Incorporation Fails

The day of decision once again turned out dismally for people who support forming a city in the Spokane Valley.

Voters on Tuesday rejected Valley incorporation for the third time since 1990. What’s more, the measure did worse at the polls this year than last.

Just more than 41 percent of the people who voted Tuesday said “yes” to incorporation. In April 1994, 44 percent voted in favor of the proposal.

“It’s embarassing that we’re below last year’s figures,” said Joe McKinnon, co-chairman of Citizens for Valley Incorporation.

The resounding rejection leaves some lingering questions.

Where and why did the proposal lose support? How was Concerned Citizens Against Valley Incorporation, which formed less than two weeks to the election, so successful in rebutting the supporters’ months-long campaign? And what’s next for the incorporation movement? The election is over, but the questions continue.

Look to Saturday’s Valley Voice for some answers.