Letters to the editor

Time for coach to go

I would like to take the chance to also express my concerns and disappointment in the WSU women's basketball program. After reading an opinion article written in the paper last week, I need to also ask WSU to start a new search for a head women's basketball coach.

I must agree that I am positive that the women on the team seem to be a great group of ladies, but on the other hand this group is not capable of winning within the Pac-10. I saw better play out of the LCSC women this year and started watching their games because I already knew the outcome of the WSU game.

Coach [Sherri] Murrell, you have had five years and have shown that you cannot produce a winning program at WSU or in the Pac-10. The problem I believe is that you are recruiting lesser talent then every other team in the league. Being the head coach, we ask you as a community that stands strong behind their local sports to win basketball games and for five years now you have shown that you cannot do this.

I agree 100 percent with the letter written last week; it is time for you to step down and let another coach take the reins. ...

Clayton Farlow

Kooskia

This letter was written before Sherri Murrell resigned her post.

No precasting at play

This is in response to the letter by Rachel Holland regarding the Lewiston Civic Theatre's production of "Steel Magnolias" [April 2]. Judging by the number of people who have seen the show more than once, and the fact that this will probably be the theater's most successful nonmusical production, hers is not the prevailing opinion.

I am responding to two points. The first, that "the auditions were a formality because the roles had already been cast," is false. Four of the women are new to LCT plays and, therefore, unknown to Dr. Hennigan, and incapable of being precast. I presume she attended the auditions in order to make that assessment that "there were other women who had auditioned who would have portrayed the characters much better." The show was cast by a Ph.D. with over 40 years' experience as an actor and director. Whether Ms. Holland agrees with the casting, the show was not precast and it is denigrating to Dr. Hennigan to suggest otherwise.

The second point involves the set. "Steel Magnolias," as with all plays, contains a layout for the set in the script. The set used at the theater is the same as that designed by the playwright. Someone with "several years of theater and design" should know that. She is, of course, entitled to her opinion. I can only say that I am sorry she was not cast in the show - if she did indeed audition - because, judging by her letter, she would have been a pleasure to work with.

Adrienne Stromberg

Lewiston

Visiting drinkers

No beer necessary! During the deconsolidation process in Riggins, I was impressed by the coverage given by the Tribune and Kathy Hedberg. We thank you. But it seems Hedberg learned something more from her time spent here. "Too bad they drink too much to take advantage of it," she wrote. "It" referred to the Florida-like weather she overheard somebody mention about Riggins. Drinking too much referred to our special guests that come down from the prairie and up from the valley, but we don't hold that against them.

Hedberg said she bit her tongue because she was not petty like that to mention it (the drinking in Riggins) to the person. Instead, she waited to write it in the Tribune where she has a much bigger audience. Maybe after April Fool's Day, she was feeling a little foolish. Maybe she had one too many herself. Maybe she is just jealous.

Riggins is a town that does enjoy the out of doors, and many of her neighbors do as well. We may not all be teetotalers, but then again neither is everyone in her community; look around. Perhaps when she was here, she missed all the passionate people who fight for their school, who support their kids, who work for the community and where people contribute more volunteer hours than most places in all of Idaho. Hedberg, you give reporters a bad name. Luckily we are also a forgiving and sharing community and will save a spot for you on our nice warm sandy beaches (no beer necessary!). Enjoy!

Richelle Barger

Riggins

More parking for future

The article written concerning parking downtown is correct that we have enough parking for the current business climate. I was hoping for a fraction of the dollars spent on just the survey, the city could go to one-lane traffic with diagonal parking and add about 200 spaces.

I would like downtown to improve its retail environment, not to remain as it is. I encourage the city leaders to make this inexpensive change and give downtown a chance.

Jock Pring

Lewiston

What part of no?

There is only one reason to abandon the idea of a new library. The people have spoken and they have said no more than once (three times at last count). Some on our city council have not heard your no, so say it louder. You will note that the library was put at the top of the mayor's (Jeff Nesset's) list of "must haves." The fact is that the Nessets and [John] Currins (councilor) of this world could care less that we have consistently voted no on the question of a new library, their plan is to stick it up yours no matter how you voted.

