Council candidates debate light rail, signs

At a Spokane Valley City Council race debate Tuesday, questions on a possible light rail through the area generated a rousing “not yet,” from the candidates, while there was more disagreement on the issue of billboards and diverging visions from candidates on what the city will look like in 10 years.

“Light rail is a solution for tomorrow not today,” Position 3 incumbent Mike DeVleming said, expressing sentiments akin to others at the forum, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Howard Herman, DeVleming’s opponent, expressed similar feelings, but suggested the city start acquiring additional right-of-way for future mass transit.

As with any new taxes or changing the Appleway Couplet, candidate Jennie Willardson said a final decision on light rail should be put to an advisory vote. Incumbent Steve Taylor, her Position 2 opponent, said the money and riders to support light rail don’t yet exist.

A question on billboards generated more dissent among candidates for the three contested positions.

Position 6 candidate Bill Gothmann said he supports a proposed rule that would prohibit companies from replacing billboards as they deteriorate.

“The people voted for it some time ago … and we’re ignoring it,” he said, referring to an advisory vote held by the county in which a majority said they wanted billboards gradually eliminated.

Ed Mertens, his opponent, leaned toward less-restrictive rules.

“There are some of those big signs that do us a lot of good,” he said.

The issue split the Position 2 candidates, as well.

Willardson didn’t take a stand but said she knows many people who would like billboards eliminated.Taylor said an all-out ban would be unfair to sign owners and that he supports the current policy, which allows companies to replace existing billboards.

A conversation about economic development wandered from ideas on revitalizing Sprague Avenue to attracting more high-tech jobs to promoting biodiesel production in the area.

“I believe in the very near future we will see businesses clamoring to get in here,” DeVleming said. He, along with other council members, commended the Spokane Area Economic Development Council and other business organizations for efforts to attract employers.

His opponent made a connection between infrastructure and economic growth.

“The city really can’t plan its future expansion if it doesn’t have control of the (sewer) utility,” said Herman, who wants the city to run its own sewage collection and treatment system rather than partnering with the county.

Gothmann said the city should have zoning that encourages the clustering of stores at intersections, rather than strip malls like those now found on Sprague Avenue.

The city should be more involved in the region’s colleges and universities, and promote better availability of advanced degrees.

The last question of the night asked how the Valley will look in 10 years.

“Everything is working the way it should be working,” Mertens said of the current council. Whatever comes in the future, he said that he will not support new taxes without a vote.”In 10 years, the Valley’s not going to look a whole lot different than it does now,” Herman said. He reiterated his stance that builders and investors should guide future land-use decisions, and said businesses are failing in the Valley due to planners and government regulation.

DeVleming strongly disagreed with his opponent’s assessment.

“I think you’re going to see a community that is really going to bloom,” he said, specifically through things like a new city center and mixed-use zoning.

Willardson said the city has growing pains and that she would address the concerns of neighborhoods where development is happening.

“We need a city council who is open to listening to those concerns,” she said.

Taylor’s comments included the need for consistent leadership, a new downtown and affordable housing.

“We are going to see new industries relocate here,” he said.