Mayoral candidates hold final debate

Four candidates for Spokane mayor met Tuesday for the last debate before primary ballots are due in the mail.

The debate, which will air Sunday, mostly centered on the same themes that have dominated the campaign, including low-income housing, taxes and police oversight.

But some new topics emerged when the candidates questioned one another. Each mayoral hopeful drew a name before the debate to determine who would question whom.

Councilman Al French told Councilwoman Mary Verner that her “campaign statements have been characterized by nonspecific generalizations.” He asked for specifics.

Verner responded that she would use drug and gang task forces to create a crime reduction plan that includes rehabilitation and counseling. She added that she would lower the city’s utility tax, find resources to improve domestic violence programs and present “specific proposals for bicycle and pedestrian improvements.”

“Yes, Mr. French, my platform indeed has a lot of substance and detail associated with it,” she said.

Verner asked demolition contractor Michael Noder if there are other issues he is passionate about besides trash. Noder, who is a member of the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee, has said he entered the race to focus attention on problems in the regional garbage program run by the city.

Noder’s answer was entirely about the trash system. He noted “financial irregularities,” said there is “zero financial oversight.”

Noder, predictably, asked Hession about solid waste.

Hession responded by praising Noder’s campaign.

“I’m very interested after this is over in spending some time with you about the issues you are passionate about,” Hession said. “I’m very interested in what you have to say.”

Hession attributed a statement to French indicating that French would “terminate the chief operating officer and all department heads.” Hession asked French for his intent.

French said he has talked about reorganizing government to emphasize the implementation of the comprehensive plan – the city’s long-term growth strategy.

“Actually, what I said was that I would terminate the deputy mayor position and I would put into place the chief operating officer, and, in fact, that’s what you ended up doing one week after I made the suggestion,” French said. “So, thank you.”

In an interview after the debate, he said he has never suggested axing all department leaders. He said that by asking the question, Hession was spreading a rumor.

Hession, also after the debate, said he couldn’t remember when or where he heard that French planned to fire all department heads.

“It may very well have been somebody else telling me they heard it from him,” Hession said.

A fifth candidate for mayor, Robert Kroboth, did not participate in the debate.