Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Wilkinson respectful of property rights

After seeing the turmoil created by the Growth Management Act, I will vote for Karl Wilkinson.

Whether you support the act or not is not the question. Everyone supports smart growth. How you deal with people’s personal property rights, their businesses and peace of mind in relation to their government is the point.

A servant of the people - for that’s what we in government are - should never let a personal crusade get in the way of people’s basic rights. Stories that I’ve heard firsthand and properties I’ve visited paint a disturbing picture. What kind of message do we send to those who have worked hard to maintain their private property/businesses, build new businesses, have paid property taxes for years and planned for their property to be their means for retirement when we pull the financial rug out from under them under the guise of “the common good”? People’s hard work and dreams are not rubbish. They make up the very essence of who they are.

Having known Wilkinson more than 10 years and having worked with him on various issues, I’m sure he will approach any and all issues with intelligence, and with the facts, not an agenda. Wilkinson will keep a balance between private property rights and managing growth.

Look hard at what’s in a name and why you choose it. Is it recognition or is it accountability in government and concern for the people it governs? I choose Wilkinson. Rep. Lynn Schindler Spokane

Obnoxious signs turn me off

Spokane County commissioner candidate Sylvia Riddle’s garish sign boards seem to imply that if we elect her there will be no more sex offenders, bankruptcies or foreclosures. Golly gee, can she do that? Or does she just feel that flashing big, red-lettered “sex” is a legitimate way to get attention?

She has, indeed, gotten my attention. But she is not getting my vote. Bob Gilchrist Spokane

Campaign signs hurting Spokane

Sylvia Riddle is doing more harm than good. When she put up her campaign signs, did she stop to think about the visitor who stops in Liberty Lake to get gas and sees the “1,500 sex offenders is too much” and doesn’t choose to stay in Spokane but moves on to a hotel in Coeur d’Alene, Missoula or Moses Lake?

How about the businessman in town looking to relocate his high-tech business who sees “Bankruptcy’s doubled in the last four years”? Well, I would take my business elsewhere, too!

Finally, how about the meeting planners who’ve flown in from around the country to view our beautiful city and ended up thinking it’s full of crime and poverty, thus taking their conferences and events elsewhere?

Temporary sign - permanent damage. Not my kind of leader! Janet Schmidt Liberty Lake

Riddle signs a disservice

I am deeply offended by the signs Sylvia Riddle has plastered all over Spokane. What is she thinking? Does she think that by presenting negative facts along with her name that we’ll assume she is single-handedly going to solve the problems our county has? Does she think that by airing Spokane’s dirty laundry to tourists, company executives and the public that it’s going to help Spokane?

I want to know HOW Riddle plans to bring new companies to Spokane. I don’t think the number of sex offenders, the increasing foreclosures or how long she says it takes to get business permits will attract many new companies here.

Riddle is more concerned about getting elected than actually doing something positive for Spokane. It would be a breath of fresh air for someone to highlight all the positive things going on here. Nicole Moffatt Spokane

WHITMAN COUNTY

Elect Finch county commissioner

Please join us in electing Jerry Finch as a Whitman County commissioner for District 2. We need a county commissioner who knows the best of business practices and yet is fiscally responsible. Finch brings years of business experience with him and knows how to work well with employees. More importantly, he will listen to the concerns of all the county’s people, since he is a lifelong resident himself.

The District 2 race is most critical. No Democrat has filed, however, three Republicans are seeking the post. Thus, the Tuesday primary is a winner-take-all contest. Be sure to complete the entire ballot and please vote for Finch for county commissioner. Donald C. and Patricia Orlich Pullman

5th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Keefe will be great congressman

I first met Tom Keefe on June 1, when he announced he was running for Congress, 5th District. Keefe’s political experience, values and ability to listen are very impressive. He is able to seek out the good, even acknowledging Slade Gorton not being a racist, although Keefe doesn’t agree with Gorton 99.9 percent of the time.

Keefe and his wife, JoAnn, a Nez Perce Tribe member, are both attorneys and lived on the reservation for six years. Most important, Keefe is a third-generation Spokanite, pro-family and pro-choice.

