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Spin Control archive for May 2009

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009


Pull over, sonny

The Washington State Patrol is hiring. The woman’s voice on the radio ad seems to be offering an interesting job opportunity, but the line at the end of her pitch is a bit surprising. “If you’re between the ages of 18-and-a-half and 65. . .”…

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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009


Army Spcs. Zachary Boyd, Jordan Custer and Cecil Montgomery under fire in Afghanistan. (David Guttenfelder / The Associated Press)

Spokane vortex strikes: Afghanistan 

AP Photo by David GuttenfelderSometimes it seems there's a Spokane connection to almost anything, if you look hard enough.Here's one that was overlooked, however. The above picture set off a bit of a media tidal wave earlier this month when a soldier in Afghanistan rolled…

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009

Ombudsman protest planned

Groups who think the city isn't going far enough to provide oversight of its Police Department will be protesting Friday in advance of a series of "meet the ombudsman candidates" forums.And they have a special guest protester: Shonto Pete, the Spokane man who was shot…

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Eyman back to old fave: Car tabs

Initiative entrepreneur Tim Eyman must have a bit of time on his hands. He's filed yet another initiative with the Secretary of State's office.This one attempts to cast in even harder concrete a Washington car owner's God-given right to cheap car tabs. Anything over $30…

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Mark your calendar: Filing week is coming

Washington residents who are thinking about running for some local office this year had better make up their minds quickly. It's almost time to spit or get off the spot.Next week is filing week. From the time the county courthouse doors open Monday morning until…

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Thursday fun video: Take me out...

A summertime diversion from heavy political discussions of Sonia Sotomayor, North Korean nukes and who runs the GOP: the list of the 10 worst renditions of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".At No. 10 is Mr. T, who sang recently in Chicago to some pitiful…

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009

Police ombudsman forums this weekend 

The City of Spokane will hold public forums for its police ombudsman finalists on Friday and Saturday.There are three prospects:Anthony Betz, of College Station, Tex., a retired FBI agent working as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University.Timothy Burns, of Visalia, Calif., a retired police…

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Allen makes it official

Spokane City Councilman Mike Allen has formally entered the race he had formerly said he would enter.Or is that Allen has formerly entered the race he had formally said he would enter...hmmmm.Whatever. Allen, who was appointed to the seat that opened on the council when…

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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2009

No business like snow business

Most of Spokane County may be thinking about such warm weather concerns as whether we fit into a bathing suit, whether the legs are so white they'll blind bystanders or how to get a decent campground site. But not the elected officials of Spokane Valley…

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SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009

What's ahead for Oregon phosphate ban?

The Oregon Legislature voted this week to ban automatic dishwasher detergent with phosphorus, to which we in Spokane can say "Welcome to the 21st Century." And, "Good luck with that."Based on local experience, Spin Control can also predict what's ahead: Assuming the governor doesnt' veto…

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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009


FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009

Spokane Dem chief steps down

Ed King, chairman of the Spokane County Democratic Party, is stepping down for health reasons and the party's first vice president, Amy Biviano, is moving into the top spot on an interim basis with hopes of taking it on permanently.Biviano said Friday she expects a…

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009

Planning Commish punts some cluster rules

Some proposed changes in rural housing developments known as clusters will have to be decided by Spokane County commissioners. The county planning commission, with only four of its seven members present, deadlocked Thursday on some of the more controversial changes, including whether to ban the…

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What's your home worth?

Spokane County has finished its annual reevaluation of property, and is about to mail each property the assessments for the coming year. They'll hit the post office on June 1, and should be in mailboxes within a few days of that.But if you can't wait…

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009

Gregoire gets shirt, Eyman gets pen 

Initiative entrepreneur Tim Eyman is loathe to pass up an opportunity to get publicity for whatever ballot measure he's hawking, so it was no surprise he showed up Tuesday at the signing and vetoing of the last bills from the late, great legislative session.Gov. Chris…

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TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009


The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.



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