Next time, check with Spokane

As a former resident of Eastern Washington, I agree the city's response to the December snow was less than satisfactory ["Staff botched snow response," page one, March 19]. As a retired military individual I also know there are lessons to be learned from every operation, successful or otherwise.

Rather than go to the expense of shuffling the transportation leadership because of one event that may or may not be repeated anytime soon, why not make inquiries of someone who has experience in such matters. How hard is it to pick up the phone and call across the state to another large city, such as Spokane.

That city was hammered by the same storms, albeit a bit harder. With hills also in their geography, they worked long and hard, as well as calling on private companies to help clear their arterials.

In the spirit of intercity cooperation, I would hope that the city's leadership is not too proud to ask for help from those who have experience annually in snow.

-- Gordon Kaufman, Mill Creek