Public Periscope
This could get UGLY
Former County Commissioner Pat Mummey says when people in Spokane County think growth management, they think of her. So she is seeking the appointment to the Growth Management Hearings Board of Eastern Washington, a three-member appeal panel…This does not thrill Commissioner Skip Chilberg, who reportedly told political ally and Gov. Mike Lowry a year ago he was interested in the $73,000-a-year job if an opening came up. Mummey contends Chilberg’s overtures back then led Lowry to reappoint Judy Wall of Chelan County rather than naming a Spokane resident. That move kept the board without a Spokane member until Chilberg himself could get the appointment, she says…Neither is a lock for the job. Chuck Klarich, a former Yakima county commissioner and past president of the Washington Association of Counties, also is interested. Lowry will appoint somebody by June 1.
The short list
Local Democrats seem so convinced that Chilberg will be chosen for the Growth Management board they already are composing lists of likely replacements. One party insider said Democrats for United Action discussed a fairly long short list during a meeting last week…On the list: former state Rep. Shirley Rector; unsuccessful legislative and commissioner candidate Dale McLeod; neighborhood activist Ronda Cahill; Chey Austin of Newman Lake; freeholder and former assessor candidate Rick Mendoza…That last name is interesting, as county election records show Mendoza doesn’t live in Chilberg’s district.
Wasn’t he paying attention?
Perhaps Commissioner Steve Hasson doth protest too much over the jump in the number of county employees. The explosion could give Valley residents another reason to support incorporation, he moaned….While it’s true that county employees are increasing faster than the population rate, Hasson’s surprise seems odd. Every new hire requires commissioners’ approval and Hasson voted for just about every one.
He said it
Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris was gushing a bit over colleague Hasson recently when the board took its show on the road to Freeman. Hasson’s biggest problem, he said, was having other commissioners working against him for four or five years…But Harris couldn’t resist a little dig at Hasson, professing to take special precautions whenever the two travel together. He said he always warns flight attendants, “Don’t seat Steve Hasson next to the emergency exit.”
In case you’re wondering
Some Spokane Police are wearing small blue pins shaped like ribbons these days. Just to be clear, the ribbons are not connected to the recent campaign to show support and sympathy for victims of the Oklahoma City bombing…They’re part of an older campaign, to show solidarity and support for the Los Angeles Police Department after O.J. Simpson’s lawyers accused Detective Mark Fuhrman of sloppy police work and racism.
New hours
Starting today, the county Public Works Department at 1026 W. Broadway has new hours. It’s open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, a half-hour earlier than before…Spokesman Chad Hutson said many customers requested the earlier opening.
“Public Periscope,” published every Monday, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us at Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or you can leave us a message by calling Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone and pressing 9120.
xxxx HOT TOPICS Thursday: The City Plan Commission discusses annexing some 1,800 acres on the Moran Prairie, a proposal that would bring more taxes to the city but crimp Fire District 8’s budget. Be warned: Last month’s hearing produced an overflow crowd. 7 p.m. Ferris High School.