Spokane7
59°
October 16, 2011 in City
Mayor’s race highlights water, police choices
Verner, challenger use her office record to make case for, against 2nd term
Verner and Condon
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
If the results of the August primary are any sign, Spokane voters liked what they saw from Mary Verner during her first 45 months in office.
Characterizing herself as even-keel in turbulent times, she nearly doubled the vote total of second-place finisher David Condon, a former congressional aide to Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
Since that landslide win, however, Verner has been forced on the defensive – not only by her opponent but also by those seeking answers about the city’s handling of the legal cases surrounding Otto Zehm, a Spokane man who died after a police confrontation in 2006, and by water customers angry over their summer bills.
Verner doesn’t deny that the past two months have been tough.
“Any candidate would not have chosen to have some of the issues arise in the final stretch of the campaign that I have dealt with as a candidate and an incumbent,” Verner said. “I have the skill set to respond to issues as they arise, and I won’t artificially change my agenda based on the campaign and the election that’s coming up in November.”
Condon already had made the double-digit utility rate increases a signature of his campaign before the primary – before major water users got their big summer bills. Since the election, Condon also has focused on Verner’s and city attorneys’ handling of the Zehm case. He says it offers more proof that Verner has allowed administrators to make important decisions she should have made.
“It’s a question of leadership,” Condon said at a debate in late September. “The mayor has to be in charge and not let the departments have their own way and set their own agenda.”
General fund, employment falling
Verner already is Spokane’s longest-serving strong mayor since voters implemented the system more than a decade ago. If she wins re-election, she would be the first Spokane mayor to do so in 38 years.
She has won praise even from her critics for following through on her promise to be more collaborative than her predecessors. Some of those critics, however, say that it can be hard to pin down her position and that she yields too much power to deputies or the City Council.
Her main accomplishment has been avoiding city layoffs. She did that by persuading the City Council to back a combination of expanded utility taxes and fee increases, by tapping reserve funds and by persuading unions to accept contract concessions. She also achieved the annexation of 10 square miles of the West Plains.
The city workforce is about 60 full-time jobs smaller than it was two years ago, but it’s nearly the same size as when she took office in late 2007. In 2007, the city budgeted for 2,090 workers. This year, that number is 2,112, including 12 firefighters hired to serve the city’s new West Plains fire station set to open next year.
The city’s general fund, which pays for police, fire, library, parks and other non-utility services, shrank from 2010 to 2011. This year’s fund is only about 4 percent bigger than 2008’s, the last budget crafted largely by former Mayor Dennis Hession.
Zehm case
Verner’s low point may have come late last month after federal prosecutors filed a document in federal court saying the city had released “patently false” information at a news conference. Verner held the conference to defend the city’s handling of the Zehm case.
The key question that remains unanswered is why the city in 2009 filed a response to a lawsuit from the Zehm family claiming that there was no evidence police had done anything wrong – even though the interim chief at the time of the encounter already had come to a different conclusion.
Verner has promised an independent review after the criminal trial and civil litigation are complete. Providing many details of the case, especially before the end of the criminal trial of the first responding police officer, would “interfere with the execution of justice,” she said.
She admits that her administration could have handled the case better, at least in its communication with the public. But she says she’s “confident that we were within the bounds of the law.”
“The truth will come out in litigation. Some of that truth may reflect negatively on the city. It may reflect negatively on past actions, it may reflect negatively on me and my administration. I’ll take my lumps,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ve handled it perfectly. I don’t think I’ve botched it,” Verner said. “I just think it’s been a very painful thing for our entire community to go through.”
Condon has offered a rebuke of Verner’s handling of the case and has said Assistant City Attorney Rocky Treppiedi should be “dismissed immediately.”
“As mayor, Mayor Verner has wasted taxpayer money and slowed the course of justice by her defense of the city bureaucracy and the mismanagement of this case,” Condon said in a statement released by his campaign.
Verner has the official backing of the Democratic Party, but the city’s handling of the case has eroded her base of support.
Tom Keefe, a former chairman of the Spokane County Democratic Party, has endorsed Condon. Keefe said he had decided long ago not to vote for Verner based on her failure to achieve stronger police oversight. He decided to speak out after Verner declined to take questions at a news conference about Zehm while handing out information that was incorrect.
“Leadership is not gamesmanship. Leadership is standing up and saying the truth,” Keefe said. “You can’t have a significant portion of your community living in fear of your police department.”
After a recent City Council meeting, many supporters of stronger police oversight said that they normally would be inclined to vote for Verner but that they were unsure if they would based on what they see as Verner’s timid support for a stronger police ombudsman.
“She’s been a very good mayor in so many ways, but this one issue has been a huge albatross around her neck,” Spokane activist and retired social worker Marianne Torres said.
Verner argues that the quickest way to attain independent investigative power for the police ombudsman is to win the right through negotiations with the Spokane Police Guild. That’s the same sentiment that’s been expressed by Condon on the campaign trail.
Spokane developer Ron Wells, who often contributes to Democratic causes, says while the Zehm matter may “raise eyebrows,” he believes Verner has been a strong leader for Spokane.
“I have not noticed an erosion of support for her in Democratic circles,” he said.
Water rates sparked anger
The numbers back up Verner’s claim that she adheres to a steady course, even in an election year. A chart of city utility rates over the past decade shows a clear unwillingness of incumbent mayors to propose rate increases during election years. Verner not only backed increases; she proposed a 13 percent rise in sewer fees and a hike of about 7 percent for water.
