Fear Of Change Runs Deep Among Spokane-Area Voters
Maybe it’s just change the fear of it, that is that overwhelms Spokane area voters whenever they get a chance to show their notorious scorn for local government.
A couple of “Bagpipes” readers say that’s why ballot proposals to revise local government - last week’s unsuccessful incorporation efforts in the Valley, for example - keep failing.
“We complain about government and vote for the status quo,” said Jim Shamp of Cheney, “because it’s traditional to criticize the way others, including government officials, do their jobs and run their lives, and it’s human nature to be afraid of change. I doubt if either will ever change.”
“I really think the reason everything goes down to defeat is the fear of change,” said Harv Clark of Spokane.
“No,” he said, “I do not support Valley incorporation or the strong-mayor form of government. I don’t like the structure of either. Besides, we’ve now got an acting city manager - Bill Pupo - with a head on his shoulders and a work ethic second to none. I don’t always agree with the guy, but I really feel he has the best interests of our city at heart on all issues.”
Clark added that he was dismayed when voters rejected a city-county consolidation plan which had been drafted by a board of elected freeholders whose work was funded by taxpayers.
“What was the point?” Clark asked. “I do believe we’ll see consolidation in some form in the future. Too costly not to.”
Unlike Clark, James A. Nelson of Spokane does support a strong-mayor system. He worked under one here in the early 1950s.
“It was much more efficient than our present form of city government,” said Nelson.
“Waste was at a minimum. Streets were repaired and the snow-removal budget was never in jeopardy. Most of all, they were accountable and decisive. They were not afraid to make decisions without costly studies by outside sources.”
C.F. Brenton of Spokane says city government in Spokane consistently has ignored the attitudes of the public on issues ranging from construction of the Ag Trade Center to current plans for revamping River Park Square.
“The upshot of all this,” said Brenton, “is that citizens are all upset with our City Council because we have no voice.”
, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone, or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.