Public Periscope
Yank the chain gang
County jail officials want to put inmates to work for the city’s trash office for free, doing things like sorting batteries and cleaning illegal dump sites. You’d think it’s an offer local government would jump at. But you would be wrong…County Commissioner Steve Hasson criticized jail officials for doing a very ungovernment-like thing, going straight to the city and county with the plan, instead of first talking to the regional Solid Waste Liaison Board…Hasson said he supports inmates working, “but there’s a process in place and I want this to go through the process.”…Commissioner Phil Harris wants the process expedited. “I want to get those boys over there and work their butts off”…If it weren’t for the red tape, they’d already be down one cheek.
Quote of the week
“I’m tired of people spending my money like they’re going to the electric chair tomorrow.” - Irate taxpayer Jonathan Swanstrom.
Misquote of the week:
Central Pre-Mix owner Dan Murphey was quite right during a recent council meeting when he said he never told this newspaper he’d rather be part of Spokane than a new Valley city…But the paper didn’t say that. We said company officials told the Boundary Review Board they preferred Spokane. Which they did.
Bad info
Contrary to some television and newspaper reports, the city did not vote last week to annex the Yardley area…While that may happen eventually, the current discussion involves removing the coveted industrial property from the proposed Valley city.
Lawn job
Finch Arboretum visitors, and even some highway travelers, might notice the deep tire tracks between some lilacs, next to a Kentucky viburnum and around the big beech tree. Unlike Esmeralda Golf Course, this is not the work of a vandal…A park employee, who didn’t realize the ground had thawed, drove onto the lawn for maintenance work Wednesday. “The employee has been chastised,” said caretaker Pam Kriscunas.
You could be a winner
State Lottery officials say they still have $200,000 to give the winner of an Aug. 13, 1994 Quinto game. If you have a ticket from that date with the 9, 6 and 4 of spades, plus the king and 9 of hearts, you have until Thursday to call the lottery office…We expect a cut.
Getting involved
The Inland Northwest Red Cross chapter is looking for volunteers willing to respond to disasters, serving beverages and food to victims and emergency workers at the scene. Training is required but free, and starts tonight. Call 326-3330 for information.
Spokane County needs a new planning commissioner. If you live in District 1, which is generally the north part of the county, and would like to give the board advice on growth and development matters, you could apply. Call Planning Director Wally Hubbard, 456-2205, for more information.
Have a comment about Washington Water Power’s plan to install speakers along the Spokane River, to warn people that water’s about to be spilled over the dams? Call the City Planning Department, 625-6060…Don’t know if they want ideas of what the warning should be. We’d suggest: Start swimming.
Public Periscope 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. Write us at Box 2160, Spokane, 99210. Or leave a message by calling Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone and pressing 9120.
xxxx Back already Public Periscope is expanding and becoming a weekly feature. Lynda Mapes’ West Side Stories now appears on alternate Saturdays.