Verner says leaders for too long have delayed the increases needed to keep systems in working order and to pay for state-mandated upgrades to improve sewage treatment and keep raw sewage out of the Spokane River.
Condon says he doesn’t support rate increases, noting that most water and sewer workers will get 5 percent pay raises this year. He’s also critical of environmental programs as part of what he calls Verner’s “sustainability agenda,” such as subsidies offered for low-flow toilets and sprinkler systems and funding that will supplement the city’s urban forestry department.
Verner says Condon neglects to note that workers took concessions on benefits that are saving taxpayers money. She adds that environmental programs, such as ones that provide stipends for low-flow toilets, are minuscule compared with the infrastructure demands of keeping pipes in working order and upgrading sewage treatment.
Where Verner has faced the most anger on rates is the redesign of the city’s water rates. That process was led by the City Council, but Verner signed the ordinance in May 2010.
As a result, about 60 percent of water users will have lower bills, at least over the course of 2011. Many big water users, however, will pay more. Less than 1 percent could see their water bills over the course of the year double.
The issue didn’t appear to be too much of a concern until the past couple of months, when water customers received their summer water bills.
Late last month, Verner announced that she would float a new water rate structure.
“The actual effect of when people did start to use water in the summer has been far worse than what I or our customers, certainly, anticipated,” Verner said. “So I have a responsibility to step up and say, ‘It’s not working.’ ”
She said she responded similarly to criticism in her first winter in office, after the city slowed to a standstill because of a snowstorm. The next winter Spokane saw the most snow since records were kept, but the city had revamped its response plans and received much less criticism.
Last month Verner declined to sign a water rate increase for next year that would have increased base rates by about 2 percent and 16 percent for water consumption. The law will still go into effect on Jan. 1 because she didn’t veto it. The only thing that could stop it is if she persuades the council to approve something different.
Condon argues that if Verner didn’t support the water rates she should have vetoed them.
“Taken together this is a big hit on the citizens of Spokane. I think we need a city government that is focused, sets priorities and lives within its means,” Condon said at a recent debate. “The mayor can’t do everything. My priorities will be to make sure City Hall gets back and works for you.”
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on October 16 at 12:56 a.m.
In the Book Of John in the Gospel…. there is a passage… “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free”…. Mayor Mary would do well to “come clean” at some point as the ballots “drop” next week… and the vote is gonna be flowing in… People/Citizens will give a pass on most any issue if there is truth… what they likely are not going to give a “pass” on is prevarication and dissembling/ Lying.. about Mr Treapiedi and his horrendous actions as delineated in the Inlander Mag this week…. Read it and speak up Mayor Mary…Rocky may be an Union Employee and thus next to impossible to move along down the line…but somebody’s gotta do it… and its on your desk and has been for months… Tell the truth and you will be saved… John Olsen
ChefGus/ John Olsen on October 16 at 12:57 a.m.
Hoping Marlene is reading this… “get it yet”… ???
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 1:02 a.m.
Wells donates the limit to her. Always has.
Torres” she’s been a good mayor in so many ways”…which ones? I’d like to know whihc ways?
Water rates…who says the rates have been lowered for 60% I’d like to know. Of course this means that the rates went up and not a little…for 40% of the population. And for what? No reason except to fortify Verner’s general fund. Why does she need that extra money?
1. Pay unions ( water workers of course) and give the police big raises when the elction is over.
2. Recoup the money she’s spend on bikes and trees
3. Recoup the completely silly real estate expenditures ( $15 million).
4. Refund the Rate stabilization fund ( which is officially gone …$16 million) and where’d it go? Her programs, the unions and her ever expanding staff. One thing’s sure, Spokane is paying higher fees and rates because that fund has been spent out of existence by Verner.
But this Otto Zehm cover up…speaks to walking the edges of the truth. It’s a big deal when the Mayor cannot and will not speak truth in her hand in a completely unnessesary death of an innocent man in a Zip Trip innocently buying some soda.
On that alone, Verner has no business in Spokane’s City Hall.
Vote Condon.
drywitt99 on October 16 at 1:36 a.m.
“Verner has no business in Spokane’s City Hall.”
And when the Mayor is re-elected….and yes Dazed….she WILL BE….what then??
When the will of the electorate is registered at the polls….could you POSSIBLY give it a rest??
nslopeofw on October 16 at 1:45 a.m.
Her lack of truth in the Otto Zehm case is all anyone should be looking at in regards to her record.
“Leadership is not gamesmanship. Leadership is standing up and saying the truth,” Keefe said. “You can’t have a significant portion of your community living in fear of your police department.”
Even her own party thinks she is covering for the police.
LIVING IN FEAR OF YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. Think about that. The only ones denying that statement are the cops who post on here, and a few die hard Verner fans. The popo needs to be put in its place. Stop killing civilians, after all, they pay cops’ wages. If they are so scared that they kill first, then ask questions, we got the bottom of the barrel. Time to clean house, and hire a bunch of military veterans. They have been in far worse situations, and still adhere to the ROE. I’m not sure our police even have ROE. If they do, A.) its not working very well, and B.) it really doesnt matter, because their buddies at the sheriffs office will just manipulate the facts to say they followed them.
Verner could have done something about this mess, but chose not to. Now that the election is at hand, she’s talking about a “complete investigation” WOW, that will do a lot of good.
Orphan on October 16 at 7:45 a.m.
You people in Spokane have a decision to make 4 more years of the same, police out of control, spending too much money, poor streets etc. Or try something different. This seems to be a national problem we keep reelecting the boobs that got us in this mess. Wake up America.
