Letters To The Editor

Idaho viewpoint

What are plans for tennis courts?

Finding parking space for an automobile at or near North Idaho College has been a problem for many years and it’s getting worse. I ceased going to basketball games and other social activities because of the parking problem.

I read from time to time of plans to build more facilities on the NIC site. I do not recall reading of any plan that addresses the existing and future parking problems. I now read of plans to build a dormitory on the site. A dormitory will create a need for additional parking spaces. Where will they be?

Another problem is that the proposed dormitory will be built on the existing tennis courts. NIC officials acknowledge that because the tennis courts were built with the assistance of federal land and water conservation funds, the tennis courts must be replaced.

LWCF laws also state that permission must be obtained before the tennis courts are converted to other uses. Also, that substitute recreational properties must be at least equal fair market value and of reasonably equivalent usefulness and location.

The question is, where will the tennis courts be relocated to and what is the estimated cost of building them? Robert G. Thomas Post Falls

Spokane matters

Mediation the way to go

The Spokesman-Review reported Aug. 25 that the city of Spokane proposed mediation of the River Park Square parking garage dispute. I would very much like to encourage both sides in this excessively protracted and costly dispute to finally resolve it efficiently in mediation.

Well-trained, experienced mediators, of which there are many in Spokane, typically help parties create a safe environment for uncovering misunderstandings and misinformation that neither side could recognize before. In mediation, issues are defined as joint problems so that fixing blame is avoided and creativity can be encouraged. Mediators also ensure that offers and counteroffers are well developed and communicated accurately. When previously undiscussable thoughts, feelings and ideas are expertly facilitated, mutually beneficial agreements emerge, even when parties initially seem far apart

Local members of the Washington Mediation Association have put together the Spokane Area Directory of Mediators. It contains a wealth of information about what mediation is, how to choose a mediator, the qualifications necessary for certification by WMA and other organizations, ethical standards for mediators, sources for additional information, as well as a detailed listing of local mediators who are members of either the WMA or local bar association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. It is available at the Spokane County Superior Court Clerk’s office and on the Internet at www.spokanecounty.org/superiorcourt/ADRInfo.htm. Cris M. Currie president, Washington Mediation Association, Mead

Misplaced signs are vulnerable

If you put a campaign sign on private or city property without finding out if it is OK, what do you think will happen to that sign? It will be picked up.

When a person picks up just the ones he or she doesn’t like, that’s not right. But when you put these signs on private or city property without permission it becomes littering.

The citizens of Spokane do not want their streets littered with political or yard sale signs that aren’t picked up after the need for them has passed. Douglas W. Salter Spokane

Powers remarks a welcome change

What a breath of fresh air, to read John Powers’ remarks to the members of the Downtown Spokane Partnership (news, Aug. 31).

Your article mentioned that Powers praised Councilman Steve Eugster and stated his belief that Eugster can become part of the team to solve Spokane’s problems. Although it was not mentioned in your article, I am informed that Powers also expressed his appreciation of all the other City Council members for their contributions to our city.

Powers’ background as a lawyer specializing in business reorganizations has provided him extensive experience in negotiating agreements among conflicting parties in difficult situations. These negotiating talents, combined with Powers’ optimism and his ability to appreciate other viewpoints, will make him a truly outstanding member on the team of mayor and City Council which must work together after the election.

I believe Powers will use these talents to help get the garage litigation behind us so we can concentrate on finding solutions to the problems of poverty and slow business growth that have plagued our city.

With Powers as mayor, we will have a leader who will give his all to help Spokane realize its full potential. Donald D. Lamp Spokane

5th Congressional District

Keefe’s statements admirable

Democrats should not be annoyed at Tom Keefe simply because he wrote something positive about Sen. Slade Gorton. They should be proud to have two fine candidates for Congress in the 5th District.

A year ago, when Keefe wrote the piece challenging a charge of racism leveled against Gorton, he was not angling for public office. He was expressing his conviction that Gorton had been wrongly accused. We need representatives in Congress who have the courage and integrity to speak their mind when they see the need. Furthermore, as long as people like Gorton are elected to Congress, Democrats will need leaders who can communicate with them.

It’s time to get on with the task of defeating George Nethercutt. Terrence V. Sawyer Spokane

No mind changing is allowed, you say?

What I am seeing on the T.V. set, in junk mail and the letters to the editor is nothing more than the usual Democratic propaganda.

I’m referring to those who are smearing Congressman George Nethercutt’s name and running against him at the same time. Shame, for shame! Tsk! Tsk!

Well, if you accomplish what you have set out to do because our representative changed his mind - as all humans do at times - America will watch you like a hawk. Don’t you dare change your mind on any issue. Clyda R. Egger Spokane

Keefe, at least, takes the high road

I want to thank The Spokesman-Review for bringing an underground issue, the “Tom Keefe column,” to the light of day.

