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Mayor’s non-news conference

I’m writing about Mayor Verner’s press conference regarding the Otto Zehm case. It seems the mayor had a case of Sudden Election Awareness Syndrome brought on by her challenger David Condon plainly stating what most of us were already thinking. Simply, the mayor has done a lousy job of handling this important issue for Spokane.

Unfortunately for the mayor, it isn’t the kind of issue that requires consensus building and advisory committees. This is the kind of issue that requires decisive, forthright action that will both honor the victim and give the citizens confidence.

Instead, we get a press conference that provides no answers. The mayor intends to have an investigation sometime in the future, which might then provide some recommendations for possible changes in policy, when this is all over. Is she kidding?

Citizens have lost confidence in both the city and Police Department, not only because of the tragedy itself, but also because of the bungling of this very public case.

The mayor’s press conference was laughable. It was very obviously an attempt to save face in the midst of a campaign, not to answer any real questions.

Time to elect a real leader.

Michael Cannon

Spokane



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