Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Garfield folks don’t like Grand scheme

The city says it’s finally going to repair Spokane’s largest pothole: Grand Boulevard from Seventh to 29th Avenue. Everyone is ecstatic.

The merchants, even though they will be shut down for a time, agree this is necessary. No income for maybe a month.

The folks who live on Grand will have to park on side streets and lug all their packages to their homes. But the street may again be drivable.

Sounds like a workable deal, but no. Like everything in this supposedly friendly city, there’s a fly in the ointment.

The folks who “own” Garfield Street are afraid that some miscreant may drive down their street. Heaven’s to Betsy, a stranger using a public thoroughfare? We’ve got to have a meeting. Think of our children. (I guess no other neighborhood has children.) Think of the noise!

I have the ultimate solution. It’s said that Will Rogers, when asked what to do with increasing traffic jams, stated, “Take all the cars what ain’t paid for off the road.”

“Beamers on blocks” has a pleasing ring. Some would have to resort to hoofing it. Some could resort to bicycles. And heaven forbid, some may have to find out where the bus runs and avail themselves of that form of transportation.

The stately old homes along the street have endured the droppings of horses, the racing of Model Ts’, some suicides, etc. Now, if the friendly folks could just endure an extra car or two.

Don’t they realize that once Grand is finished, it’s use is likely to increase? Charles E. McCollim Spokane

YWCA completely apolitical

In the July 30, Spokesman-Review, the Region section carried an article announcing the candidacy of Charlotte Karling for Spokane City Council.

Karling’s campaign manager had asked the YWCA if they could use our parking lot as a venue to announce the candidacy, since they felt it would have a nice view of the Spokane River. We agreed, under the condition that it be absolutely clear that use of our lot in no way served as an endorsement of the candidate.

Ours is a 501c (3) organization, so we are politically neutral and do not endorse any candidates or lobby for political influence of any kind. We take no position on Karling or her fitness to be a council person. We ask that no one construe her presence in our lot as any sort of support or endorsement.

We regret that our organization was specifically mentioned in the article about Karling and for any confusion that might have resulted from that. Monica Walters, Executive Director YWCA of Spokane

Geraghty moves up, slightly

I have just given Jack Geraghty a promotion. Before, I said he was the last person for whom I would ever vote for Spokane’s mayor. But then Sheri Barnard jumped into the race. Now, Geraghty is the second-to-last person I would ever vote for for Spokane’s mayor. Hayes M. Sanderson Spokane

Add nonsmoking section at concerts

I recently attended the Royal Fireworks concert. I thought the music and fireworks were spectacular. My family and I had a great time.

There was one part that I did not like about it. I could barely breathe because of all of the smokers. Not one person had an ash tray; they just stuck it in the ground, and they did it around everybody. I could not stand it.

We should not keep people from smoking, but at concerts in Riverfront Park, there should be smoking and nonsmoking sections, or the people should have enough courtesy to leave when they smoke. Grant W. Lordan, age 11 Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Computers not essential but logic is

Kathy R. McBride (Letters, Aug. 3) is upset by letter writer John Talbott’s earlier suggestion that public schools get back to basics. She warns that if kids are “computer illiterate,” they will “fail in the adult job market.”

I have a Ph.D. in computer science and run a computer consulting company. I used to teach college classes in computer science and mathematics. I am also a parent. So I may be qualified to take a stand.

From Talbott’s letter, it’s not quite clear what he means by “back to the basics.” He may be saying that schools today shifted the focus from academics to social engineering. He may be saying that quality teaching gave way to catering to popular trends (e.g. stressing computers). If that’s what he means, he’s correct.

I know several professionals whose jobs are computer-related. They know everything about spreadsheets, how to access databases, and they design projects. They would, however, be extremely challenged if you asked them if 75 percent is more than , and if so, why.

Kids don’t have to be computer literate. What they need is to be taught the discipline of logical thinking.

