Spokane7
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October 28, 2011 in Opinion
Editorial: Salvatori best choice for council District 3
Residents of northwest Spokane have two appealing choices for the District 3 City Council position: Steve Salvatori and Joy Jones.
The Spokesman-Review endorses Salvatori based on his experience as a small businessman concerned about the cumulative effect of recent fee and rate increases passed by the council.
Salvatori is a relative newcomer to Spokane, but he has quickly embedded himself in the community, founding the Spokane Entrepreneurial Center and joining the Greater Spokane Incorporated Small Business Council and the board of Spokane Public Market, among others. He made a premature run for Spokane County commissioner last year, losing in the Republican Party primary to eventual winner Al French.
Although he supports the $20 vehicle tab fee that is backfilling for lost real estate excise tax revenues, he says a council decision last year to double business taxes was unwise, as was the water rate increase that significantly increased costs for consumers like small businesses. Instead of taking on major infrastructure projects like water main replacement right now, he says, it would be better to take care of weak points until a more comprehensive approach is financially possible.
City voters may be open to another street bond issue like the $110 million, 10-year package passed in 2004, he says, but there must be assurances no construction dollars will be dribbled off for maintenance or used for bike lanes or sidewalks without voter approval.
He supports red-light cameras, provided revenues from fines are kept dedicated to street improvements.
Salvatori calls the gap between city worker pay and private sector pay “the elephant in the room” that must be addressed and closed, if necessary by pressing the Legislature to amend the salary arbitration process. He would not vote for a contract with the Spokane Police Guild that does not give the police ombudsman the power to conduct independent investigations.
Jones is a longtime Spokane resident but first-time candidate with some small-business chops of her own, in part as a student counselor for Eastern Washington University’s Center for Entrepreneurial Activities. She works for Goodwill Industries, heading up the organization’s Mentoring Children of Promise program.
Jones supports the tab fee and would be willing to impose them on bicyclists as a way to fund bike lanes. She defends the changes in water rates because they will reduce costs for the many lower-income residents of the West Central area. She opposes red-light cameras.
Jones also supports an independent ombudsman but adds that adequate law enforcement resources are a priority for the district.
Jones knows the district and its needs well, but Salvatori’s experience and skills are a better fit for the city as it works through another year of budget constraints.
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fairchildairman on October 28 at 7:05 a.m.
My predictions for who the Spokesman would endorse have been spot on. But I admit, I cheated.
You see, all you have to do is go to the PDC of each candidate and look for the name of Catherine Brazil or JDLI. Brazil serves as the director of “public affairs” for the Cowles company and also sits on the board of directors for JDLI. JDLI is a Republican leadership school that Republicans have to go through if they hope to receive some money for their campaign.
Of course, Brazil and/or JDLI gave to Condon, Mike Allen, and Salvatori. If you’re not tracking, here’s a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X64qe8LnOsg
valleyman on October 28 at 8:34 a.m.
And this offends you because??? Oh that’s right… It’s not ok for someone to be conservative or endorse conservatives… Please…
JBlim on October 28 at 9:35 a.m.
The Spokesman endorses another Republican. What a surprise … Endorse a few Dems to give the appearance of impartiality.
CougarGold on October 28 at 10:03 a.m.
JBlim - Didn’t the S-R endorse Ben Stuckart?
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/oct/22/editorial-stuckarts-energy-fresh-leadership/
valleyman on October 28 at 10:14 a.m.
Honestly, the idea that party matters more than principle is getting pretty old anymore… But the drum beat goes on…
mmspowaus on October 28 at 11:09 a.m.
Isn’t Donna McKereghan a democrat as well Jblim? Didn’t the S-Review endorse Governor ‘Where has all the money gone’ Gregoire in 2008 and Senator Lisa ‘I spent the money’ Brown? One could just as easily reword your post and say:
The Spokesman endorses another budget busting democrat. What a surprise … Endorse a few moderate Republicans to give the appearance of impartiality.
Shadedmuse on October 28 at 11:29 a.m.
Mike fagin is way out their in the fringes thats why they went with Donna M.
When you cast your vote cast it in Oppostion of Greater Spokane Inc, they want Spokane to be a wage slave town of nothing but minimum wage Jo-Jobs like retail bars and restraunts. as long as Spokane has GSI it will be always a non growth high unemployment wage slave JO-job city. at least the Inlander got it right with their endorsement of Verner, because we need to make the election a referendum on Cathy Mc-MO and vote against her Boy. Condon the Partisan-Republican-tea-bagger.
valleyman on October 28 at 11:38 a.m.
Is that the best you can do Shaded? Calling McMorris-Rogers and Condon names… Way to go…
Dazzeetrader11 on October 28 at 1:11 p.m.
Shaded has mental deficiencies.
Vote for Condon!
Vote for Mike Allen!
Vote for Dennis Hession!
Steve Salvatori’s in!
another_perspective on October 28 at 8:00 p.m.
valleyman should be silent on a race he cant vote for. Hypocrit.
In this race neither condidate is satisfactory. Steve weavie didnt join any board. He was appointed. A noobie with no cluebie and a loser to Al French (which IS saying a lot).
Jump for Joy is one of “rushdies” power puppets who will tailcoate him to them voting buttons on the dias.
Either candidate is unqualified nor wanting.
Write in David Elton at least you will have a choice rather than an echo.
JBlim on October 28 at 9:28 p.m.
CougarGold says “Didn’t the S-R endorse Ben Stuckart?”
Sorry, I covered that: “Endorse a few Dems to give the appearance of impartiality.”