In the absence of news, I had hoped that the proposed white-water park was abandoned. Now it’s raising its ugly head again.

When someone covets a natural site for its own exploitation, it is standard procedure to form a group called “Friends of …” whatever the target is (i.e., Friends of Mount Spokane).

Forget the redband trout; it is not the issue. What matters is, first the desecration of a river with amenities, boating games and loud bedlam described by some as music (a la Bloomsday). Second, but most important, is the wasteful and offensive insensitivity of government to allocate over half a million dollars to this nefarious project while being several hundred millions in the hole.

“Sorry, we don’t have any money for you teachers, librarians and providers of essential services, but plenty for frolicking in the river … .”

How shameful.

Maurice Vial

Spokane