Dow wrong to question patriotism of her fellow Americans
While I rarely, if ever, agree with Luella Dow politically, I would never dream of questioning her patriotism or love of country; or of those people she admires, like the Liberty Express.
I do certainly, however, resent it when she and her compatriots question the patriotism and love of country of those who disagree with them: “Can we restore patriotism, love of country?” (Of Cabbages and Kings, June 24)
I think that is a particularly despicable attribute of the tea party right – claiming that they and only they are true and patriotic Americans. I will proudly claim my 27 years of service in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and even more years of service to the children and families of Cheney as evidence of my patriotism and love of country regardless of my politics whatever they might be (and they aren't those of Ms. Dow).
Mike McKeehan
Cheney
Salvage the slabs during middle school deconstruction
According to the headline article in the June 17 Cheney Free Press, “Cheney Middle School plans taking shape,” planning for the new Cheney Middle School is on track. The new building will replace the present Middle School on North Sixth. All of us citizens who voted for the levy to make this construction possible applaud the diligence of the board, administration and staff in their planning to date.
With the prospect of having a new state-of-the-art building for our middle school students I have but one question: How do you demolish the old middle school, a concrete citadel that resembles an atomic bomb shelter, in a responsible manner?
I believe in this era of environmental responsibility that it is incumbent on the Cheney School Board to see that the monolithic cement slabs, of which the building is constructed, be recycled. Which would be more prudent and fiscally responsible – pulverizing the reinforced concrete panels on site with massive machinery and hauling the waste to a landfill or finding some creative use of each integral panel that is taken down?
When the Cheney Junior High was built in 1975 the contractor had the cement panels pre-cast in Spokane and trucked to Cheney to be tilted up to form the building. Thirty-five years later we should be able to take the building panels down one by one and truck them to Spokane for other uses.
Some entrepreneurial engineer or building contractor should be able to find uses for these gargantuan cement panels.
A cursory list of possible uses for the middle school slabs could include: River and lake bank reinforcement for flood control; small bridge decking and abutments; freeway dividers; slide protection on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass; ocean beach breakwaters; corals and granaries for farms and other uses envisioned by creative minds.
Taxpayers of the Cheney School District should urge the school board and superintendent to recycle the building in an environmentally responsible manner. Encourage school board chairman Larry Haskell and Superintendent Larry Keller to “salvage the slabs” during the demolition of the middle school by calling them at 559-4502 or e-mail them at [email protected].
Merle R. Craner
Cheney
More reasons than four not to get involved with CSD plans
Becky Thomas' opinion piece (“Pay attention to Cheney school construction process,” June 24) provides four possible reasons that no citizens showed up to the school district's community forum regarding Cheney's two new middle schools.
I don't think that (1) blind trust, (2) no one reading the paper or (3) checking the district website, nor (4) apathy prevented citizen turnout. The start of summer vacation might have been good to consider.
In my own case, I follow what is published through the monthly district newsletter (not website) and the Cheney Free Press. I trust the elected school board members in conjunction with the district to properly identify school building needs meeting the myriad of state and federal codes, of which I would have little knowledge (or input).
When it comes to voicing an opinion regarding building design I would feel ultimately unqualified. I don't teach in the buildings, or work in the buildings. New building functionality and design input is incumbent upon the actual occupants, I feel. And it sounds like those were the participants at the June 21 meeting.
As for the price, I fainted a long, long time ago.
Chris Stewart
Cheney
Thanks to Founder's Day sponsors, volunteers, others
Thank you sponsors and participants for a wonderful Founder's Day parade. We could not do it without your support.
I want to give special “thanks” to Barbara Reis and Judy Abbott for making our raffle a huge success. Support from the city was great thanks to Mayor Higgins and Doug Ross.
I had an excellent committee to work with. Thank you Ashlee King, Kathy Petek and Sarra Reiber for all your help and being available when I called. Thank you to the volunteers that helped on parade day. Thank you S.C.O.P.E. Thank you Cheney Free Press for your fine articles.
A very big,”THANK YOU”, to the people of Medical Lake for coming to our great parade and making our special day a Great day.
Robert Kibling
Founder's Day Chairman,
Medical Lake
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