Nesset and Currin are obsessed with a library (perhaps named after them) and the voters be damned. In the past I have asked what part of no they fail to understand; now we know. Like little children, there is no part of no which they understand. Your vote means nothing to these scoundrels. Councilors know what to do with your money, better than you, resulting in increased taxes.

Gene Deasy

Lewiston

Stop land sale, not wolves

In response to Robert E. Eggart's letter (March 29) I must comment. Our national forest lands are owned by all Americans, not just landowners. We have progressed beyond the old English model of the yeomen, who were not royalty, but were landowners. There are politicians and captains of industry who would love to sell off our public lands and we must be ever vigilant against this ongoing threat.

As our public lands are owned by all Americans, they should be managed for the greatest public good. Americans in general and Idahoans in particular have supported the reintroduction of wolves. This is an ongoing process. Reintroduction has been successful and we (the American public) will have great decisions to make in the future as the wolf population is managed. It serves no purpose to exaggerate the impacts of wolves. Wolves do kill elk, they do have an impact on elk herds, but it is not all negative by any measure. Our national forests should not be managed as elk farms. Wolves do kill livestock, but it is a small percentage of livestock lost to all variables. Those who fear for their children's lives should concentrate on protecting their children from predatory humans, drunk drivers, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. Wolves have not attacked any children that I know of, although they are physically quite capable of it!

Antone G. Holmquist

Moscow

Fossils to watch for

I noted that Science Weekly had an interesting article on glacial-age reptiles. Documented with vivid photos and tape recordings, glaciologist Hiram Pinkney has undeniably proved that a rare turtle species, once abundant during the last ice age, has been discovered alive and well in the Arctic Ocean. Dubbed the Tortoise Mortise, the female of the species can weigh up to 300 pounds; it drills a square hole through the ice and lives on squid and plankton. There is some evidence that the Tortoise Mortise once populated ancient Glacial Lake Missoula. Since this great lake's outbreak has flooded the Lewiston area on numerous occasions, it stands to reason that fossil remains of the Tortoise Mortise exists in our area. These rare fossils are extremely valuable to science and if discovered during any excavation, you should immediately call Jim Fisher, Tribune editor, or myself so that we may document the discovery and provide a substantial award.

Carl Skyrman

Lucile

See 'Amazing Grace'

The stories we read, and movies we see, shape and influence us. They do more than prepare us for more interesting conversations - they help us to face real crises that we encounter in life.

If you enjoy stories about the interior struggle, bravery, heroism and love, and could use some good news regarding the 18th. century Anglo-Saxon Protestant male, then I have a movie for you to see. It is titled "Amazing Grace"; it is magnificent.

The movie portrays the political battle to abolish the British slave trade (the 200th anniversary of the first major step in the process was just celebrated on March 25). No need to hesitate if you are repulsed by violence and gore; the movie has none of it. It was released in February and just started playing here in Lewiston. I give it my highest commendation.

Go see this movie. And if you have teenagers, take them too. We may need them to display similar heroism someday.

Brian Rothfusz

Lewiston

Transition from burning

Gov. Butch Otter's visit to Lewiston recently shows that perhaps he intends to be a governor for the entire state, not just the South. If so, it's good to have a governor who will talk to all Idahoans even if we don't always agree with him.

When he told the displaced grass growers that he could see no good in the federal decision to stop field burning, he may have been acknowledging their frustration but they need more than sympathy. Gov. Otter could encourage the Legislature to find funds to help the grass farmers transition to another type of business even if it means raising the sales tax.

If these farmers receive aid to move in another direction, maybe they too in time will see the value of air without smoke from field burning. Amond other benefits, cleaner air can aid health, bring in more tourists and make for quality living.

Our valley can never be as clear as that on a mountaintop, but valley air can be much better without smoke from grass fires in the summer and smoldering fireplaces and wood stoves in the winter.

Patricia Tutty

Lewiston

Still standing trial?

Being parents of a child who attended karate classes given by Mr. Brian Morrow, I must say that Mr. Morrow is one of the most professional and respected instructors I have ever come across.

Thanks to the Clarkston School District, Mr. Morrow has yet to return to his teaching job. Mr. Morrow has already been found innocent by a jury of his peers. How long does this man and his family have to stand trial?

Dawn & Dan Ferguson

Clarkston

Legalized stealing

I want to point out a problem that really concerns me. First I want to make it clear I am all in favor of educating our children, but we must find a fairer way to raise the money to pay for it. This is how the law collects the money for people now.

1. I can earn $200,000 a year and live in the same valued building as someone earning $50,000 a year. The lower income person will pay four times the percentage of their income than I do. Unfair.

2. All business property tax is mostly paid by middle- and low-income people.

3. The legislators brag about lowering the property tax. They lowered the property tax 20 percent, increased the sales taxes: no relief. They gave us $25,000 more homeowner exemption. The assessor walked through the house and raised the market value $25,000: no relief.

4. I checked the property tax put on people in care centers, and the legislators taxed people in wheelchairs and people with walkers and totally disabled people about $800 to $1,000 a year. Disgusting.

I ask you people, are we teaching our children this unfairness and legalized stealing? ...

Help me change the system so it will be fair. Join me and demand that our legislators replace unfair property tax with a local income tax.

Werner Brammer

Lewiston

Senseless war

I listened to Bill Maher. He has a good sense of humor and is a good comedian. He keeps up on world affairs. He said we are no longer fighting in Iraq that most of them have gone elsew,here. Many were killed by our soldiers, 40,000 of them. So why are we there? Democrats want to bring our soldiers home, and Bush wants to escalate the war.

I guess he wants to make more "heroes." Well, I just heard on TV there awere four more of our soldiers killed. How many more are we going to lose? They just voted to see if the war should continue. The Democrats wanted to bring them home; the Republicans wanted them to keep fighting. The Republicans won, including Lieberman and two Democrats. I heard this on the TV. I didn't get their names. I think we should be working toward peace, not war. It would save many lives.

I heard a while back that Hussein hasn't killed thousands of his own people as Bush claims. He killed 148 and has paid by his life being taken. How many lives is Bush responsible for? The last I heard it was 3,198. He is running around as free as a bird. He said it would be a short war. I don't know what he calls short. He wants to keep it going.

Ernestene Becker

Clarkston

Kidnapped or rescued?

I had left my mom in the car in front of Wasem's Drug with the key in the ignition. I had just gone in to get her prescription. They had a problem with her insurance card, so it was taking longer than usual. I went out and checked on her and she was sound asleep. I went out less than 10 minutes later and she and the car were gone.

I was frantic and called the police. About an hour later, my husband called and said she walked in the door and the car was in the driveway. He thought I was with her and went out to see if I needed help with the groceries and he saw a red car leaving. He checked the seat and it had been pushed back for longer legs and the registration was on the top in the glove box. Mom has dementia so she could not remember any of this.

My question is, was she car-jacked and taken where they had to go and then taken home or had she driven the car and stopped someplace, confused, and some dear soul took her home? We may never know what happened in this hour but want to thank whoever brought her home. A good lesson learned: Never, never, leave keys in a car.

Sally Caron

Clarkston

April fool's letters

After reading letters Sunday, I can't help but write about three of them.

First, cats and dogs. I have an inside house cat and two non-night-barking dogs, and yes, dogs run free in my neighborhood at night. Yes, cats run free anytime and yes they do kill my garden and flowers every night. You know when the dog catcher is going to come by watching for Ol' Yeller being put in his house. Fences do not stop any cat or any dog, so trap them and get rid of them.

Secondly, the yard waste $1.50 raise was going to happen regardless of any new fancy-wheeled vehicle waste containers, so what's new? I am not going to call and beg the city for something that we are supposedly paying for over and over. I will just dump my two cans in the alley when they are not picked up.

Third and last, Jim Griffin, you served as sheriff so who would know more about lying cops, prosecutors and judges? Call the feds and turn them in. They are indeed good ol' boys who do lie, but if a person is not guilty then he needs to hire an attorney from Spokane or from any major city in state so that good-ol'-boy system will come under scrutiny.

Frank Raspone

Clarkston