Focusing on the wrong issue

The issue relating to the closure of the intersection at Sprague and Sullivan by the city of Spokane Valley is not the petition itself, but the closure of the intersection. You’ve made the issue about me for the headline. The real issue is the closure which everyone knows most likely will be longer than three weeks. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.

Not everyone can come to meetings including myself, as many of these businesses; large and small are struggling to survive in this economy. Sometimes you have to meet the community where they are at, rather than at the convenience of an official. We also must remember that the petition of government is part of our American way of life. Isn’t that what we do when we want to address a grievance? Close to 70 businesses and their employees found voice through that petition. Somehow Sprague and Sullivan has been singled out as the only intersection that is closed.

Lastly, the issue once again is about the closure, not about me. But I guess spin is what it is, and Mr.Gothman and Ms. Dempsey just love it, even though they ignore this time-honored citizen voice tradition. After all, its politics and papers! The Inlander got it right, the issue is the closure.

Dean Grafos

Spokane Valley city councilman