Kids top priority list

Your editorial (July 17) on the initiative process stated, “There is a romantic notion that the person standing in front of the supermarket with clipboard and pen is part of a legion of engaged citizens dedicated to a shared belief.” Unfortunately, in this piece you failed to mention that there IS one initiative that will be on the Spokane city ballot in November that meets that definition of an all-volunteer effort. Romantic notions live!

Having been one of the “legion” of some 150 active volunteers who share the belief that our children should come first – in our hearts and in our pocketbooks – I was proud to talk to my fellow citizens about the promise of the Children’s Investment Fund.

Targeted to programs in four areas: early childhood, child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment, mentoring and after-school care, this initiative is dedicated to getting it right from the beginning and preventing the need for remediation.

Our community is recognizing that we have to step up locally, and we are converging on a strong community goal to put kids first at every stage of their development. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart way!

Mary Ann Murphy

Executive director,

Partners with Families and Children: Spokane

Spokane