Public Periscope

A million here, a million there

Much of the debate at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting was over the $15,000 requested by Spokane COPS. But the council authorized nearly $6 million in other spending.

Here’s where the money went: $113,742 for an electrical generator, a roof, asphalt, copier repairs and uniforms; $141,351 for Crime Check; $744,198 for employee health care and counseling; $381,100 for a social service center; $705,000 to house the poor and fight domestic violence; $3.66 million for two weeks of general city expenses; and $15,000 for an auctioneer to sell surplus items…The council also approved $2,000 to buy black slacks, black shoes and golf shirts for two dozen workers at the Arena. Apparently they’ll have to buy their own socks.

Do it his way, we’ll be here all night

George McGrath, who’s never met a issue he couldn’t discuss at length, suggests speakers be limited to four minutes during the public forum session of Spokane City Council meetings…We note that McGrath, who made five trips to the microphone during Tuesday’s council meeting, didn’t suggest limiting the number of times residents could speak.

Wanted: One mouthpiece

Spokane County commissioners have reconsidered and will be hiring a legislative lobbyist in Olympia, after all … After rejecting former state Rep. Bill Day, the trio voted unanimously last week to save $15,000 to $20,000 by not hiring a receptionist and use that money for a paid advocate. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday.

If you walk the walk

The city’s transportation department has been reluctant to stripe pedestrian crosswalks without some other device - a stop sign or signal - to slow traffic. The recent incident at the Post Falls Outlet Malls where a pedestrian was killed in a crosswalk may underscore that logic … “White lines never stop a car,” said Lou Dobberstein, city traffic engineer. There are some 1,000 crosswalks at intersections without signals, and Bruce Steele, city transportation director, concedes they may give walkers an unwarranted feeling of being safe … Wear bright clothing when walking at night and some reflective clothing, he advises. Steele said he recently saw a Gonzaga University student only because of the glow from a pair of tennis shoes.

Fond farewell for true public servant

We here at Periscope were devastated to learn that Spokane’s ever-smiling, most patient city clerk, Marilyn Montgomery, was retiring this month after nearly 26 years in the city’s employ, almost 19 as clerk. We realize that after nearly 1,000 council meetings, she’s entitled to a break. but we’re sure sad to see her go … Not one for sitting still, Montgomery plans a second career as a writer and public speaker … Her topic of choice? “How to talk to councils, boards and commissions and get what you want.” If anyone knows, she certainly does.

Getting involved

Spokane Mayor Jack Geraghty appointed Donald McIntyre and Jeanette Nelson to the city’s Community Centers Advisory Commission. They will serve three-year terms … Sharon Schroeder, James Holden, Judith Mason and the Rev. Eugene Singleton were appointed to fill four new seats on the Human Rights Commission. The terms are four years.

Because you asked

Question: Why were the flags in front of government buildings at half-staff last week?

Answer: The flags in front of the U.S. Court House and other federal buildings were lowered to honor Adm. Arleigh Burke, a World War II hero and former naval chief, who died in late December. The flags at state buildings were down to honor former state Rep. Mike Riley, a Longview Democrat.

, 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 c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210, by fax at 459-5482, or by e-mail at jimc@spokesman.com. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message.

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