Just look at Spokane Valley right next door they have a balanced budget and even a little surplus. Spokane has a shortfall there is no excuse for this disparity.
If you want change vote the ins out, repeat until its fixed.
soccermomsusie on October 16 at 8:20 a.m.
“Look at the Spokane Valley.” No thank you. Whenever the wind blows from the east I can smell it just fine. Pee Yew.
This endorsement from Keefe is a bit suspicious. Granted, he’s not the rollingest pin in the drawer. Cathy McMoRo spanked him good and now he wants to “help” the guy who helped her do it?
Future Mayor Condon has no affiliation with any of the hippy groups wanting accountability for government. He has never been a part of the bleeding-heart liberal machine that wants to coddle our mentally ill. FM Condon, in fact, proposes Godly Free Market solutions to take care of all of society’s problems - something that Keefe would definitely oppose (unless he has recently suffered a head “injury” which cured him from his Libertard tendencies). So why would Keefe endorse Davey? Very curious.
I suppose, the SR could look at Keefe’s close circle of friends and therein may lie a story of what his real game is. Sounds like a lot of work though.
Suffice it to say, I smell a Trojan Rat which wants to infect The SS SPOKANE TEAPARTY - captained by FUTURE MAYOR CONDON!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
DickAdams on October 16 at 8:21 a.m.
Verner is quoted in the story re Otto Zehm;
“I don’t think I’ve handled it perfectly. I don’t think I’ve botched it,” Verner said. “I just think it’s been a very painful thing for our entire community to go through.”
It reminds me of when Verner explained to the public, her sob story regarding her YES vote to except the agreement signed between the Cowles Dynasty and the city of Spokane, saying it made her “sick to my stomach”. I personally heard Verner say it at a city council meeting trying to justify why she was willing to give taxpayer money to the owners of the River Park Square.
Verner says that she doesn`t think she botched the cover-up in the Otto Zehm case. Verner better tell that to the US attorney who has her in his cross hairs pointing his finger at her for the cover-up.
Verner`s explanation of the water rates, is pathetic. Reelect me at any cost! Yeah Mayor, even though you were a party to the proposed increases to Spokane water users. Its the city utility tax and a shell game to increase money adding it to the general fund.
Lest anyone forget, the Lilac City has the highest city utility tax rate in the COUNTRY. Hey, Verner, name just one city in the country that is higher. You can`t.
DickAdams on October 16 at 8:30 a.m.
The city of Spokane city utility tax on water, is an effective tax rate of 25%!!!!! The city utility taxes are the number source of tax revenue, more than real estate taxes, sales tax, etc.
Albert on October 16 at 8:42 a.m.
Orphan….you have the correct response. Vote them ALL out and replace them with new faces. No exceptions.
johnclarke on October 16 at 8:56 a.m.
Someone is going to have to explain to me what power Spokane’s mayor has over the police force. Seems like they pretty much do whatever they want. The Mayor seems to be somewhat of a figure head In Spokane, what with the unions actually holding the power. So yeah, we can vote one Mayor out to make ourselves feel good, but what kind of change can we expect ? Seriously, what is the new Mayor going to do ? Go back in time and unwind the RPS deal? Fire bad cops or city employees ?
The_Seer on October 16 at 9:00 a.m.
I’m holding my nose and voting for Verner…
Ben Stuckart will get my vote for Council President, as will Rush for the council seat. Sorry, Mike, you’ve “liked” to many people on your facebook that chap my hide.
Open_Spokane on October 16 at 9:12 a.m.
Mary and Marlene, I hope you read this:
Protesters staged a peaceful rally in downtown this week about bringing attention to corporate greed. Our weak Mayor stood on the sidelines and took no position - why? Because she is part of the problem.
Consider her renewal of the Wheelabrator contract where she let this huge corporation off the hook for some $18 million dollars in required up grades at the Spokane Waste to Energy plant. Who has to pay for these up grades? Mary is passing the cost off to the consumer with proposed higher dump fees.
In June of 2008, she renewed our exclusive contract with American Medical Response (AMR) a multi-billion dollar a year ambulance company with a history of overbilling our citizens. She made changes to this new no-bid contract that didn’t include any consumer protection items. Instead, she allowed AMR to bill twice as many patients the higher Advanced Life Support rate per new Medicare guidelines. She didn’t have to do this as the people of Spokane received nothing in return. This was a huge windfall for AMR with higher profits to help pay off the recent class action lawsuit. So Mary, why punish our sick and elderly?
Mayor Verner, your corporate partners and their profits come before the needs of the people of Spokane. It is my sincere hope that the people of Spokane vote you out of office.
soccermomsusie on October 16 at 10:01 a.m.
Open_Spokane, I sure hope that you are not saying that FutureMayor David Condon was down at the protests showing his support for the hippies and their positions. Because, as you know, he is opposed to their/your patchouli stench. YUCK!
I am glad you are going to vote for David (and hopefully all Tea Party Candidates) and not Verner, but there is no need to sully his name in your belief that he would be supportive of your weird, Liberal, Socialistic Causes!
I can’t help but think some of these comments are made to undermine FutureMayor Condon’s campaign, in that you Liberals sound like you would rather dump your Socialistic, Recession-Conquering, PJALS-flag-waving, Bike-lane painting, UN-Mandating, GLBT-supporting, Sustainability-sustaining Queen Mary Verner Klemperer for MY Candidate TeaPartisan David Condon who is a Godly Free-Marketing, Recession-Causing, PJALS-destroying, Bike-lane-erasing, UN-nose-thumbing, GLBT-no-special-rightsing, anti-recycling MAN OF GOD!
I smell a rat, a big fat COMMIE TROJAN RAT!!! DAVEY DO NOT FALL INTO THEIR TRAP! STAY AWAY FROM FUND RAISERS AT DEMPSEYS AND WITH THE RADICALS DOWNTOWN.
To quote American Revolution War hero Admiral Ackbar -“It’s a trap!”
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
JBlim on October 16 at 10:17 a.m.
No matter how you slice up water rates and the Otto Zehm investigation, Condon will favor developers, polluters and big corporations over average citizens, just like Cathy McMorris does on the national level. It’s really just as simple as that.
Open_Spokane on October 16 at 10:23 a.m.
Dear Susie,
Please note that I wrote about issues that need to be addressed.
You seem to be fixated at attacking character what-if’s?
Ironically, it was Verner who did a tap dance on former Mayor Hession’s conflict of interest over the ambulance scandal. Now, she has drank the same punch and has also done a horrible job
in fixing this and other problems.
Anyone who has to call an ambulance in Spokane is truly helpless. Mary has made sure that this lousy service continues. I suppose when it comes to preying on those who are weak and ill - Mary just can’t help herself when there’s an opportunity to take advantage of those who mentally or physically impaired.
Susie, do you suppose Otto Zehm was also overbilled on his ambulance ride?
soccermomsusie on October 16 at 11:06 a.m.
Open_Spokane, Are you saying that the Ambulance Company is run by hippies or not run by hippies?
Very confused with you trying to tie My TeaParty Candidate FutureMayor David Condon in with the hippies who are protesting Our Betters. He used to be a commander of a MASH Hospital and had to deal with people like Hawkeye not hippies. And they had helicopters for ambulances that played a very pleasant tune when they landed not the song IN A GODLESS AVIDA!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
Ron_the_Cop on October 16 at 11:40 a.m.
And don’ forget that on the Mayor’s watch SPD disbanded it’s crimes against property unit. What the Hell were they thinking. This is an ESSENTIAL government service. This is putting the citizen’s of Spokane at risk. There will be an explosion of residential burglaries by this move!
And don’t use the numbers generated by Crime Check either as there will be significant under reporting of the numbers to justify this move. See the burg rate didn’t go up that much. What until the homeowners insurance carriers get wind of this. Watch your rates go up.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 11:53 a.m.
Blim says..”No matter how you slice up water rates and the Otto Zehm investigation, Condon will favor developers, polluters and big corporations over average citizens….”
and you know this how Blim?
Nobody favors polluters……and big corps are in Spokane so how would that work? Verner has favored nothing. Done nothing. She’s done nothing.
You’re brain is shrinking Blim. COndon has taken on every issue that’s screwed over the public and the taxpayer.
Verner’s abuse the trust she was given. She likes the water taxes and garbage fees. She’s spent money recklessly.
$5 million on a huge evidence storage building (she’s tried to keep it quiet)…200K sq ft and her new police headquaters…about $5.8 (so far) buildng when she didn’t need it. But the recipient of her spending was who? POLICE.who were fine without the $11 million expense to the taxpayer.
$5 million on GREEN garbage trucks???
No…..she’s lied all along and she needs to go before she’s jailed for lying to the Feds. How will she do as mayor when the feds are breathing down her neck?? She cannot. SO then Gavin Cooley manages the money?? In most cities, a honorable person would have already resigned.
Vote Condon.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on October 16 at 12:16 p.m.
Dazzee writes “COndon has taken on every issue that’s screwed over the public and the taxpayer.”
Ummm….what has he done? I, and many others on here, have asked the righties on here WHAT HAS HE DONE many times to no reply. The only thing his former boss, Cathy McMorris Rogers, is known for is standing behind her party leaders during press conferences and smiling and look pretty and then taking federal stimulus money while posing for pictures claiming she helped get this money for the North-South Freeway after opposing it.
Sorry, but please can someone tell me what has Condon and Cathy actually done for Spokane?
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 12:30 p.m.
He’s trying to become mayor to make thing right liberal. That’s what one does when he’s running for an office that has been terribly emismanaged! What don’t you understand about that?
In case you haven’t noticed, McMorris isn’t running for mayor. COndonused to work for her…”used to”….<focus on=”” that.=”” nothing=”” says=”” he=”” likes=”” her=”” voting=”” or=”” policies=”” does=”” it.=”” it’s=”” a=”” whole=”” different=”” level.=”” he=”” cannot=”” “do”=”” anything=”” when=”” he=”” doesn’t=”” hold=”” office.=”” c’mon…even=”” you=”” can=”” understand=”” that.=”” but=”” back=”” to=”” the=”” point:=”” what=”” has=”” verner=”” done??=”” it’s=”” listed=”” in=”” my=”” post=”” above.=”” go=”” back=”” and=”” read=”” what=”” verner’s=”” done.=”” you=”” might=”” get=”” a=”” moment=”” of=”” clarity.=”” try=”” it.=”” worst=”” mayor=”” on=”” record.=”” look=”” around=”“ you.=”“>
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 12:32 p.m.
I do not know why some posts appear as my last one does.
soccermomsusie on October 16 at 12:32 p.m.
liberal in right wing land. Let me explain it to you in very simple terms why David Condon should be our next mayor.
True, Mary Verner has navigated, for Spokane, the global recession OK. She has gained more jobs for Spokane, wrangled concessions from socialist unionists, cut spending, etc. She even had all the Republican Business endorsements until we started putting the heat on Tony Bonanzino and other Republicans who initially supported her. SO WHAT!?!?!
George W. Bush (best president) was the source of the Great Recession which was OK because he was only fulfilling prophecy. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers did/does whatever she is told by GWB or whomever is calling the shots for MY TEAPARTY. David Condon has been a Washington D.C. Insider working behind the scenes helping Cathy destroy the economy (doing God’s will as told to His Favorite President - George W. Bush).
Who better to fix the economy now? Davey’s been on the inside. It’s like he’s on one of the TV shows - Mod Squad or it Takes a Thief or My Mother the Car. He’s like a pimply-faced adolescent who hacks computers and then turns to industry to show them how they can avoid being hacked. CONDON! FUTURE MAYOR! SPOKANE! TEAPARTY!!!
Do you understand now?
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
soccermomsusie on October 16 at 12:34 p.m.
DazzeeTrader. Time to reboot, dear.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
liberal_in_right_wing_land on October 16 at 12:43 p.m.
terryalan - I am sure you are going to be attacked by the tea baggers on here, but that was AWESOME, laughed my a** off!!! I am sure the usual tea baggers will attack me for supporting that comment.
Citizen on October 16 at 1:20 p.m.
Terryalan, that is plain rude to refer to Cathy’s clown as a tampon.
Zehm is the only possible chance the dismal and moribund Condon campaign has left.
PS - Got to love the Everly Brothers’ Cathy’s Clown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVHP7jR8_8o
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 1:25 p.m.
When a guy doesn’t have the office(yet), not sure it’s logical to complain about him having done nothing/anything . Not that the liberals have any logic.
Verner’s done enough to have her NOT be re-elected.
Fresh faces ( hers doesn’t qualify) might do Spokane a world of good. Oh and Terry you post is disgusting and off point. You’ll have it deleted soon. Don’t do that again.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on October 16 at 1:39 p.m.
Dazzee, because he has worked for Cathy McMorris Rogers for over 5 years and she has done NOTHING to help Spokane. She is more concerned about Washington DC than Washington State and Condon was her deputy chief of staff since 2005. Since 2005 while he was helping her run her office and campaigns can you please tell us what Cathy McMorris Rogers did to help Spokane.
If you are to dumb to understand what Cathy McMorris Rogers having done NOTHING to help Spokane and how this relates to David Condon, her deputy chief of staff, then you are truly more ignorant than I realized.
misjustice on October 16 at 1:52 p.m.
@ terryalan; that’s funny, in a sexually biased sort of way. Also offensive, in that tampons serve a purpose; not so sure that Condom has one?
As much as I hate to admit it, since I believe that Queen Mary has not lived up to her potential, I am going to hold my nose and mark my ballot in her favor.
*sigh*
Ron_the_Cop on October 16 at 2:49 p.m.
Justy,
Are you sure? Look my VOTE IS AGAINST VERNER. I’m not a fan of Condon’s either for several reasons..
Can we survive another four years of Mayor Verner? I think not.
Read this latest piece from the Inlander on all things Otto Zehm and the cover up that goes all the way to the Mayor’s Office:
http://www.inlander.com/spokane/article-17043-the-bulldog.html
The Mayor could have pulled the plug on this almost two years ago and she didn’t. Why?
Further regarding the RPS scandal read this on how Mayor Verner did nothing to prevent this hemorrhage of $87 MILLION. This is not chump change and has created a structural deficit in the general fund. The chickens have come home to roost. Two million of the Downtown revenue is going to service the debt on the second bonds that were sold to pay off the first defrauded bond holders. This doesn’t count the personnel costs that is a subsidy from the general fund. The Mayor as a council person knew full well what was going on. She did nothing!
For more read this piece by Shook:
Spokane’s Anarchist Mayor
http://tinyurl.com/48qh6et
I WILL NOT VOTE FOR MAYOR VERNER!
misjustice on October 16 at 3:07 p.m.
I KNOW, Ron! I read the hard copy of the Inlander piece, including the sidebars…
I said that I was gonna hold my nose!
I can not, in good faith, vote for the Condom; he has zero experience except as a “secretary” for McMoRo. Nothing against regular secretaries…
Guess for me it comes down to the evil that I “know” versus the unknown.
*sigh*
Trust me, I am not happy about the choices for Mayor.
I seriously doubt that Condom can/will do anything about the Lollipop Guild and Treppiedi; if he could/would, I might reconsider.
misjustice on October 16 at 3:09 p.m.
Oh, and just WHAT could a (peon) council member REALLY do to thwart the Cowles Dynasty?
ldchristi on October 16 at 3:12 p.m.
Verner has been the best mayor this city has seen in years. She is balanced and gets the job done. She is hard working, visible and generally communicative. I’m a bit concerned hiring a former aide to our current Senator — who has been a do-nothing, “yes-sir” legislator since elected. Is he of the same ilk?
Blondscence on October 16 at 3:14 p.m.
You vote for Verner , you vote for anarchy. Looks more and more like this mayor is indeed a criminal. If this is what you desire and support for this fair City, you’re part of it.
Not really much more to say or decide about it. You get what you vote for. In this case, it’ll be disaster upon you. And you vote for dishonesty? AND YOU VOTE FOR THIS UNETHICAL DISHONESTY? lOOKS LIKE CRIMINAL THINGS, UNETHICAL THINGS ARE SUPPORTED IF THE “D” LABEL IS ON THEM.
You, therefore are in on it.
Crime pays I guess. Amazing piece Ron..hadn’t seen that before just now.
JBlim on October 16 at 5:15 p.m.
blondescene says: “You vote for Verner , you vote for anarchy. … . . mayor is indeed a criminal.”