Although I personally don’t support term limits, when that was a major issue of George Nethercutt’s campaign it seems obvious that he should honor his word and not run for re-election.

I urge you to vote for Keefe, who will become another great Eastern Washington congressman following in the footsteps of Tom Foley. Suzi Hokonson Spokane

Nethercutt was just plain dishonest

Six years ago, George Nethercutt promised his constituents he would remain in Congress no more than three terms. Now he says he’s changed his mind because he didn’t realize six years ago that the work he started wouldn’t be finished by now.

I find it hard to believe that someone running for a seat in Congress actually believes a legislative career can be started and completed in six years. This puts Nethercutt into one of two categories: He actually did believe he could finish all the work he started in six years, which makes him incredibly naive; or he never intended to keep his promise, which makes him a liar.

As anyone over the age of 10 probably knows, the legislative process is a long one. To finish everything in six years, Nethercutt would have had to begin wrapping things up around the end of his second term. But I don’t ever recall reading any announcements from Nethercutt’s office about finishing his work. Nor do I recall Nethercutt ever offering a plan as to how he would complete everything he started in six years.

The only conclusion I can reach is that Nethercutt made a promise he had no intention of keeping - he lied.

Nethercutt isn’t naive but he apparently relied heavily on the naivete of voters who believed his term limit promise. I wonder what other promises Nethercutt has lied to us about. Timothy F. Taylor Spokane

Term Limits attacks a trick

The U.S. Term Limits people and their supporters continue their blistering attack on Rep. George Nethercutt. They would have you believe anyone who makes a statement and later changes their mind is an immoral, dishonest person and one to never be trusted again.

This is a facade intended to cover their true motive. Their agenda is to remove the Republican majority from the House of Representatives. While they preach honesty and integrity they practice something far less. Does this make them hypocrites?

You decide. M.J. Koegler Davenport, Wash.

Beware of worker-bashing candidate

Why would anyone in Washington vote for a person - Richard Clear, ex-KGA talk show host who would call workers in this state “circus monkeys,” “baboons” and “thugs”? This man, who is twice divorced and a failure in the business world, had the nerve to call my dad as well as all other union Kaiser employees a baboon doing a job a circus monkey could do, and a thug, as well as other ongoing put-downs.

Clear spent lots of time putting down the workers and carried on a one-sided show on the radio for days. Dad, who has been married to my mom for 43 years, raised four kids and never failed to carry out a contract he signed. He worked for Kaiser for 36 years. Has Clear stuck with anything for 36 years? Not that I know of. Clear called all the striking people at Kaiser these names. I am guessing he feels this way about all hourly employees who belong to a union.

Clear either says things he doesn’t mean or he feels this way about the working-class people he wants to vote for him. Since Clear never would apologize for the things he called my dad and other Kaiser workers, I believe his slurs reflect how he really feels. Rick L. Nelson Mead

Flynn dedicated to everyday people

I’ve known congressional candidate Tom Flynn for almost 10 years. He is honest, hard-working and committed to doing what is fair. When you talk with him you quickly realize his message is one of opportunity. He believes your government should do what is necessary to allow each of us to succeed.

For Flynn, success means not only making money but also spending time with the family, making sure our parents’ needs are met and ensuring that kids get the best education.

Has Flynn’s message reached the people? To date, more than 1,000 people have contributed to his campaign. This campaign is not funded by the well-connected, moneyed people but the average Joe and Jane who send that hard-earned $10.

Flynn has spent 20 years in this district working to improve residents’ lives. Whatever category you’re in - business owner, retired, single mom, blue collar, student or working family - with Flynn, you win!. Gene Fitzpatrick, treasurer Tom Flynn for Congress campaign, Spokane

Republicans flog moot issue

I see George Nethercutt has jumped on Slade Gorton’s bandwagon regarding the “not on my watch” breaching of the dams.

Seems to me a few weeks ago President Clinton said this was not going to be done for at least 10 years and then it could be brought up before Congress.

