Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Cold shoulder richly deserved

Re: the July 1 article, “Coroner gets cold shoulder from hospital”: Congratulations to Holy Family Hospital.

Ever since Dexter Amend took office, he has done nothing but whine about office conditions, fire office staff and ignore the task he was elected to do! With this guy’s hot temper and big ego, you can imagine what kind of disruptions he could create if he didn’t get his way.

The policies and procedures currently in place under the existing contract worked effectively and without controversy for the previous coroner. So, could the problem possibly be that Amend doesn’t understand what he was elected to do? Plush office space and convenience to Amend’s home don’t top the list of tasks for this elected official.

Of course, Spokane County Commissioner Steve Hasson is in the middle of it all. We shouldn’t be surprised there are interpretation issues if Hasson negotiated the original contract. Add this to the now lengthy list of managerial screw-ups coming out of the infamous Hasson office.

By the way, commissioner, respect isn’t given just because you were elected to public office. Respect is earned by making sound decisions, practicing prudent and acceptable managerial skills and conducting yourself with professionalism and dignity.

Commissioner Hasson, you have a lot to learn! S.C. Holland Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Bureau of Mines serves community

The article by Eric Torbenson on June 22, about survival of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, was well written.

Regardless of the outcome, the employees of the Bureau appreciate support received from the mining industry, Spokane Chamber of Commerce, businesses, local community and Rep. George Nethercutt’s office. It confirms the belief that the service we perform hasn’t gone unnoticed.

This includes developing safer and more effective mining techniques, assuring that mineral resources are adequately considered in decisions involving public lands, providing minerals information and education, as well as applying science to address the balance between mine production and environmental concerns. How often we forget the importance of natural resources in maintaining our quality of life.

Congressman Nethercutt understands the issues that face those involved in the natural resource field. He has shown uncommon courage in fighting for the right causes, despite the current legislative tide of cost slashing with apparent disregard to benefit and western issues.

We look forward to working with Rep. Nethercutt, his staff and other congressional offices as we continue to educate others about the U.S. Bureau of Mines’ role in protecting and developing our mineral resources. The responsibility of making sure our government best serves us falls on all of our shoulders. Your voice will help ensure the right choices are made for the West and the people of the U.S. Jami Girard and Ronette Reisenburg Spokane Employees Association, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Spokane

Indian children get shortchanged

I am appalled at the House of Representatives’ recent action, cutting $75 million in funding which has gone to Indian education. What’s really disturbing is George Nethercutt’s vote to cut funding.

As Chairman of the Indian Education Parents Committee, I am proud of those who put together the Native Life Center. They came together as a village to raise our children. We have the highest dropout rate in School District 81 but want to make our children successful in school and in life. This is what the center was designed to do. After one year it is recognized nationally.

Our children have been the victims of many things. One is a failed federal policy of assimilation. Now, the Contract with America will remove the pittance of an attempt by the federal government to live up to those contracts signed with sovereign tribes.

We are not asking for handouts, just a minimal effort to keep your word.

The Contract with America obviously did not include Indian children. Family values is becoming a rhetorical sound bite. Rep. Nethercutt speaks of “fiscal responsibility” and doing “the right thing.” I think the responsible thing is to meet with those you represent (Indians were given the right to vote just recently) and seek their counsel.

If we built Stealth bombers, we could get a meeting. Harry Barnes Spokane

Don’t believe pro-tax propaganda

It is time the people of Washington state set aside ideas resulting from political brainwashing and take a hard look at the state’s tax structure.

Politicians brainwash taxpayers into believing that “fair share” means the larger tax bill. Since taxes are payment for civic services, shouldn’t all taxpayers pay the same tax for the same services? Why do owners of different-sized houses pay different amounts for the same services?

Individuals who say owners of larger houses should pay more than owners of smaller houses should rid their minds of ingrained propaganda.

This brings us to the propaganda, “rich against poor.” When someone attempts to correct injustices of the tax system, out come political commercials. Consider the small child with a dirty face and a tear. Then we hear, “Are we going to starve this poor child?” Supposedly, tax reform will take money from the poor and give it to the rich. We have to recognize propaganda and think honestly.

The most unfair tax forced upon the people is the property tax. Letter writers Ruth Evans (April 26), Tom Jamison (April 20), Leon A. Barefield (May 4), Mallur R. Nandagopal (June 5), Jay O’Connor (June 5) and others have commented on the unfairness of property taxes. We need to hear more from all who want to fight this tax. To do this, we have to expose the age-worn phrases, idioms, and values which have been verbally beaten into us from birth by self-serving politicians. Wilson K. Conaway Liberty Lake

THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmentalists, chill out

In “Clinton accused of environmental sellout,” July 1, the environmentalists really sound ticked off at President Clinton, who agreed to sign a bill that would allow salvaging some dead and dying timber in federal forests without the challenges environmental groups have used in the past to prevent this. They describe the agreement as an “evil betrayal” and “the biggest assault ever on our forests.”

John Osborn is quoted as saying, “We warned him there would be holy hell to pay if he did it, and we plan to deliver.” That sounds ominous. Could he mean like the Unabomber, with whom Osborn shares a religious fervor for “wild nature?”

The modest measure in question hardly warrants such threats and extremist rhetoric. To stop the spread of disease and insects, and reduce wildfires, the bill authorizes salvaging 6 billion of the 20 billion board feet of dead and dying timber in the forests over a period of two years. That’s only half the rate at which timber is dying for lack of such management.

Environmentalists should chill out. Based on the record, Clinton will probably change his mind again soon. Meanwhile, let’s give him credit for bringing together those who worship wild nature and those who believe in stewardship, even if it’s only in their opinion about Clinton’s lack of probity. Edwin G. Davis Spokane