Letters for Oct. 24, 2023

Prop 1 offers a different model

Concerning the column written by the president of the League of Women Voters of Spokane asking people to vote no on Proposition 1, I disagree (“Proposition 1 further criminalizes homelessness without offering solutions,” Oct. 15). She states that Proposition 1 legislates where individuals experiencing homelessness cannot “exist.”

Anyone homeless or not, can “exist” in any of the areas outlined in Proposition 1, you simply cannot camp or store personal property, including camp facilities or paraphernalia, or an unauthorized encampment at any time at the specified locations. Also on the ballot is Measure 1, providing funding for a new jail, drug courts, educational opportunities, mental health and substance-abuse services.

I remember the theft and blight caused by Camp Hope in the East Central neighborhood. Fred Meyer on Thor had to put security in their parking lots. I shopped there frequently but after being harassed several times I stopped shopping there. Construction crews had their tools stolen working on the road work being done at the time, and many other businesses suffered from theft and garbage littering their property, including homeowners. The writer states that she lived 30 years in Portland working in the IT industry. The Portland homeless and camping model is the worst model Spokane needs to emulate. Vote yes on Proposition 1.

Steve Hintyesz

Spokane

Achieve a positive city government

To achieve a positive city government that listens to the voices of the working class, vote for Betsy Wilkerson.

I hope when you receive your ballot you will sit with it for at least a few minutes to contemplate the act of voting and how your vote can help our community.

If you have had the misfortune to see on TV or receive in the mail the fear-mongering, divisive ads against strong candidates paid for by Woodward’s and Plese’s corporate supporters, then I hope you realize that the negative ads showing contempt and offering lies about progressive candidates will not move our city forward – just the opposite. I hope you realize that Wilkerson never said, “defund the police,” but has been in ongoing dialogue with all factions of city government. I hope you understand that to attract the absurd amount of money necessary for these ads, Plese will be controlled by Larry Stone, his buddies and big business including the state Realtors just like Woodward has been.

The folks running these ads are the same folks who have made money off the poor and houseless in Spokane. Woodward/Plese and their financial supporters make Spokane a violent and unsafe community – the cruelty in Woodward’s (Stone’s) lack of care for marginalized people is real.

Vote for the people whose core values are strong and whose extensive leadership history in Spokane has been shaped by listening to all citizens.

Lannie MacAndrea

Spokane

Mead board election

The upcoming Mead School Board election is critical for the district’s future. The position of director is a nonpartisan position. It is not political. The intent of the board is not to run the schools but to see that they run well. Three of the candidates running for positions on the board have agendas and wish to overstep the duties of the board. They have sought political endorsements.

Last fall the two least senior members of the board brought the district notoriety and controversy by trying to ban books and implied that critical race theory was being taught in classrooms. It was not and is not. It is imperative that candidates with experience and common sense are elected. Denny Denholm, Jamie Stacy and David Knaggs will provide experience and stability, not controversy and chaos. Please vote for Denholm, Stacy and Knaggs.

Julie Smith

Colbert

Mead School Board election

Mead School District voters need to be concerned. I received a mailer advertising for three candidates vying for a position as a board member representing the Mead School District. The funding source was the Washington State Republican Party. The flyer also listed endorsements from multiple Republican leaders, several who live outside the Mead District.

Mead voters need to stand up to these leaders and candidates who are politicizing a public-school board election. Washington law states that school board elections are nonpartisan. For nonpartisan races, candidates cannot express a party preference (Washington Statute RCW 29A.52.210 and RCW 28A.343.330). This political backing has provided these candidates with significant financial resources coming from Republican Party fundraisers. Mead voters this is not OK. This type of campaigning and advertising is divisive and fosters suspicion and doubt in our schools. These candidates should not be supported.

I had the privilege of serving in the Mead School District for 23 years as a teacher and an administrator. My children attended Mead schools. I urge Mead voters to support the candidates who are student-focused and support the ideals of a strong public school system. The Mead Schools are inclusive and strive to reach high academic standards as well as support the social-emotional needs of all learners. Let’s continue this critical work by supporting the three candidates who trust in our teachers and school leaders. My vote will be for the incumbent, Denny Denholm, David Knaggs and Jaime Stacy. Please vote!

Barbara Pybus

Spokane

Cheney deserves integrity

In response to “Cheney City Council candidates take opposite positions on proposed housing plan,” Oct. 11.

Vincent Barthels is running for Cheney City Council, funding his campaign mostly with money from big Spokane developers such as Douglas Harlan. It makes you wonder why they have donated $500-$1,000 at a time, and what they think they will be getting from Vince for their support.

It would seem their faith in him might be misplaced, as Vince initially filed for a seat that wasn’t even his. Upon learning of his mistake, withdrawing and refiling, he then had the gall to ask his opponent Rebecca Long to refile against someone else, including offering to pay the refiling fee. I guess since he previously was appointed and then unopposed, he felt entitled to his seat instead of having to earn it like everyone else.

Luckily for us, there is a good option in the race with Rebecca Long. Running a grassroots campaign funded by small donations instead of outside developers, you can trust she wants to help Cheney grow in ways that are good for Cheney, not outside interests. A long-time advocate, including running her own nonprofit to help promote women in STEM, Rebecca has the community’s interest at heart and organizing experience to help lead Cheney into the future.

Justin Mager

Cheney

Support for Clark, Long and McMullen for CVSD

In reading the number of articles on the CVSD board election races, concerns expressed by the challengers seem to focus on budget, transparency and communication issues.

Budgets are directed by law related to specific accounts or categories. I have found one could always talk with the superintendent, the financial adviser or your position board member to get answers to questions. If you don’t understand something, ask! The board spends money from a particular account based on the needs that respond to a particular account. This current board has done an exceptional job of being great stewards of our taxpayer dollars. The positive record of passage of bonds and levies attest to the integrity and trust in the board’s management efforts.

The CVSD has always been transparent, and I believe works well with the public to meet their needs for information and understanding. The three-touch guidelines described in election articles really relates to good transparency through events, public meetings, etc. Transparency abounds through many avenues of communication if you are willing to attend.

I am concerned when you see the names of three challengers on one sign and have to wonder what their agenda is going to be. One candidate wishes to be more in contact with parents regarding a lack of attendance. This reeks of micromanagement, well beyond the duties of a board member.

Experience is a great teacher and we have that in Keith Clark, Debra Long and Cindy McMullen.

George Olsen

Spokane Valley