Letters

While paying property taxes, think of city’s spending

On Oct. 31, the taxpayers of the city of Spokane Valley will pay their second-half property taxes. As you look at your statement in these perilous economic times, be aware of the following:

Your city has just spent close to $1 million for an unfunded plan to drastically change the Valley with draconian and discriminatory zoning ironically titled “revitalization.” For 6 miles, from the freeway and Sprague east to Conklin Road, it seeks to divide the city into the “favored” and the “unfavored.” Because of the need to “force” a city center at University City, excess retail competition to the east must be “eliminated” through zoning. Many of your neighbors and small businesses are hurt. Is this America?

And yet, the city charges on. Population trends eastward, but “planners” seek to overrule the market. Money is no object. Study after study is no problem. But the real problem, of course, is for the taxpayer as the tax base is degraded, utility taxes are imposed, higher fees are charged, and property taxes rise. Think of this on Oct. 31. Market manipulation is not what a city should be about.

Dean Grafos

Spokane Valley

Terry Lynch ‘stuck in 1950s’

It took me a while to get around to reading the Valley Voice of Sept. 4. I think it is Terry Lynch, president of the Spokane Valley Business Association who is stuck in the 1950s, not Sally Jackson.

Isn’t this the same bunch that want Sprague Avenue returned to a two-way street, as it was in the 1950s? Businesses want a two-way street, so the City Council votes a 6 percent utility tax on all of us to pay for street work. Pretty neat huh?

Since Sprague has been a one-way I have purchased a new car, boat and three sets of new tires, all along Sprague. I am now in the market for a new pickup but have decided to wait to see what happens with Sprague. There is nothing there I can’t buy elsewhere if it goes to a two-way again.

I will not be part of the congestion. Who knows, maybe others will also vote with their pocketbook. I can easily use Pines and Argonne and only cross Sprague.

Roger Moore

Spokane Valley