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Letters to the Editor
6/11/2008 11:10:26 AM
Thanks to all for run's success
On Saturday, May 24, 53 registrants and many volunteers gathered at the Rockin' B Ranch to participate in the first Run for the Son 5K (3.1 mile) run/walk. This "celebration of faith" was a dream of many years to bring together people from all the churches in our area. This year, 15 churches were represented.
The goal was not to have a competition, but to celebrate God's presence in our lives through Jesus Christ. Instead of awarding prizes to the finishers, we decided that the real prize was our relationship with The Lord. All participants received a keepsake T-shirt that reflected the sentiment of the event.
I would like to thank all of the volunteers for their commitment and hard work (Marla, Margaret, Sherwood, Rochelle, Tom, Lynn, Stormie, Jeremy, Ian, Terry, Shirley, Rick, Shelley, Lonnie, Don and the SCOPE guys) and especially Jan and Bill Vetter. Their knowledge and expertise made the event a great success. I would also like to thank the merchants of Liberty Lake: Josh at The Splash, Ross at Great Harvest Bread Co., Tony at Albertsons and Dennis at Safeway. Their donations helped make our event a huge success. A very special thanks to Scott and Pamela Brownlee for the use of the Rockin' B Ranch.
We are already looking forward to next year and invite all who would like to be part of a "celebration of faith" to stay in touch.
Charlie Finck
Liberty Lake
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TIF/LIFT funds shouldn't go for sports complex
I am a resident of Liberty Lake north of Interstate 90 who is truly concerned on the priorities of spending TIF/LIFT dollars. It sounds like the voices of few are outweighing the needs of many.
Community parks, trails, and neighborhood parks are what we expected when we chose to become a part of this community. I would hate to see our dollars go to another failed sports complex. Why build a 20-acre sports complex when the National Parks and Recreation guidelines state that a minimum of 40 acres is required and 80 to 150 acres considered optimal? This does not take into consideration the 100-plus acres of land dedicated to this type of use within 10 minutes of Liberty Lake.
The tax dollars funding TIF/LIFT are coming directly from residents north of I-90, and our voices need to be the loudest. I am disappointed our opinions seem to be an afterthought to a decision that appears to have already been made.
I envision a community park within walking distance that would allow us all of the same benefits as our neighbors south of I-90, not a sports complex that would promote limited use and add unneeded traffic congestion due to tournament and league play. If my memory serves me correctly, tournament-grade fields were strongly opposed on the south side of I-90 during the construction of Pavillion Park for this very reason. Why is it OK to have a "not in our backyard" mentality then but want it in our backyard instead when the same concerns are present.
I appreciate the opportunity to have my voice heard, although apparently limited to this letter. I hope the people on the north side of I-90 are not considered an afterthought to the leadership in our community.
Seth Campbell
Liberty Lake
Residents north of I-90 deserve say in TIF/LIFT
This letter is in response to the Liberty Lake Voices guest column in the May 21 Splash, "It's your money: Help prioritize TIF/LIFT spending."
I can appreciate the sentiment of allowing the public to have a say in how these dollars are being spent. I just question how many people that live in Liberty Lake and that live on the north side of the freeway were polled when a 20-acre sports complex was defined as a priority. We on the north side, to date, currently do not have a community park. I know that TIF funds could be allocated to create a community park. This will be difficult if the funds are spent on a sports complex instead.
Liberty Lake's comprehensive plan for the parks and recreation even makes the statement that a community park is needed on the north side of I-90. The perceived view from the south side of the freeway is that a sports complex park is more important than a community park, which is easy to say when you have a community park already and an approved bid for the second.
We purchased our homes with the expectation of getting the same amenities and benefits as the residents south of I-90. I am not willing to give up these amenities to give recreational opportunities to a small group of individuals as opposed to a community park that meets the needs of many.
Since it is my tax dollars and the tax dollars of my neighbors that are going to pay for this, we should have the largest say if not the only. I am a little disappointed that neither I nor any of my neighbors were ever given an opportunity by the leadership of this community to participate in the decision-making process for what is a priority in our neighborhood.
Jayson Hunnel
Liberty Lake
Death of dog leads to fear of neighborhood
A few weeks ago, I awoke to find my 11-month-old yellow lab laying in the yard unresponsive. I ran out to her to find she only had enough in her to lift her head as I called out her name then back down it went. Immediately, we took her to the vet.
By the time we got there, she was barely hanging on. A blood test revealed she had been poisoned with antifreeze and was in kidney failure. There was nothing more we could do but put her down before she reached the next stage: violent seizures. I made sure she knew I was there with her.
If anybody has ever had to do this, you know how it feels: absolutely horrible. This is what someone did to her, to me, to my sons, our other dog and to all who loved her.
My home is surrounded by four other homes. Someone did this to us in the safety of our own backyard. Someone tossed her poison to gobble up then die. Did she bark too much? She was just a puppy! She had life and spunk and just wanted to play. She meant no harm. All they needed to do is call me if they had a complaint.
The Liberty Lake Police Department was contacted; a report was taken. Every day my anxiety levels rise as I wait for any updates. Nothing. I was told my surrounding neighbors were contacted. All denied doing such a thing. I knew the chances were slim to nothing of finding out who did it, but to be left hanging with neither good or bad news was not only unacceptable, but cold and hurtful.
In the meantime, we believe we live near someone who is capable of this cruelty. What will happen next? What if I want to send my children out back to laugh and play? Will my other dog be poisoned if it barks? Nobody will stop them; they got away with it once already.
I live in the area of Malvern and Boone in Liberty Lake. This is what's happening in your neighborhood.
Gena Ceresero
Liberty Lake