Avista quick to respond

This is in response to Jackie McCowen-Rose’s July 12 letter concerning Avista cutting the weeds near the power station in the Beacon Ridge area. My experience is that Avista is very responsive to neighborhoods making requests to cut the weeds on Avista property. They are also responsive to requests to remove graffiti, electrical wires in trees and other hazards or eyesores.

Since Avista is the power company for this very large area, it is understandable that the growth of weeds near a single power station may have escaped their attention. McCowen-Rose should have contacted Avista.

I think that all of us, in every neighborhood, should become particularly attentive to weeds growing in alleys as well as the yards of vacant homes. The removal of these weeds not only makes our neighborhoods safer from fires, their removal also reduces hiding places for criminals, makes the environment healthier for our children, prevents the decline of home values, and makes our city more attractive to businesses that are considering locating here.

In a fire season such as this, we all have a part to play in seeing that potential fire hazards are abated as swiftly as possible.

Hazel Jackson

Spokane