As far as I know, my son’s math teacher, Dr. Manfred of University High School, never used computers in his class, yet I think he prepared the students excellently for their future full of computers.

No, we don’t need computers in schools, we need teachers like him. And if keeping those teachers happy means paying more money to the school district, I’m willing to participate. Peter C. Dolina Veradale

ROAD WAYS

Bicyclists should be pro-active

Consider recent bicycle accidents as the failure of motorists to recognize our roads are public property. Motorist simply fail to see or even consider other road users. With destination orientations, seated comfortably inside, they failed to appreciate the qualities of the environment they travel through. This lack of appreciation can result in tragic accidents with bicyclists and pedestrians who are also legal users of our public roads.

But, bicyclists and pedestrians can effect positive change and help motorists to recognize other legitimate road users. Notify the Washington State Patrol, the city or county, in writing, about all threatening or inattentive automobile drivers. I hear that Badlands Bicycle Club has a hotline for this type of notification.

Moreover, notify the Washington State Department of Transportation, the city or county, in writing, about dangerous pedestrian and bicycle locations and corridors. There is also a spot improvement program notification card available at bike shops.

Finally, lobby legislators for appropriate safety legislation. Our public officials need our assistance to recognize problems, respond and do their jobs more effectively.

Also, a city election is coming up. What is your candidate’s position on transportation issues? Will she or he support a full-time bicycling coordinator? Is she or he concerned about making the community safer for bicycles and pedestrians? Ask appropriate questions at the right time and remain pro-active. Change is usually slow, but will occur. Randy J. Knight, member Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation, Spokane

It’s official: cyclists aren’t interlopers

I find Mike McMorris’ view regarding the appropriateness of bicycles on the road (Letters, July 30) somewhat at odds with official city, state and federal policy.

Not only are bicycles permitted on streets, except in areas that have been specifically excluded, but their use is encouraged. The city of Spokane has adopted a Bikeways Plan as an element of the overall city comprehensive plan. It has also established a Bicycle Advisory Board. Among the board’s responsibilities is to “promote bicycling as a viable form of urban transportation.”

The state Department of Transportation recently removed the “bicycling prohibited signs on the lower section of the Division-Ruby couplet. This was in response to requests from bicycle commuters, who contended that sufficient lane width exists to justify bicycle use.

The Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act has helped establish many national projects that emphasize the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation.

It is not enough for you to try and excuse a driver’s inattentiveness as justification of a bicyclist becoming a loser in a car-cycle accident. Perhaps if you were to try bike commuting at least once, you would gain a new perspective of the situation. Not only to see what it is like to compete for your legitimate space on the road, but you might also gain a fresh appreciation of your surroundings by slowing down to a bike’s pace.

The next time McMorris sees a bike rider, he should move over a little and share the road. Then, maybe, everyone can make their trips safely. Michael L. Brixey, member Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board

OVER THE LINE

Bonner commissioners know better

D.F. Oliveria’s July 23 editorial (“Some savings yield net loss”) prompts this response. He posits that Bonner County commissioners are in danger of sacrificing safety on the waterways for ideology and refers to the “ultraconservative duo,” etc.

I served a term as county commissioner (1985-88) and can assure you the county budget is the commissioners’ No. 1 problem and responsibility. If you can’t keep a handle on the budget, there’s not much hope for the taxpaying public.

Grant money is the most difficult of all because it looks like free money in the beginning. In the long run, however, those funds tend to dry up and the program doesn’t, leaving local taxpayers with the burden sooner or later.

And there is the serious question of jurisdiction. Once one accepts grant dollars from another jurisdiction, controls are soon to follow. The long-run result is a tendency toward centralization of power from the top downward and a subsequent loss of freedom.

I don’t know the Bonner County commissioners in question but I suspect they understand this better than Oliveria. I suggest The Spokesman-Review is abusing its First Amendment rights when it uses such terms as “ideology” and “ultra” in place of judgment and principle. John C. Hodde Colville, Wash.