Public Periscope

FOR THE RECORD (October 14, 1997): Wrong phone number: The information number for the Spokane County treasurer is 456-4713. The number was incorrectly reported Monday in the Public Periscope column.

Well-earned sobriquet

Some folks at the Public Safety Building - particularly the ones who wear uniforms to work every day - are dying to show Fred “Strollin”’ Nolan Jr. how unfunny they think his escape escapade was. Nolan is a longtime miscreant who disappeared from the Public Safety Building after being handcuffed and placed in an interrogation room … But the story was quite a hit at a Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast last week. Chamber President Rich Hadley joked that he and his 9-year-old daughter were working on their Halloween costumes. “I’m going as someone who escaped from the city police department wearing handcuffs,” Hadley quipped.

Anybody’s guess

The favorite parlor game among the political cognoscenti over the weekend is “Will He or Won’t He” as they try to figure out if Rep. George Nethercutt wants to be Sen. Nethercutt badly enough to run for it. Here are the clues: Over the three-day weekend, he was scheduled to be in Spokane, Cheney, Seattle and Pullman.

The schedule released by his congressional office is very detailed, right up to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, when he holds a press conference to announce “future plans” … The remainder of Tuesday’s schedule will be released after the press conference, says a note at the bottom. Why do that? Well, if he’s running, he’d probably be making trips to other cities after announcing a campaign in his home town. A schedule like that would tip his hand, as would a schedule that says he’s just hanging around town … And if he’s running, that schedule has to come out of a campaign office, not from his taxpayer supported congressional office.

Virtual park

With fall settling in and winter not far behind, Spokane residents can look forward to the symptoms of cabin fever. The city’s web page may offer a little relief. Those feeling cooped up and missing their fun in the sun can visit Riverfront Park on the Internet … A “virtual tour” takes visitors to the park on a gloriously sunny day, with stops at the Looff Carrousel, the Pavilion and the gondola … Find the site at www.spokanecity.org. Click on “government,” then “parks and recreation.”

Before you go trick-or-treating

Spokane County Treasurer Linda Wolverton would like to remind county taxpayers that the second half of their property tax is due at the end of this month. Pay up by Halloween to avoid interest and penalties … Questions? Call 455-4713.

Getting involved

The state Commission on Hispanic Affairs is taking applications for its advisory board. Qualifications: Wanting to serve the Hispanic community. Responsibilities: Six meetings a year, contribute to the commission’s publications, help with the group’s other activities … Applications accepted through Oct. 31, available by calling 360-753-3159.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, which is published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. You can write us at The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, 99210; or send e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com; or fax to (509) 459-5482.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Sunday: Want to talk about the Lincoln Street bridge project? Pro or con, the Citizens League is offering that chance at a forum. 7 p.m., The Met, 901 W. Sprague.

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