfly vs. single page-single column. The 2 percent to 3 percent increase in votes with the new pen-marked “precinct tabulated” systems was a major factor in the current voting results.

Now, consider how you would feel about this if party lines were reversed. Is it reasonable for states to have different voting systems, especially along party lines?

If Florida cannot give equal voting chances to all its citizens then Florida’s entire voting system should be in question. The equitable right of all voters should be paramount! Cindy Robinson Spokane

Bush rushes to overreach

Oh great! Now we have a loser claiming he is a winner - namely, George W. Bush. His wimpy excuses about all the recounts disregards the fact that there are thousands of votes cast by U.S. citizens in Florida that have not been counted even once. It is for this reason “Dubya” has disrespected the flag and the U.S. Constitution by not allowing these votes to be counted before declaring what is not his office to claim until all the votes are counted, one way or another. Dave Robinson Curlew, Wash.

Harris missed chance for fun

Doesn’t the Florida secretary of state have any sense of humor? She should have announced: “And the winner is … Chad Dimple!” Charlotte Brown Spokane

Past time to update voting gear

The real culprit in this year’s election mess has to be the outdated punch cards used to record votes. How many Americans have realized the punch used to knock out a piece of paper just may not work? I never gave consideration to my ballot not counting if perhaps a small chad did not separate from the card. I never had a precinct worker say, “Check the underside of your ballot.” They probably were never told to do that.

We live in a world where vast amounts of data can be transmitted around the globe in seconds with the flick of an electronic switch. Certainly, a device can be had to record a vote electronically with perhaps a backup hard copy, rather than using a technology given up on by its own manufacturers. I can go to an ATM and with a simple screen do myriad commands. Why not a similar technology for elections?

The next Congress should look at standardizing equipment used for federal elections which would then filter down to local elections. One cannot say it’s too expensive to replace the present Neanderthal apparatus. Look what the recounts are costing Florida taxpayers.

Just as we do not give our military forces flintlock muskets, we need to update election equipment. It should be done in Spokane as well. Jack A. Abel Spokane

In the region

Democrats, prosperity go together

The recent election brought out some interesting facts about the Northwest. It has been brought out that Western Washington voters are strong liberal Democrats.

They are not the conservative Republicans that we have over here in Eastern Washington. And what is kept secret is the fact that those Democrats over in the Seattle area make about twice what the Republicans make over here in the Spokane area.

More importantly, those Democrats in the Seattle area get substantial fringe benefits, like medical and dental insurance, prescription benefits and a real-life adequate pension when they retire.

All this is the same in Portland and Boise - good jobs with very good benefits. But here in the Spokane and North Idaho area it is the same old story of low-paying jobs with few, if any, benefits.

Now I ask you, who is smarter? The Democrats with good-paying jobs or Republicans with low-paying jobs?

You might reconsider your loyalty to the Republicans, switch to being a Democrat and start working for decent wages and good benefits. Tom Akren Post Falls

Other topics

St. George’s will overcome

As one who has been a member of the St. George’s School community for many years, I am saddened by the events that led to the major article in your newspaper last week. Certainly, the school is not perfect, nor are our students, teachers, headmasters, parents or board members. However, keep in mind that this is a great school even with our current difficulties.

St. George’s is unequaled in this area for academics and has been for many years. The athletic program for a school with our limited enrollment is, I believe, the most successful of any “B” school in the state the last few years. The art and music programs will be the equal of the academics and athletics achievements with our beautiful new building and facilities.

I know all the parties involved in this controversy. Although I have not been a party to any of the events that have led to where we now are, I have full confidence and respect for the current board of directors and administration of the school. The school will survive this and prosper in the future. Current and prospective parents should be certain of this. Charlie Willis Spokane

Some hero, that Custer

Erica Curless’ story about the Custer artifacts was interesting and informative. However, her use of the word “stolen” to describe how the artifacts left Custer’s possession is entirely inaccurate, especially since Custer himself used the word “captured” in the excerpted letter written to his wife. Her knowledge of American Civil War history must be superficial at the least. Even a cursory study of Custer’s deeds in the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864 would have led her to use the adjectives “butcher” and “arsonist” in describing Custer. The Shenandoah Valley is still dotted with blackened chimneys remaining from his glorious ride through the valley, during which he learned the techniques later used against the Plains Indians.

I would love to know how Custer, the great cavalryman, had to escape the battle of Trevillan Station on foot. Must have been a tremendous blow to that monumental ego. Michael C. Borden Moscow

`I believe in adoption’

I am a 31-year-old woman who was adopted as a newborn. Recently, I read a letter from an adoptive mother who said that her 10-year-old adopted daughter suffered from post traumatic stress disorder from being separated from her birth mother. She suggested that society look for an alternative to adoption.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been adopted. My mother and father are the greatest people in the world and I believe that I am a better person because of being raised by them.

We need to eradicate poverty and repair poor parenting but I also believe in adoption. It worked for me. I also believe in protecting children and if they are in a situation where the parent cannot care for them, it is our duty as human beings to do so. Lawra Gosselin-Harris Spokane