Public Periscope

Elected but powerless

Lest anyone think elected officials get preferential treatment from the crews restoring electricity to Spokane’s storm-ravaged neighborhoods, consider the following vote from the regional Growth Management Act steering committee on Friday: Asked who was still without electricity, about half of the elected officials at the table raised their hands … County Commissioner Steve Hasson was among those who left a chilly house to attend that growth management meeting. “Can we establish warm zones rather than urban zones?” Hasson asked his colleagues.

Leave it to a politician to know a good snow job

Commissioner Phil Harris does not normally lavish praise on public employees. But Thursday, in the wake of a storm that knocked out power and left streets a mess, he nearly burst with pride for county road crews … “Yesterday, they were working for their neighbors. They kicked butt.”

Why would anyone want this job?

“It’s trial by fire,” says Acting City Manager Bill Pupo of his short stint as Spokane’s top executive. Former City Manager Roger Crum was out of town last April when a bomb exploded at City Hall, leaving Pupo to handle the crisis … Six months later, Crum’s gone, and Pupo’s again dealing with disaster - the effects of the region’s most devastating ice storm … When will it end? “It’s incredible,” he said.

A simple, heartfelt thank-you …

To Lt. Dave Wiyrick of the Spokane Sheriff’s Department. Since the ice storm began Tuesday, Wiyrick has delivered by fax or telephone, reams of useful information, several times each day, to area media types … His prompt, always courteous responses to questions and concerns makes him a credit to his profession. While we at The Spokesman-Review are grateful to all emergency personnel struggling through this crisis, we owe a special debt to Wiyrick, who helped make getting information to the public that much easier.

Hope the 33rd gunman won’t get through

In news not related to the ice storm, the Sheriff’s Department notes in its performance report that courthouse security guards collected eight firearms in 1995 and 27 this year. And, they kept 11 suspicious courthouse visitors under surveillance so far this year … Told to set performance standards for next year, the department said it will collect 32 firearms and keep 16 people under surveillance.

It is a nice office, but possibly unlucky

A few readers have been closely watching the fate of Rep. Robert Dornan in California, who apparently has lost his re-election bid to Democrat Loretta Sanchez. But most didn’t know that Dornan had a tenuous tie to Eastern Washington trivia … For the last two years, the bombastic congressman occupied Room 1201 in the Longworth Building, an office that many local residents had seen when visiting their former rep, Tom Foley. When voters kicked Foley out two years ago, his plum digs - a corner office with a good view and convenient access to the Capitol - was up for grabs and Dornan snagged them … They are so nice, in fact, that Dornan conceded defeat last week rather than allowing them to fall into the hands of Sanchez. If he had contested the election, dragged it out but lost, Sanchez would have been awarded the prime real estate. If he wins, he’ll have to move to a smaller spot.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden 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, Wash. 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or fax to (509) 459-5482. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone telephone, then press 9120 to leave a message.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPIC Tuesday: Spokane County Planning Commission will continue the contentious public hearing it started Nov. 14, on proposals to designate the Foothills and other areas for 40-acre lots. 6 p.m., City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

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