If this is the case then these two can take off their gloves, jump out of their little paper bag and get another issue. Shame on them for trying to scare the people. Alice K. Dunning Spokane

U.S. Term Limits highly selective

Our mailbox is being filled by U.S. Term Limits political ads. Before this group chases after a journeyman congressman like George Nethercutt, we’d like to know what efforts and money it is expending to defeat long-term legislative members like Sen. Ted Kennedy, hero of Chappaquiddick. After Kennedy is defeated, then we’ll look at term limits for Nethercutt. Martin and Linda Marler Pullman OTHER TOPICS

Rights can be chipped away

Since the Aryan Nations trial is such a newsworthy event, perhaps I have a solution to permanently quiet such groups. It is, of course, with tongue in cheek.

Good Americans can get involved and stop the Aryan Nations’ evil newsletter, their horrible parades each year and Richard Butler’s fake church. Let’s repeal the First Amendment. It was OK in colonial times but it is no longer relevant in today’s society.

The Fourth Amendment should also be repealed. It only protects people like those in the Aryan Nations who have something to hide. Police should be allowed to invade the compound any time to find dangerous things. Security is more important than individual rights of Americans. I am afraid that if we do not quickly dispose of the Eighth Amendment, concerning excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishments, lawyers like Morris Dees won’t be able to bankrupt Butler, Firestone, tobacco growers, automobile companies, gun manufacturers, pharmaceuticals or even mom-and-pop stores.

Last but not least is that outdated Second Amendment. If we could have the sense to repeal that one, groups such as the Aryan Nations would not have guns because it would be against the law. We will feel so safe when only the FBI and criminals have military high-tech weapons for home invasions. Ron Marsh Pullman, Wash.

Reeves overlooked in area history

Dozens of articles appear in The Spokesman-Review about the famous Hercules mine near Wallace, Idaho, and those who made millions, among them May Hutton. I wonder when Charles H. “Dad” Reeves will ever get the recognition he deserves.

The Spokesman-Review headlined him in its March 13, 1927, issue, “Man who sold Paulsen Hercules partnership tells of early days.”

Dad Reeves was my great-grandfather. He came to Wallace in 1890 as a barber. His son-in-law, Fred Harper, along with Harry Day, had discovered the Hercules mine in 1889. Reeves was compelled to sell fractions of his share in the mine to stimulate interest in the mine, which was languishing for lack of funds and workers.

August Paulsen did the lion’s share of the hard work but his fortune came from the generosity of Dad Reeves. Levi and May Hutton were among those who profited from this venture.

Perhaps Reeves is not remembered because he died poor in 1928. But there would be no Paulsen or Hutton buildings gracing Spokane’s skyline without the pioneer work of Dad Reeves. Will he ever get the credit he deserves? Larry E. Clark Spokane

Those addresses came in handy

I thank The Spokesman-Review for publishing the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for Mayor John Talbott and City Council members Steve Eugster, Steve Corker and Cherie Rogers in the Sept. 6 paper. I could not wait to call and thank them for their position on the River Park Square parking garage situation. They are doing a fine job of looking out for the taxpayers in this community. B.F. Davidson Spokane

Drug war itself the real menace

Re: “Marijuana use not so benign,” Letters, Aug. 29.

As a Libertarian, I believe you own your own body. It’s yours! And as long as you don’t murder, rape, steal, defraud or such, you should be free to live your life as you choose. That’s the American way and the Libertarian way.

Gov. George Bush and Vice President Al Gore are both fierce drug warriors. That’s why I support Libertarian Harry Browne for president. He promises to free all federal prisoners of the drug war the day he takes office. Only Browne will restore America to what it was - a land of peace, freedom and prosperity.

It’s ridiculous to think government ought to step in and stop people from using marijuana. And it’s downright dangerous. Innocent people die every year in mistaken drug busts. Many are prosecuted because they use medical marijuana or become victims of dealer turf wars made inevitable by drug war suppression. Today, more than half our prison population is nonviolent drug offenders.

You say advocacy for legalization is irresponsible. I say advocacy for prohibition is irresponsible. End the drug war - vote Libertarian. Kyle B. Varner secretary, Spokane County Libertarian Party, Spokane