Public Periscope

Pennies for your thoughts

Accustomed to panhandlers asking for spare change, pedestrians in downtown Spokane were somewhat surprised last week when they were actually offered spare change. It was the Peace and Justice Action League doing a survey of how the federal government should spend its - make that our - money … Those walking past the post office were offered 10 pennies, and asked to place as many as they wanted in 11 jars marked for everything from education to environment to deficit reduction to defense. Top penny-collector in the non-scientific poll was education, with 23 percent of the 2,500 pennies cast. Environment got 15 percent, followed by health care at 12 percent, deficit reduction at 11 percent and crime at 10 percent … They picked one of the best days and places to get people thinking about government spending: income tax filing deadline, near the mailboxes where taxpayers were posting their 1040s.

Civics lesson?

Upset by a surprise witness, defense attorney Garth Dano bowed his head and whispered profane insults at a prosecutor during court testimony last week … A Grant County judge didn’t seem to hear the cussing, but Dano’s 15-year-old client couldn’t have missed it. Moses Lake classroom shooting suspect Barry Loukaitis was sitting right next to his attorney.

Our (state) tax dollars at work

We at Periscope are sure that the Republican Media Services for the state House of Representatives are busy people with much to do. That probably explains why the newspaper recently received photos and press releases of two Spokane high school students who “recently served” as pages for local legislators … Recent is a relative term, but it’s a stretch to use it to describe a session that had been over for nearly a month when the pictures arrived.

Out on the horizon

During last week’s info-gathering session for the planning program known as Spokane Horizons, City Manager Roger Crum displayed a sense of humor rarely seen in public … After standing watch while people commented on a draft “vision statement” for city leaders and residents, Crum summarized the comments in a report to the 200 attendees. “I’m always a good target for comments, so we got three pages’ worth,” Crum said. “At one area meeting, someone suggested I get another pay raise. Thankfully, that did not come up here” … He also made light of someone’s suggestion that Spokane switch its form of government. “Obviously, to make my day, someone had to put that they support the strong mayor.”

Expensive information

Speaking of Spokane Horizons, some residents who chose to take part in the session at the Ag Trade Center had to cough up $5 to park in nearby lots … That, the helpful signs in the lots indicated, is the evening “event” rate.

Getting involved

The city is looking for some diversity to fill vacancies on two boards. The Human Services Advisory board has one vacancy, which must be filled by May 17, while the Citizens Review Commission has four spots to be filled by May 10. Human Services is looking for individuals with diverse backgrounds, while the review commission wants people “who represent the diversity of the Spokane community.” Applications available at the mayor’s office, 5th Floor City Hall.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Thursday: At a study session, the Spokane City Council will talk about possible changes to its role in the political scheme of things and the prospects for a review of the charter. The public can listen, although there’s no provision for testimony. 3:30 p.m., 5th floor conference room, City Hall.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports