Letters

Mistake to allow liquor advertising

The City Council made a mistake when they voted to allow increased advertising of hard liquor, not just beer or wine, to a susceptible teenage population in their own neighborhood grocery stores. This is something new, not old. In the past, teenagers could only be exposed to signs for beer or alcohol in their own neighborhood stores. It is a public safety hazard to allow more than four signs or to allow larger signs in neighborhood grocery stores that sell hard liquor.

Initiative 1183 changed things by allowing retail sales of hard liquor in neighborhood grocery stores. Grocery stores can now obtain a new liquor license called “grocery store – beer/wine; spirits retailer.” As of March 15, this license has been applied for by the following Spokane Valley stores: Wal-Mart, Winco, Barney’s Harvest Food, Walgreens, URM Cash and Carry, Albertsons and Rosauers. Presumably, their competitors will soon follow.

Public safety trumps private property concerns. Teenagers get drunk faster on hard liquor than on beer. Drunken drivers kill and maim innocent people.

Retailers wouldn’t pay for signs that weren’t effective for adults. If they are enticing for adults, they will be far more appealing to teenagers. Those signs can certainly make hard alcohol look more desirable than beer and be “macho” enticements for minors to procure hard liquor illegally.

I hope the City Council has the courage to admit and fix its mistake.

Margaret Mortz

Spokane Valley

Pring’s property perfect place

Without political campaign contributions, only the very wealthy could afford to run for public office.

I have followed the saga of the Spokane Valley City Council and Jack Pring.

There has been a lot of media criticism because Pring contributed to council members’ political campaigns. The inference has been that he was purchasing future favors from council members in return for his donations.

I have contributed money to political campaigns for years. Do I do it for personal gain or influence? Absolutely not! I study candidates and contribute to the ones I feel are most qualified to serve our various levels of government with their intelligence, skills and experiences.

I’m sure Pring contributed for the same reason – good government. He’s been active in his life-long hometown since his election to the school board in the 1960s and he continues to be involved.

Considering traffic patterns and convenience, Pring’s property seems to be the perfect place for a library.

I feel the council is acting prudently with its decision to consider this property. It’s not a “good old boy” favor. I don’t see the council as being that spineless!

Sally Jackson

Spokane Valley