Letters To The Editor

Fri., Aug. 22, 1997

WASHINGTON STATE

Strictures not just for new gun owners

This is to clarify the misunderstandings in staff writer Robin Rivers’ Aug. 13 article, “Gun control opponents have I-676 in their sights.”

I attended this meeting, sponsored by WeCARE, a National Rifle Association group, Aug. 12. I’m not a shooter, nor do I own firearms. I’ve always been willing to fight for the law-abiding citizen’s right to possess and use firearms knowledgeably and responsibly. My ancestors fought a seven-year war in the 1700s for this right and others. Little did they know we’d have to worry again in the 1990s.

Rivers wrote that the proposed law requires “prospective gun owners” to pass a competency examination, etc. Actually, if its enacted, nearly all handgun owners in the state, regardless of when they acquired their handguns, would come under this provision. The article makes it appear that only future gun owners would be affected. Also, in saying “gun owners,” the distinction isn’t made between handguns and long-barrel guns; this initiative deals only with handguns.

Let’s remain vigilant for the next salvo from the anti-gun and anti-gun-owner groups. Lillian Ogletree Forster Spokane

I-676 offers no child safety benefit

Ed Keeley likes to stir up the emotional pot on Initiative 676 by claiming that Curtis Stone wishes “to dehumanize the child victims of gun accidents.”

I-676 is masquerading as an attempt to minimize gun accidents with trigger locks and government approved safety courses, ignoring that trigger lock manufacturers warn that their products may cause accidental discharge of loaded firearms, potentially killing or maiming a child. Give me a break!

I-676 has nothing to do with child safety. If it did, then it should apply only to people and households with children. If Keeley and the supporters of I-676 really want to do something to reduce the accident rate for handguns, which is currently lower than it has been in years, they should throw their full support behind the activities of the National Rifle Association. The NRA was founded over 125 years ago with the intent of improving firearm safety. The NRA’s Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program for children has already taught gun safety to over 10 million children. Throw your support behind real programs for safety instead of feel-good legislation dressed up as something to benefit children.

Honesty is still the best policy. It’s unfortunate the antigun crowd has so little of it. Mike R. Scalera Spokane

DNR seems oblivious to fire hazard

Like many in forested Spokane County areas, I spent Aug. 14 and 15 double-checking my sprinklers, hoses and shovels, and watering the land surrounding my home.

This was after learning two fires were out of control in the area. Resources were spread thin and I knew it was my responsibility to take every action possible to prevent a disaster in my area.

You can imagine my astonishment when I discovered at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 15 that someone in my area had a campfire, with flames shooting three feet into the air. However, I was even more bewildered when I called the Department of Natural Resources and discovered recreational camp permits allow campfires as long as someone is in attendance - even with a wildfire raging in the county. DNR suggested I didn’t know much about fires if I saw the above situation as a problem.

I do know that it would be prudent to add conditions to recreational fire permits that would prohibit campfires when fire is out of control and accompanied by high winds; resources are spread thin due to disaster; or there is great potential for a firestorm.

If you agree, please join me in writing to Gov. Gary Locke and your state legislators, to seek change. Pamela D. Wolfrum Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Won’t be going to the fair any more

I am sure going to miss the Spokane Interstate Fair. As a small child, I was a visitor. As a teenager, I was an exhibitor of livestock. I am still proud of my Grand Champion-Best in Show ribbon I won in 1962.

I took my children to the fair when they were growing up. I took groups of children from Head Start and other school groups in an old Ford van I had. Lately, it has been my grandchildren. I loved showing children the animals, old tractors, etc. The joy on their faces was quite a reward.

Well, now it all has to stop. I am a smoker. I can’t take small children into a beer garden or other designated area to smoke. It would be unfair to them. I won’t leave them on their own, either. It’s very easy for a child to get lost, despite our best efforts.

I am a gentleman smoker. I don’t light up in eating areas, don’t puff in a crowded area. If you ask me politely not so smoke in front of you, I will comply.

Now, I won’t be buying tickets to the fair. I won’t be taking the kids to the midway for some fun. We won’t be there to sample from the various food booths. We also won’t be talking to the various sales people about products for our home. No, for the first time in over 40 years, I won’t be there.

Sorry, kids. Grandpa can’t go any more. Walter E. Lane Spokane

Segregate streets for cyclists

Six million people ride bikes to work every day, according to a study published recently in USA Today. Millions more would bike to work if they had better, safer access.

This is especially important in a place like Spokane, with its backward economy. Forty-five percent of people working in Spokane have poverty-level jobs. Some may not be able to afford a car, but they still have to get to work.

Rich or poor, people have a right to use the public streets, whether with cars or bicycles. It is unfortunate that some drivers are very hostile to people on bikes. These are the same kind of Spokane drivers who run stop signs and red lights. This attitude as also reflected in a recent letter by Mike McMorris.

In some cities, friction between drivers and bicyclists has turned violent. San Francisco is one example.

