Views of 80 percent of residents overlooked

This present City Council is serving the vast majority of Spokane Valley citizens.

Many of us attended the City Council meetings and those of the Planning Commission, for months and some years. What we heard and saw was that 20 percent of the citizens wanted the Sprague/Appleway Revitalization Plan. It was the stakeholders, the insiders … the same 20 percent.

However, 80 percent of those expressing their views did not want SARP. They were diverse, all over the Valley – all types of businesses and homeowners.

So, ex-Mayor Richard Munson, where was your concern for what the 80 percent of us wanted?

What do the vast majority of the Valley citizens want from the City Council and the Planning Commission?

1. Complete and consistent fiscal responsibility. No more free meals for yourselves, spouses and staff at the expense of the citizens.

2. Lower taxes.

3. A complete level playing field with regards to regulations – no exceptions for the city or insiders.

4. No special deals for Auto Row. They are a very small part of the 6,445 registered businesses in Spokane Valley. I know they were “king of the road,” but if they do not change their business model and service after the sale, it is possible to become “road kill.”

5. No traffic flow changes to the Sprague/Appleway couplets. No lane reductions. The Spokane County Road Department got it right and did a terrific job back in the 1990s. The gridlock went away and 80 percent of the drivers love the couplets.

6. We want a swift end to the draconian, form-based zoning regulations. They are a property owner’s worst nightmare. It is intrusive, arbitrary, and pillaging by the previous City Council.

7. We do not want to turn Spokane Valley into a “3 Sisters Oregon,” or Leavenworth, Wash. Let the 20 percenters take their businesses and move there. The 80 percent of us will build and improve the Valley, but never will it become an expensive, themed boutique Ville.

8. We want an abrupt end to the “entitlement mentality” that was present under the last two mayors. It is a privilege and responsibility to serve on the City Council. State Sen. Bob McCaslin understands this very well, that is why we re-elect him.

9. We want campaign promises kept; say what you mean and mean what you say. Priceless!

10. No reward for bad behavior. No big expensive City Hall at the old, purposely failed U-City mall. If you reward bad behavior, you get more bad behavior.