Gimme a break. Anarchy? Criminal? The fact of the matter is that Condon is just another right winger whose heart lies with chain stores and developers, not us regular citizens. Don’t trust them, you’re just another mark for these guys to take advantage of.
Elkay on October 16 at 5:35 p.m.
Wow.
After reading these, you can certainly pick out the 100% pure partisans who would rather vote for a well publicized mayor who can lie about her role in a case involving homicide, watch SPD disband a seriously needed property crimes unit, not veto the water hike structuring …
I’m sure after Verner wins, we’ll be hearing from the very same “voters” complain about how bad the leadership in Spokane is.
This is where partisanship gets hypocritically nauseous.
johnclarke on October 16 at 5:42 p.m.
Again, I just don’t get it…The Mayor is not some all powerful person in Spokane. I myself can’t tell the difference when they change. If there was a Mayor willing to take on the massive overspending on duplicate EMS, the good ‘ol boys club in the Fire and Police departments, the city employee unions, the sewer funding, garbage etc etc then I would sit up and take notice. Otherwise the Mayor in Spokane seems to be punching holes in paper, and taking a bunch of crap for things they are really quite powerless to do anything about.
Ron_the_Cop on October 16 at 6:20 p.m.
John Clarke,
Yes I agree. Mayor Verner is content with punching holes in paper. There are things crying out for change in this City and Mayor Verner fails to deal with them. I voted for her. She is a strong mayor not Verner but the position. She has the power to fire department heads. She refuses to see the corruption in our government and take appropriate action.
The Waste to Energy deal is all “hinked” up and makes money when it is not producing energy. When the must take power contract with the west side expires it will go negative. The City skims money of this operation to fund to pay for expenses over and above what can be expensed to the detriment of the other participants. Sources have told me this occurs in the City’s IT expenses charged the others for running
The AMR billing fraud is toxic and Mayor Hession did little to fix the cause. Neither did Mayor Verner. It took a class action suit to recover the over billing charges. Chief Billy Williams is at the heart of this fraud and also the fire bonds. Why do we have ladder trucks making EMT runs?
Yes. Ms. Justy the Mayor was one of those on Council at the time that voted in favor of the RPS settlement agreement. This was a fraud through and through. As Mayor, Verner continues to refuse to waive the atty/client privilege of the first City Special Bond Counsel O. Yale Lewis who has the evidence that would expose the direct involvement of City Official’s in this $87M fraud.
The disbanding of the SPD crimes against property unit is tantamount to MALFEASANCE in office. This action is a direct threat to the safety of the citizens of Spokane.
And finally as the Zehm case unfolds as the federal CRV case, it will expose the unseemly underside of Spokane Nice. No one will admit that mistakes are made and will sweep them under the rug. This is also very dangerous to the citizens of Spokane when it comes to managing the SPD. The SPD leadership is inept, incompetent and in some cases corrupt. Not to mention they assisted in burying the death of Jo Ellen Savage in the RPS parking garage.
As the testimony comes in it wouldn’t surprise me there will be jumpers from the upper floors of City Hall into the Spokane River.
What more do I need to say! You can continued to drink the Kool-Aid in this town. I WILL NOT.
If the Mayor wishes to get my vote here’s my punch list:
Fire Chief Kirkpatrick and Asst. Chief Nicks. Call for the US Attorney’s Office to expand its criminal investigation to include any who were complicit and or aided/abetted in the Zehm coverup for obstruction of justice. Call for the US DOJ to do a pattern and practice investigation of SPD like is currently underway at Seattle PD.
Fire City Attorney Delaney and Asst. City Attorney Treppiedi for their involvement in the coverup in the Zehm death. More so Roco Treppiedi just read the federal proffer in April 2010. Why did the Mayor remain silent for almost two years. It was very clear from a reading of this filing that there was an overt coverup underway by high ranking City Officials.
Fire Chief Bobby Williams for the AMR billing fraud and other mismanagement.
Fire Gavin Cooley for his involvement in the RPS Settlement Agreement and for misleading others by allowing CPA to remain after his name on the City’s website. He let his CPA license lapse in 2006 to avoid the professional accountability of maintaining his license. A CPA license requires a significant investment in time. His explanation that he didn’t have the time to take the CEU is quite lame.
gopin2012 on October 16 at 6:22 p.m.
Vote Condon, the tampon for change.
Job creators ueber alles!
johnclarke on October 16 at 6:28 p.m.
Ron, I appreciate your comments and enthusiasm but I just see that list as “business as usual” in Spokane. Electing someone else and that list will remain and most likely grow longer. I don’t like kool aid, and my advice is run for office. I’ll vote for you my man.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 6:37 p.m.
If you’re not part of the solution J, you are, indded, part of the problem. Nuff said.
I’d say “get rid of her before somebody gets killed” but someone(s) already have.
Two big buildings and $12 million (and counting) to fix them up for the Police and their Guild. Plus their raises begin after the election. What’s not to understand about this mayor?
She appears to be a very dirty mayor. Thank God for the people who have stay the course as great personal risk ( some have already been damaged by this cabal at CIty Hall) to expose the truth of multiple issues surreptitiously put over on the taxpaying public. They are NOT good people and they do NOT deserve to govern let alone represent Spokane.
It’s not a partisan matter. It’s human matter.
Condon will do the right thing. It might be the last time to clean the place out. Vote Condon.
johnclarke on October 16 at 6:42 p.m.
