View valued more than money

In Sunday’s Our View editorial, the writer wondered why the disdain for bringing urban living to the banks of the Spokane River (at the site of the present YMCA).

Let me help you understand: Take a few minutes and stand at midspan of the powerhouse bridge and look at the falls for a while. Then raise your eyes to the existing YMCA. Next, imagine a 14-story high-rise building there. If you can’t foresee it, simply look opposite across the river at the seven-story condo and double it. Getting the picture yet?

Can you hear the noise from the open balconies overlooking the falls, the loud TVs and stereos, the charcoal grills wafting greasy hamburgers and maybe some colorful towels draped over the railings? Nice. You’ll probably be getting a little chilled now since the tower’s shadow covers the sparkling water and everything else.

No, the disdain is from the money-hungry toward our citizens and nature. Time to change the Near Nature, Near Perfect slogan.

Thank you, Park Board, for supporting this priceless preservation. Some things are worth more than money.

Jake Laete

Spokane