Shoes before chandeliers

I was shocked to see that Spokane County Commissioners Todd Mielke and Mark Richard have approved more than half a million dollars for the Spokane Raceway Park.

This story reminds me of my childhood. I grew up in a poor family, but we lived in a big house decorated with crystal chandeliers and Persian carpets. My father (who is now deceased) used to brag, “We have luxuries because we do without the necessities.” This was true; many days we barely had enough to eat.

My father took great pride in making my mother fix dinner for a family of five with only 1 pound of hamburger and a package of spaghetti. Often, my brother, my sister and I went to school without school supplies, such as paper and pencils, because there was no money for them.

Commissioners Mielke and Richard have adopted the same philosophy as my father. Wherever my father is now, I am sure he is nodding in agreement with the decision to pay for the Spokane Raceway Park while critical funding for essential governmental services has been cut.

Cheryl Mitchell

Spokane