Negative experience
“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” Not much has changed since 1833 when Joseph Story wrote that.
Take Spokane Valley. Three incumbents seeking re-election/retention for City Council proclaim on their billboards that experience matters and a balanced budget equals lower taxes. Then they vote to raise Valley residents’ property tax levies 2.9 percent, while pushing unwanted revitalization of Sprague/Appleway and a $20 million-plus City Hall to anchor it. Is this “experience” or arrogance? We need to elect people who care about the average citizen; we need Bob McCaslin, Brenda Grassel, Dean Grafos and Tom Towey.
Steven Neill
Spokane Valley