Hession offers needed stability

A grim chapter of Spokane history closed Tuesday when voters emphatically refused to overlook Mayor Jim West’s abuse of office. Many of West’s backers were ready to compromise moral standards in return for the administrative progress West was bringing to City Hall, but a significant majority of the public wasn’t buying it.

Now a more hopeful chapter opens, and judging by City Council President Dennis Hession’s comments on Wednesday, the community has reason to hope for both – sound leadership and ethical constancy.

West intends to stay in office through Dec. 16, when the recall election will be certified and he’ll have to go. Then, Hession will assume the mayor’s job until the City Council picks someone to serve the remaining two years of West’s term.

Hession has declared his interest in the appointment. His actions demonstrate his readiness for it.

Two years ago, when Hession was in a three-way race for council president, The Spokesman-Review editorial board endorsed one of his two rivals, City Councilman Al French. The editorial cited French’s readiness to restore credibility to a fractious City Council and to foster council cooperation.

In his two years as council president, Hession has demonstrated his own considerable skills in those areas. He has been a steady, thoughtful leader, able to take firm stands when necessary, eager to seek compromise when possible.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Hession laid out the steps he has taken to move forward with the coming change of authority at City Hall, and he outlined an agenda of urgent issues facing the city.

He unveiled an impressive array of community leaders and activists who form a transition committee to advise him. Some names are particularly noteworthy. Both French and neighborhood advocate Pam Behring, the third candidate in that 2003 council president contest, are there, as is the Rev. Lonnie Mitchell who has acted as a spiritual resource to West. So are former Mayor David H. Rogers and former Council President Rob Higgins. Spokane County CEO Marshall Farnell provides a seasoned representative from county government.

It says something meaningful both that Hession asked these and other impressive community figures for their involvement, and that they have enough faith in him to give it. Their participation bodes well for the city.

Meanwhile, Hession has expressed his interest in staying the course in areas where West achieved success – budgetary reforms, for example – and to take bold steps where his experience at the council level tells him it’s needed – open discussion of annexation and consolidation of select city and county services.

After seven months of civic distraction and anxiety, Spokane needs to focus on the future. The City Council could open the selection of West’s replacement to a larger community field, or it could name Hession as mayor. In Hession, they have a proven candidate who is familiar with pending issues as well as the structure and processes at City Hall. There is nothing to be gained by prolonging the process or gambling on a lesser-known quantity.