letters

City Hall helped spark desire to disincorporate

Bureaucrats at Spokane Valley Cty Hall need to own the part they played in disincorporation. Not only did they strike the match of discontent, they fueled the fire and fanned the flames that propelled the campaign.

Disincorporation would never have had any momentum had it not been for the phone tax, squabbles with the county, permit issues, stealth re-zoning, projected budget deficits, reversing the couplet, unfunded visions and arrogance at City Hall.

Denied the rights of petition and referendum in taxation and zoning; patronized, ignored and threatened at public hearings, frustrated citizens turned to disincorporation. Disenfranchised Valley residents and business owners whose interests were unrepresented by the Valley Chamber of Commerce and Spokane Valley Business Association joined in search of a voice in Valley politics.

The mayor, publicly disparage the almost 17,000 voters who signed the petition by proclaiming the effort a “running sore we need to get behind us.”

The signature collection and threat of a ballot issue to dissolve the city has ceased. The coming election for new councilpersons offers Valley voters the best chance in years to bring common sense governing to Spokane Valley. Disincorporation could become a thing of the past with the right leadership. Please consider McCaslin, Grafos, Grassel, Towey and Schimmels for City Council.

Susan Scott

Spokane Valley