All very rousing Daisy, but the power in this town will remain unchanged regardless of who sits in the Mayor’s office. I moved out of the city, but unfortunately plenty of my investments remain. Again, I don’t hear anyone (including your pet) willing to take the real issues on. So *yawn*
D Statler on October 16 at 6:47 p.m.
@soccermom, FYI: The rendering plant is firmly within the city limits.That smell you speak of may be because city officials have continued to bend homeowners over the pickle barrel. Either way,both cases are your mess,not ours. Thank You for not moving to the Valley. We really don’t need anymore change. CONDON is the better choice of your two evils. Good luck paying your increased water and utilities. Mayor Verner did a bang up job raiding the utility / infrastructure reserves! Covering up the Zehm mess is just iceing on your cake. Don’t forget the civil suit still looming in your futures. :^(
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 8:18 p.m.
Depnds on which “issues” you’re ferrng to. Have a list?
I’l get it to him and you’ll have an answer within 48 hours.
I call and he answers. I call Verner and she runs…as she should run. How can she function when the life is taken out of her by avoiding jail and fines? Not to mention having to face the disgust of the peoeple when they find out what she’s done to them.
Send a list Clarkie..post it up. Oh and no drinkin on Sunday for you!
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 8:37 p.m.
In fact ALL of you fomulate questions you have. This is a forum.
Make the list and I will get the answer! How’s that for service. No campaigning, just plain answers.
misjustice on October 16 at 8:45 p.m.
@gopin, just as sexist and wrong a post as terryalan but also just as funny; in a weird way…I laughed, and then felt guilty for it…geez!
johnclarke on October 16 at 8:50 p.m.
Never drink, ever.
Duplicate EMS. Lets just make it simple, talk to you in 49 hours.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 8:52 p.m.
Where’s your list Clarkie? I don’t even know the guy but Ive met him. He answer. Let’s have em!
misjustice on October 16 at 10:20 p.m.
Dazzee as the go between for McMoRo’s secretary? Now that’s down right funny, also in a weird way!
Dazzee, I thought that YOU were going to run for mayor? What happened?
; )
nslopeofw on October 16 at 10:23 p.m.
Go ahead and vote for Verner, because after the feds get done with her, it will be hard to do her job from a jail cell.
That is a wasted vote. Rather than vote for someone on the other party’s side, you liberals will gladly just vote in the criminal. WOW, that makes so much sense.
And, you all talk about his lack of experience, yet you voted someone with no experience to the highest office in the land. Kind of a double standard, dont you think?
And, Lib in rt wing land-
The SR must have removed the “funny” post you refer to, due to it being in bad taste just like your incessant use of teabagger. We’ve been over this before, and even tho i know you cant stop using your anti-conservative hate word because you have no real arguments to use against the idea’s presented by conservatives, but i’ll ask anyway, “please quit using your anti-conservative, hate word, please”. I know you think its ok for you to use it because you are gay and have more rights than us non gays, but it just makes you look more hateful, and ignorant, so please stop.
DickAdams on October 16 at 11:30 p.m.
Open Spokane:
I agree whole heartily when you said to szpew, “You seem to be fixated at attacking character what-if’s?” Open Spokane, your comments I totally agree as well. Blimp is another one who is fixated. Blimpy might even be worse than pew.
greenlibertarian on October 16 at 11:43 p.m.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 16 at 12:32 p.m.
I do not know why some posts appear as my last one does.
Some people say, ala Faux news, it’s the 86 proof you imbibe.
DickAdams on October 16 at 11:47 p.m.
Thanks Ted! Your “Inlander” did a great job with the current story re Otto Zehm. The opine about Roco Treppiedi was excellent. The story was right on target, for a bulls-eye!! Much better than the Spokesman Review would have done with the constant straying from the subject and many times its guilty and a disservice to its subscribers and the city of Spokane with cover-ups.. Kudos to your writer, Ted.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on October 16 at 11:56 p.m.
nslopeofw, yes we have been over this MANY times. Again, the Tea Party themselves called themselves TEA BAGGERS. Do a quick google search and you will find all your answers. Don’t get mad at me for their stupidity, you should be mad at them for bring up that name on their very own free will.
Love the stupidity of tea baggers who forget history from just a few years ago.
nslopeofw on October 17 at 4:55 a.m.
Rightwing-
Dont forget about the democrats wanting to forget their history on civil rights until the late 60’s when they finally came on board with what republicans had been saying all along.
drywitt99 on October 17 at 5:23 a.m.
WARNING:
Don’t open the 3rd link on my posting at 5:19am.
Contains malicious software.
I have already flagged it.
Sorry…wasn’t paying attention.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on October 17 at 5:37 a.m.
An alternate Scenario…. Mayor Verner wins election… then the fan is turned on and she is forced to resign or is recalled….then we get the City Council President appointed as Mayor…. this really could happen…. I won’t hold my nose and vote for anyone… just because… the two candidates that won the primary for mayor could have been different people. Tom Keefe for Mayor….:)) J
ChefGus/ John Olsen on October 17 at 5:38 a.m.
Too late for an effective write in… but …. never say never…
JBlim on October 17 at 7:07 a.m.
nsloped say “Dont forget about the democrats wanting to forget their history on civil rights until the late 60’s when they finally came on board with what republicans had been saying all along.”
Oh you’re talking about when the all the southern racists switched over to the Republican party? Those were conservative Dixiecrats who finally got over their Civil War aversion to Abraham Lincoln’s Republican Party and decided to join up. Lyndon Johnson’s whole civil rights for blacks was too much for them so they had to put their racism ahead of their Lincoln aversion. Take pride, Republicans!
Elkay on October 17 at 7:23 a.m.
