Letters

Sat., Oct. 2, 2010

Seven interviewed for WV coach spot

I would like to respond to Bette Wilson’s letter about Gene Blankenship being overlooked as a cross country coach at West Valley High School (Valley Voice, Sept. 25).

She should check her facts about it being “who you are” and “no one else was interviewed.” I was the first to be interviewed for that position and there were six other names of people being interviewed after me that July day. I obviously was not offered the head coach position, but after interviewing for the assistant coach position, I was offered the job.

Being female, I am certainly not a “Good old boy.” I had never met anyone that was a part of the interview process prior to the process. I have never won any coaching awards or have been a “famous” coach. The interview team felt that my qualities as a person and a coach was best suited to the team, not “who I am.”

And working with coach Bob Barbero has been a wonderful experience. He knows what he is doing and relates well to athletes parents, and staff. He was chosen because he is a great coach.

Holly Dugenet

Veradale

I can’t even begin to express how disappointed and disgusted I am with the salary, “Cadillac” benefits and retirement package just given to our new Spokane Valley city manager.

Nothing against the young man, but in this day and age of economic downturns, who is worth over $154,000 for on-the-job training?

No Spokane County or city of Spokane employee or elected official makes the kind of money Spokane Valley pays its manager and department heads. What makes them so special? Especially when they don’t provide the services and programs available in Spokane and the county!

Many applicants were lining up for this city manager position, so an inflated salary isn’t needed to attract qualified people.

The median income in our Valley isn’t even close to $150,000. Senior citizens, who help pay the taxes that pay the new manager, haven’t had a cost-of-living raise and many struggle on a fixed income. Young families and the many unemployed also struggle to make ends meet.

Like taxpayers everywhere, I wish someone would worry about us when they’re passing out these inflated salaries that our tax dollars finance. Incidentally, I appreciate the three council members that voted against the salary.

Sally Jackson

Spokane Valley

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.