Bicycles are not going to go away, nor should they. Bikes do not pollute the air. They are quiet and they do not cause potholes.

We need to vacate a few streets for exclusive use by bicycles. Perhaps at the same time, a few streets might be deemed exclusively for cars. The two groups might then be able to coexist without injuries and insults.

Candidates for city elective posts should be willing to state their views on this problem. Greg J. Works Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Teamsters can be justly proud

I was pleased with the outcome of the United Parcel Service strike. Many people are saying what a victory it was for the unions. Unions are just organized working people.

The men and women on the picket lines and all the working people who supported the strike are the winners.

It was an inspiration to see the working people, union and nonunion, of this country come together and say we deserve better. When working people stand together their voice will be heard. We have been ignored too long.

After all, the taxpayers will be paying the benefits for the low wage earner and the part-time worker. We pay for their medical expenses, their housing and even their food. Its called welfare.

None of us alone can change the attitude of big business. Together, we can demand a livable wage, health coverage, decent retirement and a voice on the job. Corporate profits and productivity have been on the rise for years while the wages of many have been flat or have fallen behind inflation. Its time the workers get a share of the pie.

I applaud you all for coming together; it will help us all. Paul (Bill) Carter Newport, Wash.

Unions exist for good reason

Many people in the Inland Northwest have a rather bad opinion of American labor unions. These people have usually never been a member of any union and have never worked where there was a union contract.

In the last two weeks, all of us have seen firsthand what the Teamsters accomplished for its members who work for UPS. This is a first-class illustration of what a union is all about. Unions are workers joining together to help each other out. They have found there is strength in numbers.

A bad employer can fire any one employee with no fear of this employee being able to fight the termination. This goes on all the time. If there is a union at this employer’s business, he knows he can’t fire any employee without just cause because he knows the employee will go to the union and try to get his job back. This is what a union does for its members.

If you are working and getting paid less than you should, you might think about UPS and the high wages UPS employees are getting, some over $20 an hour, and stop running the unions down. Tom Akren Post Falls, Idaho

CONSUMER ISSUES

Did shopper do enough home work?

I am confused. Mickey Brostrom (“Our manufactured home is toxic,” Letters, Aug. 17), you spent a lot of time and money getting your land prepared for a new home, but how observant were you when you were going through these models on the lots? Did you check them out?

My husband and I are considering a manufactured home and have gone through at least 35 of them from various manufacturers. If memory serves me correctly, there are warnings in several places in the kitchen areas, just as there would be if you had them built on your land.

If you did go through these homes, you would have noticed the scent of new carpeting, drywall, paint, wallpaper, etc., that would have tipped you off to potential health problems. Did you, the consumer, question the salesperson about this?

I agree there should be standards in the industry when it comes to chemicals used in the building of a home, no matter what size, shape or price range. But, ultimately, it is the consumer’s job to be alert. Ann M. Brebner St. Maries, Idaho

IN THE REGION

Why commissioners want me gone

Re: the recent Spokesman Review article regarding a recall effort against me.

This action is made up of lies and won’t succeed because it’s illegal. A self-appointed group of good-ol’ boys that includes the public defender has decided to determine how criminals are prosecuted in Adams County despite my election by the people.

The recall people don’t like to mention that I’ve sent more felons to prison than any previous Adams County prosecutor. Last year, the number was 26. My predecessor sent only eight felons per year to prison. I have targeted sending felons to prison and ending excessive plea bargains in an attempt to lower the crime rate and protect innocent citizens.

The illegal recall action, which is supported by the county commissioners, is going to cost Adams County thousands of dollars and employee man-hours, and will seriously impede criminal prosecutions.

The commissioners support the recall because they don’t like a prosecutor who points out the illegality of their awarding themselves raises and funding the raises by illegally diverting road funds.

Despite the attacks on me, I suggested in writing to the commissioners that we use a mediator to end our impasse. The commissioners never respond to these requests, but insist on impeding my prosecution of criminals and wasting taxpayer money.

I assure the voters that I am going to continue to serve their interests and fight crime despite the false, malicious and slanderous efforts against me. David M. Sandhaus Adams County prosecutor, Ritzville

Story brought back lake memories

My sisters and I read with great interest the article on water skiing on Lake Coeur d’Alene before 1922. Our father, Fred Marler, moved to Harrison, Idaho, in 1911, and skied on a board towed by a boat before 1922. Dad was an enthusiastic boater and won cups in the Coeur d’Alene regatta during the years 1915 through 1917. A photo of dad and his boat, the Imperator, was in the Desert Hotel in Coeur d’Alene for many years.

We’re not sure when he began water skiing, but the eldest in the family remembers him doing so before 1918, when the family moved from Harrison to Colfax, Wash. He skied on a board pulled by speedboat, and held a rope for balance. We’re sure this occurred before 1920, because dad was injured that year.

Our dad and John Finney may have been pioneers in water skiing on the lake, but modesty and reality suggest they may not have been alone. Does anyone else have records or memories of other early day water skiers? Martin J. Marler Pullman