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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Public Periscope

Compiled By Kristina Johnson Fro

How about them apples?

During a Spokane City Council study session about plans to put a $37 million street bond before voters, Dale Stedman apologized profusely to the council because he and another man seated themselves at their honors’ oblong table … Guests normally take their places in the small viewers’ gallery off to the side … “We apologize for sitting at your table. The chairs were so soft, and we just stayed,” said Stedman, of the Washington state Good Roads Association. “Oh, will you please quit apple-polishing,” joked Mayor Jack Geraghty. Geraghty was referring to a comment made by missing-in-action Councilman Chris Anderson during his videotaped slam of his colleagues and the media. “We’ll see that again,” said Councilman Jeff Colliton … “Oh, she’s here?” said Councilwoman Roberta Greene, turning around to see that, yes, there was a reporter in the room.

And behind door No. 3. ..

The door to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office is always open - if you know which one to enter. County commissioners on Tuesday approved leasing space for the prosecutor’s gang unit in the Monroe Court Building near the courthouse … That puts prosecutors in six buildings, including the Public Safety Building, juvenile court building, Broadway Centre Building and the S&P building, all of which are clustered around the courthouse. Prosecutors who specialize in family law are downtown, in North Coast Plaza, 1124 W. Riverside. “It certainly does not make for the easiest way to run an organization,” Jim Emacio, the county’s top civil attorney, told commissioners … explaining that none of the buildings has enough space for everyone.

Head case

As Periscope was the first (and so far, only) to report, county Commissioner Steve Hasson wants to scatter beater bicycles around the courthouse for anyone to use … Could be a liability problem, say ever-diligent courthouse attorneys. No problem, says the commish, who promises to use his own money to buy five helmets for users of the bikes. “It’s a matter of trust,” said Hasson, when asked whether he thinks the helmets or bikes will be stolen … Hasson plans to ask courthouse employees to donate bikes and volunteer to maintain them. He hopes Spokane employers and bike clubs eventually will take over the project, which is a hit in Portland and Missoula, where helmets aren’t provided.

Surprise, surprise

Legal crusader Steve Eugster has appealed a judge’s ruling that the Parking and Business Improvement Area is constitutional … Assessing downtown property owners and businesses a fee to spruce up the image of an 80-block area is OK, Superior Court Judge Kenneth Kato said in March … Eugster maintains the judge is mistaken.

Because you asked

Question: What’s the deal with the drums beating in Manito Park every Thursday night until after dark? Doesn’t that violate some noise ordinance or park rule?

Answer: Parks Maintenance Chief Taylor Bressler said the impromptu group has been gathering every week for three summers and started with neighborhood kids getting together. Now it seems to be a different group every week and moved to a spot in Manito that is removed from most residential areas. The group doesn’t need a permit, because it does not use amplifiers and is gone before curfew, which is 11 p.m. in Manito. The drummers are good about picking up after themselves, said Bressler, who lives nearby and has heard no complaints. He recently asked the group to quit by 10 p.m. “It’s pretty innocent, but if it becomes an issue, they’ll have to desist.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tonight: “A Gathering of Friends” for Donald Hutchings, a Spokane psychologist held hostage in Kashmir. 7:30 p.m., Lilac Bowl, Riverfront Park.

Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Kristina Johnson from staff reports. If you’ve got a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or send a fax to (509) 459-5482. 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 Kristina Johnson from staff reports

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tonight: “A Gathering of Friends” for Donald Hutchings, a Spokane psychologist held hostage in Kashmir. 7:30 p.m., Lilac Bowl, Riverfront Park.

Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Kristina Johnson from staff reports. If you’ve got a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or send a fax to (509) 459-5482. 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 Kristina Johnson from staff reports