Letters To The Editor
Improving education system a good way to help world
Let us face up to one of the most serious problems facing people living in the Central Valley School District.
Elementary schools were planned to be within walking distance of children living within a given area. Due to the tremendous growth of population within the Central Valley School District, it is now necessary to bus about 300 elementary school children from their neighborhoods to other elementary schools.
Imagine yourself as a child. Instead of walking to your school, with other children that you know in your neighborhood, you are transported by bus to a strange school. Then having to get acquainted with other children who don’t have the same neighborhood feeling that you do.
In addition, we are exposing the children to accidents, such as occurred recently on icy and slippery mornings.
Psychologists tell us that children are maturing faster today than yesterday.
As good citizens, let us accept the responsibility to provide the funds necessary to build more elementary schools for our children.
Maybe we should consider stopping all new residential construction in the area. Or maybe postponing the purchase of another car, boat or camper so that we can provide the Central Valley School District with the funds necessary to build adequate elementary schools for our children.
If our children don’t get a good foundation in the ABCs, how are they going to achieve adequately, to learn the XYZs?
Please give this serious problem your immediate consideration. Then we can say we helped a child and thus helped the world. Maurice B. Cauchon Spokane
Spokane Valley must grow up and take on responsibility
I think Valley incorporation is similar to growing up.
When one reaches a certain age, one leaves home, and takes on more responsibility.
A little tough at first, but none of us would go back to parental restrictions.
Also, the Valley could receive full benefits from $10.5 million which is taken out of the Valley each year. Bob Mauzy Spokane
Stories about violence are, unfortunately, nothing new
Concerning your recent article about the 21-year-old who was shot by a 17-year-old over a six-pack of beer (Valley Voice, March 4), I was drawn to the statement made by Detective Mike Massong of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department, who states that “this is an eye opener for everybody …. there is no respect for human life anymore.”
I would like to ask a question of Detective Massong. Where have you been for the last five years? Is this your first investigation for a while?
Actually, I’m not all that surprised. I think Detective Massong’s comments are reflective of most everyone today, and we all just sit around and watch the crime escalate and wonder what can be done.
Here’s a suggestion. It is time that our citizens, law enforcement agencies and our Legislature get tough and pass some serious laws. Pass a law that would hold the parents responsible. When any youth under the age of 21 commits a crime and is arrested, the parents should have to pay all court fees and restitution to the victim(s). If the parents cannot afford to pay, and the youth is incarcerated, then one parent should go to jail - one week for every month the youth is jailed.
I realize this sounds harsh, but it’s much more reasonable than the harshness of murder and the growing lack of respect for human life. And furthermore, if the parents are held responsible for their children’s actions, then maybe parents would make the effort to find out what their kids are doing when they leave for the evening, as well as teach them some morals and values.
The solutions to solving the growing and spreading crime problem needs to begin in the home and it needs to begin now. I urge every caring citizen to put pressure on your legislators to get tough and get tough now! Joseph Rudmann Spokane