Seeking some answers regarding Cheney's pool predicament
Certainly seeking state jobs funding to help solve immediate Cheney pool repair issues is a worthy community endeavor. We realized that last week's Free Press article left us even more curious about potential remedies for the city pool.
For instance, does the 60-year-old pool fit into the city's Comprehensive Plan? When a city has a pool such as ours, what budgeting is allowed to cover repairs and replacement? What is the lifespan of a pool in our area? The city of Spokane invested countless millions refurbishing their outside pools, usable only two months a year. Is that a wise investment?
We weren't part of the city survey and wonder about the type of questions asked and whether survey sampling information is available (number of surveys sent, number of surveys responded to, age breakdown of respondents, do they use the pool, would they prefer to use an indoor pool, etc.)? The stated survey results are a virtual tie … like so many poll results these days, so where does that leave the city in planning (going with the 43 percent as a guiding decision)?
For us, we're at the age when we often consider where we want to live as we continue to grow older. One thing that would keep us in this community would be a Y-type facility with indoor pool. Are we a community that could attract a Y-type facility?
We feel the community would benefit from reading a “Guest commentary” from Paul Simmons and/or a Park Board member to better inform us about the future of the city pool.
Chris and Jerry Stewart
Cheney
A new Spokane County jail isn't necessary at the moment
The Spokane County Commissioners continue siting a jail. Many of us question whether a new jail is necessary. Reference James Eik's article 2/11/12, “Jail site proposal moves closer to airport.”
A new jail is not urgent. The average daily population at the county jail was about 1,100 during the years 2000 to 2007. Today the jail population is 752, about average for the last two years. As incarceration and crime rates drop here and across the country, why are our county commissioners building a jail?
In 2007 David Bennett, a criminal justice consultant, was hired to streamline Spokane's justice system. Mr. Bennett advises, “The size of a jail is determined, to a large extent, by the policy choices made (to) the system and the availability of alternatives.” The county is renewing his $89,000 contract. Obviously Mr. Bennett's work is not done.
I found troublesome Mr. Eik's reference to “building leases” for the corrections facility. Will the commissioners avoid taking a $200 million bond to the voters by contracting with a private corporation to build a jail to be leased to the county? Other counties in the U.S. have committed to leases for privately built jails they cannot afford to operate. Clark County in Nevada pays $1 million monthly rent to the Molasky Group for a jail that has been empty for 15 months. Our commissioners have talked with the Molasky Group. Voters must decide, not commissioners.
The downtown jail, not Geiger, was designed for 462 people, retrofitted for 675. Geiger's population averages less than 200, much below capacity.
Some facts:
1. It costs $47,000 a year to incarcerate someone in our county jail compared to $11,000 a year to educate a student in School District 81.
2. If the U.S. incarcerated at the same rate as Canada or Europe, our jail count would be 150 people, not 765. Policies make the difference.
3. The U.S. incarcerates 2.3 million people. Sixty-seven percent are people of color.
Let's demand that our county commissioners look at criminal justice policies and alternatives, not a new jail costing $200 million, plus financing costs.
Linda Krogh
Spokane
Positive direction for the future is necessary for human evolution
The wise man/woman will not allow an act of physical violence to occur in his/her presence, regardless of the personal risk at stake. Increased vigor will be used to stop the violence when it involves children, the elderly, the disabled, and others who are physically limited in their ability to protect themselves. It is a long-held myth, but a myth nonetheless, that a man/woman of wisdom will always remain aloof from their surroundings, only to speak when called upon for sagacity advice.
Furthermore, most wisdom seekers believe that perhaps the most important ingredient that will allow individuals, nations, and humanity to evolve in a positive direction is by having hope for the future reintroduced into the social fabric of every nation or culture. This task is daunting because restoring hope for the future to any society cannot be accomplished by writing or talking about it. Only with each individual choosing to set a positive and inspirational example for others will allow the process of social, economic, and political evolution to begin.
Ray Gattavara
The Sungate Alliance
Auburn, Wash.
Cheney organizations need support
There are a couple of social service organizations in Cheney that have needs that you may not be aware of. Cheney Outreach Center is always in need of personal care items such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, shaving cream, razors and other such things. Even the little ones you may have brought home from a hotel stay but have not opened would be very welcome.
Outreach is located at 616 Third St. in the lower level of the Wren Pierson Community Center, corner of Third and C streets. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9-11:30 a.m. and Thursday by telephone only (235-8900) from 9-11:30 a.m.
The Cheney Community Clothing Exchange (Clothing Bank), also located in the lower level of the Wren Pierson Community Center at 620 Third St. distributes more than clothing. In addition to clothing and shoes of all sizes from children to adults the clothing bank is in need of bedding for all sizes of beds and curtains and draperies for all sizes of windows.
Prom dresses are always welcomed too. The clothing bank is open Wednesday afternoons from noon to 6 p.m. For information about the clothing bank call 235-2327 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Christie Bruntlett
Cheney
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