Article misleads on issue

In regards to a Jan. 28 article that appeared in The Spokesman-Review:

1) I specifically spoke to the reporter about my Senate committee testimony, making clear I was addressing only a provision of the bill defining “standing.” Because legislation often covers multiple subjects, I attempted to make clear I was not speaking to another section regarding fees. Not only do I feel that my account was inaccurately reflected in the story, I believe the headline, “Mielke testimony in Olympia favored land-use appeal fee,” misleads the reader by implying my testimony was specifically to support the fee. That is not true, and normally I would seek a correction. I believe my letter can address that correction.

2) I rarely respond to letters to the editor. But as an elected official, I can often be the target of misinformed attacks. As you know, it is much easier to make an attack (factual or otherwise) than it is to provide an informed response.

Todd Mielke

Spokane County commissioner

Nine Mile Falls