Chef Gus,
You’ve captured my earlier (unwritten) thoughts exactly … if Verner wins and gets recalled.
Scary scenario…having to depend on ignorant or informed voters.
Ron_the_Cop on October 17 at 8:33 a.m.
ChefGus,
I think you may be right if the sheep in Spokane don’t wake up. Talk about being led to the slaughter. WAKE UP SPOKANE!
I believe there will be some very damning info that will be revealed in the course of the Otto Zehm trial. OK folks this is a non partisan issue. A man was killed by the police. This was the result of bad police procedure and tactics. Everyone knew including the Mayor or she should have known. The danger is if you won’t recognize when mistakes are made and take corrective action we are all in danger of this happening again. This is truly a life and death issue.
With Mayor Verner it’s going to be like Watergate. What did she know and when did she know it.
Count me in regarding a recall of Mayor Verner if she should win.
kennyhuston on October 17 at 10:37 a.m.
VOTE OUT Mayor Mary Verner, that is unless you like being lied to!!!!
What did she know and when did she know it? Don’t expect an honest answer out of her is about the only thing you can count on!
LAME DUCK MAYOR with no cajones when it comes to standing up to our gestapo police guild. The term Strong Mayor is undefined when it comes to her.
If you are content with the last couple of years under her watch, then go ahead and waste your vote on her.
@ Ron - Hopefully the recall effort will not have to become a reality!!!!!
REMEMBER OTTO!!!!!!
Dazzeetrader11 on October 17 at 11:40 a.m.
Ron and Gus: Verner is arrogant and self centered enough to know your scenario could really happen but does she care? Nope.
Say she IS elected. She can’t manage the office anyway. She’ll be too busy defending herself so the peoples’ work won’t be done. It’s a loser. .
Clearly the best thing is for her to do is drop out of this race now. She won’tbecause she STILL thinks she can get away with this charade till after election.
She has created a very bad situation on her watch. WHen people do not trust the police force and when an unprecedented number of people are dead of maimed by shootings, it’s time for a leader. All this fallout from the Zehm case defines her absence of leadership.
Her spending and debt is another downside.
Raising taxes to cover her crazy spending is huge.
Hiring arborists, bike consultants ,etc pretty much seals the deal.
$16 million in rate stablization funds are gone. She won’t say where that money went.
Millions upon millions gone is shakey real estate transactions. Spokane wonders why there’s a shortfall?
And , as the losses pile up, doesn’t anyone wonder what the citizens received for their $30 million? Answer: nothing.
Vote for Condon.
Open_Spokane on October 17 at 6:43 p.m.
To all concerned,
Condon may not be perfect and if he steps out of bounds I’ll be the first one to point out his mis-deeds.
On the other hand, Verner got into office accepting huge donations from city employee unions. Conflict of interest? Please consider that some city employee’s received over $40 thousand* a year in overtime in one year thanks to Mary.
Follow the money, regardless if its from Condon or Mary V. - Spokane needs a strong Mayor who won’t take pay-off’s at the expense of the people of Spokane.
*Spokane Batallion Chiefs artical in the Spokesman
JBlim on October 17 at 8:20 p.m.
You can count on Condon to side with polluters, developers and chain stores over ordinary citizens. We don’t need to pamper business, they’ll be fine without the government’s help.
dbraun on October 17 at 9:03 p.m.
As you read through the comments above, it is painfully obvious the political process in this country blows!
An anemic incumbent shows up on the radar with a couple of mouthpiece talking points and gets serious consideration? Leadership?
Non-partisan, my ass…ass…assumption is this is just an attempt to fuel an historically red vote region to remain true to antiquated fossil fueled rhetoric. Seriously, the umbilical cord and paycheck train from a former employer is to be severed for the sake of a vote?
The Pope couldn’t run for mayor here.
Mayor. The gig is a tough one. I don’t want the job. The last few years dropped the lifespan of any diplomat pulling this duty in ANY jurisdiction, small town or big. To lay blame for this country’s woes on the mayor, any mayor, is short sighted and ignorant in the least.
Some things didn’t work. Over state the over obvious, duh.
Things need fixing. See above.
My vote goes to the candidate who seems to care, legitimately about the community, our town. Who puts forth effort into trying to make Eastern Washington better. Boosting this area’s confidence. A city official who participates in its events. Who mingles among its people, not just its constituents. Who cares and is compassionate about the daily life of the city inhabitants. Who hopes for a future beyond its current condition.
Set aside the prototypical “slinging”. There are two candidates on this ballot. One cares about the people of Spokane. One cares about scrambling to win a vote.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 17 at 11:14 p.m.
Sorry….as with others (J) you’re lying like a dumb rug.
But under the heading “the tide as turned” , Verner lost to Condon tonight at the Ferris straw poll post debate.
63-37.
Keep it up. She looked nervous and her voice cracked on every question on every topic.
I’d be nervous too.
She lied about her veto on the water rates. This time she claimed the council’s decision was “veto proof”. Not true.
She could have vetoed and it would have been sent back to the city council to fix her complaints. I guess she doesn’t understand what a strong mayor means. Blame everyone (else).
Ron_the_Cop on October 18 at 10:17 a.m.
Dazzetrader,
In all fairness to Madam Mayor her wireless mike connection kept exploding in my ear and was very distracting to me let alone perhaps to her.
I can’t saw that Condon will be any better but I can bird dog him like stink on poop to ensure he walks the talk.
@Dbraun,
I have to ask. Are you related to the father/son team at SPD?
dbraun on October 21 at 11:41 p.m.
nup