Bypass supporters are misinformed

While observing the controversy concerning the Sand Creek Byway, in most cases, the folks most adamant about its completion seem to be longtime or life-long residents. Unfortunately, it is human nature to take for granted that which we have had for a long time.

It was mentioned in a letter to the Bee, that the newcomers are the ones that are against the byway. That is not totally true as we have been here since 1975 and are appalled at the Sand Creek choice. Newcomers are more likely to appreciate the aesthetics of the area. They, more than likely have moved from concrete jungles and came here for obvious reasons. We should ask the summer residents why they come here.

Is it to see a concrete wall and highway noise down Sand Creek in the summer when they are trying to enjoy the many restaurants or enjoy the quiet along the bank behind the Panida or a quiet stroll along the Marina? Since our economy is strongly tourism-based, these summer residents, and tourists, opinion are important to the future economic growth of this area. Their view should be considered.

I feel the majority of folks who are in favor of the Sand Creek Byway solution, are grossly misinformed or do not use the amenities that Sand Creek has to offer in the summer. We need to take a lesson from the many communities that have reclaimed their waterfronts from previous folly.

SYLVIA HUMES

Sagle

Byway would benefit the Sandpoint area

I would like to say that I am all for the byway and I think it will be good for the community. I go from Sagle to Hope five days a week for work and getting through town is a nightmare. It is worse coming back in the afternoon, especially in the summer months.

I have noticed more traffic in just the past four years than anything else. If I try to come out from Bottle Bay road at the wrong time of the day to go North on Highway 95 I could have at least a five to 10 minute wait and that is just to go with the flow of traffic. I am grateful I do not live on Lakeshore Drive.

I have also noticed that the widening of 5th Avenue has not made things any better. In fact I now notice traffic backed up in areas that never had a problem before. I do not be believe the Sandpoint business will suffer greatly from the byway. I know many people who no longer shop in downtown Sandpoint or avoid it as much as possible. Who wants to walk around town with exhaust fumes, loud trucks and waving little orange flags as they cross the street, this was something I saw last year.

Just imagine, less traffic could mean a more friendly "walk around town" environment and the merchants could spruce up the buildings facing Sand Creek and make the town more noticeable from the Byway. People will see it and want to come through such a charming town to shop. Look at it as an opportunity to grow, not as the death of a town.

I think the bigger threats are coming from other areas. People are so worried about the environmental impact of the byway yet no one seems too concerned about a 700 residential community going into Dover. Talk about impact. We will need more schools, more stores, this will put strain on the sewer systems, effect the Pend Oreille River shoreline, Highway 2 will need to be widened, and more traffic will be coming into Sandpoint.

This to me, along with other large developments in the planning, are going to create a much larger problem than the Byway. There is so much more at stake right now lets not be distracted by the Byway and allow other things to slip in among the chaos. I have heard that before long this place will be like Aspen or some other big tourist ski town and the locals will not be able to afford to live or work here. Is that what we want?

Let's make sure we look at everything around us and see the other issues before we lose sight of the beautiful place we live in.

VALERIE MOORE

Sagle

Brave, patriotic youth being murdered in war

Our innocent, brave, dedicated, principled and patriotic youth are being murdered having been sent to fight and used as fodder to feed evilness in an illegal war. This war created and built on a foundation of lies and deceit perpetrated by the present administration. The lives of our precious children are being spent needlessly and our national resources are being depleted to feed this corrupt cause. The payment of this bill will be foisted upon our people for generations to come.

Further, we read in the news, references to so called contract employees. Calling mercenaries and soldiers of fortune contract employees is just more government doublespeak. One hundred thousand plus a year buys not loyalty but atrocities committed on command. Who do these mercenaries answer to. They answer to whomever pays their fee not to the people of the United States. However, we, the people of the United States, are charged, monetarily through our tax dollars, and finally, morally for any evilness committed by these mercenaries

When the dirty work is done the mercenaries leave. All that is left is the memory of atrocities committed, hate in the hearts of those people subjected to the force of the mercenaries, and the memory of who the oppressed believe the mercenaries represented.

The actions of our the present administration is creating the future terrorists who will vent their anger and retribution on us, the American people. Those leaders who created this dilemma will be safe hiding within their gated and guarded communities, while we, the innocent, are murdered.

WILLIAM R. OUIMET

Sandpoint