In her most recent letter to the editor (May 17), Laurie Wadkins seem to call into question my motivations for supporting alternatives to the Sand Creek alignment of the byway project. My motivations are clear — why in the world would anyone want to permanently deface the Mona Lisa by spray painting it with graffiti? The Army Corps regulations support this viewpoint as well — making it mandatory that ITD select any practicable alternative that avoids having to break out the spray paint can (fills into the creek).

Could it be Ms. Wadkins and other supporters of the highway-in-the-creek (sorry, just calling it what it is) have become so familiar with this work of art that they can no longer see its beauty? Of all the views of Sand Creek the one I find most delightful is heading north from town past the visitor center and seeing the trees on the peninsula reflecting on the still waters of wide portion of the creek. If the byway goes through you can kiss that view goodbye and instead feast your eyes on a 50-foot-wide ribbon of asphalt. The willingness of some to give up what generations have enjoyed without vigorously exploring all possible alternatives is, to me, beyond belief.

STEVE POTTER

Citizens for the

Sandpoint Tunnel