Article missed point for project's denial
The Bee has again reached the epitome of unresearched and erroneous reporting in the article by Lucy Dukes, "Camp planners turning to community" (Aug. 31, 2004). The sheer audacity of printing the quote by George McKinnon, "You want to find people in the area that have the same goals and values" is to question the morals and values of neighboring property owners without knowing who they are or how they devote their lives to and printing it as a "front page/top story" without benefit of an interview to research the other side of an issue. Isn't an editor's responsibility to screen for factual reporting?
Let's get the story straight. This project has been a moving target since its inception. Owners of the property and their representatives have been non-communicative and secretive about their intentions since the beginning. The conditional use permit was denied by the Planning and Zoning Board for these reasons:
1. Not because of neighboring residents concern that the sewage disposal area was inadequate, but because the McKinnons' property had no sewage disposal site for the property.
2. Planning and Zoning felt that the intensity of use was not appropriate for the location of a project encompassing "seven tent pads, six bunkhouses, a bathhouse and mess hall, parking for 29 staff members, a caretakers house, a playfield, trails, a dock, boardwalk and more" — and a total of 52 people.
We would invite your newspaper reporter to interview the residents of the area in order to provide your readers with factual information on both sides of this issue.
MIKE BISHOP
Sagle
Personal responsibility lacking in today's world
Personal responsibility is a concept that seems to have lost its focus in today's society.
Most recently there was a letter indicating that the Bush administration's goal was to crush the middle class. Where does this come from? I can only imagine it is from someone who doesn't feel that they are getting the handout they deserve. Where does the Constitution state that it is the government's job to provide for the welfare of a family?
America has lost its ability to be personally responsible. Democrats run on a platform that they are going to give to those who feel they need or want. John Kerry says he will make sure every American has health care, why? Most of the time it is because people are not responsible enough to obtain it themselves and why should they be? If it is given out, what measure of responsibility is that?
What it gains are whiners who now say that the Bush administration is trying to "crush" or eliminate the middle class. Why would that be the case? What use is there in class warfare? It is the middle class who are the backbone of our society and who rise up and create positions for others.
Personal responsibility states that it is the individuals job to work and seek opportunity. It is not the government's job to be the hand out. In being personally responsible, our taxes drop, unemployment diminishes, people are happier and families are being taken care of from within, not without, because America finally realizes that success begins at home. Dream with me, won't you?
THOM KEETON
Sandpoint
Let president finish what he has started
Every once in a while we find that there are people who are not afraid to die for our freedom. I believe there are citizens who do not deserve to live in this country and these people vote.
President Lincoln made a decision to make war. President Roosevelt made a decision to become involved in a war. President Kennedy made a decision to try and keep from one. These people are no longer here, they are dead.
President Bush made a decision with the help of his advisors to start a war. The decision was not his alone. I'm sure some where in this world he has a price on his head. Kerry does not deserve to be president, he did his duty. You let President Bush finish what he has started, I'm sure he would like to stay a free person like you and me. He knows if he made a mistake that he would be crucified. To live in a free world we have to earn it, all of us, even if we die.
Don't let history repeat itself. I'm an old guy, born a American citizen who could never be a veteran. I love my country. Vote in November.
RON POWELL
Hope