Letters To The Editor

Tue., Sept. 5, 2000

EVENTS

Unity gathering most worthwhile

The Spokane Police Department has been an active participant in Unity in the Community for the past six years. Pastor Lonnie Mitchell, founder of Unity in the Community, had requested that the Spokane Police Department be involved in this event. We view this as an opportunity to enhance our relationship/ partnership with the community. It offered us the privilege to meet members of our community, from children to our senior citizens.

The officers interacted with the public in numerous ways. They had the baseball throw (donated by Les Schwab Tires), a patrol car, a police motorcycle, a race car, McGruff the Crime Dog and stickers.

The department had a display with safety information, pictures and recruiting information for entry level police officer as well as for the department’s volunteer programs. Two bicycle officers, in addition to interacting with the public, monitored the area around the park to ensure the safety of persons and property, so everyone could enjoy this event.

The department has participated in the entertainment part of Unity in the Community by having a K-9 demonstration, a demonstration of the robot from the Explosives Disposal Unit and a motor officer displaying the maneuverability of his duty motorcycle.

The police department committed eight officers to this event because it’s important to us to continue to build the trust and understanding necessary for a healthy community. Several command staff members, including myself, attended.

We look forward to next year’s Unity program and encourage others to attend this worthwhile event. Roger Bragdon, chief Spokane Police Department

Thanks for support of picnic

Many Thanks to the candidates and citizens who came to celebrate 80 years of women’s suffrage on Aug. 26 at Comstock Park. The Spokane Women’s Coalition sponsors this annual Women’s Equality Day picnic to give voters and candidates an opportunity to meet fact-to-face. We appreciate everyone’s participation and hope to see you all at next year’s suffrage celebration. Pat Bryant Spokane

Pig Out good name, great tradition

I am so glad they decided not to change the name of this wonderful tradition. If some people are too elegant to “pig out,” let them stay home.

For health reasons, my husband and I are no longer able to attend, and we miss the various foods, booths, etc. Frances A. Waddell Otis Orchards

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Gore’s debt reduction idea best

I was bemused (not amused) by the selective memory of Helene A. Klebba in her Aug. 30 letter,in which she gave Republicans credit for the balanced budget and the resulting surpluses.

As memory serves me, Bill Clinton campaigned for the presidency in 1991 with the promise of a balanced budget.

After his election, when he presented his budget, the Republicans said it would start a recession and that they would not be responsible for the outcome. In fact, not a single Republican voted to pass his budget, which did pass even so.

It really doesn’t matter to me who claims responsibility for the longest and most prosperous run in American history; we can leave that to the historians. What is important to me, and should be to any responsible American, is what we do with our good fortune.

We can vote for George “Wannabe” Bush, and see the surplus returned to a lot of rich people who really don’t need the money but will be happy to get it. Or you can vote for Al Bore and use the surplus to pay for health care for millions of Americans who cannot afford it, and most importantly, pay down the national debt and leave a legacy to our children and grandchildren of not having to pay the staggering interest payments we currently pay for our recklessness. Paying off the debt would truly be the gift that keeps on giving. Donald N. Fitzgerald Spokane

Bush pushing a Trojan course

It makes chills go up my spine when I hear George W. Bush promise triple funding in the schools specifically for “character education.” I would not object as long as it doesn’t mention God, the Bible or faith in that context.

You should all remember that Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, Jim Jones and many more have all attended church regularly and read the Bible extensively. Yet it didn’t seem to impact their character at all. Some of the kids who shot up the schools went to church also.

I would rather see them concentrate on tolerance, kindness, generosity and compassion. Madelon C. Thomas Spokane

Budget surplus just an overcharge

Why is the administration bragging about the surplus? A government gets its money from taxing its citizens. If there is a huge surplus, the people have been taxed too much. This is nothing to brag about. Katherine Anderson Spokane

5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Alternative is Clear, Nethercutt

Richard M. Munson (Letters, Aug. 29) points out all of Rep. George Nethercutt’s accomplishments of the last six years and rightly so: balance the budget, reduce the size of government, cut taxes, inhibit the level of federal government intrusion in our lives, and, yes, Munson says, institute term limits for all members of Congress and the Senate .

That last accomplishment I’m not too sure about. In 1994, Nethercutt pledged to serve only six years in the House - a very expedient statement from someone who supposedly endorses term limits. Time to lead by example. Yes, Nethercutt, it is time to do what President Clinton did with Vice President Gore about two weeks ago - pass the baton. Keep your word and pass the baton to Richard Clear.

Clear will continue to fight for Eastern Washington the same way Nethercutt has done so diligently. Check “The Clear Vision” on the Clear for Congress web site. People will see that the two Republicans share very similar views and objectives. Nethercutt demonstrated to Foley that we do not need an “experienced” Congressman. Paul V. Carlin Spokane

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Letters To The Editor

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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