Public Periscope
He doth protest over much
Spokane County Commissioner George Marlton downplayed his relationship with a Spokane Community Mental Health Center psychiatrist when he took the center’s side in a recent debate over its future with the county. … Asked if Dr. Linda Cunning is his girlfriend, he hedged: “Well, she is a girl and she is my friend.” They “occasionally” date, he added when pressed. … Last week, Marlton was sighted looking more than “occasional” with Cunning on a blanket at the Festival at Sandpoint. When he wasn’t cozy with Cunning, the two were blanket-hopping to campaign during the concert’s intermission. … Politics is fun, isn’t it, George?
Do they think we forgot?
Three years ago when the Spokane City Council took out more than 300 parking meters downtown, it raised the overdue parking fine from $5 to $10 - to compensate for the lost revenue, council members said. … After they decided last week to put the meters back, we wondered: Is there any talk of returning the fine to its old level? “Not a word,” said Bruce Steele, transportation director.
Yes. No. Maybe.
Confused about whether you’ll be voting on two environmental taxes any time soon? That’s probably because you’ve been paying attention. … Spokane County Commissioners Steve Hasson and Phil Harris said in January they’d ask voter opinion of the storm water and conservation futures taxes now in place. … In February, Harris changed his mind about the storm water tax but said the conservation futures tax should go on the ballot. Then late last month, Hasson and Harris agreed once again to put both issues on the fall ballot. … But Harris changed his mind again last Tuesday when he and Commissioner George Marlton voted against putting both taxes to a public vote this year.
Go figure
Former Spokane County freeholder Al Lewis needs a math check. Lewis writes in a recent column that a consolidated city-county government would freeze all hiring to save $15 million a year. … But the proposed charter he and other freeholders wrote mentions no such freeze. Well, it was supposed to, Lewis said, but that part accidentally was left out. … The savings are based on an assumption that the new government could do without 200 current employees, he said. That, however, suggests each employee earns $75,000 a year and would leave without compensation. … This might be easier to overlook if consolidation supporters weren’t complaining about the other side’s claim that the new government would cost $20 million more. Their beef? The $20 million is based on unrealistic assumptions.
Getting involved
Know anything about landmarks or housing? The mayor may have a spot for you. There is one vacancy each on the city-county Historic Landmarks Commission and the city Housing Advisory and Appeals Board. City or county residents can apply for the former by Aug. 25; city residents only may apply for the latter by Aug. 18. Applications are available at the mayor’s office, 5th floor, City Hall.
, DataTimes MEMO: “Public Periscope,” published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about government, growth or development, we’d like to help find an answer. Write us at The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message. Or send e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com for Internet users.