Tommy Flynn’s comments are disingenuous in that his supporters e-mailed and distributed the July 25 Seattle Times column to every Democrat they could find in order to create a negative attitude toward his primary opponent, Tom Keefe.

However, they failed to similarly distribute the follow-up Aug. 27 Seattle Times article by Mindy Cameron, the Times’ editorial page editor, “Smoke on the prairie, fresh air in the 5th.”

I have to say I agree wholeheartedly with her take on Keefe.

Cameron said, “In Washington state politics, this year’s most appealing candidate for Congress is Tom Keefe, challenger to George Nethercutt in the 5th District. I don’t know whether Keefe has a whisker of a chance to defeat Nethercutt. But he should. He’s the most honest, fair-minded candidate I’ve run across in a long time, and his fellow Democrats ought to be singing his praises, not snarling at his lack of partisan purity.”

I am impressed with Keefe’s integrity and willingness to stand by his word, even when it costs. He understands that “racist” is an ugly word and not to be used lightly.

I also respect his disciplined efforts to remain focused on campaign issues that are important to voters and Nethercutt’s record, instead of being drawn into the politics of personal destruction being waged on all sides. Valerie R. Smith, MSW Spokane

Government and politics

Seniors want Medicare drug benefit

Rebecca Nappi’s Aug. 31 editorial on the rising costs of prescription drugs may bring new insights on how election year promises may result in needed help for seniors.

While prescription drug prices have risen steadily rising in recent years, the problem did not become a crisis until the HMO exodus began. With HMOs dropping 300,000 to 400,000 Medicare beneficiaries a year and nearly a million more due to lose coverage at the end of 2000, most seniors now must buy their own prescription drugs.

Gov. Gary Locke has proposed a creative way to lower costs by bringing discounts to seniors through the volume-buying power of the state. Vice President Al Gore proposes an affordable prescription plan in Medicare for seniors who have no coverage to enroll in.

Healthier people cost less. Preventive care makes Medicare more effective and less expensive. Like other disease management therapies covered by Medicare, providing prescription drugs can have a significant impact on the program as a whole, reducing the financial burden of more extensive care and hospitalization.

Thousands of seniors have signed pledge cards asking for a prescription drug benefit to be added to Medicare. AARP’s goal is a million signed pledges nationwide. The candidates who hear our voices will most likely win our votes. Elinor F. Nuxoll Spokane

Aryan Nations

Butler has higher authority to fear

Re: “It’s justice time for Aryan Nations.” Yes, we all have the freedom of speech and of religion. Men and women gave their lives to ensure these freedoms. But when this freedom is demoralizing and destructive to others, it is time to take another look.

People hate what they do not understand and they fear that lack of understanding. It usually takes one person to feed that fear and convince others, It’s not your fault you are poor and uneducated, it’s this person’s fault. They find others who share the same fears and they do not have the courage to stand up and fight a good fight. They have to do it through causing fear and destroying others. I know.

I testified against Chevie Kehoe and Danny Lee in a Little Rock courtroom. Kehoe, Lee and others will pay the price for what they do, as will we. But it’s time that Richard Butler be stopped. If it takes Morris Dees and a court to do so, so be it.

Butler, if you are afraid of Morris Dees, just wait until you meet your maker. His justice is swift and not blind. Dee A. Walker Mead

Intentions of majority being tested

Aryan Nation’s leader Richard Butler paraphrased the Bible to assemble these abhorrent words: “Hatred is our law, revenge is our mission.”

Sitting all day in court, watching this pathetic man whose life has been wasted in bigotry speak from the witness stand gave my wife and I an opportunity to reflect on what our role is during and after this momentous trial. Is it to offer compassion so Butler, et al, may heal? Or is it to do what we can to stop their transference of self-loathing to others?

The magnitude of pain and terror inflicted upon the Keenans cries for justice. However, what’s really on trial are the basic ideals we want to promote as an empathetic society. Do we allow the unchecked continuation of ideals that propagate exclusion, racism, bigotry, hatred and the awful void in compassion that manifests from them? Or do we guide those who hold these putrefying ideals by sending a clear message through the courts?

If this proceeding results in bankrupting the already spiritually bankrupt Aryan Nations, the message is: “We desire a society that strives towards inclusion, tolerance and compassion. Your tenets wound our society and we can no longer endure those injuries.”

Thank you, Morris Dees, Norm Gissel and Ken Howard for taking on this responsibility to humanity. Mark Dreis Spokane

`Retribution was reached’

Hearing the verdict against Richard Butler and his gang of thugs, I felt retribution was reached 14 years after an Aryan bomb disturbed the peaceful neighborhood in Coeur d’Alene in which we lived.

Regarding Commissioner Ron Rankin’s comments against the “outside agitators” who came to town and fought against the “benign Aryans” in Hayden, I suggest that Rankin, a former anti-tax agitator, return to the state he and Richard Butler came from and let Idaho continue its traditional practice of judging people by their behavior and character, not their skin colors. Gary A. Edwards Coeur d’Alene