Be consistent on byway, height restriction change

After my previous letter, I received a call from Ralph Sletager, owner of Waterfront Property Management (the Dover Bay project). He informed me that he wasn't sure he supported an increase in the building height from 45 to 60 feet and that I should get my facts right.

Well, I did get it from this newspaper, at least once and I believe twice at that point. Assuming though that Mr. Sletager was right, I naturally accepted his word.

In the Jan. 15, 2005, Bee, however, a story appeared about this issue along with a notice of public hearing on Jan. 18. In the story, there again was the Seasons and Waterfront's names, both reported as having an interest in this change of height. Ralph, if you aren't sure you want this, then call the Bee and set them straight.

This brings up something else. I recently exchange e-mails with Liz Sedler. In her message, she says that one main reason she and NICAN are opposed to the byway is it will change the character of the downtown and hurt tourism. All right then, why wouldn't the increasing of building heights to accommodate six-story condos be just as bad for the "character" of Sandpoint? Could it be that the byway will not benefit them, but the "character changing" building height will?

Liz, be consistent. You should campaign just as hard against the height change as you are the byway.

LAWRENCE FURY

Sandpoint