Now not the time for more propaganda
And it’s round two!
Disincorpora- tion proponents are collecting petition signatures for a vote to disincorporate the city of Spokane Valley.
Is disincorporation reasonable, feasible or positive for our community? I haven’t a clue. It needs very serious study.
During the library controversy last fall, many folks grumbled to me about disincorporating “this fiasco.” When they asked my opinion, I truthfully said I didn’t know what the financial, contractual and other ramifications would be.
At this point I have no opinion on dissolving or keeping the city. I signed the petition simply because I believe it’s valuable to reassess whether incorporation has been advantageous to us. Or will be.
I advocate an in-depth consideration of this issue that, unlike two years ago, will give citizens a genuinely realistic picture of what’s at stake and best for our future. Information based not on dreams, denial, manipulation or emotion, but unromantic, unvarnished facts.
Incorporation proponents clung to unsubstantiated, inflated numbers, used fear tactics of annexation by Spokane and made overconfident promises, dismissing the Spokane County Boundary Review Board’s more conservative fiscal predictions.
The Boundary Review Board projected that the new city would be $5 million in the hole. Proponents projected an almost $10 million surplus. At a candidate debate, my husband asked one candidate what the city would do if the board’s projection proved correct. The future councilman looked blank and then declared, “That won’t happen.” Not one candidate would even discuss this possibility. Guess what? Last year we were $5 million in the hole.
A small group of incorporation proponents was so eager to fend off the aggressor next door, “determine our own destiny,” and save us beaucoup tax bucks, they built up an emotional tower of fervor on an insecure foundation of shifting sand.
In the end apathy reigned, as only one-eighth of the city’s residents voted incorporation to victory. Many opposing it didn’t bother to vote, assuming it wouldn’t pass. Surprise!
The new city has had a bumpy and contentious ride.
There’s been anger over neighborhood land use and zoning, the near-loss of library services, the proposed utility tax, financial feasibility, billboards and signs and the cost of having a city government. None of these critical issues has been on the city’s Web site’s “Hot Topics” list, which makes citizens feel marginalized in “Spin City.” To the council’s credit, they’ve slaved many eye-glazing hours to create a city from those incorporation promises, improved the financial picture, set an early vote to preserve library services through annexation to the district and hired PR to help improve their communication skills.
I am agog, however, to see, the pro-disincorporation group using the same tactics incorporation proponents used two years ago.
I took home the flier they’re using as an informational tool. Filled with inflammatory, unverified statements and accusations, some with nonsensical conclusions, it lacked any credibility. It claimed the city budget didn’t provide funds for the Centennial Trail or city pools, when that very morning’s Spokesman-Review reported one contract was set, with the other near finalization. There was no mention of the hot topics mentioned above to aid their cause.
They ought to be embarrassed over this sloppy rant.
Perhaps disincorporation proponents should acquire professional help, rather than ardent believers, to help them articulate their position.
If vagueness and mudslinging is the only discourse disincorporation proponents intend to offer, they do themselves and us a disservice. Likewise the city, if they don’t address this issue in clear, factual terms. Otherwise, it’s “déjÀ vu all over again.”
We citizens deserve better than this. We need both of you – city and opponents – to give us something to work with. The only substance we’ve been given has been from Spokesman-Review reporter Megan Cooley’s recent articles on the ramifications of disincorporation with some bottom-line spin-control of both sides’ claims. At last, genuinely factual and helpful information!
If ever we needed plain, hard facts, rather than propaganda or soothing generalities from opposing sides, it’s now. Anything else is irresponsible and dangerous. Any future vote on this city must not be made based on emotion, spin or hazy claims.
Give this skeptic a reason to believe either of you.