Consider the facts

Safe Spokane. Safer Spokane? Safe as possible Spokane! Prop. 2 is a winning proposition: lives (human and animal), the environment, jobs and safety. What are our priorities?

Fire science is clear: an explosion would decimate most of downtown Spokane, people, businesses, infrastructure our environment. Risk therefore is high, higher than in most other cities, with elevated train tracks throughout Spokane’s downtown core increasing the risk and damage factors. Cost of compliance for Prop. 2 is minor and doable. Oil stabilization, covering coal cars, treating tracks are just a few of the techniques are already available, and in use, in our country.

Businesses are adjusting to the costs and profiting. Additionally, the gases removed from the Bakken crude can be used to generate electricity. More importantly, combustibility is than 75 percent - close to traditional crude.

Fear of change and incomplete information are in play during this campaign. Prop 2 has similar rules to those already upheld by federal courts. The legal challenge argument is very weak. The city of Spokane has a legal department, whose job it is to deal with this kind of issue. Know the facts. Use the facts. Separate facts from opinion.

Vote yes on Prop 2.

Elaine Tyrie

Spokane