Groups Organize To Oppose New Cities

Leaders of a group opposing separate proposals to form cities in the Spokane Valley cited concerns that details about Evergreen and Opportunity are vague and a need to publicize next month’s election as reasons they organized last week.

A group calling itself Citizens Against Incorporation fears costs surrounding the start up and operation of the proposed cities will be passed on to businesses and homeowners.

“We have an awful lot of unknowns out there,” said Dewey Strauss, president of Valley Garbage Service.

Citizens Against Incorporation, led by Strauss and Doug Rider, a former Valley Fire District chief, has raised $1,209.72. Strauss and Rider both live within the proposed city of Opportunity.

Strauss said his major interest is encouraging people to vote on Feb. 4. He’s worried the proposals might quietly slip by on a small voter turnout.

Proponents of both cities have denied trying to encourage a small turnout.

“We’re not trying to keep it quiet,” said Ed Meadows, Opportunity’s chief proponent. “We’re just trying to conserve our resources to the end of the campaign.”

Still, past incorporation campaigns have left voters weary of the whole process, Strauss said.

A small turnout would probably favor incorporation supporters.

However, a small turnout will make for bad government, Strauss said.

“Just a few people would decide what type of government we have out here in the Valley,” Strauss said. “If we can get a large representation of the people and they decide to have a city out here, I can live with that.”

But Valley Fire Districts may not be able to, Rider said.

If one or both of the cities choose not to annex to the fire district, that would have a negative impact on the district’s insurance rating, which is measured on a grading scale, Rider said. A lower grade means higher insurance rates, he said.

“Every grading scale costs or saves the businessman money,” Rider said.

Incorporation proponents have repeatedly pledged to recommend that Evergreen and Opportunity annex to the fire district.

“They do a wonderful job,” said Arne Woodard, a leader in Evergreen’s incorporation attempt. “Why would we want to destroy something we spent so much for?”

The final decision on annexation will be up to each city’s council.

That’s where the uncertainty lies, opponents said.

“The message we have is get out and vote,” Strauss said. “I think the people’s minds are made up. We’re not here to try and change people’s minds.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo