Letters

Loyal

It was with both amazement and dismay that I read the front page article “Parade Excludes Wheat Growers,” in the April 25 edition of the Spokesman Review.

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers was banned from participating in the Lilac Parade because the organizers prohibit “lobbyists”??? Sadly, how things have changed.

The year was 1974, and I had both the honor and the privilege of being chosen the 1974 Washington State Wheat Queen. My year representing this prestigious organization and the hardworking farm families that make up its membership had many highlights. As a spokesperson for the WAWG, I had the honor of addressing the Washington State Legislature in Olympia. I was invited to appear at Expo ’74 at its beautiful site along the Spokane River. I spoke at conventions, meetings and “Ag Days”.

But my fondest memory of that year was riding the WAWG award-winning float, “Wheat Feeds a Hungry World,” in the many parades and festivals across the Inland Empire.

Contrary to being banned from these events, the WAWG was invited to them.

The float won top awards at every showing, from the Apple Blossom Festival in Wenatchee, to the Palouse Empire Fair in Whitman County, to yes, both Lilac Parades (Torchlight and daytime) in Spokane.

The organizers of Seattle’s Seafair and Penticton’s Peach Festival didn’t exclude the WAWG’s participation, they requested it.

We were considered a commercial entry (as opposed to a community one).

We represented the organization that represented the wheat-growing families of Washington State.

We were respected as hard-working, community-minded rural neighbors.

At each appearance, while people waved at me and applauded our beautiful float, they were actually cheering those farmers who worked long hours to feed that hungry world.

And, interestingly enough, no one ever mentioned the “L” word.

Now it is 2012, and the Lilac Parade organizers have prohibited the WAWG from participating.

I cannot speak for other farmers, and I cannot speak for the WAWG. But as a member of the association, I can speak for myself. And yes, I do feel snubbed.

I think of what the farmers of this state represent. I think of how much they contribute to this state and its economy. I think of how much business we bring to Spokane, whether it be with our conventions, our meetings, or our individual shopping/entertainment excursions. I can’t help but wonder how the merchants of Spokane would feel, should the wheat growers decide to snub the Lilac City in return. Fortunately, we’re not that kind of people.

We’ll still come to stores and businesses, frequent hotels and restaurants, support charities and events in Spokane. We’ll still enjoy the parade, even if it only means cheering from the sidelines. If you want to use an “L” word to describe us, a much better choice would be “Loyal.”

Linda Broeckel-Fry,

Colfax

(The preceding letter was sent to the Lilac Association with copies also mailed to area newspapers. The president of the association mailed the following letter in response and also mailed copies to newspapers.)

Be assured

Subsequent to the printing of the article, (Spokesman Review ) I personally telephoned Mr. Tom Mick, President of the Washington Grain Commission, to set up a meeting with him directly regarding the WAWG parade entry. We met together on April 20 along with Mr. Eric Maier, President of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and Kara Rowe, Outreach & Affairs Director of the Washington Grain Alliance.

As a first time applicant to the Lilac Parade since the 1970’s, Mr. Maier was unaware of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association’s policy against any politically oriented groups including lobbying groups, political action groups, or politicians running for public office. The very first sentence of the WAWG web page states that “Lobbying is the heart of WAWG activity.” This therefore excludes the entry, as it does many other similar groups each year, as the Spokane Lilac Festival Association Parade Committee makes no judgment call on the “worthiness” of the cause behind the group.

When our meeting was concluded, we all left with a better understanding of the situation. The Spokane Lilac Festival Association looks forward to a parade entry next year, under a different affiliation, that celebrates and educates the public of the history and importance of the wheat industry to our region.

Please be assured that the Spokane Lilac Festival Association continues to fully embrace our agricultural communities across the state as we include High School marching bands and community floats from many of the state’s smallest rural communities. The Spokane Lilac Festival also looks forward to bringing our traveling float and Royal Court to multiple festivals and parades across rural Washington each year.

It is our hope that you will join us at the Spokane Lilac Festival’s 74th annual Armed Forces Day Torchlight Parade, Saturday, May 19, and we will look forward to seeing you in the future along one of the many parade routes in Whitman County.

Hal Patton,

president,

Spokane Lilac

Festival Association

Better use

I read in amazement the recent article in the Gazette regarding the Port of Whitman County Commissioners approving the purchase of four cabins to be installed at Boyer Park. The approximate cost over $26,000.

As I understand it, these will be bare bones cabins; there will be no electricity, plumbing, furniture or fixtures, basically glorified storage sheds.

It would have been a much better use of that money to repair the docks at the park. They are in sad disrepair and have been for several years.

There are holes in the surface of some of the docks, missing or broken cleats, torn or missing rubber bumpers, rotten or missing wood protecting the uprights, leaving a tripping hazard where cleats should be installed, life ring stations missing or broken or leaning over, the fiberglass on the stations is dangerous to touch, leaving splinters in your hands and electrical wires exposed on Dock Six. There is also an abandoned sail boat on Dock Six.

The sprinkler system in the park needs to be repaired. Sprinkler heads placed near the road are constantly being run over. The park could certainly use more tent sites. On busy weekends there are not enough showers to accommodate all of the campers, only two stalls on each side.

If you are not using the marina and park on a daily basis, you would not be aware of these issues. Any of these issues would be a better use of the moneys that have been designated for cabins.

Sherry Larsen,

Colfax